Discover food and wine festivals worth travelling for.
New Zealand celebrates its exceptional food and wine all year long. No matter when you visit, you’ll find events showcasing the best of each season.
1. Flavours of Plenty Festival, Bay of Plenty
Flavours of Plenty, Bay of Plenty
Long Lunch with Pepper Me, Flavours of Plenty Festival , New Zealand
Flavours of Plenty Festival, Bay of Plenty
Welcome to Flavours of Plenty Festival(opens in new window), where the Bay of Plenty’s passionate foodies, chefs, producers and storytellers come together each autumn (late March to early April) to celebrate and elevate all they have got to offer as a food region. From pop-up restaurants to hands-on workshops, degustation dinners to meet the makers tours, and so much more. Everyone’s appetite is catered for, so come and visit Te Moananui ā Toi for a tantalising feast of events!
It's 'all hands on deck' for the months of June and November, as Hawke's Bay locals come together to accommodate the masses! The annual Food and Wine Classic event (better known as F.A.W.C), showcases the very best of Hawke's Bay food and drink. Restaurants, food trucks and eateries set the bar high, serving gourmet cuisine affectionately prepared by established chefs. Breweries, cideries and wineries tease your taste buds with superb liquid creations. Book early, experiences sell out fast!
Eat.Taste.Central(opens in new window) is a springtime event running from late October to mid-November where you can take your palate somewhere it hasn't been before. Local cafés, restaurants and cellar doors collectively produce a 'Central Otago Regional Menu' celebrating our very own World of Flavour. In addition, various events around the region will add a touch of zest to your Central Otago experience.
Held across mutiple dates in winter (June in Wellington) and spring (October in Auckland), Winetopia(opens in new window) showcases the best New Zealand wines. It's not just about wine tasting, get hands on with a 40-minute-wine masterclass with expert winemakers and sommeliers. Or, learn some new wine making tricks at the educational talks with industry professionals.
Celebrating the unique food and drink of the West Coast, the autumn Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, taking place in March each year, is unlike any other food festival. One minute you could be feasting on succulent New Zealand lamb and venison, the next minute you're trying crocodile bites, possum pies and deep fried pigs ears! You'll need to be adventurous to sample the locals' culinary creations. Are you brave enough to try huhu grubs?
One of New Zealand’s most popular seafood events, the Whitianga Oceans Festival takes place annually in September and features packed food stalls and mouth-watering dishes. Entertainment from famous New Zealand performers and seafood cooking demonstrations by iconic New Zealand chefs.
Wine tasting and dining in Marlborough, Marlborough
Wine tasting and dining in Marlborough, Marlborough
World-famous for its wines, cuisine and atmosphere, Marlborough’s Wine & Food Festival(opens in new window) is Aotearoa’s longest running festival. Join thousands of wine and food lovers to sample world renowned Sauvignon Blancs and many other varieties worthy of the same recognition, from Marlborough’s top wineries. Satisfy your tastebuds with great food, be inspired by celebrated chefs in the Culinary Pavilion, enjoy live music and soak up the atmosphere. This event takes place each February.
Eat and drink your way around the Wellington region for four weeks during the Visa Wellington on a Plate(opens in new window) (also known as W.O.A.P) event each August. You'll be served some wild and wacky (and equally delicious) burger creations, quirky cocktail creations, degustation dinners, wines and melt in your mouth chocolates and more. Get hands on and attend a cooking class or try locally produced craft beers at Beervana(opens in new window).
Martinborough’s picturesque setting has been a major drawcard for wine-lovers since the festival started in 1992. There’s no better time to try the region's best wines than at Toast Martinborough(opens in new window), when top-flight Martinborough wineries team up with some of the region’s best chefs and musicians to offer a fully immersive and indulgent experience to suit all tastes. Get your tickets early, this summer event sells out fast!
10. North Canterbury Wine and Food Festival, Canterbury
Dancing, Christchurch - Canterbury
Pouring wine, Christchurch - Canterbury
Festival crowd, Christchurch - Canterbury
Attracting visitors from all over New Zealand and overseas, theNorth Canterbury Wine and Food Festivalshowcases the very best of Waipara Valley wine and food. In March each year, local musicians and performers entertain the 4,000 festival lovers. The festival is less than one hour's drive from both Christchurch and Hanmer Springs. Book your tickets to ''the coolest little wine festival'' in New Zealand.
