The days are getting longer, the hills are turning green, the lambs are multiplying faster than we can count, and suddenly… Akaroa & the Bays is buzzing again!
October is when spring really hits its stride – flowers are blooming, gardens are waking up, cafés are filling, and there’s a definite feeling that it’s time to get out and explore.
There’s plenty of reasons to make the trip including festivals, exhibitions, tours and the markets are also back. Many of our providers start moving to summer hours and then there’s Labour Weekend – three whole days to slow down and explore a bay or two.
French Fest 2026
Forget Paris. Forget the airfare. Akaroa is about to get très magnifique.
Three days of French food, music, markets, dancing, costumes, bubbles and enough joie de vivre to make you question why you ever left home.
9–11 October. Akaroa. Be there or be très boring.
Pack your beret. Bring your appetite. Come and get Frenchified!
Important Information for French Fest
- Please arrive & park before 9:30 am or after 11:00 on Saturday 10th
- An alternate route through the village is marked in green on the attached map
- Arterial roads leading away from the closure are marked in black on the map. Limited parking is available on these streets for those who arrive early
Please be prepared to park and walk to the Festival
Inside Out House and Garden Tour
21st and 22nd November 2026
This much-loved biennial event showcases 15 stunning homes and gardens across Akaroa and the surrounding bays, from lovingly restored historic cottages to contemporary coastal builds. Explore at your own pace on a flexible self-drive tour, while supporting the Friends of the Akaroa Museum and helping fund its collections, restoration and projects.
Black Cat French Fest Special
Save the Date
International Akaroa Music Festival – 2-10 January 2027
Le Race – 20 March 2027
Run Akaroa – 16 May 2027
Spotlight on Little River – Wairewa
Little River Inn
Pull up a seat in their fabulous beer garden, grab something delicious from the kitchen and settle in for a while.
With great food, cold drinks and a lineup of live music and events, it’s the perfect place to turn a quick stop into a proper Little River hangout.
Little River Information & Craft Station
Housed in the historic Little River Railway Station, this co-operative brings together local craftspeople, with everything from pottery, knitwear and jewellery to preserves, woodwork, leatherwork, quilts and more. A percentage of every sale goes towards local community projects.
Essentials, Shops & Activities
Petrol
Public Toilets
Restaurants and Cafes
Arts and Crafts
Accomodation including a Camp Ground
Rail Trail
and so much more!
In the Market?
Akaroa Farmers Markets
First market of the season Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th of October.(And every Saturday after)
9.30am – 1pm
Little River Farmers Markets
First market of the season Sunday 4th October. 9:30am-2pm
Come along – listen to live music, support local artisans, purchase locally grown produce and feast on yummy foods.
La Brocante – Antiques and Collectibles Fair
Sunday 11th October
Vintage stalls, fabric, clothing, collectibles, treasures and so much more.
Discover more from Akaroa & the Bays
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