Liz has curated a selection of Art Deco events that might capture your interest, encouraging you to participate and show your support for the Art Deco Trust and hosting venues. So, what are you waiting for? Get your Art Deco glam ready now!
Key Events – Don’t miss these ones
MEMORIAL FLYING DISPLAYS ART DECO TRUST EVENT
Sponsored by Hawke’s Bay Airport.
You will hear them before you see them. Watch the skies over the city and foreshore as wonderful vintage aircraft perform spectacular manoeuvres across the sunny Hawke’s Bay sky. Flying displays by the Warbirds Display Team. Best views are at Napier Soundshell, Emerson Street, over Marine Parade and Gatsby Picnic. Please note: The following times may vary due to wind/weather/ air traffic conditions.
FRI 16 FEB, 7.00PM, SAT 17 FEB, 12.15PM, SUN 18 FEB, 2.00PM
Napier Soundshell, Emerson Street and Marine Parade, Napier FREE
FRIDAY NIGHT WITH THE STARS ART DECO TRUST EVENT
The biggest concert of the festival is back! A chance for family, friends, community, and visitors to Hawke’s Bay to gather and kick off a massive weekend of celebrations. Hosted by Adam and Megan from The Hits radio station, Friday Night with the Stars brings together some of New Zealand’s finest entertainers to perform. Backed by the amazing Hawke’s Bay Jazz Club Big Band, this is going to be a special night in the Napier Soundshell.
FRI 16 FEB, 7.00PM– 11.00PM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier FREE
VINTAGE CAR PARADE ART DECO TRUST AND HAWKE’S BAY VINTAGE CAR CLUB EVENT SPONSORED BY PROGRESSIVE MEATS
2024 marks the 100th birthday of MG and we are proud to name MG as the feature group of cars for the Vintage Car Parade. 2024 also sees the inclusion of a beautiful Fire Engine from Clydesdale Museum Fire Brigade Inc based in Hamilton. This is a 1921 Dennis Fire Engine Type N, formerly based in Napier, which fought fires during the 1931 earthquake. It will be great to have this back in Napier and it will be on display over the weekend for all to see! We would like to offer special thanks to the Hawke’s Bay Vintage Car Club who arrange for these incredible vehicles to attend the Festival. The Vintage Cars will crawl from Clive Square to Marine Parade via Lower Emerson Street and Upper Emerson Street, finishing at the Napier Soundshell. Public viewing of cars will be from approximately 2pm on Marine Parade.
FREE TO VIEW
TREMAINS GATSBY PICNIC ART DECO TRUST
EVENT SPONSORED BY TREMAINS
Enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon with your friends and set up by the seaside in the sunshine at one of the festival’s cornerstone events. Whether you bring a picnic rug or a gazebo, pack something to eat and drink and join the throngs in their finery as they all picnic in style on the upper and lower lawn whilst watching the foreshore fill with picnic goers. There is something for everyone. If the weather is wet, we will picnic on the footpath in Emerson Street beneath the shop canopies. A prize will be awarded for the most elegant gazebo.
SUN 18 FEB, 1.00PM – 4.00PM
Upper and Lower Lawn from Tom Parker Fountain to Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier
FREE
ART DECO FASHION ON THE FORESHORE COMPETITION
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
Always hotly contested, the Art Deco Fashion on the Foreshore Competition is one of the most popular events in the Art Deco Festival Napier programme. Come along and marvel at the magnificent outfits on display or be brave and take to the catwalk yourself. This is your chance to shine and win fabulous prizes. With free entry and revised categories this year, there is sure to be one that fits your fashion bill. Entries will be taken online so you can plan, organise and tell us about your award-winning outfits before you get to the Festival. Make sure you visit artdecofestival.co.nz for further details.
SAT 17 FEB, 2.00PM – 3.30PM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier
FREE
SOAP BOX DERBY
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
SPONSORED BY CONROY REMOVALS
This is one of the Festival’s most popular events. The annual Soap Box Derby
competition is back again, ready for children and parents to race their homemade carts in front of thousands who come to watch and cheer them on. Race rules and cart specifications are available on artdecofestival.co.nz. Great prizes up for grabs. Coordinated by the Rotary Club of Ahuriri Sunrise.
SUN 18 FEB, 10.00AM – 12.00PM
Tennyson Street, Napier
FREE
Register online at artdecofestival.co.nz or on the day from 9am. Registrations cannot be taken at the Art Deco Trust. Scrutineering is at 9.00am on Herschell Street, via Browning Street. First race 10.00am.
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY BAND CONCERT AT THE SOUNDSHELL
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
Get ready to swing to the hits of the 1920s-30s. The RNZN Band will have you up on your feet and enjoying a world class outdoor musical concert, under the direction of Lieutenant Commander Michael Dowrick. The RNZN Band is a full-time professional military band, whose key role is to provide musical support to the New Zealand Government. This is achieved through both diplomatic and community engagements, in order to promote New Zealand’s diplomatic interests within New Zealand and overseas.
SAT 17 FEB, 5.30PM – 8.30PM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier
FREE
CEREMONIAL SUNSET
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
Ceremonial sunset, which will be performed by the Royal New Zealand Navy Band, is the Naval ceremony of bringing down the New Zealand White Ensign on all Navy’s Ships and shore establishments, signifying the end of the day. During the ceremony the Band will play an evening hymn followed by a bugler sounding sunset, at which time the New Zealand White Ensign will be lowered.
SAT 17 FEB, 7.00PM – 7.15PM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier
FREE
KAPA HAKA SHOWCASE NEW
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
Nau mai! Join Kapa Haka Rōpu (groups) from across the region as they come together to share their waiata (songs) of the time around the 1931 Napier Earthquake. This very special showcase is a musical insight into the stories of mārae in the region and the culture and connection to the Hawke’s Bay.
SAT 17 FEB, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade
FREE
‘THE RITZ’ STREET PARTY @ MARKET ST
INDEPENDENT EVENT
Get your dancing shoes on and party like it’s the 1930s at Market ST’s premium Art Deco event “The Ritz” Street Party. Not to be missed! Live music on the outdoor stage, a satellite bar and prizes for best dressed. Dress is gatsby style and we will have you dancing all the way down Market Street. There ain’t no party like a Market ST party!
SAT 17 FEB, 5.00PM – LATE
Market ST Restaurant, 8 Market Street, Napier
FREE
HASTINGS WARBIRDS FLYOVER NEW
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
For the first time in the history of the Art Deco Festival, the famous Warbirds will flyover Hastings in an impressive spectacle of aerial skill and thrilling manoeuvres. You won’t want to miss this exciting display so bring your zoom lens and keep your eyes to the skies.
THURS 15 FEB, 6.30PM
Hastings City Centre
FREE
SKYBEAM
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
See the night sky come to life with the incredible HB WW2 searchlight! Owner Clarkie will be onsite to answer all your questions.
FRI 16 & SAT 17 FEB, 9.00PM – 11.00PM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier
FREE
CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY ART DECO IN THE PARK
INDEPENDENT EVENT
Step back in time at the Central Hawke’s Bay Art Deco in the Park event. There will be a huge selection of stalls showcasing handicrafts and local products, food trucks and snacks, or, if you fancy, bring the family and have a picnic. All located down at Russell Park in Waipukurau, with classic cars on display, as well as an amazing flyover from the local Central Hawke’s Bay Aero Club. Music, dance and the festive atmosphere will definitely be enjoyed by both kids and adults alike. Dress to impress and come join us for a morning full of Art Deco festivities!
SAT 17 FEB, 9.30AM – 2.00PM
Russell Park, Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay
FREE
MARINE PARADE SHOW AND SHINE
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
View the wonderful array of vintage cars on display as marvellous music surrounds you.
SAT 17 FEB, 2.00PM – 4.00PM
Marine Parade, Napier
FREE
DECO DOG PARADE
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
SPONSORED BY ZIWI®
One of the most popular events, the Deco Dog Parade sponsored by ZIWI is back and this year we know it’s going to be a biggie. Get yourself and your pooch dressed up
and ready to show off to the world your Art Deco style. There will be prizes galore plus much more. If you are interested in taking part, please register online at artdecofestival.co.nz or come down on the day and sign up.
SUN 18 FEB, 9.00AM – 10.00AM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier
FREE
FASHION RETAILERS ART DECO WALKING TOUR
INDEPENDENT EVENT
Missing a few essential Art Deco pieces for your outfit? We can help! Join our hosted whirlwind tour of all the retail hotspots to find the perfect outfit and accessories. Visit the retailers within Napier’s CBD that are stocking the best in deco fashion. We will provide you with a map (so you can pop back in your own time) and some interesting pointers along the way. Allow 30-45 minutes. To register for the walk, please email: admin@napiercbd.co.nz
WED 14, THURS 15 & FRI 16 FEB, 10.30AM & 2.00PM
Departs across from the Art Deco Centre, 7 Tennyson Street, Napier
FREE
JUNIOR GATSBY PICNIC
ART DECO TRUST EVENT
A youth-focused event for Hawke’s Bay children aged 8–12 years old (school years 4 to 8), designed to replicate our main Gatsby Picnic. A fun-filled morning held in the Napier Soundshell, featuring music, entertainment, games, prizes and more. Schools are encouraged to get the kids dressed up (simple is spectacular!) bring their packed lunches and enjoy a special morning of fun. Art Deco Trust will provide a limited number of free bus services to and from the Napier Soundshell and bottled water is supplied thanks to One Pure. Schools need to register their interest to: eventmanager@artdeconapier.com
THURS 15 FEB, 10.00AM – 12.30PM
Napier Soundshell, Marine Parade, Napier
FREE