Festivals
The big
days
Shows, races, food and music festivals and the surf carnivals: the dates the town plans its summer around.
Dates come from each organiser. TBC means they haven't published one yet.
- 01.Sport
Waipu Cove Trail Ride (Whangarei Silver Festival)
Fri, 9 Oct 2026, 10:00am - 1:00pm
- 02.Food
Spring Long Lunch with Auction & Band
Sat, 10 Oct 2026, 12:30 - 4:30pm
- 03.Sport
Hill Climb Run
Sun, 18 Oct 2026, Arrive from 9am, start 10:00am
- 04.Music
Cave Concerts at the Milky Way Glowworm Cave
Sat, 31 Oct 2026, 6:00pm (+5 more)
- 05.Sport
Fright Night Waipu
Sat, 31 Oct 2026, 4:30pm - 9:30pm
- 06.Music
The Good Shit at The Bunker
Sat, 7 Nov 2026, 8:00pm - 11:00pm
- 07.Music
White Chapel Jak: Autumnal Endings
Sat, 21 Nov 2026, 7:00pm - 11pm (band on stage 8:30pm)
- 08.Food
Gin Tasting at Waipu Museum
Fri, 4 Dec 2026
- 09.Show
Waipu Highland Games (154th)
Wed, 30 Dec 2026, 5.30pm (Helen McGregor Memorial Medley) (+1 more)
- 10.Festival
Northern Bass 15th Anniversary
Wed, 30 Dec 2026 to Thu, 31 Dec 2026
- 11.Music
Landslide: Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks Cover Band (New Year's Eve)
Thu, 31 Dec 2026, 9:00pm
- 12.Festival
Shipwrecked Festival 2027
Fri, 12 Feb 2027 to Sun, 14 Feb 2027, Gates 8am - 9pm daily
- 13.Food
Mangawhai Lions Food & Wine Festival
Date to be confirmed (March)
- 14.Show
Mangawhai Easter Hop (car show)
Date to be confirmed (Easter Sunday)
- 15.Food
Burns Night at Waipu Museum
Date to be confirmed (25 January)
- 16.Sport
Mudmania Mud-Run
Date to be confirmed