TSB Festival of Lights 2026

What it is

The TSB Festival of Lights is New Zealand’s longest-running light festival, produced by New Plymouth District Council. For five weeks each summer it lights up Pukekura Park, a deep green park in the heart of New Plymouth, with installations sourced from around New Zealand and the world.

The park itself is a big part of the magic. Together with neighbouring Brooklands, Pukekura Park covers 52 hectares of bush, lakes, lawns and gardens, with landmarks such as the Band Rotunda, Fountain Lake and Poet’s Bridge. Last season’s installations came from lighting designers including Angus Muir, Amigo and Amigo, Beamhacker, Simon Holden and artist Lisa Reihana.

What to expect

Wander the park’s paths after dark as the bush, lakes and trees glow with light installations. Alongside the lights there is a lineup of local and national music acts and family entertainment, including Festival Kids, a big New Year’s Eve event and outdoor cinema. The 2026 to 2027 programme is revealed on 23 November 2026, so check the official site then for this season’s highlights.

The lights only make sense after dark, which in a New Zealand summer is late in the evening. Plan to arrive around dusk and allow an hour or two to walk the park.

Music, outdoor cinema, kids’ shows, seniors’ sessions and special events are held on the Fred Parker Lawn and Hatchery Lawn stages. Photography and filming happen throughout the festival, so you may appear in promotional images; speak to the on-site team if you have concerns.

Who it suits

Families, couples and road trippers. Because it runs for five weeks and is free, it is easy to fit into a summer trip.

Getting there

Pukekura Park is close to central New Plymouth, so many people walk from town. A free festival bus, wrapped in a design by a local winner of the festival’s bus design competition, runs between Centre City and Pukekura Park during the festival.

• Fly: New Plymouth Airport is about 15 km from the park, roughly 25 minutes by car (an estimate).
• Drive: New Plymouth is roughly five hours from both Auckland and Wellington (estimates; allow longer with stops).

Where to stay

Central New Plymouth is the most convenient base, close to the park and the coastal walkway. Summer holidays are busy in Taranaki, so book ahead for New Year.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes for the park’s paths and hills, a warm layer for later in the evening, a picnic blanket for the lawn stages, and a torch or phone light for getting back to the car.

Make a trip of it

New Plymouth fits neatly into a west coast loop of the North Island. Our 10-day North Island road trip covers the classic route, WOMAD is held next door in the Bowl of Brooklands in March (see our WOMAD page), and our campervan hire costs guide helps you budget for summer.