Light Up Whakatāne Festival Draws Estimated 8000 Visitors
- Kieran Watkins
- Jul 28
- 1 min read
Organisers are calling this year's Light Up Whakatāne Festival their most successful event to date with an estimated 8000 visitors over the eight night spectacular.
The annual festival, which was held from July 5th to 12th, brought attendees from all across the Bay of Plenty with some travelling as far as Auckland.
The landmark installation Ātea - The Realm of Light, a collaboration between Tāme Iti, Te Mira Collective and Angus Muir Design Studio, drew more than 1,000 visitors in a single night.
"This event truly showcases what we can achieve when we work together," says Kim Fort, Event Director.
"The collaboration between council, community groups, local businesses, artists and volunteers has been incredible. The organising team are absolutely thrilled with this year's outcomes and the strength of these partnerships. We're already looking forward to what 2026 will bring." Fort says.
