Trust Horizon, Light Up Whakatāne is an annual winter festival held as a collaborative effort by Arts Whakatāne, EPIC town centre group and Whakatāne District Council. The festival is a celebration of Arts, Music, Dance, and activities that highlight and showcase light.
Festival planning is underway! Join us from Friday 26th July to Sunday 4th August.
Using the darkness of winter, the festival will be held in winter annually.
Light activations and digital displays by local and regional artists installed in various locations will be illuminated each evening for ten nights encouraging visitors and locals to walk from parks through the CBD and along the riverside to enjoy and delight at the lighting displays.
A community evening on the first Saturday will add an interactive aspect to the festival with lantern-making workshop earlier in the day followed by a parade in the evening, Whakatāne dance and theatre group performances and many other community groups are involved; plus food trucks and street performers.
See more information on the LightUp website.
Event highlights
Opening ceremony - Friday 26th July
Lights On Parade - Saturday 3rd August
Lights on each night of the festival for 10 nights - Friday 26th July to Sunday 4th August
