Northland Festivals
January
- Waipu Highland Games
Scottish music, dance and sports are performed at this tiny Scottish settlement.
- Bay of Islands Tall Ships Race
Tall ships, square riggers and classic yachts compete in this race departing Russell in the Bay of Islands.
- New Zealand Game Fishing Challenge
The country's premier game fishing tournament.
February
- Waitangi Day
New Zealand's national day is celebrated with a public holiday and festivities at its birthplace in Waitangi.
- Whangaroa One Base Tournament
Big game fish competition based at Whangaroa.
- Whangarei Wine & Food Festival
Wine, beer, food and fun from 11am-6pm at Whangarei's Barge Park.
- Northland Agriculture Field Day
New Zealand's second largest agricultural and horticultural display featuring farm and exotic animals, competitions, food, stalls and helicopter rides. Dargaville showgrounds, entry $7.
March
- Endless Summer Festival
Whangarei celebrates during March with performing arts, crafts, opera, theatre and family entertainment, including street busking and puppets. Various venues.
- Bay of Islands Arts Festival
Ten days of comedy, dance, theatre, classical jazz and pop music, film, literature and visual arts at the historic village of Russell.
- Annual Lion Red Snapper Classic
Cash prizes totalling $250,000 at Ninety Mile Beach.
- Te Houtaewa Challenge
The annual Ninety Mile Beach marathon commemorates the feats of the legendary Maori athlete Te Houtaewa, who ran the length of Ninety Mile Beach. Categories include the full 60km ultra-marathon, a 42km marathon, a 21km half marathon, a 5 person relay and a 6km fun walk.
April
- Far North Country Fair
Kerikeri high street is transformed into a street market offering arts and crafts, food and produce, along with music and entertainment.
- Kauri Coast Kumara Festival
Diverse entertainment to mark the kumara (sweet potato) including the Kumara Triathlon from the Kai Iwi Lakes to downtown Dargaville.
May
- Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival
The best of international and national country music acts perform throughout the Bay of Islands at this popular annual festival.
- The Great Snapper Contest
Whangaroa's annual snapper fishing competition.
June
- Tai Tokerau Matariki Festival
A festival showcasing Maori arts, culture and heritage throughout the month of June.
For more information, contact Pania Sigley - info@matarikinorthland.co.nz or 09 4038 253 or visit www.matarikinorthland.co.nz
- Tutukaka Coast Yellowtail Fishing Tournament
This world-class game fishing area hosts its annual yellowtail competition.
- Queens Birthday Light Tackle Tournament
A competition hosted by the Whangaroa Big Game Fishing Club.
- Bay of Islands International Yellowtail Fishing Tournament
A Yellowtail competition at this world-renowned game fishing centre.
July
- Kilwell Sports Kai Iwi Lakes Trout Fishing Contest
A trout fishing tournament on the beautiful Kai Iwi lakes near Dargaville.
August
- Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival
Musicians gather from all over NZ to perform smooth jazz and sultry blues. Featuring more than 50 acts with street performances and evening shows.
- Whangarei Marathon/Half Marathon
A picturesque coastal two-lap marathon course, with walking and running options.
September
- Kowhai Summer Festival
An annual event at Warkworth, north of Auckland, featuring stalls, crafts, parades, family entertainment and a food and wine festival.
- Russell Oyster Festival
Russell celebrates the start of its oyster harvest with a day of entertainment including a street parade, floats, live music, dancing, and food and drink stalls.
October
- Bay of Islands Wine & Food Festival
A 3-day festival with entertainment, including wine games, wine tasting, a charity wine auction and a wineries tour.
- Dargaville River Festival
A festival with German influence including a bierfest.
- Lindauer Coastal Classic
This annual regatta for classic yachts takes place at Labour Weekend over a course that runs from Auckland to Russell.
November
- Kerikeri Half Marathon
Walk or run from Okaihau to Kerikeri.
- Whangarei Garden Discovery
Live music, local art and food in the city's gardens.
- Tutukaka Saltwater Fly Fishing Tournament
A fly fishing competition off the spectacular Tutukaka Coast, near Whangarei.
December
- Christmas Jackpot
A billfish competition at Whangaroa, Northland.
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