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Best time to visit in New Zealand

New Zealand tourism is a significant industry and a major contributor to the economy of New Zealand. It attracts millions of international tourists from all corners of the world. New Zealand has something uncommon to offer each long stretch of the year. Accordingly, best time to visit New Zealand depends upon your interests: be it hiking, skiing, a daily dose of daylight or a gleam of harvest time gold. Here's a month-by-month guide for you to explore this incredibly picturesque destination.

Choose your New Zealand tour package and experience exciting festivals assuring a memorable holiday. Overall the best season to visit New Zealand is during December, January, February- the warmest months coincide with when New Zealanders also take their summer holidays. So this is a great time to meet the locals. Daylight hours are longer during summer, especially in the south- great for packing more adventures into short itineraries.

Main seasons of New Zealand

Summer - December, January and February

Autumn - March, April, and May

Winter - June, July and August

Spring - September, October and November

Top events

Auckland Lantern Festival

Big Day Out

Wanaka’s Festival of colors

Dunedin's Chocolate Carnival

International Film Festival

Month by Month: Best time to visit New Zealand

January

January is mid-summer in New Zealand. It is likewise directly amidst the school occasions and pinnacle visitor season. However, in case you're willing to cherish the bustle, this is a great month to get into the wider community spirit. Various summer celebrations occur around this time, remembering the World Buskers' Festival for Christchurch, Auckland's Laneway Festival, and the New Zealand Sevens rugby competition, the last of which was generally held in Wellington, however, is moving to Hamilton in 2018.

Events in January

World Buskers' Festival

The popular world Busker's celebration, which is praised by its 25th celebration this year, will be called bread and carnival. The celebration commences with a concentrated 10-day program brimming with energizing free occasions, extraordinary ticketed program and celebration center point will at that point stretch out into February, declared Christchurch NZ a week ago. "In festivity of its history, Bread and Circus expands upon Christchurch's tremendously adored World Buskers Festival, enhancing it with world-class exciting twists and turns.

Big Day Out

Big day out is considered as the New Zealand’s biggest music festival celebrated across the country in the middle of summer season. The absolute greatest acts from round the world perform on various stages in what is constantly one of New Zealand's 'biggest day out'

February

February might be the latest month of summer, yet it is additionally ordinarily when temperatures are at their hottest. At the end of the day, this is the best time to go to the shore for kayaking, strolling around the beach and for experiencing thrilling water sports activities. Chinese New Year Lantern Festivals likewise light up numerous areas, most prominently Auckland and Christchurch, this month.

Events in February

Auckland Lantern Festival (Chinese New Year)

Ring in the Chinese New Year in Auckland at the bright colorful, cultural extravaganza of the Lantern Festival. This festival attracts thousands of people from all corners of the world. With more than 100 stalls selling Asian crafts and food from dumplings to doughnuts, music and martial arts display, karaoke, shadow puppets, and fireworks. Hence, we can say that this lantern festival is a highlight of the Auckland events calendar.

March

The month of March is the point at which the country finds its way into the autumn. Days are as yet summery commonly, with temperatures step by step cooling while the plants start to change its beautiful. A few territories like the Bay of Islands and Rotorua will observe warm atmosphere, going as high as 27°C. March is when numerous vineyards see wealth in rich grapes – on the off chance that you are exploring Queenstown/Central Otago wine area, however, remember that this the locale's wettest month of the year. Different festivals that you can look out for during this month are the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, Christchurch's Ellerslie Flower Show, and Hamilton's Balloons over Waikato.

Events in March

Christchurch's Ellerslie Flower Show

Ellerslie Flower show is a annual garden show held in New Zealand, beforehand it was held in the City of Auckland however later on it moved to Christchurch. It is always said that gardening is a popular hobby which is enjoyed by countless New Zealanders, and is great for helping people relax and escape the stresses of life. Thousands of people come and witness the beauty of this flower show.

April

April is an ideal opportunity to savor some fresh, radiant days, brilliant blue skies, and cold evenings. This is the best time to visit places like the Hawke's Bay, Central Otago (particularly Arrow town), Lake Tekapo and the more extensive Mackenzie Country territory, which are the absolute best places to see New Zealand's stunning harvest time hues. April's long, fine spells and general absence of twist likewise make it a mainstream month for hiking, particularly around the South Island's high ranges. A portion of the must-see events during this month are Wanaka’s Festival of Color and the Auckland Royal Easter Show.

Events in April

Wanaka’s Festival of Color

Known as New Zealand's best little expressions celebration, the Southern Lakes Festival of Color happens more than six energizing days and evenings in April, and this year the occasions overflow into four extra days. The celebration is held biennially and brings an exceptional program of neighborhood, national and worldwide expressions toward the Southern Lakes locale, including world-class music, move, theater, visual expressions and the ever-well known Aspiring Conversations. While situated in Wanaka, shows and occasions additionally occur in Hawea Flat, Bannockburn and Queenstown.

May

This is an ideal time to begin putting on those cozy layers: temperatures in May can vary from 6°C in the South Island, and 9°C in the North. You can experience some adventure activities like, bungy jumping. May is likewise a decent time for mountain hiking, bird hunting and fishing. On the off chance that you like your social occasions, May is New Zealand Music Month, an opportunity to praise all the local artists hitting the airways. Different celebrations to look at incorporate the Auckland Writers' Festival, the Documentary Edge Festival (in Wellington and Auckland), and the Great New Zealand Food Show in Hamilton.

Events in May

Auckland Live is a pleased accomplice of the Auckland Writers Festival, and they invest heavily in facilitating a great many admirers of books, thoughts and masterminds in Aotea Center each May.

The Auckland Writers Festival offers crowds the chance to see and get notification from the absolute best nearby and global scholars of contemporary fiction and true to life, researchers, market analysts, artists, columnists, and open intelligent people. Crowds are enhanced by imaginative intuition, tested by new thoughts, and motivated to find increasingly about our reality.

June

June is a popular time to hit the skis and bask at the powdery snow. Queenstown during the months of June/July is a jam-packed 10 days of music, snow sports, and entertainment. In case you're in the North Island, Ruapehu and Taranaki are your fundamental ski regions; well known goals in the South incorporate Wanaka, Otago and Canterbury. Matariki (the Maori New Year) is celebrated country-wide in June, when the namesake constellation (the Pleiades in English) comes into full show. Other yearly fanfares to liven up this month include Lyttelton’s Festival of Lights, Oamaru’s Steampunk Festival, and the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival.

Events in June

Dunedin mid Winter Carnival

The Mid winter Carnival is a much-adored celebration in the core of the Dunedin winter, where craftsmanship and finishing make a one of a kind and ethereal occasion.

The feature of the night is the Carnival parade, which incorporates more than 1,000 individuals and many high quality lamps. Consistently, an eagerly awaited exhibition is the mammoth lights, costumed stilt walkers, artists and performers, marching through the Octagon.

July

With winter well and truly settled, you'll discover a difference in climate all across the nation. Queenstown is as a rule at its driest, while Auckland is at its wettest. Winter in the capital (Wellington) isn't very extraordinary; however its southerly breezes can puncture directly through you. A portion of the incredible sights to visit this month incorporate the Pancake Rocks on the South Island's West Coast and the ever-mainstream Tongariro National Park in the North Island. July is additionally an opportunity to look at Napier's yearly Art Deco Weekend, Dunedin's Chocolate Carnival, and the New Zealand International Film Festival.

Events in July

Dunedin's Chocolate Carnival

New Zealand's City of the South gets a chocolate covering in July, as individuals of any age appreciate seven days of chocolaty enjoyment at Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival. This yearly jamboree delights chocolate-sweethearts with seven days of compelling occasions including chocolate visits, chocolate adorning, chocolate painting and chocolate facials, just as the notable Cadbury crunchie train. For a little city, Dunedin has a shockingly wide determination of bistros and cafés, alongside a theater, a symphony, and an exceptionally respected open craftsmanship exhibition.

August

Regularly, temperatures keep on fluctuating from 2 and 18 degrees Celsius (36 – 64 degrees Fahrenheit) on the North Island. August is a rainy month however it doesn't rain excessively. August is likewise when sharp foodies find a good pace teeth into occasions like Auckland Restaurant Month and Visa Wellington on a Plate, and when New Zealand Fashion Week will keep all sprouting fashionistas on pattern

Events in August

International Film Festival

From July eighteenth through August fourth, 2019, the New Zealand International Film Festival makes a few stops and screenings in urban areas the nation over.

New Zealand Winter Games

A multi-sport competition that happens like every two years in Queenstown; in 2018, the games last from August 23 through September 7.

Visa Wellington on a plate wine and food festival

Restaurants, venues, and car parks across Wellington will host celebrations for the entire month of August with exclusive menus of food and beverages.

September

Spring comes in full bloom in the long stretch of September. This, in any case, doesn't mean you can abandon each one of those warm layers – the season is, indeed, New Zealand's windiest! Wellington will in general endure the worst part of it as well, with climate conditions getting unstable and conflicting. The World of Wearable Art is the most recognized celebration of this September month. On the off chance that you need to get into the springtime soul, there are a lot of festivities that do it in style: including the Alexandra Blossom Festival, Nelson's Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Palmerston North International Spring Festival. An outing to the Garden City (Christchurch) may likewise merit your time and energy, just like a visit to the staggering botanic gardens in places like Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton.

Events in September

Wellington Spring festival

In Wellington, participate and praise spring by review the parade, shopping expressions of the human experience and specialties corners, and taking in the art show.

Worldwide Film Festival:

The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) commends the universe of film all through New Zealand. The occasion held August through September happens in theaters and settings in 13 towns and urban communities around the nation and highlights cautiously curated full-length movies, narratives, and short movies.

Universe of Wearable Arts Awards Show (WOW):

It opens in Wellington the finish of September. The World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards Competition is a globally prestigious plan rivalry that pulls in passages from more than 40 nations every year and incorporates a scope of imaginative, wearable fine arts. WOW grandstands the best of these manifestations in a fantastic show seen by thousands over a time of three weeks.

October

October is a month of mellow temperatures and cultural highlights. Wellington's climate will in general be at its best around this month, with a lot of sunny mornings. All through New Zealand, you'll locate various occasions featuring legacy and expressions: including the Auckland Heritage Festival, the Akaroa French Festival, the Dunedin Heritage Festival and the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival. Diwali festivities likewise gather a lot of consideration in Auckland and Wellington this month, with a variety of social exhibitions and an energetic firecrackers show wowing all the travelers.

Events in October

Kiwi Spring Festival

Situated in Port Charles, Coromandel on the North Island, this yearly celebration includes live entertainment, shops selling local crafts, and exercises for kids including a fun palace all at the Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat typically in late October.

Auckland Heritage Festival

This yearly festival praises the rich cultural heritage of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) with an assortment of occasions over the city from late September to early October.

November

Mid-spring brings a lot of charming days. Famous travel destinations like Auckland will in general get somewhat busier around this time – it certainly pays to plan out your holidays as per your convenience. On the off chance that you ever need to encounter New Zealand nation life, the Canterbury A&P Show merits looking at: each November, this ancient three-day custom joins various live showings (sheep shearing included), rivalries, carnival rides, and even a petting zoo to carry the rustic way of life into the city scene.

Events in November

Canterbury Agricultural Show

This agricultural show in Christchurch is like a state fair in the United States. It's the South Island's biggest agrarian event and incorporates fair rides, live amusement, and standard bred dashing, and the New Zealand Cup, probably the most established race in New Zealand having been run every year since 1865.

December

In case you're longing for a white Christmas, turn around now. December is the beginning of summer, implying that the Christmas season is much-admired in singing hues: think grills and chips by the sea shore, or a run of the mill potluck supper with Pavlova for dessert. Kiwis take the time to enjoy the lengthened days, when the sun doesn’t set until 9pm, as much as they can. New Year’s Eve has its own traditions, including the Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne: the city that has the privilege of seeing the first sunrise of the year.

Events in December

Christmas celebration

In case you're longing for a white Christmas, turn around now. December is the beginning of summer, implying that the Christmas season is commended in singing hues: barbeques and outdoor concerts with pot luck dinner and amazing desserts. Plan Your trip with our New Zealand tour Packages and explore the best of New Zealand with us.