WairarapaEvents
A crowd of smiling people in winter wear enjoying the falling snow at Greytown Festival of Christmas.

Have yourself a merry little mid-winter Christmas in the heart of Wairarapa.

Is that the jingle of bells? The sound of hooves on the roof? Christmas has come early again to Greytown. The happiest festival in New Zealand is returning to Wairarapa this winter and it comes with all the trimmings. The month-long programme includes plenty to warm the cockles of your heart. There are spectacular light shows, workshops, activities, night markets, parties, festive food, mulled wine, and gin. This year’s theme is ‘Fire and Ice’, and it means a fireworks display. Things start with a bang at The Greytown Trustlands Big Switch. 

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Watch as magical lights are switched on for the first time. There will be live music, entertainment, street performers and, of course, fireworks. 

Some highlights across the following four weeks include Cocktails and Comedy, a European-style night market, stacks of talented live performers, entertainers, and snow. Yes, snow. It’s going to feel a lot like Christmas.

Looking for more?

A packed audience cheering and applauding at The Opera House in Te Aro, Wellington.

NZ International Comedy Festival

3 – 26 May 2024

A family walks towards the Dowse Museum in Lower Hutt.

The Dowse Art Museum

A contemporary art institution with a focus on craft and applied arts.

An exhibition at the Pātaka Art + Museum located in Porirua City Centre featuring large painted canvases displayed on the walls. Four people stand and admire the artwork.

Pātaka Art + Museum

The cultural heart of Porirua City showcases the best in contemporary Māori and Pacific arts at this world-leading gallery.

Young children pointing up at the Earth projected onto the digital planetarium and Space Place.

Space Place

Space Place is home to a digital full-dome planetarium, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, and interactive galleries and exhibitions.

A grandpa and grandchildren walking through vintage cars at the Southward Car Museum.

Southward Car Museum

Discover the largest private car collection in Australasia at this world-class museum on the Kāpiti Coast.

Two adults and two children are seated on a boat on Kapiti Island Nature Tours.

Keep the kids entertained these school holidays

There are plenty of activities and things to see and do for kids of all ages. Explore an island, take a trip to space, or learn about history.

An adult and three children walk along the forest path at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve in Kāpiti Coast.

Ngā Manu, Kāpiti Coast’s nature reserve

With rare forests, picnic spots and native wildlife, Ngā Manu nature reserve is a top spot to go for a day out on the Kāpiti Coast.

A young child looking through a book at the new Zealand police museum.

New Zealand Police Museum

Telling the stories of how police have dealt with some of the country’s most infamous crimes, disasters, and other events.

The exterior of Nairn Street cottage, Wellingtons oldest original cottage and heritage garden.

Nairn Street Cottage

Step back in time and visit Wellington’s oldest original cottage and heritage garden.

Inside the dining room of the Katherine Mansfield House on Tinakori Road. Blue walls are covered in decor from the 19th century, including a wall of china plates. The table is set with candleabra and pink china.

Katherine Mansfield House & Garden

Take a step into 19th-century colonial Wellington and the life of Katherine Mansfield. One of the world’s most acclaimed writers and proud Wellingtonian.

Two people stand in the middle of a bird themed exhibition in Te Papa Museum in Wellington with bird skeletons visible in the background.

Fun activities for the whole family

Whether you’re a family that likes to get outdoors or prefers art and culture, these are fun family activities that kids will love.