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Tekapo & Mackenzie

Events Calendar

There is always an event coming up in Tekapo or the wider Mackenzie area – from mountain biking events, kayaking competitions, ski slaloms, ice hockey tournaments or multi-sport races; to markets and musical performances.  An annual Matariki Mackenzie festival is held each winter to celebrate the start of the Māori New Year.

Tekapo Community Market

REGULAR: Tekapo Saturday Market

Regular local market in the village square, 9am – 1pm first Saturday of the month, and long weekends from September to April.

Art, crafts, local food, beverages and products.

Night Market

REGULAR: Tekapo Street Food Night Market

Every Wednesday 4pm – 7pm in the village square.

Showcasing Tekapo’s amazing ethnic diversity with delicious street food from around the world.
Come early, come hungry!
SCOFF

Sep 5-21 2025: S.C.O.F.F

South Canterbury Food Festival – a multi-day festival celebrating South Canterbury’s outstanding food; the growers, producers and artisan creators, from the Pacific Ocean to Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Race Tekapo

Sep 12/13 2025: Race Tekapo

Race Tekapo is an exciting destination race located in the heart of Tekapo – unique courses, a great race environment and fun for all! All finishers will be presented with a beautiful medal and get to enjoy the legendary Mackenzie hospitality!

Book your Race Tekapo accommodation direct with us for a 5% discount – enter the code: racetekapo

Twizel Hard Labour Weekend

Oct 23-25 2025: Twizel Hard Labour Weekend

Three events (mountain bike, kayak and off-road run) over two days in Tekapo’s neighboring town of Twizel.

Competitors can enter individual events or for the really keen, complete all three events and become a Hard Labourer!  Events have age groups and are family focused.   Funds raised supports local kids sports teams & community groups.

Spirited Women Adventure Race 2025

Feb 20-22 2026: Spirited Women Race

This coming year, the thirteenth Spirited Women, All Women’s Adventure Race will be held out of the neighbouring township of Twizel.

Teams of four women choose from a short, medium or long-course adventure. Travelling together in a team, they must navigate around a secret course by foot, mountain bike, and kayak, completing a few surprise mystery activities along the way.

Twizel Salmon and Wine Festival

Feb 28 2026: Twizel Salmon & Wine Festival

Held on the shores of stunning Lake Ruataniwha, this annual festival offers delicious local salmon and tasty foods, boutique wines and craft beers, to lively bands with a bouncy castle & face painting for the kids.

Come and experience the best of the Mackenzie for yourself and savour some tastes of our region.

The Mackenzie Race

April 11/12 2026: The Mackenzie Race

88K / 65K of incredible scenery as you loop Lake Tekapo on two wheels over a mixture of sealed road, gravel road, farm tracks, river crossings.

Experience access to private high country stations for this day only.

Book your Mackenzie Race accommodation direct with us for a 10% discount – enter the code: mackrace