© NZPocketGuide.com January Wellington Summer City – Starting from the new year, Wellington hosts more than 90 free events around the city over three months, including frequent live music in the Botanic Gardens. World Buskers Festival – Head to Hagley Park, Christchurch for music performed by buskers from all over the world. St Jerome’s Laneway Festival – An alternative music festival in the alternative setting of Silo Park, Auckland. Auckland Seafood Festival – Taste the finest the sea has to offer on Halsey Wharf, Wynyard Quarter. Seafood stalls, musical acts, cooking demonstrations and competitions all take place on this three-day festival. Plan your trip in January: New Zealand in January.

© NZPocketGuide.com February Auckland Pride Festival – The list of events of this festival celebrating the LBGT community is extensive: theatre, cabaret, debates, drag, burlesque, sports, parties… and the list goes on throughout the majority of February. Auckland Lantern Festival – Chinese culture is showcased in this three-day festival with stage performances of martial arts, dance, music, and concludes with the Sky Tower fireworks. Art Deco Weekend – Vintage buffs will love this event celebrating the 1920s and 1930s in the “Art Deco Capital”, Napier. Kawhia Kai Festival – Get your cultural and food fix in the Maori food festival hosted for one day in the coastal town of Kawhia. Te Matatini Festival – Immerse yourself in the Maori culture and watch some top kapa haka groups compete. Plan your trip in February: New Zealand in February For more summer festivals, check out 5 Summer Festivals in New Zealand.

© NZPocketGuide.com March Wildfoods Festival – A festival where no huhu grub is safe. Eat some of the weirdest foods at the Hokitika one-day event. Balloons Over Waikato – Your camera will love you for capturing this amazing display of hot air balloons, both classic and novelty, flying over Hamilton over the five days. CubaDupa – The street festival on Cuba Street, Wellington, gives the public the chance to get dressed up and dance. Stick around for flash mops and street theatre. Pasifika Festival Auckland – 11 Pacific island nations are celebrated in this two-day event. Browse stalls, eat well and be entertained through traditional and contemporary arts. Auckland Arts Festival – Auckland experiences an explosion of the arts to praise cultural diversity. International dance, theatre, music and more can be seen over the 19 days. Gumboot Day – Taihape is the “Gumboot Capital of the World” so celebrate by throwing a gumboot or taking part in other novelty competitions. Find out more. Plan your trip in March: New Zealand in March

© NZPocketGuide.com April NZ International Comedy Festival – Like laughs? Prepare for a lot of them between April and May with heaps of stand-up. Most of the action is in Wellington and Auckland, but some comedians will tour across the country. Plan your trip in April: New Zealand in April

© NZPocketGuide.com May Auckland Writers Festival – Readings, debates, stand-up poetry and literary theatre! For five days in May, Auckland celebrates the world’s best form of communication. Handmade – Book yourself into one or several creative workshops across Wellington to learn something new over the weekend! Plan your trip in May: New Zealand in May

© NZPocketGuide.com June Queenstown Winter Festival – The start of winter is a magical and manic time in Queenstown. Expect 10 days of mountain races, street parties, fireworks, jazz, comedy and competitions. Mt Ruapehu Mountain Mardi Gras – Get pumped for the start of the winter season in Ohakune, the North Island’s apres-ski area with fireworks and live music. Plan your trip in June: New Zealand in June

© NZPocketGuide.com July Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival – One week of chocolate it doesn’t get much better than that… The highlight of the festival is the Jaffa Race down the world’s steepest street. [Update: This event no longer exists]. New Zealand International Film Festival – The season of film from both NZ and international filmmakers is between July and September. All over New Zealand, you can see something different from your everyday blockbuster! Plan your trip in July: New Zealand in July For more winter festivals, check out 5 Winter Festivals in New Zealand.

© NZPocketGuide.com August Wellington on a Plate – The capital city hosts New Zealand’s largest food and beverage event! Plan your trip in August: New Zealand in August.

© NZPocketGuide.com September World of Wearable Art (WOW) Award Show – The most creative and crazy fashion show you’ll ever see. See the catwalks in Wellington from September to October. Body Festival – Learn how to dance from the masters or simply sit back and enjoy dance performances from mid-September to mid-October in Christchurch. Plan your trip in September: New Zealand in September.

© NZPocketGuide.com October Wanakafest – As the days start to get warmer, relax in the mountainous Southern Lakes region with gigs, movies, costume, food and drink! And if it wasn’t obvious from the name, this festival is in Wanaka. Kaikoura Seafest – Celebrate the sea and everything that comes from it! Expect good food, live music and daft costumes. Plan your trip in October: New Zealand in October

© NZPocketGuide.com November NZ Tattoo and Art Festival – If you are fascinated by body art, then this festival in New Plymouth is for you. Entertainment includes burlesque and live music. Wellington Sky Show – Guy Fawkes Night evokes fireworks displays across the country, but Wellington is the place to be for a carnival atmosphere. Plan your trip in November: New Zealand in November.