Napier Art Deco Extravaganza

If you’ve never experienced Napier’s Art Deco, join our tour and have a wonderful fun few days.

 2022 Event is going to be bigger & better.

New Zealand’s Art Deco capital, Napier, celebrates its annual festival in February with over 200 events, including entertainment experiences, outdoor concerts, vintage car parades, fashions shows, dining experiences, great Gatsby picnics, aerobatic displays and so much more.

The thousands of people revelling in the 1930s atmosphere created in the heart of the city gives the sensation that you have travelled back in time to an era of glitz and glamour!

There is going to be plenty of activities on offer to keep you entertained throughout this time. You can partake in as much or as little as you desire throughout the long weekend. I have put together some items for us to enjoy but you will have lots of free time to wander around to peruse whatever else takes your fancy.

This will be four days of fun, create yourselves one, two or even three Art Deco outfits to enjoy the carnival atmosphere.  Whether you’re an avid Art Deco enthusiast, love the romance of a bygone era (and a good dress up) or simply want to kick back and have a great time with family and friends in this lively little region, exactly how you Deco is up to you.

Depart and travel to Napier – stopping enroute for comfort & lunch.  Enjoy the scenery and rest while I drive you as we have an action packed few days ahead.

2.00pm – arrive in Havelock North in time to join Hawkes Bay historian Michael Fowler who will give a talk on history of the Art Deco, beginning from the earthquake in 1931, talk concludes with a High Tea.  This will give you a great understanding about Art Deco when & why, along with an understanding of the styles and designs. A great way to begin this event.

5pm – Art Deco Fashion Flaunt – a range of art deco fashion categories on display along with a fun competition.

6.30pm   –   Watch the Warbirds Flyover – look up into the skies for an impressive spectacle as the Warbirds fly above.

7pm      –      Dinner – Tonight we dine locally as we are spoiled for choices.

Settle into your accommodation and enjoy a great nights sleep.  We are positioned in Havelock North for the entire 4 days, so only unpack once. This motel is 4.5 star, in a quiet location, and close to the village shops. Havelock North is known as a prosperous pretty country town, with tree lined streets and gracious homes at the foot of Te Mata peak. The village boasts an array of  boutique shops, cafés, restaurants and specialty stores.

Accommodation – Village Motel – Havelock North

Begin with Breakfast in your room, then we travel into Napier ( 20 min drive)  Make sure you done on your favourite Art Deco attire for the day.

10.30 – A Historic Homes tour in Napier – this is a wonderful opportunity  you will be welcomed into private homes and hear fascinating stories of their origins and view their interiors.   This is a new addition to Art Deco event.

12.30  – Free time to enjoy some lunch whilst watching the celebrations on the street – a vibrant atmosphere, colourful Art Deco dressed revellers and plenty of entertainment to get you into the weekend atmosphere.

2pm – Take a vintage car ride through the region. Make sure you are dressed up in  your Art Deco attire to really enjoy the occasion.

3.30pm  – Enjoy the festivities of the Soundshell- sit yourself in the Garden Bar on the lower lawn and watch or participate. Just soak up the atmosphere.

4.30pm –  We will head back to our accommodation for a wee rest and maybe a change of clothes – ready for your evening out.

7pm –  Depression Dinner – one of the  festival favourite events – dress down for this fun event. Join the procession through the city centre, sing your heart out then enjoy good old-fashioned dinner & pudding.  This will prove to be  alot of fun.

Accommodation – Village Motel – Havelock North

It’s a leisurely start to your day of activities.

10am -11.30 Bicycle Belles Parade – watch the ladies & gentleman pedal their bikes in style along Marine Parade.

11.30 -12.15 Free Time to enjoy the festivities of the Soundshell- sit yourself in the Garden Bar on the lower lawn and watch or participate. Overlooking the ocean and just perfect to see and immerse yourself into the entertainment & atmosphere.

12.15 –           Flying Displays

12.30 –          Vintage car parade

1.30pm –      Lunch @ Shed 2 – Napier’s award wining restaurant & bar.  

3.30pm –     Back to Havelock North – peruse the village shops or take a wee rest

6pm –           Dinner at Peak house – High on the hill, overlooking the Hawke’s Bay is Peak House. Steeped in history with panoramic views, the venue is the ideal setting for our dinner this evening.

8pm- 10.30pm –    Saturday night entertainment at the Shell – includes Royal NZ Airforce Band.

For those with lots of energy it back to the Soundshell, those who wish to opt out  I will return you back to the motel. 

Accommodation – Village Motel – Havelock North

9am – 11am – Deco Dog Parade – come and see who is judged the best dressed Deco dog.  It’s a fun filled full of entertainment part of the weekend

but if dogs are not for you check out the soap box derby – it really is fun for everybody. Definitely will bring back your childhood memories.

10.30 – 12.30 Soap Box Derby – One of the Festival’s most popular events! The annual Soap Box Derby competition, where children and parents race their home-made carts to the delight of the thousands who come to watch and cheer them on.

12.45 – Brunch @ County Hotel – a great way to farewell the art deco city. Brunch at one of my favourite hotels.  The County Hotel is one of only two significant buildings to have survived the massive 1931 earthquake.  Come and enjoy this architectural masterpiece with its atmosphere of conventional luxury and allow yourself to be pampered by the attentive service of their devoted team.

2pm  Then its homeward we go – you will be returned home having had a very full few days of entertainment, sightseeing and fellowship.