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Autumn in Wānaka brings golden leaves on the trails, golden light on the water, and a calendar of golden events that reflect the creative and cultural pulse of the town.
Ripe: The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival
When: Saturday 21 March 2026
Where: Glendhu Station, Wānaka
Tickets: From $70, available here
Who it’s for: Food, wine, music, community, and excellent-vibe lovers.
Think top-tier local wine, excellent cuisine, guided tastings and masterclasses, live music from the one and only Sir Dave Dobbyn (and more), all wrapped in a sunny field on the shores of Lake Wānaka. And as a more sustainable music festival, you’ll find reusables instead of plastics, organised recycling, and food waste that goes to the worms instead of the landfill. More on Ripe’s sustainability efforts here.
Aspiring Conversations
When: 27-29 March 2026
Where: Wānaka
Tickets: from $15-25, available here.
Who it’s for: Arts and culture lovers, big thinkers, average Joes and Janes, the young, the old, the in between.
The sister festival to the Festival of Colour, Aspiring Conversations, is a festival of ideas, conversations, and real talks with big thinkers. There’ll be conversations with Kiwi and international minds exploring new ideas, current affairs, science, and storytelling right across town. Official programme coming soon.
Warbirds Over Wānaka
When: 3–5 April 2026 (Easter weekend)
Where: Wānaka Airport
Tickets: From $81, available here.
Who it’s for: Families, aviation fans, and anyone tickled by historic warbirds and impressive aviation shows.
New Zealand’s premier airshow is back over Easter with hugely impressive aerial displays, ground exhibits, interactive experiences and aircraft from vintage warbirds to contemporary military machines. Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.
Want the monthly version? As well as the featured events above, there are loads more local happenings to fill your calendar. Here are a few of the big ones taking place this autumn that you won’t want to miss.
The Motatapu Multisport Event
When: Saturday 7 March 2026
Where: Motatapu Station
Tickets: Pre-registration required, available here
Who it’s for: Trail runners, walkers, mountain bikers
This one’s for the endurance athletes. Whether you’re eyeing up the trail marathon, ultramarathon, mountain-bike event or one of the shorter courses, this mountain race will challenge you in all the best ways.
Wānaka A&P Show
When: 13–14 March 2026
Where: Wānaka Showgrounds
Tickets: From $25, available here
Who it’s for: Families, rural culture enthusiasts
The Wānaka A&P Show is the world-famous-in-Wānaka agricultural fair. With livestock competitions, shearing demos, equestrian events, sideshows and food stalls, it’s truly one of Wānaka’s most iconic weekends. Don’t even get us started on the Jack Russell race.
Wao Autumn Harvest Festival
When: 14-15 March 2026
Where: Rippon Hall
Tickets: Available soon, here
Who it’s for: Food lovers, families, curious explorers
Wānaka’s annual celebration of seasonal produce, land and community. Over the weekend at Rippon Hall, you’ll find hands-on workshops about growing, harvesting and preserving food, as well as guided foraging tours and local food experiences.
The Glenduro
When: Saturday 21 March 2026
Where: Bike Glendhu, Wānaka
Tickets: Pre-registration required, more info here
Who it’s for: Mountain bikers
The Glendhu Glenduro (aptly named) is an enduro-style mountain-bike race featuring multiple timed downhill races all within the stunning views of the Bike Glendhu trail network.
Lake Hāwea Epic
When: Saturday 28 March 2026
Where: Lake Hāwea Community Centre
Tickets: From $259, available here
Who it’s for: Endurance cyclists, adventure riders
Ever wanted to bike right around Lake Hāwea? Now’s your chance. The Lake Hāwea Epic is just that – one epic, long-distance mountain bike challenge, with both full and shorter courses.
Hike For a Cure
When: Saturday, 28 March 2026
Where: Lake Hāwea Station
Tickets: $199 incl. limited edition Hike for a Cure 2026 Cap
Who it’s for: Hikers, anyone interested in supporting a good cause
Conquer Breast Peak – a rewarding climb with sweeping 360° views. Then, for those ready to push further, we’ve added an extra challenge: Breast Hill. With its steep ridgeline ascent and 1,500m of total elevation, this summit will test your limits and reward you with some of the most breathtaking views over Lake Hāwea, Mount Aspiring/Tititea, and the Southern Alps.With exclusive access to Lake Hāwea Station’s breathtaking high-country trails, bring your friends and join us on the ultimate hike while raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Cure
Dine For a Cure
When: Saturday, 28 March 2026
Where: Lake Hāwea Station
Tickets: $299
Who it’s for: Foodies, anyone interested in supporting a good cause
Lake Hāwea Station opens its gates on Saturday, 28 March 2026, for Dine for a Cure – an exclusive culinary experience where raw luxury meets the untamed beauty of the Southern Alps. Seated amongst flourishing regenerative pastures, wildflowers, and edible flora – guests will be immersed in the heart of a working high-country station, the land which inspires both the evening’s menu and the ethos of Lake Hāwea Station, while hearing from special guest speakers Karen Walker, Sir Ian Taylor, and Professor Parry Guilford.
Guided by acclaimed chef Dane Archery of Archery & Co, the evening celebrates the land with locally sourced, foraged, and masterfully fermented creations. Each dish tells a story of place and season, reflecting the station’s renewable values and Chef Archery’s innovative craft, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Lake Hāwea.
Tititea Performing Arts Dance Competition 2026
When: 9-12 April 2026
Where: Lake Wānaka Centre
Tickets: Free
Who it’s for: Dance lovers and competitors
The annual dance competition encouraging a love of the performing arts in young people. Welcoming competitors from all backgrounds, areas and abilities.
Bike Glendhu Public Planting Day
When: Saturday 19 April 2026
Where: Bike Glendhu
Tickets: Volunteer
Who it’s for: Everyone and their kids, mums and neighbours
Get your hands dirty for a good cause, and help Bike Glendhu plant 30,000 natives before 2030. A fun volunteer day where you can help care for the trails you ride, connect with local riders, and enjoy a social ride and refreshments afterwards.
Volunteer: Harakeke Weaving Workshops with Te Kākano
When: 5pm, Wednesday 22 April 2026
Where: Hāwea Community Library
Tickets: Volunteer
Who it’s for: Everyone and their kids, mums and neighbours
Join Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust for a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to harvest harakeke (flax) respectfully and weave your own simple plant guard.
Southern Lakes Half Marathon and 10km
When: Saturday 2 May 2026
Where: Cardrona Valley
Tickets: Available here
Who it’s for: Runners, walkers and enthusiasts
A scenic half-marathon or 10km run/walk, starting in Cardrona Valley and finishing in Pembroke Park in Wānaka. This mostly downhill course is perfect for PBs – grab your runners.
Big Bike Film Night
When: 13 – 15 May 2026
Where: Wānaka Community Hub
Tickets: $23, available here
Who it’s for: Bike and film lovers, riders and enthusiasts
Wānaka’s favourite bike film night(s) is back this May. Join us for an evening of international short films and features that celebrate the world of biking, adventure riding, bikepacking, racing, and stories from two wheels around the globe.
Autumn is one of the most beautiful times to visit Wānaka. The days slow down, the season shifts, and events are focused around connection, community, and soaking up the last of the warm weather before winter. From food and wine festivals to volunteering days, there’s plenty to keep you busy this season.
Remember to check out our What’s On in Wānaka page for even more events popping up this autumn. See you there.
