Upcoming Taupō Events
Ascenic playground of diverse landscapes halfway between Auckland and Wellington – it’s not hard to see why Taupō is so popular as an event destination.
It’s host to the iconic annual Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand, BDO Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge, Traffic Management NZ Taupō Great Lake Relay; food, wine, music and merriment at the Taupō Winter Festival; art and culture at Graffiato; and international music acts at the Taupō Summer Concert.
Sporting wise Taupō hosts golf, fishing, motorsport and other sporting events, music gigs, parades, workshops and community performances.
Thanks to the friendly and hard-working hospitality and volunteer culture, excellent facilities, stunning natural scenery, good traffic flow and abundant accommodation, many events return to the shores of Lake Taupō year after year.
1 - Taupō Sunday Market: (Weekly)
With a keen interest in everything local, a love for anything community and a desire to have sustainability, Market Central was born.
The organisers strongly believe in buying local. Buying local supports communities, farmers and small businesses and gives both the buyer and seller a sense of belonging.
Their aim is to nurture the community by supplying fresh seasonal and organic produce which is sold directly from the grower/producer to the buyer. They love what the region has to offer and to create a space to showcase the fantastic range of arts and crafts from the region.
With a range of gourmet foods, over 50 stalls and amazing local performers, Taupō’s Sunday market provides an amazing atmosphere for visitors to connect for breakfast, brunch or lunch while checking out all this fantastic market has on offer.
2 - Graffiato: Taupō Street Art Festival: (October)
The first street art festival of its kind in New Zealand, Graffiato: Taupō Street Art Festival captures the diversity of mural painting practice, and what’s new and relevant in global urban culture.
Graffiato's ever-expanding portfolio of over 80 murals brings transformation, wonder and vibrancy to the urban laneways and streets they inhabit. Even locals continue to find surprises hidden away down these charming back alleys.
Witness wonder, vibrancy and diversity brought to Taupō’s urban laneways and streets as some of the world’s best street artists transform the town’s walls over Labour weekend each year.
3 - BDO Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge: (November)
In its 43 year history, the Cycle Challenge has become an iconic event that has touched the hearts of generations. The organisers ensure that the event lives on and has a special place in the hearts and minds of Kiwis and internationals alike for future generations.
The BDO Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge is managed and delivered by a small team of proud locals who are honoured to be involved with this world-class event. This event has grown from grass roots to one of New Zealand’s most iconic sporting occasions.
It generates the largest economic impact of any event in the Taupō region. Owned by a Charitable Trust and governed by a Rotary-appointed Board, all surpluses are injected back into the community, benefitting a number of worthy groups and organisations.
New Zealand’s premier and largest cycling event, with around 6,000 riders from across New Zealand and over 20 countries (pre-Covid) taking part in the on-road and off-road rides each year.
4 - Dinner at the Lake: (Thursdays over summer)
Market Central offers an exciting gourmet food and drink festival every Thursday evening throughout summer!
Enjoy this exciting gourmet food and drink festival every Thursday evening throughout summer. Bring your friends and family along and take your pick from the huge variety of food on offer while you listen to live music & sip on local craft beers and mead.
5 - SX4 Motocross: (January)
Michelin SX4 will dramatically change the world of motocross forever. As the brainchild of Ben Townley, one of NZ’s fastest riders, Michelin SX4 combines 4 riders, 4 laps, 4 corners and 4 obstacles into 2 minutes of action-packed racing.
Michelin SX4’s unique format puts motorsport on steroids. In quick-fire races, the best of the best will compete under immense pressure and fans will witness more crashes and high octane fun than ever before!
Michelin SX4 combines motocross, supercross and speedway and offers 15 motos per night. Ready to start your engine? Ticket includes General Admission to Michelin SX4 track spectator zone. Parking, food & beverages available on-site.
6 - Le Currents: (December)
Line up of New Zealand’s newest summer festivals, Le Currents provides a curated lined up of the best indie and rock bands plus a selection of DJ’s. A homage to festivals from yesteryear and held at the idyllic Riverside Park. Book early!
7 - Taupō Summer Concert: (January)
Every year Greenstone Entertainment brings international artists to the iconic Taupō Summer Concert, held
outdoors at the Taupō Amphitheatre. A spectacular setting for up to 15,000 people.
8 - Waikato River Trails Summer Sizzler: (January)
The Waikato River Trails team is always looking at ways to continually promote the trails and after the success of the last three years is excited to bring back this fantastic event. The trail event lets all participants take in the amazing beauty of the area surrounding both Lakes Whakamaru and Maraetai.
Whether you are a runner or walker you will enjoy the varied scenery that is around every corner. With undulating elevation and varied trail surfaces that wind their way along a path that encompasses both the magic and beauty of New Zealand.
Be inspired as you walk or run through grassed farmland, open reserves, cross boardwalks and take in expansive lake views. Plus, don’t forget, everyone crosses the 70m Mangakino Suspension bridge, which sits 18m above the Mangakino stream.
Family friendly fun run/walk event with 22km, 11km and 6km course options.
9 - Beer Appreciation Day: (February)
Beer Appreciation Day is back with some truly outstanding beers (and cider) on the menu.
Relax in the tree-studded surrounds of Riverside Park supping on a stonking range of craft beverages accompanied by live music and delicious food. From local favourites, Lakeman Brewing Co. and The Rogue Bore, to some absolute legends from out of the district there'll be a whole bunch of beers never poured in Taupō before.
Tickets include tokens for one beer or cider.
10 - Traffic Management NZ Taupō Great Lake Relay: (March)
The 27th Great Lake Relay will be held on the 19th March 2022. Grab you friends, family or work colleagues together and join in this amazing running or walking event around or along the length of the lake. Don’t miss being a part of this awesome relay with 3,500 other competitors.
Renowned as being the best team building exercise of all time, the ultimate Team Relay has been described by participants as the most social and scenic event in New Zealand.
There are different categories to enter so get your entries in now!
11 - Super Rugby Aotearoa Under-20s : (March)
This newly formed tournament will see Under-20 sides from the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders, along with a New Zealand Barbarians Club Under-20 team take part in three match days at Taupō’s Owen Delany Park. All matches will be broadcast live on Sky on 11th April, 14th April and 17th April.
Former Blues and Stormers coach, Paul Feeney, will head the New Zealand Barbarian Club Under-20 coaching team, with players set to be selected from across the 26 Provincial Unions.
New Zealand Rugby High Performance Player Development Manager, Matt Sexton, said rejuvenating the Under-20 programme was pleasing after the Covid-19 enforced hiatus in 2020.
“The Super Rugby Under-20 tournament will give our emerging players a high level of game experience and give our talent identification network an effective platform to confirm players for the New Zealand Under-20 programme.
12 - Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand: (March)
A bucket list race for all triathletes. This is the world’s longest running IRONMAN with a proud and rich history deeply rooted in Taupō. The race itself showcases the best of New Zealand's natural wonderland and more than 2,000 volunteers and thousands of supporters line the streets to cheer you on.
Described as one of the most beautiful IRONMAN courses in the world, more than 1,400 athletes battle it out over the 3.8km fresh water swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run.
