Let’s be honest, 2023 has bounced from balmy to a once-in-100-year extreme weather event, so no matter what the calendar says, summer is actually far from over.
To make the coming months memorable for the right reasons, you just need to add the right events to your cal—and the best events are always elevated when surrounded by mates in mother nature. So together with Lipton Ice Tea, we're serving up seven of the best outdoor events, festivals and things to do in New Zealand over March and April. We deserve a solid summer, right?!
Lipton Ice Tea Pop-Up Bars
10 March - 3 April, various locations
If you’re keen to don your sunnies and laze by the water on the sand with a refreshing drink in hand, Lipton Ice Tea’s here to make this all a reality. Popping up at some of our sweetest beaches, Lipton Ice Tea will be slinging their new No Sugar Ice Tea for you to try while giving you the chance to win a prize or two while you’re at it.
Head along to these beaches on the dates below:
- 10–13 March, Mission Bay
- 17–20 March, Mount Maunganui
- 24–27 March, Whangamata
- 31-3 April, Synthony, Auckland
Flavours Of Plenty Festival
24 March - 3 April, Bay of Plenty
Start salivating because Flavours Of Plenty Festival is dishing up a two-week string of pop-ups, tastings, produce markets and foodie events that will make your taste buds sing. Connect with the local community of growers and creators as you sample your way through it all. Plus, you can celebrate the Bay Of Plenty region, which has deservedly earned quite the reputation for its range of produce, from fruits to truffles.
View the full festival programme and buy tickets here.
Synthony
1 April, Auckland Domain
This unique fusion of dance and orchestra is back in Tāmaki Makaurau but with one major difference. This year, the explosive festival is bringing seven hours of live music across two stages all at the Auckland Domain. With a set list curated by DJ Dick Johnson, expect all of your favourite dance anthems and guest performances by hometown heroes Dave Dobbyn, Shapeshifter, Kimbra, Sachi and Savage.
Check out the full list of performers and ticket info here.
Past Events
121 Festival
10 - 12 March, Tauherenikau
Set among the lush landscape of South Wairarapa, this is a music festival that fully embraces juxtapositions to produce a transcendent weekend of music, art and wellness. Transport yourself to another dimension where creativity and expression reign supreme. Expect three days and six stages packed with personality to help you uncover new local bands and even new music genres.
Urban Polo
11 March, Auckland Domain and 1 April, Tauranga Domain
This isn’t the prim and proper, royal family polo—this is Urban Polo. The sport has been brought into the 21st century, made faster and more intimate, and you won’t get closer to the action anywhere else. The day goes well beyond sport, serving up the perfect intersection of polo, fashion and music. If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to pull out that oversized hat and loudest fit for a boogie, this is it.
New Zealand Sail Grand Prix
18 - 19 March, Christchurch
The NZ leg of the Sail Grand Prix is the last event before the grand finale, so with only one more opportunity, this is set to be truly high-stakes racing. Support our Kiwi crew, led by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, Olympic gold medalists and reigning America’s Cup champions as they battle eight other teams over 11 events. Sailing is all about the fan experience, so whether you’re on or off the water, we guarantee it’ll be action-packed.
Cuba Dupa
25 - 26 March, Wellington
Making its return this year, CupaDupa, New Zealand’s biggest street party, promises the ultimate weekend for lovers of art, music, theatre and dance. 100 acts, 900 artists and 150,000 attendees will gather in Wellington’s central city to celebrate all that is colourful and creative. You can walk freely as Cuba Street and neighbouring laneways become pedestrian-only, sharing the laneways only with dancers and performers. It will be an extravaganza of epic proportions.
Summer’s not going anywhere but you definitely should, so grab your mates and get out there. No matter where you are in NZ, there’s a sweet event to immerse yourself in and it’ll be made all the more sweeter and refreshing with Lipton Ice Tea.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Lipton Ice Tea. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image source: 121 Festival