🎄 Ōtorohanga Christmas Tree Festival 2026

Get Creative. Celebrate Community. Share the Christmas Spirit!

Calling all local businesses, schools, clubs, community groups and organizations.

Let's fill the Ōtorohanga Museum with Christmas magic!

We're inviting our wonderful local community to design and decorate their own Christmas tree for the Ōtorohanga Christmas Tree Festival, running from Thursday 26 November to Saturday 5 December 2026.

Whether your tree is traditional, quirky, proudly Kiwi-inspired, wonderfully creative or made from recycled treasures, we want to see your imagination shine!

🎨 Who Can Enter?

Everyone is welcome to take part! Gather your team and create a tree that represents your business, school, club, community group or organization.

Entry is FREE! Each entrant supplies and decorates their own tree. There is no need to spend big — we're celebrating creativity, community spirit and the stories behind your designs.

📍 Event Details

Location: Ōtorohanga Museum

Festival dates: Thursday 26 November – Saturday 5 December 2026

Public viewing: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 12pm–3pm, during the festival.

Additional viewing hours may be available on Friday 4 December to coincide with the Christmas Parade. Details will be announced closer to the event.

📦 Tree Delivery

Please bring your completed tree to the museum during one of these delivery windows:

Saturday 21 November, 12pm–1pm
Thursday 26 November, 9:30am–11:30am

Entrants are responsible for supplying and decorating their own tree.

A few important requirements:

Trees must not require watering.
Battery-operated lights only, please. Power supplies are limited, so mains-powered lights cannot be accommodated.

🎄 Tree Collection

Please collect your tree during one of the following times:

Saturday 5 December, 3:30pm–4:30pm
Thursday 10 December, 12pm–3pm

Please ensure your tree is collected within one of these designated windows.

💚 Why Take Part?

Celebrate the festive season with our local community.
Showcase your business, school, club or organization.
Encourage creativity, teamwork and sustainable decorating.

Help create a festive attraction for locals and visitors.

📝 How to Enter

Registration is FREE, but you must register by Wednesday 25 November 2026.

Let's make this a wonderful celebration of local creativity, community pride and Christmas spirit.

✨ Bring your creativity. Share your Christmas spirit. Celebrate Ōtorohanga! ✨

🏆 Possible Award Categories

This event is not funded however there will be certificates and recognition for outstanding entries in categories including:

🎨 Most Creative Tree — the most imaginative and original design.

♻️ Best Use of Recycled or Repurposed Materials — celebrating sustainable ideas and creative reuse.

🥝 Best Kiwiana-Inspired Christmas Tree — showcasing our Kiwi identity and Ōtorohanga's proud Kiwiana heritage.

❤️ People's Favourite Overall Tree — the tree that captures the hearts of our visitors.

Get your ideas flowing and see what you and your team can create!

Contact the host of Christmas Tree Festival - Registration

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