Holidays To New Zealand 2026
Is escaping to New Zealand on your 2026 bucket list? If it is, we can’t blame you – if it isn’t, maybe it should be!
Between the staggering scenery and sheer range of activities and events available, it’s easy to see why over half of UK holidaymakers find New Zealand appealing. And if you choose 2026 as the year to visit, there are so many special sights to see – the hard part is picking between them.
We can make sure your holiday is full of sights and events that fulfil and fascinate you – and no ‘over-hyped must-sees’ that disappoint. We haven’t just travelled the breadth of New Zealand, we’ve lived there too, so we can offer detailed advice and suggestions based on experience.
Talk to us today about our tailor-made New Zealand holidays to make sure your 2026 holiday is one you never forget.
When is the best time to book a New Zealand holiday for 2026?
The best time to book a New Zealand holiday is always now. There are so many possibilities to choose from that the sooner you start planning your holiday, the better.
Of course, if there is a specific event, such as a festival or sporting event, then it’s important to wait until confirmed dates. Luckily, we know just where to look to get the most current information for the biggest events across the country, so we can plan your holiday around any you want to attend.
We can also offer advice on the best times to visit more evergreen activities, such as escorted tours around dramatic mountains, or peaceful explorations of golden beaches.
When your heart is set on a trip to New Zealand in 2026, we can make sure it meets your every need.
What’s happening in New Zealand in 2026?
The wonder of a trip to New Zealand is that there’s always something worth seeing.
Or, if you have a more specific interest, New Zealand caters to that too. Film buffs can enjoy New Zealand as Middle Earth, from a day trip to the Hobbiton movie set to looking out over the cinematic scenery of the Wakatipu basin (seen on screen as the Ford of Bruinen and the ‘Misty Mountains’).
If adrenaline is more your thing, there are plenty of ways to add a thrill to your break. Adventure seekers can pick between bungee jumping, sky-diving or a soaring helicopter flight depending on your location.
Of course, the best holiday is usually one that balances time between admiring the stunning scenery, exploring regions ranging from sweeping coastlines to dense rainforests, and the cultural events that fill the New Zealand calendar.
In 2026, there are plenty of opportunities to add an event or festival to your itinerary. Here are some suggestions you might want to include, depending on where you’re here.
(Where dates have been confirmed, we have listed them, otherwise, we’ve shared which month they will happen.)
Appreciate the beauty of autumn
New Zealand offers breathtaking scenery all year round, but autumn brings an extra flash of colour to the country.
Arrowtown Autumn Festival is an essential stop on an autumn adventure. With market days, music and street entertainment along the town’s tree-lined avenues, all set alight by the season.
You can also head up to Hamilton to see the Balloons over Waikato festival. This iconic event attracts balloonists from across the world and adds yet more spectacle to the horizons on stunning autumn days.
This season is also a great time to add birdwatching to your trip. As visiting birds prepare to migrate south for the 2026 winter, it’s a great time to spot a wide variety of birds, particularly at the Coromandel in the North Island. Meanwhile, the Manawatu Estuary near Palmerston North holds an annual “Farewell to the Birds”.
If you’re on the island in March, you can also catch Pasifika Festiva. This 1-day cultural festival celebrates Auckland’s Pacific Island communities and is the largest of its kind in the South Pacific.
Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring
15 – 21 March 2026
Every four years the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring celebrates vintage veteran and classic vehicles. This international rally will take place in the Nelson Tasman region towards the end of March. The event will include vehicle rallies and public events.
Hokitika Wild Foods Festival
14 March 2026
If you like to bring a little more adventure to your palate, the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival has to go on your list. Held on the west coast of the South Island, this festival celebrates the area’s wide selection of delicacies, from traditional gourmet treats to more unusual tastes like crocodile bites and possum pies.
Food and Wine Classic Event
March – exact dates TBC
This annual event (better known as F.A.W.C), showcases the very best of Hawke’s Bay food and drink. Restaurants, food trucks and eateries set the bar high, serving gourmet cuisine prepared by established chefs. Breweries, cideries and wineries offer complimentary drinks.
Highlander Geyser Mountain Bike Event
May – exact date TBC
If you want a cycling holiday that kicks your heart rate up a gear, this mountain biking challenge gives you the most beautiful backdrop for it. Thrill seekers can enjoy routes between 25km to 50km among the geothermal wonders of Te Puia, world-renowned for their exhilarating single tracks.
Enjoy the peace of winter
If you don’t mind taking a holiday when there’s a chill in the air, winter in New Zealand has many benefits—including being much quieter.
It is (predictably) the perfect time to see the snow-capped mountains of the South Island and weave winter sports like skiing into your trip. Make a stop at the Queenstown Winter Festival to witness their winter events. From starlight skiing to the Mountain Film and Book Festival, their seasonal offering includes something for everyone.
There is still plenty to do on North Island at this time of year, and you’ll enjoy slightly warmer weather up there, too. Head out to explore Rotorua, the Maori cultural heart of New Zealand or visit the country’s bustling capital at its quietest time.
Winter is also a great time to embark on a self-drive tour anywhere. We can help you plan a journey covering areas of your interest across the country, while you’ll have constant access to a vehicle in case the weather breaks.
Matariki (Maori New Year)
June sees the celebration of Maori New Year, Matariki, with more than 100 events happening all across the country. This festival shines a light on the people, culture, language and spirituality of New Zealand, with activities ranging from Haka performances to themed planetarium events, to music events and even more.
Napier Winter Art Deco Festival
17 – 19 July 2026
Visiting New Zealand in winter doesn’t have to cut you off from Napier’s iconic Art Deco festival. The winter festival runs in July to give a similar spread of world-class music performances, dining experiences, classic films and celebrations of Napier’s Art Deco heritage. The emphasis is on inside events this time of year, though, so you don’t have to sacrifice your 1920s finery for thick winter coats all day.
Queenstown Winter Pride
15th – 24th August
Celebrate Pride the Queenstown way at Winter Pride. Blending winter sports like skiing with live performances and incredible food, Winter Pride brings adventure, inclusivity and fun to the adventure capital of the country.
Spring
The perfect point between the brisk winter weather and intense summer heat, spring is a lovely time to visit New Zealand. If you’re interested in a longer Grand Tour of New Zealand, setting off in spring reduces the chance of the weather interrupting. Meanwhile, even a shorter jaunt around New Zealand’s highlights is nicer when the days are milder.
As birds flock back to the wetlands and coastal areas, late spring is also a great time to embark on a bird-watching trip. We can show you the right times and spots to see the unique wildlife New Zealand offers, from watching birds to watching whales.
The cooler days are also an excellent time to see the country’s natural wonders. Explore Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, where mountains scratch the skyline, waterfalls crash against the rocks, and sea life tumbles through the waves.
It’s even the perfect time to visit gardens that are a little more cultivated, like the botanical gardens of Hamilton, as they stir from their slumber. From classical sculptures to vibrant blooms, Hamilton Gardens has plenty of carefully tended beauty – a glorious counterpoint to the wilder beauty of New Zealand’s national parks.
Garden Marlborough
Dates TBC
If you’d like an even more condensed look at New Zealand’s horticulture, then Garden Marlborough, New Zealand’s premier garden event, is a springtime must-see. With garden tours, workshops and social events, it’s an excellent opportunity to see the best of the country’s horticultural expertise.
Taranaki Garden Festival
Dates TBC
If you’re sticking to the North Island, the Taranaki Garden Festival is another showcase of New Zealand’s stunning gardens and parks.
Whitianga Oceans Festival
September
Seafood fans should check out one of New Zealand’s most popular seafood events. The Whitianga Oceans Festival (formerly known as the Whitianga Scallop Festival) sees many food stalls turning out mouth-watering dishes. There’s also entertainment from famous New Zealand performers and seafood cooking demonstrations.
International Hobbit Day
22nd September
Journey to Middle Earth. International Hobbit Day takes place on 22nd September in the Shire. It’s the perfect party venue for any Hobbit or Lord of the Rings fan, with a full day of activities and feasting. From a day tour of the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata, to a traditional Hobbit feast, to a moonlit journey back over the rolling hills and past Hobbit holes, it is surely one of the most magical New Zealand experiences.
If this seems like a lot of options for your 2026 New Zealand holiday, we’ve only scratched the surface of the choices you have! But we can put together a unique tailor-made holiday that includes the sights you want to see.
From themed holidays covering sports like golf and historical tours like Captain Cook’s New Zealand, we have existing options to suit all kinds of interests. But we can also tweak and tailor your holiday to add events or sights that matter more to you.
So if you’re looking for a New Zealand holiday to make 2026 an unforgettable year…