The New Zealand Festival of Christmas returns to Greytown for a month long celebration with a fresh new theme, A Very Country Christmas. 

Expect five winter weekends of festive fun, including light-up vintage tractors, night markets, rural games, snow, and the popular Illumination Night Walk. 

Much-loved favourites are returning bigger and brighter, alongside a lineup of brand-new country Christmas experiences for 2026, including a Winter Town & Country A&P-style Show, a spectacular Festive Balloon Glow and Bonfire, and the Ride-On Lawnmower Grand Prix, adding unmistakable rural flair to the festival.

Festival highlights for 2026 include:

Big Switch Opening Night – Greytown’s Main Street bursts into life with sparkling lights, country-style fun, Night Markets, and crowd favourites like the Ride on Lawnmower Grand Prix and the much-loved Light Up Tractor Parade

Illumination Night Walk – the sell-out favourite returns, inviting families to wander through a magical, immersive world of lights and interactive wonder at Cobblestones

Festive Night Glow – for one unforgettable evening, Molewood Orchard glows with hot air balloons, crackling bonfires and nostalgic country games under the winter sky

Snowfall on Main Street – step into a winter wonderland as gentle snow flurries, twinkling lights and festive music create a truly magical mid-winter moment

Grand Finale Spectacular – wrap up the festival in style with a lively country street party, complete with markets, a parade, snowfall and a dazzling fireworks final

Many events are free, with ticketed experiences also available, along with kids and adults packages to provide the ultimate experience.