Already looking forward to Christmas? The magic returns throughout the month of July at the Greytown Festival of Christmas.
What: Greytown Festival of Christmas
Where: Greytown, Wairarapa
When: 1-31 July 2022
Tickets: Buy tickets here for over 50 workshops and events
Come and be part of the Greytown Festival of Christmas this July, as we celebrate with a month-long programme of spectacular lights, night markets, workshops, events, Matariki activities, parties, food and family fun.
The festival has quickly grown into a new tradition, one that has all the hallmarks of a Northern Hemisphere winter escape, with our own Kiwi flavour. It brings together families, school children, community groups and locals, and attracts people from all around New Zealand to eat, drink, shop and celebrate here in our village.
This year’s festival theme is Gingerbread. It’s delicious. It’s fun. It will get your tastebuds going. So, start your planning now, and make sure you’re part of the festivities.
EAT AND DRINK
An abundance of festivities are packed into one month with parties, delicious menus and special feasting events including the return of Martin Bosley’s Oyster Saloon and Mulled Wine at Pinocchio. At The White Swan, get ready for Christmas Jersey Parties, a Ladies Night with Alexia Wines, live music every Friday, and The Lighthouse Gin Pop Up Gin & Spice Bar.
Up at The Offering, there will be festive treats every single day of the week, and late nights every Friday and Saturday from 5pm for family dining. Or park up at Truckstop, for food truck fare, music and non-alcoholic drinks from Unleaded Bar.
Our very own world-famous chocolatiers Schoc will be running kids chocolate workshops, and creating some special limited edition gingerbread chocolate. Don’t miss the Great Gingerbread Bake Off. Delicious!
STAY
Visiting from out of town? Book in at Greyfriars, Oak Estate or The White Swan. Our accommodation providers are sweetening the experience with special in-room treats and tasty mid-week deals. Choose the right venue for your whānau.
SHOP
Greytown is home to specialist and fashion stores, homeware and antique shops, and some pretty delicious foodie delights. It’s impossible not to find something you’ll love.
And to celebrate the festival, our Country Village Heaven retailers are offering all sorts of discounts, prizes and special packages so you can start your Christmas shopping very early – or treat yourself!
You can also enjoy extended opening hours at our stores, through until at least 6pm every Friday and Saturday in July.
Festival highlights
Here’s a selection of our top picks. Click here to see the full programme, week by week.
Spectacular Lighting On Main Street
Main Street will again be lit up with spectacular lighting, every single evening in July. See the sparkly lights and world-class projections on our historic buildings from 5pm daily. Don’t miss the launch evening – The Big Switch – at 6pm on Friday 1st July. Local children can bring their gingerbread decorations to hang on the tree, see the magical lights being switched on for the first time, and enjoy live music and entertainment. A great chance to grab a bite from the European Style Night Markets.
Carols By Candlelight – St Luke’s Church
Come together to connect with one another, with performances at St Luke’s Church.
Sing a selection of Christmas Carols by Candlelight. This wonderful evening, led by Reverend Harry Newton, will bring together three local children’s choirs to lead the carol service. The church will be beautifully lit up with decorations and Christmas trees, who are invited to decorate a tree for their chosen charity. The tree with the most votes will receive a donation to a local charity of their choice.
The Great Gingerbread Hunt
Make your way around the Greytown streets, in search for the near-extinct, brightly lit 8-foot gingerbread men. How many can you find? Go quietly so not to scare them! Enter the competition and go in the draw for some great prizes. Brought to you by Dave and Jennah of Property Brokers, this will be a fun activity for the whole family.
Greytown School Art Auction
Greytown School are showcasing the talents of their budding young artists, alongside local artists, with a special Art Auction.
This community event promises to be a fun filled evening of art and entertainment, with drinks and nibbles provided, and artwork auctioned off in the Greytown School Hall. All proceeds going towards the new junior playground.
Family Fun at Cobblestones
Cobblestones will again be front and centre for family-friendly entertainment, with a different theme every Saturday. Amongst the line-up are The Country Village Fete and A Very Victorian Christmas. There will be old fashioned games, stilt walking, wooden toy workshops, market stalls with their locally produced handicrafts and goodies, and of course The Great Gingerbread Bake Off.
Plus, you won’t go hungry, with Cobblestones Café serving up delicious homemade fare every Saturday. Think Christmas mince pies, mulled wine, cheese rolls and other delights.
Festive Workshops
From Creative Wreath Making through to walnut pincushions, jewellery making, luxury bath products and kids chocolate workshops, you’ll find some great activities to get your creativity flowing. Click here for the full list.
Cocktails and Comedy with Blackwell & Sons
Blackwell and Sons are bringing world-class stand-up comedy to Greytown! See award-winning kiwi comedians perform live by the fireplace at The White Swan every Thursday. Four different comedians in all — Dad’s on The Town, Jeremy Elwood, Raybon Kan, Andrew Clay, and Dad’s on the Town’s Greg Ellis and Steven Youngblood.
Each evening includes a sumptuous two course dinner, Greytown Gin Cocktail, and 45 minutes of belly-laughing entertainment. With strictly limited tickets they’ll sell out fast!
Lighthouse Gin and Spice Pop Up Bar
The White Swan are putting the Gin in Gingerbread, with their pop-up Lighthouse Gin & Spice Bar every Friday and Saturday. Set in their brand-new garden bar, it’s the perfect spot to don your jersey and woolly hat, whilst sipping on Lighthouse Gin Cocktails or Mulled Wine Gin and feasting on food-truck fare. Every Friday and Saturday from 5pm.
Tickets on sale now. Clear your calendar and join us!
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