Like we shared when we wrote about the Natural wonders in New Zealand and cultural practices in New Zealand cultural practices in New Zealand that you ought to know, New Zealand is filled with so many outdoor and indoor beautiful sights.
To celebrate its rich past and customs, New Zealand holds various cultural festivals and events throughout the year.
In this blog post, we share cultural festivals and popular events in New Zealand that you should have knowledge about.
7 Cultural Festivals And Events In New Zealand
Matariki Festival
The Māori New Year, Matariki, is observed across New Zealand with a variety of traditional celebrations and events. Events such as stargazing, storytelling, workshops, traditional cuisine tastings, and art exhibitions may be part of the festivities.
The CubaDupa Festival
Wellington’s biggest street celebration is CubaDupa. It honors the variety of the city’s artistic and cultural landscape. The festival takes over the streets of the Cuban surrounding area with live music, street performances, art displays, dance instructions, and international cuisine booths.
Te Matatini
When it comes to traditional Māori performing arts, such as kapa haka (a Māori cultural performance), Te Matatini is the ultimate event. It is a biennial event that features the top Māori performing arts organizations from all throughout New Zealand, competing in speech, dance, and song.
The Pasifika Festival
One of the biggest cultural festivals for Pacific Islands worldwide is the Pasifika Festival. Every year, Auckland hosts this celebration to honor the various cultures of the Pacific Islands, which include Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and more. Traditional food, dancing, music, arts, and crafts are available to visitors at this festival.
Diwali Festival
The Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali, is widely observed in New Zealand cities, especially in Auckland and Wellington. The celebration offers vivid decoration, exquisite Indian food, lively street parades, and traditional music and dance performances.
Chinese New Year Festival
The Chinese community in New Zealand celebrates the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. The festivities include fireworks, traditional music and dance performances, lion and dragon dances, and delicious Chinese food.
Auckland Lantern Festival
Every year around Chinese New Year, Auckland hosts the Bright Auckland Lantern Festival, which honours Chinese culture and lantern art. Visitors can sample a variety of Asian cuisines, enjoy traditional performances, and explore spectacular lantern displays.
New Zealand is known as the home of a varied array of beautiful and welcoming cultural practices, natural scenery, and cultural festivals and events that anyone will love to indulge in.
These are just a handful of the many cultural festivals and events that happen all around New Zealand, offering both locals and tourists the chance to celebrate diversity, history, and friendship.
