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Spring Blossom Festivals

Spring Flower Festivals

These springtime festivals in Hasting and Alexandra have been held since the 1950s and although the times have changed, many of the celebrations and traditions remain. As family fun is the order of the day (and of the season), most of the activities are free. Both festivals offer visitors to New Zealand the opportunity to meet the locals and join in with lots of spring time and floral fun.

Hastings Spring Festival

Since 1950, Hastings has celebrated the start of spring with a festival of flowers, dance and song and its famous blossom parade day. This year's festival programme runs from Friday 10th to Saturday 19th September and includes free concerts, artists seminars, poetry readings and more.

Highlights of the Hastings festival include:

Spring Flower Festivals
  • Floral festivals, music society concerts, organ recital, choral evensongs and farmers' market.
  • Parade Day - This free family day in the city on Saturday 11th September begins at 10.30am with the famous Hastings Blossom Parade with colourful floats, music, puppets, food, craft stalls and foam cannon.
  • Ladies DayHorseracing on Saturday 18th September on ladies' day is complete with fine wine, chocolate and the latest styles for the season.
  • Opshop Concert – Opshop play at Hawke's Bay Opera House on Saturday 18th September.
  • New Zealand Olive Festival – On the 18th September, you can join in the celebrations of everything olive in Hastings with cooking demonstrations, olive oil appreciation and tasting workshops, children's activities, entertainment and olive grower stalls.
  • The Hastings City Art Gallery celebrates 'PUTI PUTI : The Flower in Contemporary New Zealand Art' between 10 July – 26 September in honour of the Hastings Blossom Festival.

You can book all your Hastings accommodation and transport requirements online.

Alexandra Spring Festival

  • Round the Clock Race – Cheer competitors on as they run, swim, kayak, ride horses and mountain bike through the Manuherikia River and up to the hillside to the Alexandra clock.
  • Mardi Gras – Two hours of street partying featuring a truck pull, best-dressed bikes competition, live music and food stalls.
  • Grand Procession - The Alexandra Pipe Band wlead a pageant of intricately designed eye-catching floats, bands, walking groups and special vehicles in a parade through the heart of Alexandra to Pioneer Park.
  • Garden Tours – Explore 12 local gardens plus a culinary demonstrations by one of New Zealand's top chef.
  • You can also enjoy a wide variety of activitites and events in the Alexandra district during the festival including: pipe band competition, a production of 'Annie' by the local musical society, church festival services, book sale, golf tournaments, model vehicle, train and models displays, art, china painting and patchwork exhibitions.

View more information about the Alexandra Spring Festival and book your Central Otago accommodation and transport online today!

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New Zealand Coach Tours

New Zealand Coach Tours

The largest range of escorted & small group tours

New Zealand road trips - Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand Road Trips

Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand self-drive tours

NZ Self-Drive Tours

Explore NZ on a custom self-drive package holiday

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Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries

Cross Cook Strait and enjoy Kiwi hospitality.

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