Otago Annual Events

• Wanaka Rodeo
  Calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronco and bare back plus stalls and heaps more. Held on Golf Course Road, in early January.
• New Year Yacht Regatta
  An annual yacht regatta held by the Wanaka Yacht Club on Lake Wanaka.
• Alexandra Summer Markets
  The region's produce and creativity on display at Pioneer Park every Saturday during January and February.
• Glenorchy Races
  Glenorchy farmhands and shepherds put their hacks through hilarious paces.

• Rippon Rock Festival
  A biennial open-air rock festival at Rippon Vineyard, held on even numbered years.
• Central Otago Food and Wine Festival, Queenstown
  The best of the region's produce on display.
• Maniototo A&P Show, Ranfurly
  Farming expertise on display.
• Central Otago Wine & Food Festival
  The best of the region's local produce on display at Queenstown Gardens.
• Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration
  An international gathering of wine writers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts in Queenstown, for tastings, seminars and fine food.
• Otago Goldfields Cavalcade
  Hundreds of horses and riders, wagoners and walkers follow Otago's old gold trails to Middlemarch in a re-enactment of gold strikes that established Otago province.

• Warbirds over Wanaka
  A biennial airshow at Wanaka Airport featuring classic planes, vintage machinery and military vehicles, and an aviation trade and craft expo. Held over Easter in even-numbered years.
• Upper Clutha Agriculrural & Pastoral Show
  An annual show at the Wanaka Showgrounds featuring a huge variety of animals, plants, arts, crafts, stalls and side shows. The second-largest A&P Show in the South Island - an event for the whole family and a day out not to be missed!
• Silverstone Race to the Sky
  An international hill-climb motor rally in Queenstown around some of the world's best scenery, held annually at Easter.
• Gold Rush Multisport
  A multisport race at Alexandra comprising running, kayaking, road cycling and mountain biking.
• North Otago Organic Wine & Food Festival
  Speakers, stalls and entertainment in Mid March at the township of Oamaru.

• Arrowtown Autumn Festival
  This historic goldrush town celebrates its history and 'golden' days.
• Silverstone Queenstown International Hill Climb
  A motor rally around some of the world's best scenery.
• World Cinema Showcase
  An annual feast of international Cinema at Dunedin's Regent Theatre featuring new offerings, classic prints and past festival highlights.

• Classic Farmer of the Year
  Local farmers compete for the title at the town of Cromwell.

• Ski and snowboard fields open.
• Brass Monkey Rally
  A motorcycle tour held in and around Oturehua.

• Queenstown Winter Festival
  An annual mid-July celebration of winter, sporting and cultural events featuring fireworks, parties, whacky races, exhibitions, a street Mardi Gras, live jazz, snowsports competitions and the annual Queenstown Winter Ball. Held at various venues throughout Queenstown.
• Peak to Peak Adventure Multi-Sport Race
  A challenging course from The Remarkables mountains to Coronet Peak.

• K2 Southern Lakes Snowboard Regionals, Cardrona Alpine Resort
  An annual extreme snowboarding competition.
• Wanaka Snowfest
  A week-long family flavoured event held at various venues in Wanaka.
• Ice Triathlon
  A three discipline snow sports event held at Ice Inline International Ice Rink with events throughout the Alexandra region.

• Alexandra Blossom Festival
  A welcome to Spring among the orchards and vineyards of Alexandra, held on the fourth weekend in September.
• Remarkables Spring Carnival
  A celebration of spring in the mountains with competitions from a family treasure hunt to whitewater rafting, skiing and snowboarding.

• The Queenstown Jazz Festival
  A line-up of leading jazz acts.
• Thyme Celebration, Alexandra
  Arts and crafts, displays, debates and entertainment centred around thyme harvesting. Held annually on the third weekend of October.
• Southland Festival of Gardens
  A chance to see some of Southland's finest gardens ranging from formal to cottage. The festival is held again in February, during the summer.

• Southland Festival of Gardens (continues)
  A chance to see some of Southland's finest gardens ranging from formal to cottage.

• Lake Hayes Triathlon
  An extreme sporting event at Lake Hayes.
• Wakatipu Rodeo
  Arrowtown's annual rodeo