Check out Events and Venues for information on performance facilities and coming events. www.eventvenues.co.nz

Rotorua hosts several significant arts and cultural events including Te Ihi Te Wehi, The Rotorua Festival of Arts, Jambalaya, Mardi Gras, the Lakeside concert, the Fringe Festival, Opera in the Pa, the Lockwood Aria, Unison Concerto, Shakespeare Outside, Kapa haka festivals, Matariki celebrations, annual exhibitions at RAVE.

Te Ihi Te Wehi, the Rotorua Festival of Arts is held every two years, now in March, and brings an exciting diversity of national and international entertainers and artists to the city. Theatre, visual arts, street performances, comedy, opera, dance, music and more! Visit www.rotoruaartsfestival.co.nz

Jambalaya! New Zealand Festival of Rhythm, Dance and Carnival - Salsa Curves, Samba Rhythms with a Twist of Pasifika, Hip Hop, Circo Arts to Gypsy Music!

Jambalaya brings a blast of energy to Rotorua with performances, workshops, massive parties, awesome theatre and the grand finale, Carnival parade! There is a kids programme, market, free street performances and loads more! Get tickets and register for workshops online: www.jambalaya.co.nz

Look out for other Latin American inspired performances through out the year with local Samba group Samblasta!

Summertime in Rotorua is a high energy time and New Years Eve Mardi Gras and Lakeside at the Lakefront are great occasions for the whole family. Held at the Rotorua Lakefront, these cabaret style events bring together local, national and international performers and entertainers.

Held late in January, Opera in the Pa is a unique event where stunning local and national stars of opera perform in a Marae setting.

Taonga Puoro. Look out for master classes, workshops and performances through out the year. Finely crafted pieces are available through galleries around the district.

Shakespeare Outside is an annual event held at different locations in January of each year. Coordinated through RAVE, Shakespeare outside brings local thespians and staging crew together for very memorable performances.



Kapa Haka competitions are held several times throughout the year where schools and cultural groups bring highly choreographed movement and contemporary song writing to the traditions of haka, waiata and poi.

Magma Short Film Festival returns in May 2009 (1st-3rd) and showcases NZ and international short films across all genre. Workshops and networking opportunities for filmmakers make this a great experience. For further details or on-line entry forms go to www.magmafilm.org.nz 

Matariki celebrations recognise the traditional Maori New Year, upon the rise of Pleiades (Matariki) each year in June or July. Exhibitions and events are held at Te Raukura Gallery, Te Puia, the Waiariki Institute of Technology gallery, RAVE and at other venues through out the city. As with the rest of New Zealand this is a growing arts and cultural celebration. Visit www.matariki.net.nz

Bluesfest is set to become a feature at RAVE. Great Blues, food, beer and wine. Keep an eye on www.blues.co.nz/bop-blues for more information Blues Week and other Blues events.

For information about Children's Day, NZ Music Month and special projects, check out our News section!

RAVE (Rotorua Arts Village Experience) is home to 30 plus clubs and societies. It is also the base for many exhibitions showcasing local emerging and professional visual artists, with groups like Creative Fibre Rotorua, the Rotorua Camera Club, local Floral Art Group, the Embroiderers Guild and others exhibiting annually. Check the RAVE pages for further details.