Each February, the pretty town of Napier in Hawke’s Bay gears up for the Art Deco Festival, one of the world’s most famous festivals, which celebrates the history and spirit of the people of Napier.
This year marks the 36th anniversary of the festival, which initially began as a weekend of Art Deco celebrations back in 1989. Run by the volunteers of the Art Deco Trust, a group established to safeguard and protect the beautiful historical buildings and heritage of Napier and its surroundings, the Festival allows people from all over the world to get a taste of life in the 1920s and 30s, learn about local culture and visit some of the area’s most important landmarks.
What Is Art Deco?
The Art Deco style emerged in Paris, but truly flourished in the aftermath of the First World War, marking a new beginning and a modern age. Characterised by geometric shapes, clean lines and bold colours, the style has something of an industrial look, reflecting the many technological and architectural advancements of the time. It represented luxury, optimism, glamour and progress, and the spirit and energy of the style was exactly what people were looking for after the horrors of the Great War; it quickly spread across the globe. New Zealand was no exception.
We’ve been visiting this festival for many years, and we always find something new to enjoy amid the vibrant festival atmosphere and gorgeous Art Deco buildings. Here’s our Napier Art Deco Festival Guide.
What Is Art Deco Festival Napier?
In 1931, a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Hawke’s Bay, located on New Zealand’s North Island. The region was devastated; 256 people were killed, thousands injured, and the small towns of Napier and Hastings were all but destroyed. Aftershocks continued for years afterwards, further shaking the region. To this day, it remains New Zealand’s most deadly natural disaster.
Napier was hardest hit, with the buildings that weren’t destroyed by the initial earthquake being engulfed by fires that broke out in the aftermath. Only very few buildings survived.
Napier in 1931
The locals quickly began the job of rebuilding the city. Buildings had to be safe and modern, and thanks to the government offering only limited financial help, costs had to be kept to a minimum. Fortunately, the style at the time was Art Deco. The characteristic low buildings of this style made it a lot safer than the taller architecture that had been destroyed in the quake, while the lack of ornamentation helped to keep costs down.
As a result, Napier has become one of the world’s finest and best-preserved examples of Art Deco architecture, and a trust has been established to protect and maintain them. Every year, to show their work off, and to raise funds for their operations, the Art Deco Trust holds a festival celebrating everything that is great about this style and period of history.
When Is the Festival?
This year’s festival takes place from 13-16 February 2025, so if you’re planning on being in Napier or the Hawke’s Bay region around then, we highly recommend a visit!
Events are taking place at various locations in and around Napier and Hastings, so you’ll be sure to stumble upon something interesting, even if you’ve not booked anything specific!
What’s On in 2025?
The Whakatūwheratangaor opening ceremony for this year’s festival takes place on 13 Feb from 8.45am, at Napier Soundshell. This ceremony sees the laying of the mauri stone, which carries the essence of the festival. There’s a blessing, speeches and songs of welcome, making it a wonderful insight into traditional Māori culture.
With hundreds of events taking place over the 3 days of the festival, there is something for everyone: history buffs, architecture lovers, foodies, fashion fans, music aficionados, theatregoers, families… you name it!
Learn to dance the Charleston, take a vintage bicycle ride, enjoy the best of 1920s and 30s cinema or just enjoy learning more about the history of Napier, Hastings and the Art Deco period.
Here are some of the festival events taking place in 2025. There’s still time to book for many of this year’s events, and for many of them, you can even just turn up on the day, so don’t worry if you’ve not booked yet!
Shopping and Retail
If you want to pick up an Art Deco souvenir from your trip, there are plenty of opportunities. From a 30s car memorabilia auction to an Art Deco market, you’ll find clothes, gifts, antiques, crafts and more.
Vintage automobilia auction – 14 Feb 2pm-5pm, The Shed
Antique & collectables fair – 14-16 Feb 10am-5pm, Asher Hall, St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church
Napier Urban Farmer’s Market – 15 Feb 8.30am-12.30pm, Clive Square
Central Hawke’s Bay Art Deco Market – 15 Feb 10am-2pm, Russell Park, Waipukurau
Walking Tours
Whatever you’re into, there’s a walking tour geared to suit you. From historical tours, to tours of the local fashion retailers, get those walking boots on and see the best Napier has to offer.
Walking tours of the Art Deco Quarter – 12-16 Feb, departing from Art Deco Centre
Before the Quake historic house tour – 12 Feb 10am-11.30am, departing from Art Deco Centre
Hastings CBD Art Deco walk – 12 Feb 10.15am-11.30am, departing from Art Inc Heretaunga
Fashion retailers Art Deco tour – 12-14 Feb 10.30am-2pm, departing from Art Deco Centre
Inside Story walking tour – 13-14 Feb 9.30am-11am, departing from Art Deco Centre
Napier City Centre earthquake tour – 13 Feb 10.47am-12.17pm, departing from Art Deco Centre
Non…walking Tours
For those who prefer a more leisurely way of getting around, there are plenty of tours that make use of various forms of vintage transport, really taking you back to a bygone era.
Art Deco vintage car tours – 12-16 Feb all day, Art Deco Centre
Steam Explorer tours – 13-14 Feb 8.30am-10am, departing from outside MTG on Marine Parade
Deco Highlights bus tours – 13-15 Feb 9.30am-11am, departing from Art Deco Centre Napier
Food and Drink
While one of the highlights of the festival is the Tremain’s Gatsby Picnic, there are plenty of other events for food and drink lovers taking place over the course of the weekend. Enjoy wine tastings, try the iconic ice cream sundaes at Rush Munro’s, dine in style at a 1930s brunch and more…
Brunch at the County Hotel – 13-16 Feb 11am-1pm, The County Hotel
Local Wine Tasting at the Lone Star – 13 Feb 5.30pm-7.30pm, Lone Star Napier
Tea with the Stars – 14-16 Feb 11am-1pm, Hawke’s Bay Holt Planetarium
Hastings Rush Munro ice cream tour – 14-15 Feb 1pm-2.30pm, departing Art Inc Heretaunga
County Hotel Deco-dant High Tea – 15 Feb 2.30pm-4pm, The County Hotel
Parties and Soirees
It just wouldn’t be a 1930s-style festival without a huge range of parties, balls, dinner dances and soirées to choose from, so get your gladrags on and join in the fun at parties worthy of Mr. Gatsby himself!
Knees Up! – Feb 13-15 7pm-9.30pm, The Tabard Theatre
Prohibition Party @ The Paisley – 13-15 Feb 8pm-12am, Paisley Stage
Deco Dine & Dance on the Quay – 14-15 Feb 7pm-11pm, SHED2 on the Quay
Roaring 20s Party – 14 Feb 7pm-11pm, Napier War Memorial Centre
Opulence on Ossian – 14 Feb 7pm-11pm, National Tobacco Company Building
Deco Decadence Grand Ball – 15 Feb 7pm-11pm, Napier War Memorial Centre
Fête Champêtre – 16 Feb 12.30pm-4pm, Mission Estate Winery
Music, Cinema and Theatre
The movies and music of the era are some of its most defining aspects, and the Festival makes the most of this, with various events taking place that showcase them.
At the Pictures: Shall We Dance? – 13-16 Feb, 1.45pm-7.30pm, Globe Theatrette
At the Pictures: Footlight Parade – 13-16 Feb 3.55pm-5.25pm, Globe Theatrette
Jazz in the Garden – 14-15 Feb 4.30pm-11pm, The Old Mill
Friday Night with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band – 14 Feb 6.30pm-8.30pm, Napier Soundshell
Silent Movie Sunday – 16 Feb 12pm-6pm, The Urban Winery
Cultural Events, Art and Exhibitions
There are also plenty of cultural events going on during the festival, showcasing New Zealand’s culture, art and history.
Napier Deco City exhibition – 14-16 Feb 10am-4pm, Creative Arts Napier
“When the Dust Settles” – 14-16 Feb 10am-6pm, Lower Lawn
Ceremonial Sunset – 14 Feb 8pm-8.15pm, Napier Soundshell
Kapa Haka Showcase – 15 Feb 10am-11am, Napier Soundshell
Workshops and Classes
If you fancy learning something new or making your own souvenir of your trip to New Zealand, there are plenty of workshops and classes going on throughout the festival. Learn to Argentine Tango, make your own Art Deco jewellery or find out how to blend your own gin, Prohibition-style.
Argentine Tango workshop – 14-15 Feb 10am-4pm, Hawke’s Bay Latin Dance Club
Glitter Like Garbo jewellery making workshop – 15 Feb 1.30pm-3.30pm, Creative Arts Napier
Prohibition Gin Blending Class – 15 Feb 2pm-5pm, The National Tobacco Company Building
Deco on the Dance Floor swing dance classes – 15-16 Feb 11am-3pm, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Hall
Trains, Planes and Automobiles
Take a trip back to the 1920s and 30s in style with these events dedicated to the transport of the times. From airshows to vintage mo
Memorial Flying Displays – 14-16 Feb, Napier Soundshell, Emerson Street and Marine Parade
Steam in the Bay – 14-16 Feb all day, departing from
Vintage railcar ride – 15-16 Feb 9.40am-10.25am, Napier Station Platform
Aero Deco – 15-16 Feb 10am-4pm, Beacons Aerodrome
Traction Trundle – 15-16 Feb all day, departing from opposite Napier Soundshell
Once Were Wild Ones – 15 Feb 2pm-3.30pm, Emerson Street
Kids and Families (and Pets!)
The festival prides itself on being family-friendly, and kids, and even pets, are very much front of mind for many of the events. From colouring competitions to scavenger hunts, and dog parades to discovery trails, there’s plenty for families to enjoy.
Kids’ colouring competition – throughout the event
Scavenger Hunt – 13-16 Feb, all day, Art Deco Centre
Junior Gatsby Picnic – 13 Feb 10am-12.30pm, Napier Soundshell
Art Deco Explorer trail – 13 Feb all day, packs available from Art Deco Centre
Deco Dog Parade – 16 Feb 9am-10am, Napier Soundshell
Soap Box Derby – 16 Feb 10am-12pm, Tennyson Street
Deco Dog Brunch – 16 Feb 10.30am-12.30pm, Scenic Horel Te Pania
Tremains Gatsby Picnic
16 Feb 1pm-4pm
The cornerstone of the weekend is unquestionably the annual Tremains Gatsby Picnic, which takes place on the lawns between Napier Soundshell and Tom Parker Fountain. The best part about this event is that there’s no need to book, and it’s completely free! Just don your 1930s gladrags, bring a picnic basket and a rug and find a spot overlooking the ocean to enjoy your feast.
In addition to the main festival in February, every year there is a smaller Winter Deco Festival weekend, which takes place in July. Like the main festival, it’s run by the Art Deco Trust, and like the main festival, there are events, parties, musical performances, dining experiences, art exhibitions, vintage car displays and more.
This year’s Winter Deco Weekend takes place between 18-20 July 2025, so if you miss the main event, you can still get your Festival fix – just remember to wrap up a bit warmer for this one!
Future Festivals
If you’re heading to New Zealand in 2026 or 2027, why not check out this amazing event? The dates for future festivals are as follows:
19-22 Feb 2026
18-21 Feb 2027
So there you have it, our guide to one of New Zealand’s most famous and fascinating festivals. Be sure to check it out!
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The Art Deco Festival is fantastic for sure, but really, Hawke’s Bay, and Napier, are absolute must-sees, no matter what time of year you visit. Why not book your New Zealand holiday with us, and we’ll help you plan your itinerary to make sure you get to see everything this stunning country has to offer!