The Tauranga Arts Festival is the Bay of Plenty's premier arts event, held biennially in October across venues throughout the Tauranga city centre. Over ten days, it brings together theatre, music, dance, comedy, visual art and community events in a programme that draws on both national and international talent while celebrating the creative culture of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing and most dynamic regions.
Tauranga has emerged in recent decades as a city with genuine cultural ambition, and the Arts Festival reflects that ambition — presenting work of real quality and adventurousness while remaining deeply connected to the Bay of Plenty community. The festival's programming spans accessible family entertainment and challenging contemporary work, ensuring that it speaks to the full breadth of the region's diverse and growing population.
For visitors to Tauranga in October, the Arts Festival is a compelling addition to an already attractive destination. The city's harbour setting, its proximity to the Mount Maunganui beach and the warmth of the Bay of Plenty combine with quality arts programming to make festival time in Tauranga one of the most enjoyable cultural weekends in the North Island.