Matariki - Stonehenge Aotearoa
Friday 20th June 2025
Experience the magic of Matariki at Stonehenge Aotearoa, celebrating the appearance of the Pleiades star cluster. Discover the ancient legends and significance of Matariki in Māori and Polynesian traditions and explore the physical nature of these stars. Bookings are essential.
Time: 4.30pm
Price: Adults $30.00; Seniors $25.00; Secondary Students $10.00; Primary Student $5.00 (plus fees) - click here to purchase a ticket
Where: Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton
Website: www.stonehenge-aotearoa.nz
Winter Solstice - Stonehenge Aotearoa
Saturday 21st June 2025
The Winter Solstice was and still is one of the most important festivals of the year. The programme will begin with an introduction, and then we move to the henge to watch the Sun set over the winter heel stone (weather permitting), then we will guide you round the night sky.
Time: 4.00pm
Price: Adults $30.00; Seniors $25.00; Secondary Students $10.00; Primary Student $5.00 (plus fees) - click here to purchase a ticket
Where: Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton
Website: www.stonehenge-aotearoa.nz
Stallkeepers Greytown Market - Shades at Grays
Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd June 2025
Shades at Grays offers beautiful lampshades and stunning wood lamps – inspirational lighting that isn’t available in retail stores. You can find their handcrafted products twice a month at the local Stallkeepers Greytown Market, held in the old town hall at 89 Main Street.
The market is a carefully curated boutique market, with a wide selection of high quality homeware, clothing, jewellery and more.
You can buy Sue’s ready-made lampshades off the stall or order one from a wide range of fabrics and lampshade sizes to perfectly fit your home. Update a floor stand, brush off your favourite lamp base or add an eye-catching ceiling shade. Life’s too short for boring lampshades!
JB’s wood lamps are stunning, crafted from timber that resonates with New Zealand’s past. Each lamp is unique and each has a journey that begins more than 100 years ago, and which is described in an individual story that accompanies each piece. The finish is so gorgeous you won’t be able to resist touching them!
Visit the market or shop our lampshades and lamps online at shadesatgrays.co.nz
Time: 9.30am - 3.00pm
Price: Free Admission
Where: Greytown Town Hall, 89 Main Street, Greytown - click here for future market dates
Website: www.shadesatgrays.co.nz
Festival of Christmas - Big Switch Opening Night
Friday 27th June 2025
Thanks to Greytown Lands Trust, we’re kicking off the 2025 Festival of Christmas with a special opening night. We’re closing off Main Street so you can roam freely through the village, soaking up the festive magic.
What to expect:
- Live music from local bands and musicians on the Main Street Community Stage
- Street performers and entertainers throughout the village
- Night Markets with arts, crafts, food, and festive treats
- Hot Air Balloon burners, firing up Main Street!
- The first switch-on of magical Christmas and projection lighting, thanks to our clever friends at Streamliner
- The dazzling WWII Spotlight shining 50km into the night sky
- The beautiful Community Christmas Tree, featuring adorable Hari dogs decorated by local children. Thanks to Greytown Lands Trust.
- Snowfall returns — by popular demand - thanks Fresh Choice Greytown!
Bring the whole family and celebrate the start of the festival. Click here to view the full programme for opening night.
Time: 3.00pm - 9.00pm
Price: Free Admission
Where: Greytown Town Hall, 89 Main Street, Greytown
Website: www.greytownvillage.com
Festival of Christmas - Snowfall on Main
Friday 27th & Saturday 29th June 2025
Glorious snow will be flurrying once again outside the Town Hall, thanks to FreshChoice Greytown. In what has become a firm festival favourite, this snowfall will be on time, every time, on Friday and Saturday night's throughout the festival. Who knew the forecast could be so accurate!
Set to music and lights, get a taste of a northern hemisphere White Christmas right here in NZ, and enjoy this magical selfie experience! Grab a bite to eat from the range of food trucks on offer, keep your eyes peeled for Hari and his fellow pups, and prepare for a dusting of snow.
Special thanks to the weather gods, who tell us that snow will be falling every half hour from 6pm until 8pm.
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm every half hour
Price: Free Admission
Where: Greytown Town Hall, 89 Main Street, Greytown
Website: www.greytownvillage.com
Festival of Christmas - Luminous: A Carnival of Light
Friday 27th June - Sunday 27th July 2025
LUMINOUS is an exuberant group exhibition that celebrates brilliance, colour, and sparkle in all its forms. Featuring a diverse range of artists – from painters and photographers to sculptors, printmakers to installation artists – this exhibition is a joyous, radiant response to the idea of light in the heart of winter.
Exhibition will run for the duration of the Festival of Christmas. The warm gallery, housed in the stunning heritage building on Main Street, is open daily from 10am - 4pm
Time: Opening night 27 June 5.30pm - 9.00pm
Price: Free Admission
Where: Greytown Gallery, 115 Main Street, Greytown
Website: www.greytownartgallery.nz
Festival of Christmas - Carnival in Focus: Photographic Competition
Friday 27th June - Sunday 27th July 2025
As part of the Greytown Winter Festival, the Greytown Art Gallery is hosting a photographic competition that invites participants to capture the vibrant essence of carnival during the winter festival from opening night on Friday 27 June to closing night on Saturday 26 July. Photographers of all ages are encouraged to showcase their creativity and interpretation of the theme.
Entries accepted in the following categories:
• Primary School Students
• High School Students (+13)
• Adults (+18)
To find out more and for all submission details, please visit www.greytownartgallery.nz
Time: 5.30pm - 9.00pm
Price: Free Admission
Where: Greytown Gallery, 115 Main Street, Greytown
Website: www.greytownartgallery.nz
Festival of Christmas Greytown
Friday 27th June - Saturday 26th July 2025
The Wairarapa Festival of Christmas returns with a brand-new theme - Christmas Carnival - and a month-long line-up of dazzling lights, festive fun, epic street parties, glowing night walks, vintage carousels, circus school, and much more.
We think this might just be our best programme yet. Our 2025 festival mascot Hari – the delightful festival pooch - will be spreading joy and cheer.
Most events are FREE, but the hottest ticketed experiences will sell fast. Act now. Check out the full programme here, plan your perfect festive experience, and secure your tickets and accommodation before they sell out.
A few highlights to note:
- Illumination Light Sculpture Walk at Cobblestones: 2-7 July
- Property Brokers Christmas House Tour: 18 July
- Molewood Orchard Bonfire: 12 July
- Tractor Parade sponsored by One: 19 July
- Holmes Constructions Carousel (behind Blackwell & Sons): 2-7 July
Be prepared, block our your calendar and book your accommodation with ASURE Oak Estate Motor Lodge - it's going to be amazing!!
Let the countdown begin!