It boasted a range of high-calibre performers. A colleague, who went to Finding the Silence and Daffodils, said the performances were outstanding and on a par with anything on offer at larger centres.
I took the opportunity to visit the Arboria luminarium on the Strand in the lead-up to the festival. Lines of people were queuing up to get in on the day I visited.
More than 12,000 visitors entered Arboria during its almost four-week stay in Tauranga, its only stop in the Bay of Plenty-Waikato region.
The giant, inflatable, colour-filled, walk-in sculpture from England also attracted 1900 school children.
The festival adds to the city's already vibrant arts scene, bringing culture and arts into focus and shows how many Tauranga residents value arts and culture.
Tauranga is growing rapidly and demand for these types of events will only increase as the population increases. The local economy also benefits.
Events, such as the Arts Festival, are a major drawcard for visitors, a point highlighted by festival director Jo Bond. "The festival is about more than just shows on stages, as local businesses of all sorts benefit from having performers and visitors in town. Many of the performers have said how much they loved being here and want to come back." She's right.
Visitors would have been able to enjoy the performances on offer, as well as the region's stunning natural features.
Given the economic boost events such as the Arts Festival provide the city, it's important that locals support it.
Judging by the number of sell-out shows, it appears this is already happening.
