Spring Festivals in New Zealand 2007
Spring is nature's way of saying let's party!"
Robin Williams, American Comedian
This is certainly evident in New Zealand during October and November, when a plethora of spring festivals burst into action celebrating everything from food to fashion.
- Kaikoura Seafest: 6 October
- International Queenstown ASB JazzFest: 14 – 22 October
- New Zealand Cup and Show Week: 8 - 18 November
- Ellerslie International Flower Show: 15 - 19 November
Kaikoura Seafest: 6 October
Seafest is regarded as Kaikoura's premier event, not to mention a veritable treat for your palate. Featuring the best of wine and food from Kaikoura and surrounding regions, Seafest is a superb opportunity to sample an impressive variety of produce, presented in many weird and wonderfully creative ways.
Be sure to visit the Cuisine tent, where top local and national chefs display their culinary skills. This year, one of the South Island's most renowned chefs, Rod Ramsay, will be on hand to demonstrate his extensive experience and flair in the kitchen.
Live musical entertainment will also be provided throughout the day by popular acts Black Velvet, The Beat Girls and The Bubblemen.
For further information about this Kaikoura food festival, please visit the official Kaikoura Seafest Web site.
View information on Kaikoura accommodation options and other Kaikoura attractions and activities.
International Queenstown ASB JazzFest: 14 – 22 October
Whether you are a musician or just love soaking up top entertainment, indulge your senses at Queenstown ASB JazzFest.
Now in its 29th year, JazzFest attracts musicians from New Zealand and around the world who gather to share their talents, entertain, and inspire in a display of music performance that explores the widest form of the “jazz” genre.
Queenstown ASB JazzFest offers something for everyone, including loads of free gigs across 35 different venues, workshops by leading jazz exponents and master classes from top international tutors.
Some of the outstanding artists performing this year include Rodger Fox, Bonnie Jensen, Chris Cain, Midge Marsden and Mark Lockett.
View information on Queenstown accommodation options and other Queenstown attractions and activities.
New Zealand Cup and Show Week: 8 - 18 November
New Zealand's biggest festival of racing, agriculture, fashion and entertainment, New Zealand Cup and Show Week is the highlight of the social calendar for many Kiwis.
A feature of New Zealand Cup and Show Week is the combination of New Zealand's premier trotting and thoroughbred races into one action packed week of racing, culminating in the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup and First Sovereign Trust NZ 2000 Guineas Day.
Fashion events and activities are spread throughout this spring festival in New Zealand, from the opening event Canterbury Collections through to fashion shows featuring national designer collections and emerging talent.
And music fans are in for a treat with Southern Amp 2, 35 live acts spread over three stages, pumping out 12 hours of great music. Headline acts this year include bands such as Shihad, The Black Seeds, Evermore, Thirsty Merc, Atlas, Opshop, The Veils & dDub.
Then town meets country with the Canterbury A&P Association hosting the 77th Royal New Zealand Show. This is a celebration of rural New Zealand life, and the premiere agricultural and entertainment event in the South Island.
For further information about this Christchurch festival, please visit the official New Zealand Cup and Show Week Web site.
View information on Christchurch accommodation options and other Christchurch activities and attractions.
Ellerslie International Flower Show: 15 - 19 November
The Ellerslie International Flower Show, held at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manukau City, is the Southern Hemisphere's largest and most spectacular garden event.
Debuting in 2004, this spring festival has become more and more popular each year, and acts as a showcase for the most talented of garden designers from New Zealand and around the world.
The show gardens, displays and exhibits at the Ellerslie International Flower Show attract a world-wide following of green-finger specialists and enthusiasts alike, with approximately 65,000 visitors over a five-day period.
For further information about this Auckland festival, please visit the official Ellerslie International Flower Show Web site.
View information on Auckland accommodation options and other Auckland activities and attractions.
