Easter is always a great time for families to reconnect, have fun and explore Rotorua.
We all deserve a little break, some downtime with those we love. But what about the bigger kids and the kids at heart? Well, with Easter being usually super busy, we have listed five great pre-Easter events for you to come watch or even sign up to partake.
1. Crankworx Rotorua – 18-26 March
Crankworx Rotorua is the world’s largest mountain biking festival, and this year it’s breaking new ground by having the first-ever downhill event in Whakarewarewa Forest before shifting over to the MTB Park at Skyline Rotorua for other events such as the dual slalom, speed & style, slopestyle, pump track and more.
Legend of mountain biking Rob Warner will be on hand as commentator, and a who’s who of the international mountain biking world will be thrashing it. This is your best chance to see elite riders compete in New Zealand, including current world champion Loïc Bruni, up-and-coming Kiwi riders Tuhoto-Ariki Pene, Lachie Stevens McNab, and world junior downhill champion Jenna Hastings.
Book your accommodation and passes now as Rotorua is always very busy over Crankworx week.
More information is here, and you can click here to secure your festival pass now.
2. Volcanic Epic – 23-26 March
Ride. Relax. Repeat. The Volcanic Epic is a unique mountain bike stage race, held across 200km of New Zealand's spectacular North Island geothermal region. If you’re looking for a truly special mountain bike event to test your skills and limits, the Volcanic Epic is your ticket to the experience of a lifetime.
Each stage takes you across the best trails between Rotorua, Taupō and Tokoroa. Choose your challenge, from four days as a pair or solo, or two days solo. Whether you’re keen to test yourself, or have a great time with your friends, it’s not too late to give this amazing event a go and enter now!
Click here for more info.
3. Generation Homes Legend of the Lake – 25 March
The blue waters and native forest of Lake Tikitapu make the Generation Homes Legend of the Lake a very special experience for swimmers and spectators. Maximise your day and circumnavigate the lake in the Long Swim event or perhaps take on a swim plus the Amphibian to really challenge yourself and tick the ‘double-header’ box on your goal list.
This season, you can enter the Amphibian as a team of two where both swimmers will complete the entire swim/run/swim together as a team. All the action is condensed into one day with the biggest line-up of swim challenges in this series, giving you plenty of spare time to book in for a relaxing hot pool or spa experience, then explore the cultural, geothermal and adventure wonderland of Rotorua.
Click here for more info.
4. Opera in the Pā – 26 March
Join us for an unforgettable evening of sopranos, tenors, and everything in between. Te Puia once again plays host to this special event featuring the legendary Moses Mackay (Sol3 Mio), Ludwig Treviranus, Kawiti Waetford, Elisha Fa’i-Hulton, Ellis Carrington, and the Opera in the Pā youth choir. This event is a unique blend of style, culture and performance in the most unique concert area in Aotearoa: outdoors in the active geothermal valley and cultural centre of Te Puia.
Click here for more info and tickets.
5. Inner Circle 55th Anniversary Tour – 1 April
The original “bad boys of Reggae,” Inner Circle, are making their long-awaited return to Aotearoa this autumn, bringing 55 years of hits to Rotorua/Te Rotorua nui ā Kahumatamomoe.
Grammy Award winners and founding fathers of the quintessential reggae and dub sound, Inner Circle, formed in Kingston in 1968 before joining successful solo artist Jacob Miller in 1976 and writing countless successful hits, including “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” and “Bad Boys,” and a plethora of hit covers, including “Young, Wild & Free”, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain”, and “Every Little Thing.”
The special guest for the tour will be Aotearoa's undisputed queen of Hip Hop, Soul, and R&B, LADI6, performing her range of hits from “Diamonds”, “Like Water”, and “Walk Right Up”. With a catalogue that marks a woman who is only comfortable taking risks, the inspiring live show that LADI6 brings is no exception to this rule. Local support for each show will be announced soon.
Click here for more info and tickets.
6. Rotorua Walking Festival – 18-19 March 2023
Enjoy Rotorua’s unique parks and urban environment, with a range of distances to choose, from 10km to 42km. This is one of the oldest events in Rotorua and is celebrating its 30th year.
Gather the whānau together for the 5km Family Walk on Saturday, 18 March. Entry is $5 and all proceeds go to Rotorua Parents Centre. Then, on Sunday, 19 March, bring along the pooch for the 5km SPCA Dog Walk. Entry is $5 per family or a gold coin donation per dog.
Unique geothermal areas, lakes and the majestic Whakarewarewa Forest are just some of the sights that walkers will be treated to during the Rotorua Walking Festival.
Click here for more info
Need help with your booking?
With all of these amazing events happening in a really short space of time, it is vital book your accommodation as early as possible. Click here for quality visitor-only accommodation options that are verified and checked.If you’d like advice or booking assistance, please contact the friendly teams at the Rotorua isite Visitor Information Centre for free booking services. Whether you’re looking for a five-star hotel, luxury lodge, B&B, holiday home or holiday park, they'll help you find the perfect place to match your budget and taste. They’re available 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day) from 9am to 9pm.
