Ready to get drenched? Songkran turns Thailand into one big water fight. Photo / 123RF
April is one of the hottest months in Thailand, but it also brings its most refreshing festival. Songkran arrives with water fights, street gatherings and traditions that take over cities across the country.
From April 13 to 15, 2026, the Thai New Year transforms places like Bangkok into open-air celebrations. Silom Rd, Khao San Rd and Siam Square fill with locals and travellers armed with water guns, while music and movement take over entire streets. In Chiang Mai, Tha Phae Gate blends cultural rituals with large-scale water festivities. Those who want to extend the experience can head to Pattaya, where celebrations continue for a full week with beach parties and live music.
If Songkran brings the cool in Thailand’s summer, Snowbombing turns up the heat in Austria. In Mayrhofen, Snowbombing in Mayrhofen combines a ski holiday with a full-scale music festival.
The Forest Stage places world-class acts among fir trees with immersive lighting and sound, while the Street Party brings thousands together in the centre of town against a mountain backdrop. As the night builds, venues like The Racket Club and The Vault keep the energy going with late sets and high-impact visuals. During the day, Corona Sunsets and mountaintop brunches shift the pace, pairing live music with open alpine views.
Beyond the music, the mountains remain part of the experience. Skiing, snowboarding and glacier runs sit alongside paragliding, winter hikes and terrain parks like PenkenPark. New additions such as Ravers2Runners introduce guided runs and alpine hikes, while wellness sessions, rooftop pools and mountaintop yoga offer a slower alternative. snowbombing.com
A new wave of wearable art is set to take over Wellington, pushing creativity in unexpected directions. Tickets are now on sale for the World of WearableArt Show, returning with GLO! from September 17 to October 4, 2026 at TSB Arena.
This year’s theme centres on energy and transformation, with six distinct creative worlds shaping the show: Metallic, Open, Aotearoa, Avant-garde, Kinetic and Bizarre Bra. Metallic explores heat and light, while Open draws from pop art. Aotearoa reflects nature through digital forms, Avant-garde looks to future design, and Kinetic brings movement into focus. Bizarre Bra returns with its familiar playful edge.
Each section builds a different atmosphere, shifting how wearable art is seen and experienced. It offers a reason to return to Wellington for something uniquely local, where fashion, performance and storytelling intersect in a way that feels both experimental and grounded.
Easter travel plans are getting an even sweeter twist this year. Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts is introducing a chocolate-focused Easter Family Package across its Mövenpick Auckland and Mövenpick Wellington properties, available for stays from April 2 to 18, 2026.
The experience centres on chocolate as both a daily ritual and a seasonal highlight. All guests can take part in the brand’s signature Chocolate Hour, while children under 15 are given their own dedicated treats depending on when they stay. Over Easter weekend, from April 3 to 6, a Kids Easter Chocolate Buffet runs from 10am to 5pm, offering a spread of themed sweets and baked goods. From April 7 to 20, this shifts into a daily Kids Chocolate Hour Station, complete with Mövenpick ice cream and scheduled afternoon sessions in each city.
Stays start from $209 per night for Mövenpick Wellington and from $225 per night for Mövenpick Auckland. See bit.ly/47VZJqB for Auckland and bit.ly/4uI9wua for Wellington.
A new family-friendly exhibition on the Gold Coast invites visitors to slow down and see the ocean through a different lens. Aka Sorbie: Saltwater Heart at HOTA, Home of the Arts, brings together storytelling, culture and design in a space created especially for children and their families.
First Nations artist Lisa Sorbie Martin draws from her Torres Strait heritage, using bold colours and intricate patterns to reflect a deep connection to saltwater life. The result is an immersive, hands-on experience where young visitors can explore, learn and engage with stories that feel both personal and place-based. For Kiwi travellers, this offers something beyond the usual theme parks and beaches. It opens a window into First Nations perspectives while keeping the experience accessible and family-focused. The exhibition runs until August 18 and is free to attend, making it an easy addition to a Gold Coast trip. Get tickets at hota.com.au/whats-on/live/exhibitions/aka-sorbie-saltwater-heart
