Kirtan Fest Aotearoa

Kirtan Fest Aotearoa 2026

Akhanda Kirtan ~ Sound Journeys ~ Cacao/Chai Tent ~ Dances of Universal Peace ~ Forest Drumming Circle ~ Kids Zone ~ Shared Meals ~ Lots. Of. Kirtan.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of old growth forest and open fields at Strathean Retreat, Ōtaki. Kirtan Fest Aotearoa is an inclusive, family‑friendly mini‑festival, easily accessible from Wellington.

Dates: Monday 5 – Thursday 8 January 2026
Not too big, not too small - just right for genuine community, connection and heart‑opening practice.

The Experience

Over 3-4 days we come together in Bhakti Yoga - the Yoga of the Heart - singing, listening, resting, dancing, sharing meals and living in community.

You can expect:

• Continuous and community kirtan with kirtanists from around Aotearoa

• A powerful 7‑hour Akhanda Kirtan (continuous, no breaks)

• Deeply restorative Sound Journeys

• Dances of Universal Peace in the forest

• Forest Drumming Circle

• Ecstatic Dance

• Kids Zone so tamariki are happy and parents can relax

• Shared meals and plenty of space to simply be

Accommodation

Accommodation options include:

• Camping (tents or campervans – all non‑powered sites)

• Private or shared rooms/cabins

✨ Children under 5 attend free

A limited number of Day Passes are available (day attendance only, off‑site accommodation).

Food & Meals

This is a vegetarian‑only site.

• No individual gas burners allowed

• Breakfasts: Self‑catered (venue kitchen or camp kitchen)

• Food trucks: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday evenings

Included with your festival ticket:

• 2 lunches (Tuesday & Wednesday)

  • Tuesday: Hare Krishna Kai Buffet (12-2pm)

  • Wednesday: Community Lunch

⚠️ Meal numbers must be confirmed by 1 January 2026. If you book after this date, a meal ticket may not be available.

Self‑catering is also possible using the camp kitchen (for campers) or venue kitchen.

Kids Zone

Your kids will have just as much fun as you - which means parents can fully relax and enjoy the festival.

• Dedicated Kids Zone sessions daily

• Under 5s must remain under parent/caregiver supervision

Sound Journeys

We are honoured to host two deeply experienced sound practitioners:

• Kellie - Starsong Ceremonies (Tuesday evening)

• Jason Hotton (Wednesday afternoon)

Both draw from a deep well of spiritual connection to create spaces of relaxation, restoration and bliss.

Kirtan

Many brilliant kirtanists from across Aotearoa will gather to share this sacred practice.

Different traditions, lineages and histories - one shared love of singing together.

Akhanda Kirtan

A 7‑hour continuous kirtan held in respectful silence within the marquee.

• Buffet lunch provided in the main house during Akhanda

• We ask that after eating, you return to the Akhanda space

This is a profoundly powerful and devotional offering.

Schedule (Subject to Change)

Monday

• Arrival from 3pm

• Food Trucks 5–7pm

• Opening Havan (Fire Ceremony) & Kirtan 7–9pm

Tuesday

• Morning Meditation with Shikhaa 7–7:45am

• Hanuman Chalisa & Kirtan with Gyanmudra 7:45–8:10am

• Dances of Universal Peace (Forest) with Wendy Myima 9–10:30am

• Kids Zone 10am–12pm & 2–4pm

• Akhanda Kirtan 11am–6pm
  Featuring: Kapiti Kirtan Collective with WOM Spirit of Kirtan, Premratna, Atmavidya, Kailash, Gyanmudra, Siva & Pragyadhara

• Food Trucks 4:30–7pm

• Sound Journey with Kellie (Starsong Ceremonies) 7:30pm

Wednesday

• Morning Movement with Mayank 7–7:45am

• Hanuman Chalisa & Kirtan with Gyanmudra 7:45–8:10am

• Forest Drumming Circle with Andre & Jason Hotton 9–10am

• Kids Zone 10am–12pm

• Community Kirtan 10am–12.30pm

• Community Lunch 1–2pm

• Sound Journey with Jason Hotton 2–3pm

• Kirtan Jam Circle (Cacao Tent) 3:30–5pm

• Market Day 10am–4pm

• Healing Sanctuary 10am–4pm

• Food Trucks 4:30–7pm

• Ecstatic Dance with DJ Arkaya Rising 7–8:30pm

Thursday

• Community Offerings 8am–12:30pm

• Food Truck 11am–1pm

• Festival Close & Check‑out: 2pm

(Check‑out is 4pm for most accommodation, or 2pm if staying through Thursday only.)

Important Notes

• Drug & alcohol free event. Please consider being device free as well.

• No dogs allowed

• Program may change due to circumstances beyond our control — we will always do our best to honour the spirit of the festival

Pay It Forward

We offer a Pay It Forward option to help support people experiencing financial hardship. If you’re able, please consider donating any amount to help others attend.

Contact & Updates

kirtanfest.aotearoa@gmail.com
Adhyatma: 021 054 8756
Anna: 021 024 30430

Follow Kirtan Fest Aotearoa on Facebook for updates and information.

Oh… and did we mention KIRTAN?

There is a pay it forward option to help support people in hardship. Please consider donating any amount towards this as we have people in need who wish to join the festival but otherwise cannot.