Waimate Winter Festival is nine days of fun events, workshops and exhibitions with an epic street party and light show thrown in!
The event calendar is bursting with around 40 events and most of them are free or require a gold coin donation.
Whānau fun
Get the whānau to wrap up in their winter woollies and make lanterns and paint rocks at the Farmers Market, or hunt painted rocks and watch fireworks at Bushtown. You can wander an art and sculpture trail by fairy light and roast marshmallows over a campfire, or take a free vintage car ride to a native bush reserve. There’s a scavenger hunt, a colouring competition and heaps more family fun.
Try something new
It’s not all about the kids, anyone can learn a new skill - try ballroom dancing, line dancing, portrait drawing, colour mixing, limestone carving, sewing, weaving or quilting.
Heritage and stargazing
If you’re not into arty crafty outings, check out the guided heritage tours of the town and old cemetery, or enjoy the concerts. Listen to a fascinating Matariki star talk and stargaze straight after.
Scare yourself
If that all sounds a bit sedate then scare yourself senseless at Fright Night at Bushtown.
Up your style game
Lorraine from The Quirky Magpie is teaming up with Steph from Rewind for Cherish your Treasures - a evening outing to learn about optimsing your decor and fashion - drinks and nibbles included, bookings essential.
Explore Waimate
Download the free (soon-to-be-released) Waimate App and do the festival scavenger hunt, a heritage drive, a self-guided art tour or use it to find an eatery and navigate around our scenic tracks. Be sure to fossick in our second-hand and other quirky stores while you’re here.
Add to your art collection
The Waimate Art Gallery is opening their new exhibition space, pop in for a browse and walk away with a new piece of art.
Event organiser Jo Sutherland encourages everyone to make the most of the activities on offer. “There literally is something for everyone at this years’ festival, get your friends and family together and plan some outings, make the most of all these cool events.”
Dancing in the streets!
The grand finale will be the Street Party on Queen Street from 6-9pm. The whole street will be lit up and local bands will take to the stage to keep you entertained throughout the night.
The pipe band will kick off the show just before 6pm followed by local students singing the White Horse song accompanied by Louise Stringer. There will be plenty of tunes to get your feet tapping by local artists and the theatre company will perform a taster from their latest show - Chicago.
Then it will be your time to shine where we will line the streets and perform the longest line dance in NZ to Kaylee Bells Boots ‘n All. Get practicing for this big showstopper event.
Don’t go hungry, you’ll want to check out the local eateries and community groups who will be cooking up a storm on the night.