The Wānaka Festival of Colour returns from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 April 2027, bringing nine days of performing arts and ideas to Wānaka in the Southern Lakes. Recent festivals have mixed international theatre and circus with New Zealand music, dance, writers and talks, in venues around the lake. The 2027 programme has not yet been released, so sign up to the festival newsletter for the launch.
On this page
Key facts
- When
- Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 April 2027
- Where
- Venues across Wānaka
- Programme
- Not yet released; check the festival site
- Tickets
- Ticketed shows plus some free and community events (recent festivals)
- Season
- Early autumn, when the poplars and willows turn gold
What it is
The Wānaka Festival of Colour is the Southern Lakes’ festival of arts and ideas. The full festival returns from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 April 2027, after the Aspiring Conversations festival of ideas and kōrero ran from 27 to 29 March 2026. The last full festival ran from 29 March to 6 April 2025.
What to expect
The 2027 programme has not been released yet. Past festivals give a sense of the mix: international theatre and circus (Quebec’s Cirque Alfonse brought its “agricultural funk” farm show Animal to Wānaka), New Zealand music and dance, and talks and conversations on politics, the economy, climate change and books. The 2026 Aspiring Conversations programme included a breakfast panel on election year, a celebration of poet Brian Turner and a true stories told live session, which shows the festival’s appetite for ideas as well as performance.
Who it suits
Arts lovers, curious travellers and families, especially anyone visiting Wānaka in early autumn, when the town’s poplars and willows turn gold. Pair an evening show with a day on the lake or in the mountains.
Tickets
Tickets for the 2027 festival will go on sale with the programme. Sign up to the festival newsletter to hear first; popular shows in small venues sell out.
Getting there
Wānaka is about 1 hour’s drive from Queenstown over the Crown Range, or 1.5 hours via Cromwell (estimates). Queenstown Airport is the nearest major airport.
Where to stay
Wānaka accommodation fills up during the festival and the April school holidays, so book early. Our things to do in Wānaka guide covers the town.
What to bring
Warm layers: autumn evenings by the lake are cool.
Make a trip of it
Start a festival day with a sunrise walk up Roys Peak if you are fit, or take an easier lakeside walk. Our Wānaka guide has more ideas.
FAQ
When is the Festival of Colour 2027?
Who is performing?
What is Aspiring Conversations?
Is it suitable for children?
Sources
Last checked 11 November 2026 against the organiser's own pages
