After a rocky year, it’s time to celebrate the arrival of summer, the bounty of our resilient region, and to support all the people and organisations who make the Bay fun. See you out there!
Taste Hastings
Heretaunga Street ‘East Block’
Friday, November 10
Pop-up wineries, food trucks, live music and a street lounge will transform the beloved East Block into a street party of epic proportions. Whether you’re heading to the Mission Concert and looking for a warm up, or keen to keep it urban, this spring celebration promises a delightful celebration of all our foodie, wine-fuelled region has to offer. Retailers will be open late too!
Check out the small print and find the details at tastehastings.co.nz
Urban BBQ FestivalWaikoko Gardens, Tomoana Showgrounds
Saturday, November 18
Juicy barbeque, refreshing beverages, music, demonstrations, sunshine, a bucking bronco and bit of wrestling – how does that sound for an early-summer all-ages day out!? Local legends Black Betty Barbecue and Japanese-style robata grill masters Piku bring their BBQ goodness. Hastings pitmasters Bareknuckle Barbeque will be there, along with BBQ pioneers BBQ Gourmet and their giant charcoal kettles. Mac N Cheese specialist Mac Daddy joins in too, along with Gina’s Truck, with a one-off BBQ menu inspired by South America and the Caribbean. Music from Jack Knife Beat and Joe Cole, demonstrations from pit-masters covering brisket, ribs, butchery, lamb; the Festival is going to be full of meaty, aromatic fun. All the details are at urbanbbqfestival.co.nz and you can get tickets from Eventbrite, or at the gate.
Harvest Hawke’s Bay Food & Wine Festival
1400 Tukituki Road
Saturday, November 25
The exciting inaugural event was postponed and is now going to be a highlight of spring! Three live bands, nine eateries, a gorgeous riverside setting, and these sixteen wineries: Black Barn, Maison Noire, Paritua, Crab Farm, Tony Bish / Urban Winery, Petane Wines, Oak Estate, Trinity Hill, Sileni, Askerne, Smith & Sheth, Collaboration Wines, Te Mata Estate, Te Awanga, Linden Estate, Craggy Range. There’s parking onsite, or bus options available, so go to harvesthawkesbay.com to make your plans. Cheers!
Small Hall Sessions: Nadia Reid
Wednesday, November 8 to Sunday, November 12
One of Aotearoa’s favourites comes to the rural halls of the Bay over five nights in early November. Poukawa, Te Awanga, Bayview King George, Puketapu, Maraekakaho – pick your spot, gather your mates, book your tickets and take the roadtrip. Nadia will be accompanied by her longtime collaborators Sam Taylor on guitar and Richie Pickard on bass.
Small Hall Sessions: Ben Salter Deerstalkers Association Hall
Wednesday, November 29
Jamie Macphail, orchestrator extraordinaire of the Small Hall Sessions brings us one night only with this renowned Australian singer-songwriter, in the unique hall just out near Bridge Pa. A founding member of Giants of Science, The Gin Club and the three-time ARIA-nominated Wilson Pickers, Ben has also collaborated, written and performed with artists as diverse as Mick Thomas (Weddings, Parties, Anything), Tim Rogers (You Am I, The Temperance Union), Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger), Gareth Liddiard (The Drones) and Marlon Williams.
Small Hall Sessions: Jackie Bristow and Barry Saunders
Friday, December 15 to Sunday, December 17
You might have heard one or both of these two kiwi troubadours separately, but what a treat to see them together! The options for this tour are Elsthorpe, Raukawa and Haumoana, all of course with the typical Small Halls good food and great wine from Te Awanga Estate. Find all the hall details, some music snippets and ticketing at smallhallsessions.co.nz
Enchanted Ball
Secret Location
Saturday, December 2
Supporting Te Mata Park, this gorgeous, glam event sells out and has become known for its magical ambience and great fashion. Fine beverages and food, live music, DJs and other fabulous performers make the Enchanted Ball a memorable annual occasion, and it’s all for a worthy cause too! Get cracking on ticket purchasing. Head to etiquette.nz/events/the-enchanted-ball.
Blackcaps vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI McLean Park
Saturday, December 23
We’ve got Chritsmas time cricket fun right here in the festive week! Take a break from the crazy shopping and prepping and relax at the cricket. And …
Blackcaps vs Bangladesh 1st T20McLean Park
Wednesday, December 27
How perfect – delegate the entertainment of your Christmas guests and just take them to the cricket. Sunshine and hot chips, a beer and a batting-bowling-bonanza against Bangladesh.Tickets on sale from November 1.