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What's on in our district
As we reflect on a vibrant and successful summer events calendar across the Coromandel, we're excited to keep the momentum going into the autumn season. Whether you're looking for family-friendly activities or something more adventurous, there's no shortage of events to enjoy this season. From cultural festivals to outdoor adventures, we've got a jam-packed line-up that will keep everyone busy and entertained. Read on to discover what's coming up and how you can make the most of the beautiful autumn months in the district.
Mercury Bay Art Escape - Open Studios
1-9 March 2025
Pick up a guide from info centres, libraries and local cafés, or download from the Mercury Bay Art Escape website (see below)
Lock in the first two weekends in March to escape to Mercury Bay to spend some quality time sharing exciting art, good food, great scenery and wonderful hospitality.
Saturday 8 March 2025
Award-winning Irish-Kiwi guitarist/composer Dave Flynn returns to New Zealand with an exciting expansion of his acclaimed show Celtic Guitar Journey. For his extensive summer/autumn 2025 tour of Aotearoa, Flynn will blend familiar Celtic sounds with fresh flavours from his global travels.
Pāuanui Half Marathon
Saturday 15 March 2025
The half marathon course takes in some of the best sites at this all-time popular holiday spot: the surf beach, the Pāuanui Airfield, the Pāuanui Waterways and the off-road forest and estuary-side track of the Tairua River Trail.
26-30 March 2025
2025 will be the 25th anniversary of Beach Hop. Established in 2000, Beach Hop has brought hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders together for an annual rock and roll festival. This event is held in the beautiful seaside resort of Whangamatā.
Echo Walking Festival 2025
A Taste of Matarangi is an annual family-friendly festival held on the Village Green at Matarangi Beach. It is a day to bring communities and families together, celebrate what the region has to offer, showcase local cuisine, businesses and talent, and invite visitors to the Coromandel. The festival features food, wine and music by the beach, and is suitable for all the family.
Whangamatā Mountainbike Park
Black Rock Enduro - 5 April 2025
Whangamatā Mountain Bike Club's premier Enduro event of the year, the Black Rock Enduro at the Whangamatā Mountain Bike Park.
Chaos On The Coromandel promises to be one of the best events to hit Thames in years, so don't miss out.
A 'Team George Promotions' production, in association with Never Surrender and JDN Construction, Chaos on the Coromandel brings you a boxing extravaganza.
We have our very own Super Middleweight Champion of NZ, Francis 'The Punisher' Waitai, defending his NZ title against Adrian 'The Terror' Taihia. Plus there’s a female Super Lightweight pro bout between Sheilla Yama (Pacific Games Gold Medallist) and Tricia Mackenzie, NZ's No 1 Lightweight.
A fully stocked bar and corporate catering options available.
Aramex Kiwi Walk & Run Series - Pāuanui
Saturday 3 May 2025
The Tairua River Trail is a majestic trail that weaves along the coastline between Pāuanui and Tairua in the Coromandel. It is a track made specifically for cycling and running, and therefore the track quality is superb. It winds its way through native forest and mangroves, and includes boardwalks and small bridges to connect the different parts of the course.
Wild Womens Weekend - Whangamatā
16-18 May 2025
Now in its eighth year, Wild Womens Weekend is the perfect autumn weekend. The weekend after Mothers Day in May, it includes a wide variety of music, presenters, exercise and a couple of great nights of live music. There really is something for everyone.
Northern Coromandel Writers' Escape
19-26 May 2025
A week to work on your own writing, opportunities to gather and meet with other writers, optional writing workshops and excursions in magical Northern Coromandel.
Aotearoa Men's Wellbeing Summit
22-25 May 2025
Are you ready for an event which will redefine men’s health and wellbeing in Aotearoa, New Zealand?
The 2025 Aotearoa Men’s Wellbeing Summit is a gathering of men invested in their own physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, and the wellbeing of their whānau and community.
Whitianga Run Fest
31 May 2025
The 2025 festival features new scenic coastal tracks, designed for both runners and walkers.
Revamped and refreshed, all course options include a unique slice of pure Coromandel goodness, incorporating breathtaking views with a combination of urban paths and well-formed trails.
Each course starts at Ferry Landing, with a trip up Shakespeare Cliff for spectacular views of Mercury Bay. The 10km will take you through to Cooks Beach and the 21km to Pūrangi and the secret lake. Each course offers you the chance to recharge your legs on the short ferry ride before a 1.2km sprint down the path to the Buffalo Beach finish line.
District markets
Coroglen (Gumtown) Markets - Gumtown Hall - Sundays 9am - 1pm
A fabulous farmers market for you to buy local organic produce, homemade goodies and crafts.
Coromandel Town - Wharf Road, Coromandel - Fridays, 8.30am-1pm
An array of local and homegrown produce and crafts for sale. With organic and gluten-free options. You'll be spoilt for choice.
Tairua Market - Tairua Memorial Hall - the first Saturday of every month
In addition to a good range of seasonal produce fresh from local growers, this market offers handmade preserves, baking and confectionery, and locally made small goods. The selection of handmade crafts make great gifts: from classic wooden toys, organic soaps, knitted garments and quilts, to plants, artworks and jewellery.
Thames Market - Grahamstown - Saturdays 8am-12noon
You'll find locally produced plants, fruit and veg plus bric-a-brac, secondhand goods and books, arts and crafts, fine food, cheeses, specialty oils and much more.
Whangamatā Weekend Markets - Island View Reserve
Celebrate the local culture with the beachside markets. A selection of quality fresh produce, food trucks, craft stalls and live music. Kids and dogs, bikes and boards, all are welcome. There are cash out facilities too.
See Weekend Markets Whangamatā on Facebook for event dates.
Little Big Markets - Williamson Park - Whangamatā
There's a huge range of gourmet street food and food truck vendors, as well as a curated selection of stallholders for you to peruse. You won't be short of things to do. There'll be live music and lots of activities to entertain the little ones.
See The Little Big Markets website for event dates.
Whangamatā Sunday Market - 620 Port Road - Sundays 9am-1pm
Held in the heart of Whangamatā township, the market sells arts, crafts and produce.
Whiti Citi Markets - Soldiers Memorial Reserve - Saturdays 8am-1pm
Held weekly on a Saturday morning, Whiti Citi markets are your opportunity to purchase some beautifully made local crafts, art and homegrown produce from the Mercury Bay Area.
