Southland's Unmissable Events

Unmissable Events Logo Explore Southland’s fantastic line-up of unmissable events "You won't Want to Miss". Appreciate reading each event’s tale, told through the eyes of a storyteller and enjoy a sneak peek highlight which is sure to entice you to come along.

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.

Printable Event Calendar

Delve deeper into Southland's Unmissable Events

ALL EVENTS A-Z

Ascot Park Christmas at the Races

A sea of festive marquees fans out in front of you as glamorously dressed partygoers mingle in the Southland sun. Welcome to Christmas at the Races.

Zack Griffith performing at Tussock Country Music Festival

MLT

Bayleys Tussock Country

An unrivalled gathering of the best and brightest Kiwi country music talent and sway the week away at NZ’s Country Music Festival.

Bluff Oyster & Food Festival

Southland’s most famous export, the Bluff oyster, is celebrated in style at the annual Bluff Oyster and Food Festival.

Burt Munro Challenge

The life of the legendary motorbike racing legend Burt Munro is celebrated every year in Southland with the Burt Munro Challenge.

Distinction Hotels Te Anau Tennis Invitational

If you love your tennis served with a side of world-class scenery, the Distinction Hotels Te Anau Invitational has the ticket for you.

Edendale Crank Up

See the historic town of Edendale transform into one of New Zealand’s biggest annual vintage machinery events.

Fiordland Big 3

If you’re looking for an event that sums up New Zealand - Fiordland’s The Big 3 will hook you for sure.

George Begg Festival

Fire up your sense of nostalgia at the George Begg Festival held in Invercargill.

ILT Kidzone Festival

Southland’s most popular family event is jam-packed with hundreds of hands-on activities, rides and experiences for kids of all kinds.

ILT Southland's Darts Masters

See some of the best darts players in New Zealand — each entering the arena to the sounds of their unique walk-on music. There’s a huge party atmosphere coming to the Ascot Park Hotel in October.

Kepler Challenge

Let the mountains wrap their arms around you as you embrace New Zealand’s premier mountain run.

Mandeville Fly In & Steam Festival

Immerse yourself in an era of elegance and be transported to an age of open cockpit flight and steam-powered railway journeys.

Great South

Men's Muster Fiordland

Laugh your way to a newer you at the Men’s Muster Fiordland. The annual event is set in the picturesque lakeside location of Te Anau, with the majestic and jaw-dropping World Heritage Area of Fiordland as your backdrop.

Meridian Hydro Half Marathon

Spectacular backdrops, stunning scenery and a vibe that can’t be beaten - it has to be the Hydro Half.

MLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards

The eyes of the fashion world turn south every July where prestigious judges grace the panel and winners often go on to glittering careers in the fashion industry.

MLT Moonshine Trail

There’s a little bit of magic waiting for you at the MLT Moonshine Trail. Grab the running shoes or mountainbike and take to the saddle for the day.

Mīharo Murihiku Polyfest

7,000 tamariki take to the stage for this powerful week-long festival celebrating the sights and sounds of the pacific every year.

Niagara Falls Bluegrass & Roots Festival

Indulge your soul in everything from bluegrass to roots as musicians from throughout New Zealand converge for a weekend in the heart of the beautiful Catlins.

Night of the Arts

Night of the Arts (NoTA) is a mid-winter celebration of Murihiku Southland’s vibrant, local arts scene. It’s perfectly timed for a wonderfully weird and inspiring wander around Invercargill’s fabulous CBD, so throw on a…

NZ Road Transport Hall of Fame Awards

It's the gala dinner of the year bringing road transport legends together from all corners of the country. Throw in a charity auction and a visit to the spiritual home of the wheel - and it’s clear there’s a lot to love…

On the Fly Mataura River Festival

Come along to discover the amazing world of fly-fishing and the elusive Brown Trout and bask in the spirit of the beautiful Gore community. The festival will be abuzz with food vendors, fly-fishing guides and enthusiasts, free…

Rakiura Challenge Trail Run

Conquer one of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks in a single day. The country's southern-most trail run is the ultimate weekend getaway.

Revenant Ultra Adventure Run

The Revenant is an unsupported individual or two person team Ultra Adventure Run covering more than 190km and about 16,000m of vertical ascent.

Revitalize Music Festival

It’s a celebration of all things organic and natural - in a magical Western Southland setting, under the Takitimu mountains at Mangapiri Downs Organic stud Farm, a pioneering organic stud sheep, cattle and forestry farm.

Riversdale Arts Mixed Media Art Exhibition

A 10-day iconic exhibition attracting some of New Zealand’s finest artists to showcase their outstanding artwork at a majestically curated visual feast.

Riverton Heritage Harvest Festival

Enjoy an absorbing wholesome weekend retreat in the charming township of Riverton to celebrate Southland’s home harvest where you will be welcomed and wowed.

Rootstock

Get ready for Southland’s most Southland event, Rootstock: a paddock festival celebrating the humble swede. Think swandries and gumboots, local music, and plenty of swedes to be pulled up and cooked by local chefs in a variety of…

Routeburn Classic

Travel with your fellow athletes by helicopter or on the highway by bus to run over New Zealand’s world-famous Routeburn Track in one day.

SBS Bank Tour of Southland

More than 100 riders. Over 800 kilometres. 7 action-packed days. This is one of New Zealand’s largest, toughest and most prestigious cycling events.

Southern Field Days

Thousands converging on paddocks showcasing ag machinery and innovations from New Zealand and around the world.

Southland A&P Show

If you think you know A&P shows, you might be in for a surprise. On the first Saturday of March each year, the Southland A&P Show bursts into spectacular life at picturesque Donovan Park in Invercargill.

Southland Multicultural Food Festival

Take a trip through the diverse flavours, sights and sounds of Southland’s epic Multicultural Food Festival.

Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic

Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic is the perfect opportunity to soak up majestic views of Fiordland and the Te Anau Basin.

Te Anau Ukulele Festival

The Te Anau Ukulele Festival is a great three-day event where ukulele players from all over gather to enjoy music against the backdrop of Lake Te Anau and the surrounding mountains. All skill levels are welcome, making it a perfect family…

Dec 28

Distinction Hotels Te Anau Tennis Invitational

Revitalize Organic Farm Healing Music Festival

Jan 02

Revitalize Organic Farm Healing Music Festival

Jan 16

Revenant Ultra Adventure Run

Jan 24

Edendale Crank Up

Feb 05

Burt Munro Challenge

Discover Southland

For those who want to get off the beaten track, Southland is the ideal place to visit. One of the largest regions in New Zealand, Southland’s vast array of lakes, rivers, mountains and open plains make it a place of incomparable and unique beauty. Its rugged coastline, stretching a staggering 3,400 kilometres is one of Southland’s most treasured assets. Home to countless species of native wildlife, it invites visitors back to nature in tranquil surroundings.