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WELCOME TO THE WĀNAKA FESTIVAL OF COLOUR 2025

The streets and venues of Wānaka will come alive from March 29 to April 6 for a 9-day celebration of the arts on an autumn alpine stage.

Join us for a festival to remember.

See Full Programme


WĀNAKA FESTIVAL OF COLOUR
29 MARCH — 06 APRIL 2025

THAT'S A WRAP!

The 10th Wānaka Festival of Colour was a huge success with 51 ticketed performances attended by over 8,000 enthusiastic and appreciative audience members.

We’re thrilled to have presented the largest free community day ever along with a diverse array of other free events attracting record crowds to participate, play and enjoy.

Our week-long festival entertained and inspired local audiences, school students and visitors to the festival with a rich programme that celebrated and showcased the arts, community
and region.

Our heartfelt thanks to our funders, sponsors, benefactors and patrons for their support in making the festival possible.

Mark your calendars! Our next festival will take place from 29th March to 6th April 2025. Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter below for updates!

Check out our 2024 Programme

Wānaka Festival of Colour Presents

ANIMAL
A PRODUCTION OF CIRQUE ALFONSE

A production for young and old alike, Animal is the farm gone haywire!

Internationally acclaimed, award-winning circus sensation Cirque Alfonse bring their smash hit Animal to Wānaka to wow audiences young and old.

Scoring rave 5-star reviews for its Australian premiere, Animal takes audiences on a journey of discovery through a series of delightful eccentric farm fables served up with a touch of irreverence, impressive virtuosity and the company’s familiar comic touch. In this re-invented agricultural world, the farm is turned upside down and the barn turned inside out!

A gentleman farmer has surrounded himself with some familiar but slightly outlandish creatures: the chickens have teeth, the ducks are slightly menacing and the cows are kicking up a fuss. In this “farm fantasy”, the imagination conjures up stories from childhood, rural life proves to be both energetic and poetic and clichés are joyfully turned on their head.

The clan of family and friends that make up Cirque Alfonse has favoured its multidisciplinary approach where circus, song, dance and theatre all come together, driven by original live music … an irresistible mix of trad and soul that the troupe calls ‘agricultural funk!

Prepare to be amazed as Cirque Alfonse combines breathtaking acrobatics, lively music and infectious humour sending the barnyard skyward and pushing the boundaries of everything you thought circus could be!

★★★★★
Be prepared to be amazed by the balancing strength and high-flying circus acts.
Play & Go Adelaide

★★★★
The Quebecois company has a slightly anarchic approach to circus that sets it apart from the crowd.

The Scotsman

Proudly supported by Milford Asset Management.

The creation and touring of Animal is made possible by the financial support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Check out our 2024 ProgrammeGet Your Tickets
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KIA ORA FESTIVAL WHĀNAU

Welcome to the 11th Wānaka Festival of Colour, Te Kaupeka Rau, a celebration of the arts in one of the world’s most stunning locations. This is a chance to connect, be inspired, and immerse yourself in extraordinary performances and stories that reflect our shared humanity. A heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, supporters, and community for making this festival possible. Be bold, explore something new, and join us for nine unforgettable days of creativity and connection.

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2025 programme

FREE
COMMUNITY
DAWN PLUNGE - Opening day 29 March 2025

Saturday 29 March

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

SOLD OUT
CIRCUS
CIRCUS
MUSIC
ANIMAL A PRODUCTION OF CIRQUE ALFONSE

Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th March

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

SELLING FAST
DANCE
DANCE
MUSIC
SUBTLE DANCES

Wednesday 2 April

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

DANCE
DANCE
INTERACTIVE
TŌRUA

Saturday 29, Sunday 30 & Monday 31 March

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

SOLD OUT
THEATRE
THEATRE
IN OTHER WORDS

Sunday 30 March

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

THEATRE
THEATRE
SPEED IS EMOTIONAL

Monday 31 March

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

THEATRE
THEATRE
UPU

Sunday 6 April

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

SELLING FAST
THEATRE
THEATRE
CABARET
BE LIKE BILLY?

Friday 4 April

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

THEATRE
THEATRE
SUITCASE SHOW

Monday 31 March & Tuesday 1 April

Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025

SPONSORSHIP AND PRIVATE
DONOR OPPORTUNITIES

The Wānaka Festival of Colour would not exist without the generosity of our benefactors, patrons and sponsors.  

Business sponsorship is a fantastic way to promote your company to an engaged audience while supporting the New Zealand arts scene. The Wānaka Festival of Colour offers a range of sponsorship options with opportunities to secure naming rights to one of the festival events, enjoy complimentary ticket packages and be promoted online and in print collateral. Please contact us to discuss sponsorship options.

We also have private benefactor and patron options for individuals that include priority booking, access to Festival functions and preferred seating. Again, please contact us to learn more about supporting The Wānaka Festival of Colour.

Support The Festival of Colour