It’s easy to let winter get you down. The days are shorter, the air is colder, and a lot of us are feeling the pinch after a hectic summer—or using winter to squirrel away some savings. Lucky for us, there are plenty of budget-friendly things you can do (think film screenings, road trips, festivals and ice skating) to keep the vibes high, all winter long.
To help you vibe on a dime this winter, we’ve teamed up with ASB to find the best bang-for-your-buck events, entertainment, and activities across the country so you can level up today, while still planning for tomorrow.
Before you book tickets or lock in accommodation, brush up on where you're at with the money stuff with ASB's handy budget template. Already a budgeting pro? Try their financial wellbeing tool to see if there's anywhere you can improve. Then you can hit the planning and suss when and where you want to splurge and save, setting yourself up for not only an epic winter, but an epic year ahead.
Hot Water Beach
The beach? In winter? Don’t scroll—we promise this one’s worth it. Hot Water Beach is named for the naturally heated mineral water that bubbles underneath its sand, so when you dig in during low tide, hot water fills the hole and creates a natural spa.
So when the air's frosty and a dip in the ocean is off the table, sink into your own natural bath instead—all you need is your togs and a spade. The best part? It's a beach, so a visit here is totally free. Just stash a few dollars to pay for parking, accommodation if you're staying the night, or even just a post-spa sweet treat at one of the many local cafes.
The Details
When: Year-round
Where: Coromandel Peninsula
Cost: Free
NZ Mountain Film And Book Festival
The NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival is an annual event providing filmmakers and writers with an opportunity to submit and showcase their creative work. The festival's 2025 theme is ‘Adventurous Sports and Lifestyles’, so both film and book entries will be set in the world’s wildest places: think mountains, lakes, the ocean, or the sky.
Running in the snow at Wanaka and Queenstown in June, then online in July, you can catch the best of the bunch at screenings across the festival, which also plays host to book readings, awards nights and guest speakers. The best part? If you’re only looking to attend single shows, tickets range from $20 to $45.
If a snow trip sounds up your alley, but you don't want to splurge on flights to Queenstown, consider a road trip to your closest mountain. Carpooling with mates, planning group meals, packing groceries and booking accommodation in advance can make for a more budget-friendly escape.
The Details
When: 20 - 24 June (Wanaka), 26 - 27 June (Queenstown), 1 - 31 July (online)
Where: Wanaka, Queenstown, online
Cost: $20 - $295
Purchase tickets here from 20 May.
Pop-Up Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks
Nothing says winter quite like ice skating, and as winter gets closer, outdoor rinks start popping up across the country. These include the Southern Hemisphere's largest outdoor ice skating rink in Alexandra, and a rink at Tekapo Springs with incredible surrounding views. The opening dates of rinks are weather-dependent, so it's a good idea to check a location's website before heading off.
Skates and helmets are generally included in the admission price, and finding a local rink can make this a relatively inexpensive way to spend a winter's day.
The Details
When: Weather dependent, generally May - August
Where: Various locations
Cost: Varies, often approximately $20 - $30
Visa Wellington On A Plate
Wellington’s month-long foodie festival, Visa Wellington On a Plate, is back in August, transforming the CBD, suburbs, and beyond with a range of events and dining experiences. With pop-ups, ticketed and non-ticketed events, participating venues will be using the theme of 'love' to guide them in creating one-off menus, special dishes, and unique events.
While the 2025 program isn’t out yet, a ticketed winner from last year was Matsuri Madness, a Japanese-inspired party featuring next-level eats and themed games. Non-ticketed event examples include last year’s Next Gen Cook-Off, a pay-as-you-feel three-course dinner by Wellington’s rising culinary stars.
Look into public transport options to help you get around the city for only a few dollars, and if you're flying in for the festival, plan your transport and accommodation early so you can find the best deals.
The Details
When: 1 - 31 August
Where: Various locations, Wellington
Cost: Varies by event
Purchase tickets here from 27 June.
Winter Pride
Held annually in Queenstown, Winter Pride is the largest snow season pride celebration in the southern hemisphere. A 10-day festival held across four mountains—and celebrating love, community and diversity—the packed lineup features parties, ski days, community events, social mixers, drag performances, and plenty of food and drink.
If a 10-day celebration feels a little out of budget for you this winter, the good news is you can opt for tickets to individual Winter Pride events, which can go for as little as $20—a great way to get a slice of the action for a fraction of the cost. If you do splurge on a pass, use ASB's Save the Change feature to round up every purchase you make at the festival to as little as the nearest dollar. It'll automatically transfer the difference into your savings account, so you can still keep your savings moving while having a blast.
The Details
When: 15 - 24 August
Where: Queenstown
Cost: Free - $900
Purchase tickets here.
Lake Tekapo Stargazing
Lake Tekapo belongs to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky reserve, which is New Zealand’s largest dark sky reserve. That means it's totally free from light pollution and offers world-class stargazing opportunities—especially on clear winter nights.
Star gazing tours start at $129 and include access to hot pools to gaze from. If you're planning to park up for a few days, accommodation options range from free local camping and backpacker rates at hostel Haka House, to budget-friendly cottages and cabins via Airbnb. If you're driving, find the best deals on fuel with the Gaspy app—which will show you local petrol prices to help you go further for less.
The Details
When: June - August for the best stargazing
Where: Lake Tekapo
Cost: From $129
Purchase tickets here.
Everybody Eats
If you’d ruled out restaurant dining for winter, Everybody Eats might just be the answer to your prayers. Not only do they operate on a pay-what-you-can model, they also make their meals from rescued food—ingredients that are a little wonky or close to their expiry dates.
A dining experience here includes a solid three-course meal that can accommodate most dietaries, with venues in Onehunga and Glen Innes in Auckland, and Te Aro in Wellington. The crew at Everybody Eats suggest only paying what you can afford, but that $20 to $30 is both great value for money, while still paying it forward. It's important to only spend what you're comfortable with, so it can be helpful to set a budget before you go.
The Details
When: Year-round
Where: Onehunga, Glen Innes, Te Aro
Cost: Pay what you can
Book a table here.
For more tips, tools and offers to help level up your money game with ASB this summer and beyond, head here.
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Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by ASB and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Image credit: NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival on Instagram, The Coromandel, Winter Pride on Instagram, Tekapo Star Gazing on Instagram, Everybody Eats on Instagram, Wellington Ice Skating on Facebook