|
|
 Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf Islands © WIWF Waiheke Island, just a short boat trip from Auckland, is a favourite weekend get-away for city residents. Not only is the beautiful island dotted with the luxury homes of privileged Aucklanders, but it is also covered with the lush vineyards of more than 30 wineries, which produce high quality red and white wines. Each year the wine producers showcase the cream of their exclusive crop with a festival, which combines the fruit of the vine with gourmet cuisine, café society and live music at about eight venues across the island. Venue: Isola Estate, Waiheke Island; Date: 2 February 2008; Website: www.waihekewinefestival.co.nz/winefestival  Hero Festival © Hero A feast of culture, arts, music, dance, drama and drinking makes up the packed programme for Auckland's Hero Festival, aimed at spreading 'Gay Pride' across the Pacific islands. Chief among the numerous events taking place during the annual two-week festival is the 'Big Gay Out' at Coyle Park, which is filled with food stalls, bars and trade and display tents for the occasion. Another highlight of the Festival is the Hero Party. Venue: Various; Date: 1-23 February 2008; Website: www.hero.org.nz  Lantern © View New Zealand Ltd To end the Chinese New Year celebrations, the annual Lantern Festival is one of the city's most popular events. Thousands of people flock to the park to enjoy the spectacle of hundreds of glowing lanterns, as well as a variety of performances, fireworks, crafts and food stalls. Venue: Albert Park; Date: 22-24 February 2008; Time: 5.30-10pm  Pasifika © Pasifika Auckland boasts the world’s largest Polynesian population, and celebrates the art, culture and lifestyle of this vibrant native community with the annual Pasifika Festival. The festival opens on Friday evening with a concert showcasing talented Polynesian music artists. On Saturday the entertainment continues with local church music and dance groups while visitors can sample traditional food, view art and handcrafts, browse at more than 300 stalls and wander through the series of ‘Pacific Island villages’ for a total cultural experience. Venue: Western Springs Park, Great North Road; Date: 7-8 March 2008; Time: Opening night concert: 7.30pm to 9.30pm; festival: 10am to 5pm; Website: www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/pasifika NZ International Comedy Festival Some of the best and brightest comedians from the International circuit join some of New Zealand's top acts for over three weeks of comedy madness. Venue: Various; Date: 18 April to 11 May 2008; Website: www.comedyfestival.co.nz  New Zealand Fashion Week © NZFW International fashion buyers and writers descend on Auckland during October each year to celebrate in grand style the unique indigenous-inspired collections of New Zealand’s talented designers. About 50 designers show their collections at this major event. Some shows are open to the general public, but on the final day of the week everyone can join in the fashion extravaganza when Aotea Square becomes a hive of fashion, music, markets, and interactive and educational activity for all. Venue: 135 Halsey Street, Auckland's Viaduct Harbour; Date: September 2008, TBC; Website: www.nzfashionweek.com  Auckland Anniversary Regatta © AAR Being known as the 'City of Sails,' Auckland is recognised as a yachtsman's paradise, so it is no surprise to discover that its annual official Regatta is the biggest one-day Regatta in the world. This historic event was first held in September 1840 and has sailed on through turbulent years and changing social trends to become a family outing full of fun and excitement. Numerous events take place in the harbour and surrounding waterfront to complement the actual yacht regatta. Venue: Auckland Harbour; Date: January 2009, TBC; Website: www.regatta.org.nz  Matt Bellamy from Muse The New Zealand leg of the popular Australian summer tours brings the biggest names in popular world music to Auckland for a day of hard rocking and dancing till the sun goes down. Venue: Mt Smart Stadium; Date: January 2009, TBC; Time: 11am; Website: www.bigdayout.com |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Travel Guide | Airport Guide | Cheap Flights | City Guide | Holiday Resorts | Tour Operators | Climate and Weather | Phone Codes | World Clock | Feedback | About us | Travel Reviews |
||
|
Copyright © 2008 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. |
||