Calendar of Events

More information can be found by going to the New Zealand Tourism Board website at www.purenz.com. For an exhaustive list of even more events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.

January

ASB Bank Tennis Classic, Auckland. International women's tennis tour event preceding the Australian Open. Attracts leading overseas players. Call tel. 09/373-3623, or check www.aucklandtennis.co.nz. First week of January.

Heineken Open, Auckland. International Men's ATP tennis tour event for leading international players. Call tel. 09/373-3623, or check www.heinekenopen.co.nz. Early January.

Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, Auckland. "The City of Sails" hosts this colorful annual sailing event, which attracts both local and international competitors and spectators. Call tel. 09/828-4009. Last Monday in January.

World Buskers Festival, Christchurch. A week of zany street entertainment provided by leading international entertainers. Call tel. 03/377-2365, or check www.worldbuskersfestival.com. Mid- to late January.

Summer City Festival, Wellington. A range of daily entertainment and cultural and recreational events in the capital city, including a Mardi Gras and Summer City Valentine's Night. Call tel. 04/801-3222. January and February.

Wellington Cup Race Meeting, Wellington. Leading horse-racing event (galloping), held in conjunction with the National Yearling Sales. Call tel. 04/801-4000. Late January.

February

Hawkes Bay Wine and Food Festival, Hawkes Bay. A showcase of the region's world-class wines and good food. Call tel. 0800/442-946 in New Zealand, or check www.harvesthawkesbay.co.nz. First week of February.

Speights Coast to Coast, South Island. A major multisport endurance race from Kumara on the West Coast to Sumner, Christchurch, featuring a 33km (20-mile) mountain run followed by a 67km (42-mile) kayak race and a 142km (88-mile) cycle dash. Call tel. 03/326-7493, or check www.coasttocoast.co.nz. February 5 to February 6.

Waitangi Day Celebrations, Bay of Islands. New Zealand's national day celebrating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Call tel. 09/402-7308. February 6.

Garden City Festival of Flowers, Christchurch. Garden visits, floating gardens, and floral carpets in the "Garden City" of the South Island. Call tel. 03/365-5403; www.festivalofflowers.co.nz. Mid-February for 10 days.

Brebner Art Deco Weekend, Napier. A fun celebration of the city's Art Deco heritage that includes dancing, jazz, vintage cars, walks, and tours. Most participants dress in 1920s and 1930s fashions. Call tel. 06/835-1191, or check www.artdeconapier.com. Third weekend in February.

Devonport Food and Wine Festival, Devonport. Held near the Ferry Wharf in Auckland's picturesque North Shore village of Devonport, this weekend event includes jazz, classical, and opera performances. Call tel. 09/378-9030, or log on to www.devonportwinefestival.co.nz. Late February.

Auckland Arts Festival. An extravaganza of national and international dance, music, theater, and visual arts talent every 2 years. The next festival will be staged in 2009. Call tel. 09/309-0101. www.aucklandfestival.co.nz. Late February to March.

March

Pasifika Festival, Auckland. Auckland's Pacific Island communities celebrate the largest 1-day cultural festival in the South Pacific. Not to be missed. For details, fax 09/379-2020, or check www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/pasifika. First week of March.

New Zealand International Festival of Arts, Wellington. The largest and most prestigious event on the New Zealand arts calendar features top overseas and national artists and entertainers. A vibrant mix of all art forms, from contemporary dance to fine music and theater. Call tel. 04/473-0149, or visit www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz. Beginning of March.

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, Hokitika. A culinary adventure for the brave and curious, this 1-day event presents the weird and wonderful of New Zealand's wild foods, including wild pig, possum pâté, goat, various bugs and insects, honey, fish, and venison. Call tel. 03/756-9048, or check www.wildfoods.co.nz. Mid-March.

Arrowtown Autumn Festival, Arrowtown. A week of market days, music, and street entertainment celebrating the gold-mining era. Call tel. 03/442-0809; www.arrowtownautumnfestival.org.nz. The week after Easter.

April

Warbirds Over Wanaka, Wanaka. Now classified as one of the best Warbirds air shows in the world, it combines classic vintage and veteran aircraft, machinery, fire engines, and tractors with dynamic Air Force displays and aerobatic teams in the natural amphitheater of the Upper Clutha Basin. Call tel. 03/443-8619, or visit www.warbirdsoverwanaka.co.nz. Easter weekend (in even-numbered years only).

Fletcher Challenge Forest Marathon, Rotorua. A full marathon around Lake Rotorua for serious competitors. Attracts over 500 runners. Call tel. 07/348-8448, or check www.rotoruamarathon.co.nz. Late April to early May.

May

Bay of Islands Country Music Festival, Bay of Islands. This festival draws musicians from all around New Zealand, and there's at least one international act each year. Call tel. 09/404-1063; www.country-rock.co.nz. Second weekend in May.

June

National Agricultural Fieldays, Hamilton. One of the largest agricultural shows in the world, exhibiting the best of New Zealand agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, and forestry products. Call tel. 07/843-4499 or visit www.fieldays.co.nz. Mid-June.

July

Queenstown Winter Festival, Queenstown. Every year in July, Queenstown officially goes mad with a host of zany mountain events and street entertainment. Call tel. 03/441-2453, or check www.winterfestival.co.nz. Mid-July.

Christchurch Arts Festival. Biennially in July to August, this festival showcases the best of national and international dance, music, theater, and visual arts. For more information, visit www.artsfestival.co.nz. The next festival will be in 2009.

August

Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival, Bay of Islands. More than 50 jazz bands from New Zealand and overseas provide live entertainment at various places around Paihia and Russell, night and day. Call tel. 0800/363-463 in New Zealand, or go to www.jazz-blues.co.nz. Early to mid-August.

September

The Montana World of Wearable Art Awards is a creative extravaganza in Wellington that should not be missed. Call tel. 03/548-9299 or go to www.worldofwearableart.com. Mid- to late September.

Alexandra Blossom Festival, Alexandra. An annual parade of floats and entertainment celebrating the onset of spring. Call tel. 021/189-2525 or check www.blossom.co.nz. Late September to early October.

Gay Ski Week. A week of celebrations on and around the slopes. See www.gayskiweeknz.com for more information. First week of September.

October

Kaikoura Seafest, Kaikoura. An annual celebration of the best seafood and Marlborough and Canterbury wines, plus fun and entertainment for the entire family. Call tel. 0800/473-2337 in New Zealand or visit www.seafest.co.nz. Early October.

Dunedin Rhododendron Festival, Dunedin. Fun-filled days highlighted by garden tours and cultural events to celebrate the city's magnificent displays of rhododendron blooms. Call tel. 03/453-5521, or check www.rhododunedin.co.nz. Mid- to late October.

Queenstown Jazz Festival, Queenstown. Over 200 musicians attend and play in bars and restaurants in a nonstop jam session with food and dancing. Call tel. 03/442-1211; www.queenstownjazz.co.nz. Late October.

November

Toast Martinborough, Martinborough. An annual wine and food festival. Call tel. 06/306-9183, or go to www.toastmartinborough.co.nz. Mid- to late November.

Canterbury A&P Show, Christchurch. The South Island's largest agricultural and pastoral event, which includes thoroughbred and standard-bred racing and the New Zealand Cup. Call tel. 0800/800-970, or go to www.theshow.co.nz. Second week of November.

Southern Traverse, South Island. An adventure race for teams of three to five serious competitors through New Zealand's toughest terrain. The endurance events cover high ridges, lakes, and river crossings throughout Otago. Call tel. 03/441-8215 or check out www.southerntraverse.com. Late November.

Ellerslie Flower Show, Auckland. New Zealand's premier garden and outdoor living event, which includes display gardens and the latest in outdoor furniture. Call tel. 09/309-7875; www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz. Late November.

December

Sealord Summer Festival, Nelson. Six weeks of free street entertainment, children's events, concerts, and activities. Call tel. 03/546-0254, or check www.nelsonfestivals.co.nz. Late December to mid-February.

Nelson Jazz Festival, Nelson. A wide variety of local and national jazz bands perform in a weekend event, culminating in a special New Year's Eve concert. Call tel. 03/547-2559, or visit www.nelsonjazz.co.nz. Late December to early January.