Southland Events

Video Great South

Explore Southland’s fantastic line-up of events. Appreciate reading each event’s tale which is told through the eyes of a storyteller and enjoy a sneak peek highlight which is sure to entice your attendance.

No matter the season, Southland has an events calendar packed with colour, fun and adventures “you won’t want to miss”. Events explore every angle of what it is to be alive and what better time than now to discover the region’s stunning seasonal showpieces. Get together, go solo and look on in awe, have a go – we’re only limited by our imagination, and in Southland, the sky is most definitely not the limit.

Browse our seasonal event guides

Spring Events Guide

Summer Events Guide

Autumn Events Guide

Winter Events Guide

Check out our Southland Events Calendar

Click on an event and uncover the event’s tale and video highlights to entice your attendance

January

Revitalize - Fiordland
Organic farm music festival

The Revenant - Northern Southland
The ultimate Ultra Adventure Run

Edendale Crank Up - Eastern Southland
NZ’s biggest vintage machinery event

February

George Begg Classic Speedfest - Invercargill
A tribute to motorsport like it used to be

Burt Munro Challenge - Invercargill & Bluff
Southland’s Iconic five-day motorcycle event

Niagara Bluegrass Festival - The Catlins
A weekend of toe-tapping goodness

MLT Moonshine Trail - Eastern Southland
Premier mountain bike & off-road run

Mandeville Fly In and Steam Festival - Eastern Southland
Vintage aircraft, steam engines & cars

Milford Mountain Classic - Fiordland
The cycle race of a lifetime

Southern Field Days (Bi-annual) - Eastern Southland
Three-day farming & agricultural event

March

Southland A&P Show - Invercargill
Our region & people on show

Te Anau Enduro - Fiordland
Compete hard or enter for fun

Southland Multicultural Food Festival - Invercargill
The whole world is right here!

Southland Beer, Wine and Wild Food Festival - Invercargill
The world’s southernmost craft beer, wine and food festival

Riverton Heritage Harvest Festival - Western Southland
Celebrating Southland’s home harvest

Coastal Ultra - The Catlins
Run along the rugged coast

April

Te Anau Tartan Festival - Fiordland
Embrace Southland’s Scottish heritage

Routeburn Classic - Fiordland
Run 32km of the Routeburn Track

Savour the South - Southland
Southland on a plate

May

Bluff Oyster & Food Festival - Bluff
The best of Southland's kaimoana

June

Tussock Country Music Festival - Gore
Nashville of the Southern hemisphere

Men's Muster - Fiordland
Downtime for men in Te Anau

Fiordland Big 3 - Fiordland
Hunters & anglers competition

July

Riversdale Arts Mixed Media Exhibition - Central Southland
A visual feast of sophisticated artwork

ILT Kidzone Festival - Invercargill
Southland’s most popular family event

MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards - Gore
A glamourous event of high fashion

August

Hydro Half Marathon - Fiordland
Run to the magical sounds of nature

Miharo Murihiku Polyfest - Invercargill
Celebrating our local Māori and Pasifika culture

October

Rakiura Challenge - Rakiura/Stewart Island
Run one of Aotearoa's Great Walks

NBL's Schick 3X3 Cup - Invercargill
It’s action-packed. It’s 3x3 basketball

Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic - Fiordland
Major lake fishing competition

November

SBS Bank Tour of Southland - Southland
One of the countries toughest cycling events

Southland Cheese Roll - Bluff
New Zealand’s only cheese race

December

Kepler Challenge - Fiordland
Embrace New Zealand’s premier mountain run

Distinction Hotels Te Anau Tennis Invitational - Fiordland
NZ’s highest-ranked players served with world-class scenery

Ascot Park Christmas at the Races - Invercargill
Celebrate the end of the year in style

For the full lineup of events across Southland, go here

Ministry of Health directions and/or level restrictions should be checked prior to travel. Please also check the individual event’s official website as events may be subject to unexpected date changes or cancellations due to COVID-19. Alternatively, please contact the event organisers directly for the latest information on their event status. Although each event has been placed in the month they traditionally take place, event months may change.