Groups keen to be involved in the Malcolm Flowers Insurances Taupō Winter Festival 2027 are being called on to register their initial interest before the end of November.
Nicola de Lautour, event organiser for the One Taupō Trust – the body that runs the festival, says the increased amount of local involvement in 2026 worked well.
“We’ve had some really good feedback, got good attendances and interest, and we’re keen to build on that for 2027.”
de Lautour says the Taupō Winter Festival is about bringing the community together, celebrating local talent and creating opportunities for people to get out and enjoy everything Taupō has to offer during winter.
Expressions of interest are invited from local creative groups, businesses and organisations to be part of the 2027 programme, she says.
“Whether you’ve already got an event or activity planned or have an idea for something new that would fit within the programme, let us know.”
Groups can register their details and a brief description of their proposed event or activity via a form on the Creative Taupō website.
Next year’s festival runs during the July school holidays, July 3-18.
Creative Taupō assisted several local groups involved in the festival this year and ran the youth busking tent – an initiative de Lautour is happy to see return next year.
Organisers point out that groups organise and run their events, with the festival organisation helping to spread the word through its marketing channels, including official website, social media and printed festival programme.
The event remains with the organisation or creative group, says de Lautour.
“You’ll be responsible for organising and delivering it, managing any bookings or ticket sales, and retaining any revenue generated.”
Taupō Concert Band president Donovan Bixley says the band’s involvement this year – with two different shows – was a great opportunity to reach new audiences and perform in Taupō’s premiere venue; the Great Lake Centre.
The band has already started planning for its participation next year, he says.
de Lautour agrees local groups, like the concert band and progressive pop-punk four-piece Fairly Obvious who played during the New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty ‘Champagne and Ice’ function, fed back that involvement helped raise their profile locally.
“They felt it was good to be part of a much-loved community celebration. A mix of visiting acts and local content will help create a diverse and exciting festival programme that showcases creativity, talent and the experiences our region has to offer.”
Groups interested should visit Creative Taupō website Creative Taupō | Create. Connect. Cultivate. to complete the expressions of interest form: Application for 2027 Taupō Winter Festival
Applications in this initial round close on Monday, November 30.
This story has also appeared in the Taupō and Tūrangi News:
