An event for every occasion and activities for every season. Akaroa and Banks Peninsula has an exciting calendar of events all year round.
Want to host your own event? Find out how Akaroa District Promotions can help organise and promote it here.
Banks Track Specials | Akaroa Nature and History Tour
1 Jun 2023 through to 31 Dec 2023
Banks Track Specials | Akaroa Nature and History Tour
1 Jun 2023 through to 31 Dec 2023
$20 off (normal price $120)
Book this 3-hour tour, departing Akaroa at 12:15pm directly with Marie Haley at https://
Use the Promo Code: Banks Track
This wide-ranging tour visits five of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important historic sites that together “have a narrative more important than Waitangi” (Harry Evison). It includes homemade afternoon tea at the Akaroa Heritage Park, and visits areas of the Wildside and Hinewai Reserve not visited by Banks Track.
Leaving at 12:15pm and arriving back to the Banks Track bus stop at 3:15pm the tour time fits nicely between arriving to Akaroa and transport to the first night of the walk.
This is a “must-do experience in Akaroa” considered by long term local landowners as “the best tour they’ve ever done”, other travellers reviews are all 5-stars: “world class” and “remarkable”. READ OUR REVIEWS
This tour is ideal for track walkers as it interweaves indigenous concepts of turangawaewae, kaitiakitanga and the seventh generation principle into the tour, leaving you with a deep understanding and connection to the landscape that you are about to walk. It takes you to places just on the edges of the Banks Track, places you pass by and wonder about.
Ethels Cinema Akaroa Weekly Timetable
1 Jul 2023 through to 30 Sep 2023
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Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run School Holiday Special
22 Sep 2023 through to 8 Oct 2023
Akaroa's Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run School Holiday Special
22 Sep 2023 through to 8 Oct 2023
**Specials when booking directly with us**
School Holiday Special:
1 child travels for free per paying adult.
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Akaroa French Film Festival 23
5 Oct 2023 through to 11 Oct 2023
Akaroa French Film Festival 23
5 Oct 2023 through to 11 Oct 2023
Akaroa French Film Festival
5 - 11 October 23
Join us for an unforgettable cinematic journey through the heart of France. Coinciding with the Akaroa French Festival celebrations, Ethels Cinema Akaroa is hosting its own week-long inaugural Akaroa French Film Festival.
We’re showcasing a diverse and exciting array of French-speaking cinema on the big screen in Akaroa including the best festival favourites, exclusive new releases and classic masterpieces from black and white to vivid colour!
Over the week there will be fifteen curated French films, a mix of day and night screenings, with six films being shown on each day. Following the film festival format there will be only two screenings for most films. Some, however, are on general release and will be played daily.
A number of these films have not premiered in New Zealand yet, Ethels is proud to be able to debut them for the wider public. Look out for the festival flyers around town or visit the Ethels website for the full festival programme and ticketing options.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAMME
Akaroa French Festival 2023
6 Oct 2023 through to 8 Oct 2023
Akaroa French Festival 2023
6 Oct 2023 through to 8 Oct 2023
The Akaroa French Festival is a biennial event celebrating the unique culture and heritage of New Zealand’s only French settlement in the harbourside town of Akaroa.
The next Akaroa French Festival will be held from the 6th to the 8th October, 2023.
The festival commences on the Friday evening with the official opening. This is followed by Le Marché de Nuit– the Night Market, where fabulous food and wine vendors, live music and dancing entertain party-goers.
Saturday morning begins with ‘Landings’, reenacting the tales of the many brave souls who came to call Akaroa home: from the first Maori to the whalers and then of course, to the French and German settlers on board the Comte de Paris. Next, our famous Parade with brass band will lead the crowd to the Akaroa Recreational Grounds for the commencement of Market Day.
The festival hub will be in the Akaroa Recreational Ground, where guests can enjoy some live music, taste local food and wine as well as lots of French cuisine, or take in the local fashion show and a French cooking demonstration. For the more energetic, French-themed competitions will be held including: cock crowing, a waiter’s race and multiple French games enjoyed by all the family.
Saturday evening is definitely party time! Our show-stopping, Le Cabaret, will be found in the Big Top marquee featuring comedy, Le Can Can and risqué burlesque. Revellers dance the night away to great music from New Zealand’s very best entertainers.
Sunday is a real taste of France with La Brocante, an opportunity to search for treasure or strike a bargain with local vendors and professionals selling antiques, collectibles and vintage wares. We also have Le Cirque Du Croissant happening in the big tent which is a fun show for kids of all ages.
Akaroa French Festival shines a light on all that Banks Peninsula has to offer. We invite you to book your accommodation early and come to share in this magical weekend.