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Festivals and Shows
Editor
These events offer an opportunity for people to overnight while they attend or you can overnight nearby. Some are restricted to certified self contained vehicles, some restrict or ban pets. Check the event website for details.
MARCH
WOMAD New Zealand 2024
15–17 Mar, Fri, New Plymouth, Taranaki
Music and dance performers from around the world and across Aotearoa! womad.co.nz |ckw.nz/womad-camp ckw.nz/womad-eventfinda
Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival
Sat 16 Mar Havelock, Marlborough
A seafood extravaganza. Camping available, certified self-contained. No dogs. ckw.nz/mussel-eventfindackw.nz/mussel-fest ckw.nz/mussel-camp
Earth Beat Festival 2024
Wed 20 – 24 Mar, Wellsford, Auckland
Stay the weekend with the family. Cutting edge creativity, life-changing experiences and learning, a party. No dogs. Tent and vehicle camping. Accessible camp sites. ckw.nz/earth-beat ckw.nz/earth-beat-eventfinda
RIPE 2024: the Wanaka wine and food festival
Sat 23 Mar, Glendhu Bay, Wanaka, Otago
Central Otago’s finest wine and food. Camping at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, or Albert Town Park. ckw.nz/ripe | ckw.nz/ripe-eventfinda
Port of Tauranga 61st National Jazz Festival
23 Mar–3 Apr, Bay of Plenty
A week of jazz and fun. Choose an event near a free camp. Jazz Street Party Katikati, 23 March. Tauranga & Mt Maunganui on the other days. ckw.nz/katikati-jazz | ckw.nz/jazz ckw.nz/jazz-eventfinda
Evening Meditation on the Maunga
Sat 23 March, Maungatautari, Waikato
Evening birdsong and gentle sounds of nature are an ideal setting for meditation. There are a few overnight parks at Sanctuary Mountain. ckw.nz/meditation ckw.nz/sanctuary
Warbirds Over Wanaka Mar 2024
29 –31 Mar 2024, Easter, Wanaka, Otago
One of the world’s top Warbirds airshows it is a biennial event. More than 50,000 people attend. Sort your accomodation first. warbirdsoverwanaka.com
Oxford A&P Show 2024
Sat, 30 Mar, EASTER Saturday, Oxford, North Canterbury
Enjoy some country hospitality. There is a lovely freedom camping by the Eyre River, 1km from town. ckw.nz/oxford-show ckw.nz/oxford-eventfinda
APRIL
Mackenzie Highland Show
Mon 1 April, Easter Monday, Fairlie
A fun family day out with something for everyone. Freedom camping is some distance away at Lake Opuha, but there is free parking for the day at the show. mackenzieshow.co.nz ckw.nz/mckenzie-eventfinda
Aspiring Conversations
Thu 4–7 Apr, Wanaka, Central Otago
A biennial festival of ideas where key thinkers talk about a diverse and rich array of current, controversial and just downright interesting subjects. Camping at Glendhu Bay Motor Camp, or Albert Town Park. festivalofcolour.co.nz ckw.nz/aspiring-eventfinda
Waiau School trail ride 2024
6–7 April, Waiau, North Canterbury
For competent riders of off-road motorcycles and ATVs. Breathtaking. Basic overnight camping. theride.co.nz
LATER
Mardi Gras Ohakune
June, Ohakune ckw.nz/ohakune-24
Fire & Ice Hot Air Balloon Glow and Laser Festival
June, Mt Hutt village ckw.nz/fire-ice-24
Mystery Creek Field Days
June, Hamilton fieldays.co.nz
7 Autumn 2024
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