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Four days of Festival Fun!
Experience the magic of the Ōamaru Heritage Celebrations, where the town brings the Victorian era back to life in all its splendour.
Hundreds of visitors, many in Victorian costumes, flock to enjoy a variety of events set against the backdrop of the town's beautifully preserved Victorian Precinct and impressive limestone buildings.
There'll be plenty to see and do, whether you enjoy dressing up or not.
You can show off your Victorian outfits while sipping tea at the Café Promenade or basking in the elegance of the Garden Party. Explore heritage sites, join guided walks, and attend a variety of fascinating talks and exhibitions.
Plus, you can watch or even take part in the Victorian Fashion Show, cheer on penny-farthing racers, enjoy impromptu street performers and singalongs, and so much more.
And don't miss the Grand Street Parade! It's a visual feast perfect for capturing unique photos.
For nighttime amusement, we have social dances and other fun evening events that go on into the late hours.
So, escape the 21st Century for a few days and enjoy an unforgettable Victorian-inspired weekend celebration, unlike anything else in New Zealand!
Get Involved
This year's theme -
𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍! 𝐅𝐮𝐧, 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐬 & 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
This year, we’re celebrating many strands of our history - with the keyword being “Celebration”.
It’s an all-inclusive showcase of the people, the physical spaces, and the stories that make up our heritage.
We’re casting a wide net to capture both the landmarks everyone knows and the hidden histories of the town, alongside special anniversaries and even yuletide merrymaking.
We invite you to experience the celebratory spirit, just as the locals of old did when grand balls and sporting spectacles filled the streets and the community made their own fun with games, fairs, dances, music, and theatre etc.
Every corner of our town has a tale to tell, and every story deserves a toast.
This is your invitation to come learn, laugh, and rediscover our heritage through a lens of pure jubilation.
Celebrations News
Our 2026 Programme is in the Works
We’re in the process of developing this year’s programme and expect to announce it in August/Septembere 2026, so check back for updates.
In the meantime, if you’d like a sense of what will be on offer, you can browse last year’s festival brochure . Download it here.
Committee Members Begin Their Costume Fittings
Be sure to sort out your outfits early - it takes the worry out of finding something at the last minute.
Our committee members are already ahead of the game and have started getting fitted out at The Victorian Wardrobe at 4B Harbour St in the Historic Precinct.
Opening Hours: Thursdays 10am-4pm
Committee members Zara, Bronnie, and Laura are getting their costumes sorted for the November Celebrations.
Save the date:
12-15 November 2026
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The OVHC committee is enormously grateful to all our sponsors and partners for helping make last year's Celebrations possible.
