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

A month of festive cheer rolls into Wairarapa.

Greytown is getting ready for one of the country’s happiest mid-winter celebrations. The Wairarapa Festival of Christmas is an extravaganza blending northern hemisphere charm with Kiwi flair. The month of festivities includes lights, laughter, and fun for all ages. This year’s theme, ‘Christmas Carnival’, applies to events including a Light Up Tractor Parade, Illumination Night Walk, and Kids Circus School Programme. There are also street parties, house tours, live music, and fireworks.

The main street in Greytown provides the hub for many activities across the four weeks. It will offer twinkling lights, themed shopfronts, delicious street food, and live entertainment. The mid-winter Christmas magic will be enhanced by the promise of a special snow delivery, too. Get ready to have a cracker of a celebration.

Looking for more?

At start of items
A family of four poses for a photo with two life-size cut-outs of Mickey and Minni Mouse at the Disney: The Magic of Animation exhibition.

Disney: The Magic of Animation

20 February – 13 July 2025Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre | 10am—5pm (last entry 4pm)

Peppa Pig and friends on stage as part of the Fun Day Out Live show.

Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out LIVE!

5 July 2025St James Theatre

A person wearing a yellow sweater is buying something at Schoc Chocolates, a chocolatier in Greytown, Wairarapa. The worker is handing them the bag as another shopper is browsing in the background.

What to do in Wairarapa

The Wairarapa region has plenty of reasons to visit. Make it a day trip — there are some great champions of food, art, and experiences on offer around the region.

Three trays clear plastic of artisanal chocolates from Schoc Chocolates shop on a red-orange surface.

Schoc Chocolates

Chocolate that feeds the soul in the heart of the Wairarapa region.

Musicians perform on stage as part of Avaiki Nui Social Returns.

Avaiki Nui Social Returns

9 June 2025Michael Fowler Centre

Dances perform on a stage, bathed in golden light as part of Ka Mua Ka Muri.

Ka Mua Ka Muri — Atamira Dance Company

5 June 2025The Opera House

Silhouetted figures are in front of a starry night sky projected onto an exterior facade.

Matariki Ahi Kā

19 – 22 June 2025Wellington Waterfront

A person uses two torches to light a circular sculpture on fire for the Lōemis Festival. There is a body of water in the background with two parked boats and a pink-purply cloudy evening sky above.

Lōemis Festival

9 – 21 June 2025

Two actors on stage, one has their hand on a younger actors shoulder as they read a large book.

Shows you should know at Kia Mau

Hone Kouka has spent 18 months pulling together the Kia Mau festival. As artistic director, he has gathered a diverse group of performers for the Wellington event.

A symmetrical image of a dancer reaching their limbs outward with concentric strings suspended from above on a red background.

Kia Mau

30 May – 14 June 2025