Summer loving the festival life — New zealand uncovered

Spend a summer weekend at a festival near you…….
Always a good option if you fancy a break from reality and to immerse yourself in something that really interests you.

When I say festival I could literally mean any type. I know that music tends to be the first thing that springs to mind whenever anyone tells you they are going to a festival. Images of Glastonbury, numerous stages, loud music and crowds of folk swaying too and forth in some kind of mass haze. And hey whose knocking that, maybe that’s your idea of a good festival, camping and sharing port-a-loo toilets with a thousand others. I just happen to prefer the smaller more intimate types. And it doesn’t have to be music themed either – although I confess some music in the background is often a great idea. Today there are so many types of festival you can attend, just hit the google pages or pop to your local library to find one happening near you. My own passion tends to revolve around food. Add wine to it and you can virtually guarantee I will be there. I’m lucky, I live in a country that loves a good wine and food festival and usually you can’t get through a summer without attending at least one or two. They range in size, from the Wine Festivals held in Auckland and Wellington, the Craft Beer one held in Christchurch to local wine regions holding their own. Heck there is even a festival to celebrate chocolate over her (it’s true it’s been held in Auckland at least of couple of times I swear).

Dan and myself enjoying a day at the Auckland Taste Festival

My own personal favourite is the South Island Wine Festival held in Christchurch at Hagley Park the first Saturday in December. It’s the start of summer, everyone is looking forward to the holiday season and the atmosphere rocks. Over 50 of the best South Island wineries are in attendance offering discounted glasses or tastings. If that doesn’t tempt you enough there is a full range of the best Food Trucks and restaurants in Christchurch serving tempting snacks. My personal faves are The Vagabond Chefs for loaded fries and don’t forget to try som Indian street food – their cauliflower blew me away.

So if you want to liven things up a bit or just try something different head out to a festival happening near you, rain or shine, hot or cold, it’ll be sure to brighten up any dull weekend.