The Town That Shines: Light Up Whakatāne Returns Bigger and Brighter

Whakatāne’s winter nights are set to glow once again as Trust Horizon Light Up Whakatāne returns from 11 to 18 July, bringing a week-long celebration of light, creativity and community to the town centre and riverfront.

The free community festival has become a highlight of the region’s winter calendar, with thousands of locals and visitors expected to explore illuminated art installations, live performances, markets and family-friendly activities across eight nights.

The festival is a collaboration between Arts Whakatāne, EPIC Town Centre Group and Whakatāne District Council, supported by Trust Horizon.

Whakatāne District Council Events Coordinator Kristen Davies said the festival is about creating connection and giving people a reason to enjoy the town after dark.

“Trust Horizon Light Up Whakatāne is all about bringing people together in winter through creativity, connection and light,” she said.

“It features light art installations, sculptures, digital displays and community events, and it has become a real highlight in Whakatāne’s winter calendar.”

The festival will feature light installations and digital displays created by local and regional artists throughout the town centre and riverfront, alongside opening night entertainment, performances and community events.

The festival will officially open on Saturday 11 July with an evening of entertainment including live music, dance performances, fire dancers, circus acts, food trucks and market stalls.

The Light Art Trail will then run nightly from 6pm to 9pm, encouraging visitors to explore the illuminated installations across the town.

Art Trail Coordinator Sam Poots said the trail has been refined this year to create a more accessible experience.

“This year we’ve refined the trail, creating a more condensed experience from the Yacht Club through to Mitchell Park,” Poots said.

“It makes it easier for people to explore on foot, discover each installation, and spend time enjoying our town centre during the winter evenings.”

Festival-goers can collect printed trail maps from the i-SITE information hub on The Strand each evening. IMAGE // Whakatāne District Council

One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be an illuminated waka display on the Whakatāne River, created by Arts Whakatāne.

Arts Whakatāne Chair Sue Whale said the project has grown from last year’s smaller display, with more groups now involved.

“This year, with the help of Peter Minton, who is involved with the Waka Ama group, we’ve been able to involve a few more boaties,” she said.

The display will feature three waka, a rowing club quad boat and, for the first time, involvement from Coast Guard.

The boats will be decorated with lights and move across the water in a specially designed performance.

While the boats will not perform a choreographed “dance”, Whale said there will be movement and surprises planned for spectators.

“They can only move in certain ways, but they have said they will certainly keep on moving. They have a few surprises up their sleeve.”

The illuminated waka will take place on Wednesday 15 July, with people encouraged to arrive at the old i-SITE area from 5.30pm before the on-water display begins from 6pm.

Adding to the experience will be a specially created soundtrack by musicians Dave Stewart and Kush Labrosnahan.

Whale said the music was inspired by the significance of the Whakatāne River, Ōhinemataroa.

“We decided on the spiritual aspect of Ōhinemataroa, our river,” she said.

“It has high significance for local Māori, but it’s also a place that many people enjoy with boating and fishing, the rowing fraternity, waka ama, kayakers and other groups.”

The soundtrack will begin with a calm and reflective mood before building into a more dramatic experience.

“It’s Māori music as well as other music, just snippets and bits and pieces that create a lovely half-hour listening experience.”

Another major festival highlight will be the Community Glow Parade on Friday 17 July.

Participants will gather from 5.30pm at Wharaurangi on The Strand before the parade begins at 6pm, travelling through the illuminated town centre and finishing at the Ātea Night Market.

Event Director Kim Fort is encouraging whānau, schools, businesses and community groups to get involved.

“We want to see whānau, friends, schools, sports clubs, workplaces and community groups and visitors from out of town getting creative, dressing up and helping light up our town,” Fort said.

Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed individuals and groups, making the parade a creative school holiday activity for all ages.

Community participation has already been strong, with a recent lantern-making workshop attracting 76 children and around 50 adults.

Whale said local businesses and schools are also helping bring the town to life, with EPIC Town Centre Group encouraging shop owners to decorate their windows as part of a competition.

Trust Horizon Light Up Whakatāne returns from 11 to 18 July. IMAGE // Whakatāne District Council

The festival continues to grow, with increasing numbers of visitors travelling from across the Bay of Plenty and beyond.

Davies said the 2025 festival attracted an estimated 8,000 visitors over eight nights, including people from Rotorua, Tauranga and as far away as Auckland.

“We’ve seen strong turnout, growing interest from outside the district and really positive feedback about how the festival brings the town to life in winter,” she said.

The event also provides benefits for local businesses, particularly hospitality and town centre retailers.

“We know the festival draws people not just locally but across the wider Bay of Plenty and nearby drive markets as well. This supports local spending, particularly for hospitality and town centre businesses.”

Alongside the economic benefits, Davies said the festival provides an important social and wellbeing opportunity.

“The value of the festival isn’t only economic. It also has a strong social wellbeing benefit by bringing people together, creating joy in winter and encouraging connection in the community.”

Festival-goers can collect printed trail maps from the i-SITE information hub on The Strand each evening.

With light installations, performances, markets, workshops and community activities planned throughout the week, organisers are encouraging everyone to wrap up warm, bring their whānau and experience one of Whakatāne’s favourite winter traditions.