Dunedin Midwinter Carnival Is Back For 2025

The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival returns this June 27 and 28, transforming First Church and surrounding grounds into a luminous celebration of light and imagination, with our theme Wings of Wonder 

Enjoy the warmth of community and fly with us into the winter night, where wonder knows no bounds. See First Church transformed into a world where shimmering lanterns take flight. From our own native birds of Aotearoa, and mythical creatures that soar through the sky, to the graceful wings of butterflies. Let your imagination take wing as you weave through stunning lantern displays, interactive installations, and awe-inspiring performances. 

“The Carnival Trust is super excited to be working with our Art Team to bring Dunedin another spectacular celebration of winter and the shortest day. This year's theme is particularly uplifting and we look forward to creating a magical experience for all ages." Says Paul Smith, Trust Chairman. 

Thoughtfully curated lantern installations will illuminate the site. Roving costumed performers will manoeuvre through the crowds. The ever popular projections will radiate from First Church and Burns Hall. Brophy Aerials will be frolicking high in the trees. New interactive elements will be scattered around the site, and lantern processions will wind through the grounds, lighting up the night and the faces of those involved. Plus dance performances by local troupes, local live music, your favourite food trucks and SO much more! 

“This year's theme encompasses all things in the sky - birds and insects, especially our precious native ones, celestial bodies, and even some extraterrestrial life forms! We have a whole range of exciting new lanterns underway and an incredibly exciting collaboration with the 3rd year design students from the Polytech who are working on the projection art and some very exciting new interactive installations” Says Xanthe Naylor Dunedin Midwinter Carnival Events Manager. 

For this year's festival we are pleased to announce that we have once again partnered with Otago Polytechnic College of Art, Design and Architecture. 

“We were thrilled to once again partner with the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival—our second collaboration, and this time, it's bigger and better than ever.” Says Denise Narciso Principal Lecturer Projects and Internships Coordinator. 

The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival team has been working closely with lecturers and a group of 30 students, all of whom pitched creative concepts across several key areas, including projection design, interactive installations, branding and social media marketing. A selection of these pitches were chosen to develop further by dedicated teams. Through this type of hands-on approach the students gain valuable experience in client communication, research, idea development and collaboration; learning to diversify their design approaches, enhancing existing skills, and discovering new tools and techniques.  

“The classroom becomes a dynamic studio environment that mirrors industry practices, where critique, teamwork, meetings, and presentations are part of the daily routine. We’re now in the production phase, and there’s a real buzz as the final designs start to take shape. We can’t wait to see it all come together!” says Denise Narciso 

WORKSHOPS

We are pleased to be partnering with the Meridian Mall, where we will hold our community workshops. During these workshops attendees will have the chance to create their very own lantern; this year will see bumblebees, owls, gulls and rocket ships. These will take place across four weekends in the lead up to this year's festival and kick off on the 24th and 25th of May with the bumblebee. 

We are also pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Tūhura - Otago Museum for an adults workshop as part of their Wine and Design series. These workshops are targeted at an older audience looking for something a little more challenging than the community workshops. Attendees will be making butterflies which they can keep or donate back to the carnival as part of the Butterfly House installation. 

“We are super excited to host these epic workshops! Tuhura is so lucky to be able to collaborate with such amazing local events and help showcase the mahi that goes into them.” Says Jessica Hatfield Senior Events Coordinator at Tūhura Otago Museum. 

EVENT & WORKSHOP TICKETS 

Event ticket prices are plus a booking fee and will be $5 for children (under 3’s free), $10 for adults. A family pass for $25 (2 adults 2 children). 

Tickets are available for the session times of 530pm, 630pm and 730pm. Sessions will have limited capacity so pre-purchasing tickets will ensure entry at your desired time. 

Lanterns made in the workshops gain FREE entry to the Carnival and partake in the mini processions winding around the site. Tickets to workshops will be available from the Carnival website from the 23rd April, with the Wine and Design adult workshop tickets available from the Tūhura Otago Museum website later this week. 

SENSORY SESSION 

Following on from the success of last year's Sensory hour we are pleased to announce we will be offering this session again. This session is an opportunity for those who are susceptible to crowds, loud music, flashing lights, or have accessibility needs, to still be able to enjoy the Carnival. The session will take place on Saturday 28 June from 4pm, with those wanting to stay on for performances able. 

PAY IT FORWARD 

We are pleased to be once again offering our pay-it-forward initiative, and will be once again partnering with charity organisations in order to distribute tickets to the community. 

EVENT INFO: 

When: 27 and 28 June (postponement July 4 and 5) 

Where: First Church grounds, Moray place. 

Event tickets, pay-it-forward and workshop bookings available June 23 via the website - www.midwintercarnival.co.nz 

© Scoop Media