Waitaki Arts Festival 2026

Next date: Friday, 16 October 2026 | 12:00 AM - Sunday, 25 October 2026

Ten days. One small region. Every kind of art.

From Friday 16 to Sunday 25 October 2026, the Waitaki Arts Festival brings ten packed days of music, theatre, comedy, literature, visual arts, workshops, food, wine and community celebrations to Ōamaru and the wider Waitaki.

This year’s programme reaches across just about every corner of the arts. Catch acclaimed national performers including Fly My Pretties, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Penny Ashton, James Nokise and Gareth Thomas, discover author talks and book readings, get creative at hands-on workshops, or make a day of it with food and wine events, exhibitions and family-friendly activities.

There are special local celebrations too, including the North Otago Pipe Band’s 125th anniversary, making the festival as much a celebration of Waitaki’s own stories and creative community as it is a showcase for visiting artists.

One of the joys of the Waitaki Arts Festival is its scale. Ōamaru is compact and easy to explore, so you can spend an afternoon learning something new at a workshop or tasting local wine, then walk to a nationally touring show that evening. Big experiences are packed close together, without the distances and logistics of a large city festival.

At the heart of the festival is the historic Oamaru Opera House, a performing arts venue that has been part of the town’s cultural life for more than a century.

Whether you come for a favourite performer, want to try something completely new, or simply want to soak up the atmosphere, the Waitaki Arts Festival is an invitation to experience the region at its most creative.

Music • Art • Exhibitions • Comedy • Theatre • Workshops • Book Readings • Author Talks • Fashion • Food • Wine • Beer

When