Itineraries
Planning a trip to the festival, but unsure on where to start? Check out our itinerary ideas, so you can make the most of your visit.
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Foodies and Couples
One for the lovers…of food, mulled wine and gin, adventures and a good ol’ belly laugh…
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Quality Family Time
Have good old fashioned fun and make special memories with the young, and the young at heart…
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Girls Weekend
A fabulous girls getaway with shopping, crafting, eating and drinking. Indulgence and joy at its best. What more could you ask for…
Foodies and Couples
One for the lovers of food, mulled wine and gin, adventures and themselves.
Friday
Arrive, Sip, and Stroll Beneath the Lights
Arrive in Greytown and settle into one of its charming boutique stays, from the elegance of The White Swan to the comfort of Greyfriars Motel, Asure Oak Estate Motor Lodge, or nearby at Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park. Once you’ve checked in and rugged up, take a leisurely stroll down Main Street as the village comes alive after dark with fairy lights twinkling, gentle snowfall drifting through the air, and a warm, festive glow settling over town.
Dinner Option: Head to Truckstop. It’s the perfect outdoor dining spot, with festoon lights, braziers, music and plenty of seating. Grab a smashed burger, Asian street food and sweet treats, with a mulled wine or hot drink by the fire. It’s mid-winter dining as it should be, right in the heart of the festival.
After dinner, toast to the weekend with a mulled wine or a Greytown Distilling Co. gin in the best-kept secret Garden Bar. It’s tucked away in the back of The White Swan.
Saturday
Morning Markets, Afternoon Tastings, and Bonfire Romance
Ease into the day with a relaxed brunch at Main Street Deli or The Offering, both known for generous plates and excellent coffee. From there, wander Greytown’s boutique-lined Main Street, where local makers offer everything from artisan goods and handmade treats to small-batch spirits — perfect for a little indulgence or a take-home souvenir.
For something more casual, follow your nose to the festival’s food trucks and pop-up vendors, open from 4pm. And if wine and cheese are calling, head out to Alexia Urban Winery for their much-loved Pies & Pinot Saturday 4 July or the irresistible Hot Cheese Shack on Saturday 18 July for lovers of all things warm and melty.
If you’re in town for the opening or closing nights of the Festival, head along to Martin Bosley’s Oyster Saloon at Aperitif fresh, delicious oysters. Pair them with French Champagne or mulled wine - but don’t dawdle, last year, Boz was shucked out in two hours, so get there early!
Dinner Option: Head down the road to Mother Goose Kitchen & Bar for a warming banquet-style feast designed to be shared and savoured. Or in Greytown, grab a slice of stoned baked pizza at Cuckoo or pop into Meeneez for burgers and gelato.
Pre dinner fun: Keeping with the midwinter warmers, head to the Festive Night Glow from 5-7pm on Saturday 18 July at Molewood Orchard, which will transform into a wonderland with glowing hot air balloons, small bonfires, food trucks and toasted marshmallows.
After dinner fun: Head to Studio 73 for a night of laughs as Raybon Kan returns to the festival stage with a brand-new stand-up show. Catch his sharp wit and thoughtful humour live in Greytown for two nights only, Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July.
Sunday
Slow Starts, Crafts & A Taste of Nostalgia
Start the day slowly with breakfast in bed or pick up fresh takeaway pastries to enjoy at your own pace.
For those wanting a creative touch, join the Crafternoon workshop series, featuring relaxed, hands-on sessions such as an Introduction to Italic Writing, guided travel journal art or make some gorgeous scented candles. These classes offer a fun and easy way to create something together.
Spend time wandering the village’s boutique stores, taking in the atmosphere of snow-dusted trees, twinkling lights, and beautifully curated displays.
Before heading home, browse the gift shops for special keepsakes and capture a few final photos beneath the sparkling canopy.
Lunch option: To round out the experience, enjoy an indulgent lunch at either Aperitif or Mother Goose, the perfect way to end a romantic weekend.
Dinner Option: Book a table at The White Swan for The Snow Supper, an enchanting outdoor dining experience where soft snowfall, glowing fairy lights, and award-winning food and drink come together beneath the Wairarapa’s famed dark skies.
Please note: not all events and workshops are on every weekend.
Check out the full programme here to see what’s on while you’re in town.
Quality Family Time
Bringing the family? Plan your trip with these itinerary suggestions:
Weekend Whānau Fun!
Friday
Check in and feel the Festival Cheer
Roll into Greytown just as the school holiday energy kicks in. Once you’ve checked into a warm and welcoming local motel (think comfy beds, easy parking, and space for the whole crew). Bundle up and head into town for delicious food and the magical Snowfall on Main every Friday and Saturday night, as festive snow flurries, lights and music transform the town into a winter wonderland.
Look out for this year’s mascot, Ruru, the happiest owl in Greytown. Make sure to get a photo with Ruru at the cutout photoboards, then pop into Schoc or The Offering for a hot chocolate or delicious New York style cookie to refuel.
Saturday
Brunch, Carols and Bright Lights
Start the day with a relaxed brunch at one of Greytown’s cosy cafés like Koko Deli or Main Street Deli.
Spend the rest of the day exploring the village at your own pace. Wander the boutique shops, soak up the festive atmosphere, and enjoy the twinkling lights and seasonal displays that make Greytown feel extra special during winter. Stop in at Meeneez, which is a must for a loaded cookie or gelato — because in Greytown, it’s never too cold for ice cream.
Get creative with a Polymer Clay Earring Making Workshop, which offers a cosy and welcoming space to craft something special together.
In between workshops, take time to wander the village, browse boutique stores, and soak up the festive winter atmosphere.
Later in the day, as the sun sets, the magic really begins. Start your evening with the ILLUMINATION Night Walk at Cobblestones Heritage Museum, where glowing installations, interactive displays and immersive soundscapes transform the grounds into a wonderland. Kids can get hands-on at the glow-in-the-dark playdough station while the whole family enjoys this enchanting experience. On from 3-12 July, bookings essential.
If your visit falls on Saturday 18 July, round out the night with something truly spectacular at the Festive Night Glow at Molewood Orchards. The orchard comes alive with illuminated pathways, glowing hot air balloons set to music, and plenty of classic rural fun. With food trucks, marshmallows on the fire, and a crackling bonfire, it’s the perfect old-school evening to follow on from a magical winter’s day.
Sunday
Creative Fun and a Fond Farewell
Round out a magical winter weekend in Greytown with a relaxed and creative Sunday that the whole family can enjoy.
Ease into the day with a slow breakfast at one of the village’s cafés before heading to another hands-on activity. Reindeer Magic: A Recycled Craft Workshop for Kids is the perfect way to spark young imaginations, with children creating their own festive reindeer faces from recycled materials.
Before heading home, gather for a leisurely lunch at one of the local eateries.
WeekDAY Whānau Fun!
Tuesday
Park Play and Afternoon Lights
Midweek crowds are smaller, making it a relaxing time to explore. Start your day with a family walk or scooter ride to and look out for this years’ mascot, Ruru the all singing dancing happiest owl in Greytown. Pop your noggins through the holes in the photo cut-out boards, to instantly transform into one yourself! Pack a picnic or pick up lunch from one of Greytown’s family-friendly cafés nearby.
In the evening, head to Cobblestones Museum for the ILLUMINATION Night Walk. This illuminating experience runs three sessions at 5:30pm, 6:30pm or 7.30pm from 3 -12 July and is absolutely magical for kids and adults alike. With glowing pathways, light installations, and a beautiful setting among Greytown’s historic buildings, it’s like stepping into a Christmas fairytale.
Wednesday
Explore, Create, and Enjoy the Festival Vibe
Fill those pukus with some sweet time behind the scenes of a chocolate shop to create your own delicious handmade treats. Explore Schoc Chocolates, Greytown's boutique chocolate shop where the Wednesday workshops in the school holidays lend themselves to this sweet creation day!
Thursday
Creative Mornings and Lazy Afternoons
From 27 June to 2 August, keep little ones entertained with two free, family-friendly activities at Greytown Art Gallery. Kids can get creative painting their own festive farmyard ornaments—turning wooden shapes into sheep, chickens and tractors—then head off on a playful art hunt through the Gallery, searching for hidden details and discovering artworks in a fun, interactive way.
In the afternoon, take a slow wander through town again, admire the window display, and visit the new skatepark on Cotter Street, one of the local playgrounds (we recommend the Kuratawhiti St playground) or reserves. Many motels offer kitchenettes, so pop into Fresh Choice to pick up a relaxed family dinner back “home” while the kids chat about their day. You might just then want to stay the weekend at your new home away from home…
Please note: not all events and workshops are on every weekend.
Check out the full programme here to see what’s on while you’re in town.
Girls Weekend
A fabulous girls getaway with shopping, creating, eating and drinking. What more could you ask for…
Thursday
Arrive & Light Up the Holiday
Arrive in Greytown and settle into your boutique stay — from the elegant White Swan to a charming cottage or a cosy motel like Asure Oak Estate, or Greyfriars Motel.
Take a relaxed wander through the village’s picturesque streets, browsing boutique shops filled with handcrafted gifts, fashion and locally made treats — perfect for getting a head start on Christmas shopping, with festive deals to discover along the way.
Get creative with a Giant Crepe Wallflower workshop with Ventana Creative, then indulge your sweet side at Schoc’s Adults-Only Chocolate Making Class, where you’ll enjoy tastings, learn chocolate tempering techniques, craft your own chocolate creations and take home a handmade chocolate Santa — plus a little extra with an in-store festival discount.
Friday
Queen’s for a Day!
Start off with a walk along Greytown Rail Trail, and then head to Meeneez for coffee, and devour some fresh homemade waffles and ice cream – you’ve earned it! Or why not book in for a pamper at Alluminus Day Spa. Those weary shopping feet will need some rejuvenating before you head to the Night Food Markets.
Pop down the road for an enchanting evening at Mother Goose Kitchen & Bar, where a warming banquet-style feast is designed to be shared and savoured. Back in Greytown, catch the magical Snowfall on Main every Friday and Saturday night (plus Thursday 9 July), then snuggle up in The White Swan’s Garden Bar with a mulled gin for some late-night festivities.
Saturday
Indulge, Create, Shop & Celebrate
Start your Christmas experience with a relaxed breakfast at The Offering—perfectly brewed coffee paired with their signature Eggs Benedict or French Toast to set the tone for the day.
Then ease into a creative morning with hands-on workshops designed to spark inspiration. Try your hand at adding art to your travel journal, or enjoy the calming process of a candle making workshop.
As midday approaches, wander through town and explore a few local indulgences. Stop for a wine tasting at Johner Tasting Room, or make your own festive trail by comparing mulled wines at different venues around town.
For a deeper dive into sparkling wine, don’t miss Champagne Country: An Insider’s Méthode Traditionnelle Experience at Alexia on Saturday 11 July.
As evening falls, Main Street comes alive with magical snowfall and dazzling Christmas lights from 6pm. Settle in for dinner under the stars with street food from Truckstop, Food Truck Central at the Town Hall and Stella Bull Park, and more, while sipping mulled wine and sampling sweet seasonal treats as you soak up the atmosphere.
If you’re after something more refined, head to Aperitif for freshly shucked oysters by Martin Bosley paired with a chilled glass of champagne. Or keep it cosy and end your day with a stone-baked pizza from Cuckoo—an easy, delicious finish to a festive day well spent.
Sunday
Style, Browse & Wind Down
Ease into the day with a leisurely late brunch at either Main Street Deli or The Offering—both local favourites known for exceptional coffee and beautifully prepared, flavour-packed dishes.
Spend the rest of your day wandering Greytown’s boutique-lined streets, returning to the stores that caught your eye earlier to pick up those special finds you couldn’t stop thinking about.
On Sunday 12 July, don’t miss Between the Wines & the Lines: Where great books meet beautiful wines at Alexia, a relaxed, sensory pairing of literature and wine in a truly unique setting.
Finish your girls’ getaway with a peaceful evening stroll through town as the Christmas lights glow softly above you. It’s a fitting end to a weekend filled with laughter, creativity, indulgence, and a little festive magic shared with your favourite people.
Please note: not all events and workshops are on every weekend.
Check out the full programme here to see what’s on while you’re in town.