January Festivals
New Year’s Eve/Day: throughout New Zealand, the festivities begin on New Year’s Eve with drinking and dancing. At exactly one minute to midnight the countdown to begins and is accompanied by fireworks and partying across the country. February Festivals
Waitangi Day: is also known as New Zealand Day. As the festival falls during summer many of the activities take place outside with parades and marching bands. Cuba Street Carnival: is held bi annually in Wellington with markets, a night parades, music, song and dance and a specialised kidszone. March Festivals
Capital E National Arts Festival: this is New Zealand’s biggest arts festival for children and is held in Wellington. There are dance and puppet shows, story telling and many more performances by international and local performers. Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival: each winter, visitors and locals of Queenstown let their hair down and celebrate winter by having the biggest winter party. The party usually lasts for 10 days with more than 50 events to attend. August Festivals
Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues: is usually held over a weekend and is jam packed with performances by both local and international musicians. Nelson Arts Festival: the city celebrates the best of New Zealand’s artists during the 10 days. There are theatre productions, comedians, musical concerts, dance performances and workshops to attend. Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival: during this festival, several private gardens throughout northern, central, southern and coastal Taranaki are opened for public viewing. Ellerslie International Flower Show: is held over a few days and the largest horticultural event in Australasia. Bayley's Garden and Artfest: is held in Tauranga and is a celebration of the gardens and artwork here. There are displays of sculptures, paintings, drawings, photography and mosaics. December Festivals
Armstrong Peugeot Festival of Cycling: this is New Zealand’s premier cycling event with both international and regional athletes participating. Christmas: is usually a family affair although many hotels and restaurants serve the traditional Christmas cuisine and Santa Clause usually makes an appearance. | 
