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Hostelling International Tripbook for

New Zealand Summertime Festivals

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Beyond New Zealand’s reputation for lush landscapes and active adventures is a fabulous festival season. So get set to sizzle in the summer with a showcase of the best of New Zealand’s culture, music and food. From buskers to bandstands, foodie feasts and thought-provoking films, get to know the country and its amazing culture a little better at these great events.

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Photo credit: Rhythm and Vines

The festival for wild childs: Rhythm and Vines

What began with a bunch of uni mates putting on a festival in the family vineyard has become New Zealand’s favourite way to ring in New Year’s Eve. The three-day festival near Gisborne attracts 30,000 people, with big name bands performing....
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Photo credit: Splore

The festival for culture vultures: Splore

Held in the Tapapakanga Park an hour southeast of Auckland, Splore has emerged as one of New Zealand’s best family-friendly festivals with an extensive visual arts programme and a big emphasis on community interaction and sustainability. Held in February, there are five stages given over to art, performance and music for the three-day event.

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Photo credit: BrookReady

The Festival that’s a little left of centre: Wanderlust

It’s a curious thing when yoga gurus get top billing alongside international musical acts like Xavier Rudd, but the Wanderlust festival does things a little differently. The popular international wellbeing festival is running in Great Lake Taupo area in January and February and features a blend of yoga, music, meditation, workshops, hikes and inspiring lectures....
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Photo credit: Wildfoods Festival

The Festival for food lovers: Wildfoods

You’ve really got to be a food lover to stomach what’s on offer at the Hokitika Wildfoods festival, held in March on the West Coast of the South Island. The adventurous festival is aimed at sustainability and getting people to try things they normally wouldn’t....
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Photo credit: Laneway

New Zealand: festival for music mavens - Laneway Auckland

What started as a series of Sunday sessions in a small bar has turned into an Asia-Pacific festival phenomenon that had its inaugural run in Auckland in 2010. Held by the harbour in Silo Park in January, this year’s Laneway Festival will feature big name acts in the past including Angus and Julia Stone, Belle and Sebastian, Eagulls, FKA Twigs and Future Islands.

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YHA Wanaka

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YHA Auckland City

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YHA Hokitika

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YHA Wellington

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YHA Christchurch Rolleston House

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Photo credit: Aaron Moffit

The Festival for those who like it local: Homegrown

With 57 acts, seven stages and born and bred local talent, Homegrown remains a celebration of Kiwis who have made it big and a platform for new Kiwi talent. Past artists have including Shapeshifter, David Dallas, Shihad, Six60 and Ginny Blackmore are scheduled to perform on the Wellington Waterfront on 7 March....
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Photo credit: New Zealand Fringe Festival

The festival for surprises: The New Zealand Fringe Festival

With over 100 self-produced events and shows, the New Zealand Fringe Festival is a daring open-access event held in Wellington each year. Scheduled to run in February and March, past year’s event featured everything from hard-core bingo to fairytales on fire and aerial yoga, with future acts set to push the envelop with innovative performances.

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Photo credit: Pasifika Festival

The festival for appreciating your roots: Pasifika

The Pasifika festival in Auckland celebrates Pacific Islander heritage and diversity. Held at Western Springs Park on a weekend in March, the festival is divided into 11 cultural villages and attracts an incredible 80,000 visitors who come to try traditional cuisine, watch performances and learn about each culture....
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Photo credit: Meredith Clare and Triebels Photography

The Festival for the Free and Fabulous: World Buskers Festival

Fabulous, fast paced and best of all, free to the public, the SCRIT World Buskers Festival has been held in Christchurch for over 20 years and is one of the best celebrations of street theatre in the world. Both local and international acts pan for your pennies during the ten-day event in January in Hagley Park.

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Photo credit: Ukulele Festival

The festival for quirky types: Ukulele Festival

Home of the Great Kiwi Uke-along, the New Zealand Ukulele Festival is a celebration of all things related to the quirky instrument which has recently soared in popularity. Along with a mass ukulele orchestra there are workshops, performances and stalls, all free to the public in one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the world....
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Photo credit: New Zealand International Comedy Festival

New Zealand International Comedy Festival

Tickle your funny bone at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival held across venues in Auckland, Wellington and some regional cities in April and May and featuring stand up, sketch, improv, theatre and musical comedy.

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Photo credit: Marchfest

Nelson Marchfest

Get into the groove of a new season at Marchfest held in March in sunny Nelson. The day-long event features homegrown musical talent, a beer line up of local, never-before-tasted-by-the-public-brew, wine, cider juices and regional cuisine....
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Photo credit: wanaka.tv

Southern Lakes Festival of Colour

Also worth a look is the more low-key Southern Lakes Festival of Colour based in Wanaka with satellite events in Queenstown, Luggate, Hawea and Cromwell. Running in April, the music, theatre and dance festival bills itself as the best little arts festival in New Zealand.

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Photo credit: YHA New Zealand

Festival Survival Plan: Tips 1 - 5

1. Book ahead for beds at the local YHA, tickets for events, flights into town, buses and venue parking....
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