Summer events make a splash across Western Bay

Slip, slop, slap and get amongst the sizzling summer events across Western Bay this holiday season.

There’s something for the whole whānau to enjoy this summer, from fairs and twilight concerts to a food and wine festival, beach scavenger hunt and two A&P Shows.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Events Specialist, Rebecca Chambers, says this summer events season is going to be hot, whether the sun shines or not.

“Events are part of what makes our District such a great place to be over summer for locals and visitors alike. We love supporting events and seeing our local community groups and the best of Aotearoa’s touring events out in force,” she says.

“If you’ve got a cool summer event let us know by emailing events@westernbay.govt.nz or list it on our free online events calendar.”

Here’s an overview of what’s happening in each of our summer holiday destinations.

Waihī Beach

Big-time summer holiday spot, Waihī Beach, has a stack of superb summer events.

The holiday season will kick-off with the annual Gypsy Fair on Wednesday 27 December until Friday 29 December at Bowentown Reserve. Now more than 30-years-old, the huge fair features funky stalls, cool vehicles, and a stack of great entertainment.

A few days later you can welcome in the New Year at the Extravaganza Fair, held from Sunday 31 December to Tuesday 2 January at the Waihī Beach Community Centre Reserve. This sustainably focused event is run entirely on solar power, and features arts and crafts, kids games, circus acts, live music and delicious kai.

And to keep the fair buzz going, on Saturday 6 January you can enjoy the Waihī Beach Summer Fair at Wilson Park. There’ll be entertainment, 200 plus stalls, live music and happy vibes.

After all the fair-ground excitement it’ll be time to hit the sand for The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt, held on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January.

Katikati

Our summer fruit hot-spot will kick-off its New Year events season, with the Katikati Twilight Concert on Saturday 6 January at Haiku Reserve. Get the vocal chords ready to sing-along with Take it to the limit - the NZ Eagles Tribute band - and support act, the Katikati Jazz Band.

Next up is the Katikati Avocado Food & Wine Festival on Saturday 13 January at Uretara Domain. To complement the superb kai and wine, there’ll be live music from The Black Seeds, Midnight Fizz and Jacob Scott.

To keep the music vibe going on Saturday 27 January you can get a dose of Country Rock at the Katikati Twilight Concert at Haiku Reserve. Enjoy country crooning from Brendan Ham and Marian Burns and support act, Sophie Gibson.

Farm lovers won’t want to miss the Katikati A&P Show held on Saturday 4 February at Uretara Domain. Now in it’s 99th year, the show features everything from animals and a horticulture section, to a hat competition, sheep racing and entertainment.

Finally, get your seventies fix at the Katikati Twilight Concert on Saturday 10 February at Haiku Reserve, featuring Woodstock to the 70s belting out some classic tunes.

Te Puna

Dog lovers can enjoy the Wander Dogs Walks Series on Saturday 3 February. Head along to Te Puna Quarry Park for a guided walk and to get out with your kurī in a safe, friendly and social environment.

Te Puke

In Te Puke you can try your hand at fencing, tractor pulling and gumboot throwing at the A&P Show, held on Saturday 10 February at the A&P Showgrounds.

Western Bay summer events: (date order)

• Whakamarama – Wander Dogs Walks Series – Saturday 9 December, 9.30am, Puketoki Reserve.
• Waihī Beach – Gypsy Fair – Wednesday 27-Friday 29 December, 9am-5pm, Bowentown Domain, Seaforth Rd, Bowentown.
• Waihī Beach – Extravaganza Fair- Sunday 31 December-Tuesday 2 January, 9am–7pm on Sunday, 9am-5pm on Monday and Tuesday, Waihī Beach Community Centre Reserve.
• Katikati – Katikati Twilight Concert: NZ Eagles Tribute Show. Saturday 6 January, 6pm – 8.30pm (gates open at 5pm), Haiku Reserve, 60 Main Road. Tickets $25 at the gate, children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult.
• Waihī Beach – Waihī Beach Summer Fair – Saturday 6 January, Wilson Park, Citrus Avenue. Entry $5, kids under 5 free.
• Katikati – Katikati Avocado Food & Wine Festival - Saturday 13 January, 12noon-6pm, Uretara Domain, Major Street. Tickets $55.
• Katikati – Katikati Twilight Concert: Country Rock. Saturday 27 January, 6pm-8.30pm (gates open at 5pm), Haiku Reserve, 60 Main Road. Tickets $25 at the gate, children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult.
• Waihī Beach – The Great Waihī Beach Scavenger Hunt, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 January. Registrations open online soon at waihibeach.co.nz
• Te Puna – Wander Dogs Walks Series – Saturday 3 February, 9.30am, Te Puna Quarry Park.
• Katikati – A&P Show – Sunday 4 February, 9am-4pm, Uretara Domain, Major Street.
• Katikati –Katikati Twilight Concert: Woodstock to the 70s. Saturday 10 February, 6pm-8.30pm (gates open at 5pm), Haiku Reserve, 60 Main Road. Tickets $25 at the gate, children under 15 free if accompanied by an adult.
• Te Puke – Te Puke A&P Show – Saturday 10 February, 7am-5pm, A&P Showgrounds Road, Paengaroa.

To find out more about all these events check out our events calendar.

If you’ve got a summer event let us know by emailing events@westernbay.govt.nz or list it on our free online events calendar.