Mt Ruapehu snow globe at the Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival, July 2020. Photo / Grabb
Taupō Winter Festival features a jam-packed 10 days of events for grown-ups, children, and the young at heart.
But you don't have to buy tickets to have fun at the Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival as there is a mix of free and ticketed events.
Following the highly successful Dinner at the Lake, festival organisers have rounded up food truck favourites and craft beer and mead makers, and got them all to assemble at Tongariro North Domain, next to the Mercury Light Hub and Wairakei Estate Ice Rink for the next two nights.
Dinner on the Domain features live music and giant igloos.
A Matariki degustation to celebrate the Māori New Year is also on tonight and tomorrow night, at the Great Lake Centre in Taupō, and at the Hare & Copper restaurant in Tūrangi. Organiser Jules Harvey says the Cheal-sponsored dinner is a sensory journey, telling the story of Matariki through a night of food, drinks and culture.
One-off ticketed events include Jimi Kara and the Bluesos tomorrow night, playing blues-rock covers from the 60s to the 80s at the Two Mile Bay Sailing Centre.
On Saturday afternoon, Taupō local Ruby Solly talks to Whale Rider author Witi Ihimaera about his latest book, Navigating the Stars: Māori Creation Myths, in A Conversation with Witi Ihimaera. Following on from Witi, Le Pine & Co present Gin and Jive on Saturday evening.
Then this Sunday afternoon violinist Amalia Hall and pianist Stephen De Pledge combine to play classical music at Ferner Galleries.
Always a big hit, the Wairakei Estate Ice Rink is also back. Then strap on your helmet and experience the 33m long Rapids Jet Ice Slide.
On Saturday afternoon and evening the Great Lake Centre hall will be turned into a giant roller skating rink for the Kefi Roller Disco party, a ticketed event.
Nighttime visitors will be wowed by the magical experience of the Mercury Light Hub. A free event, the light show is a festival highlight with creators dreaming up fantastic new ideas every year. Opening tomorrow night and running for the next 10 nights, wander around the Tongariro North Domain and see the giant light sculptures.
It wouldn't be a winter festival without the Legend Funsie Onesie Runsie at Tongariro North Domain on Saturday morning. For double the adventure, join hundreds of brave souls at the Lakefront Reserve for the mid-winter dash into the lake.
There is plenty of action around the domain for those who enjoy indoor activities. The Taupō Museum is celebrating Matariki with an exhibition running until August 2. Make your own Matariki star cluster mobile at the creation station today at the Great Lake Centre, bookings advised. Running until Sunday is an exhibition by Plateau Printmakers in the Great Lake Centre foyer.
It's pancakes for breakfast this Sunday, and Taupō Pak'N Save is cooking. This free breakfast is a fun event for the whole family and a flagship event of the Winter Festival. Join 1500 people at the Great Lake Centre for a community breakfast.
A Chaotic Cargo Ship Circus will also dock in Taupō this Sunday. If being a circus performer is a career option for you, then the Kids Circus Workshop is a must-do just before the show where kids will have an hour to learn about tumbling and juggling.
This Sunday, Taupō youth can enjoy Taupō's Got Talent showcasing singing, dancing, music, acting and entertainment. The talent show is on in the afternoon, with finals held in the evening.
Most of the action is focused around this weekend and next week, but music lovers can look forward to jazz on Sunday week, when the Rodger Fox Big Band performs at the Great Lake Centre. Feature artists are vocalist Erna Ferry and pianist Michael Houstoun. Also on Sunday week, is the 2Mile2Good Winterfest Mega Jam at the Two Mile Bay Sailing Centre where all the region's best musicians come together to jam. This is a free music event with refreshments for sale.
Parents with young children should head to the Ebbett Fun Zone this Friday and Saturday for cool, free running-around activities. You never know, you might spot a roving juggler who also plays the drums.
The exhilarating Bumper Balls will leave you grinning from ear to ear as you bounce, flip, roll and bump around the Tongariro North Domain.
Snow is on the mountains and thanks to the Mt Ruapehu Snow Globe, snow is also on the Tongariro North Domain. Children are always fascinated with touching snow, and seeing snow for the first time is a highlight. Great fun for all ages, including exclusive under 5s sessions.
For more information visit www.TaupoWinterFestival.co.nz