KiwiPan Festival 2026

Welcome, wonderful humans 🌿

KiwiPan Festival is a warm, welcoming space for anyone curious about the Handpan — whether it’s your first time or you’ve been playing for years. No experience is needed, and there’s no pressure to perform or “get it right.” This is a place to explore sound at your own pace, connect with others, and follow curiosity in a non-judgemental, supportive environment.

Over four days, you’ll enjoy live music, workshops for all levels, wholesome plant-based meals, and meaningful connection — both with people and the beautiful natural surroundings of Dunes Lakes Lodge, just one hour outside Auckland.

For those who feel inspired to dive even deeper, we’re offering an additional 3-Day Post-Festival Intensive Immersion led by international facilitators Maja Wlazly and Dan Mulqueen. This small, intimate continuation allows participants to explore their practice more fully in a gentle, supportive, and immersive setting, with on-site catering included.

📅 2026 Festival Dates

Main Festival Thursday 16 April – Sunday 19 April 2026
Intensive Immersion Sunday 19 April – Wednesday 22 April 2026
📍 Auckland, New Zealand

🎟️ Tickets & Accommodation

This year we’re offering more flexibility by separating festival tickets from accommodation, allowing you to choose what best supports your comfort and needs.

All festival tickets include three nourishing meals per day, with accommodation selected as an optional add-on.

Festival Tickets (all include catering)

• $330 – Early Bird Full Festival Pass (4 days)

• $400 – Full Festival Pass (4 days)

• $185 – Friday Day Pass (meals included, no accommodation)

• $225 – Saturday Day Pass (meals included, no accommodation)

• $345 – Friday + Saturday Pass (meals included + BYO camping for 1 night)

• $530 – Post Festival Intensive Immersion for 3 days (meals + accommodation included)

🕊 Early Bird tickets available until 31 January 2026

Accommodation Add-Ons (3 nights)

• $360 – Private Cabin (sleeps 2 people, $180pp)

• $170 – Dorm Accommodation (separate Male & Female dorms)

• $95 – BYO Camping (tent, van, caravan or campervan)

Optional Extras

• $30 – Handpan rental for the full festival

• $40 discount for Celestial Sound Handpan owners
  (or $20 discount for a 1-day pass — serial number required)

✨ What You Can Expect

• Three nourishing, plant-based meals each day, prepared with care (dietary needs catered for where possible)

• Workshops that meet you where you are — including first-touch sessions for complete beginners

• Teaching that emphasises listening, feeling, rhythm and curiosity

• Small-group workshops with highly experienced and compassionate educators:

  • Dan Mulqueen (USA)

  • Maja Wlazly (Poland)

  • Tim Tom (Australia)

  • Chewy Wilson (New Zealand)

• Live performances offered as shared experiences

• Opportunities to explore and play a wide range of Handpans in different scales and styles

• Optional Handpan retuning and purchase opportunities through Celestial Sound (additional costs apply)

• Optional 1:1 tuition for those who feel called (additional cost)

• A gentle introduction to Aotearoa’s growing Handpan community

• A unique equine-assisted therapeutic experience

• Spacious time in nature to rest, ground, and reconnect beyond “doing” or “achieving”

🌊 Optional 3-Day Post-Festival Immersion

For those who feel a quiet pull to stay a little longer, we’re offering something new in 2026 — an optional 3-Day Intensive Immersion, held immediately after the festival.

Led by Maja Wlazly and Dan Mulqueen, this immersion is designed as a small, supportive and unhurried space for deeper exploration. Remaining at the same beautiful venue, participants will stay on with delicious on-site catering, allowing learning to unfold without distraction.

This immersion is not about pushing harder or becoming “better.” Instead, it offers time to integrate, ask questions, refine listening skills, and deepen your relationship with the instrument in a way that feels personal and embodied. With a limited number of participants, there is space for individual guidance, shared reflection, and meaningful connection.

The immersion is well suited to those who:

• Feel inspired by the festival and wish to gently integrate what they’ve learned

• Appreciate learning in a calm, intimate, and non-judgemental environment

• Would like more time with Maja and Dan in a small-group setting

• Are curious to deepen their practice without pressure or expectation

You’ll return home with new skills, fresh perspectives, and a stronger sense of confidence and connection — both to the Handpan and to yourself.

(Spaces are limited. Details and booking for the immersion will be shared separately.)

🌿 A Culture of Care & Inclusion

KiwiPan Festival is intentionally held as a non-competitive, non-judgemental space. There is no right way to sound here, no need to impress, and no requirement to participate beyond what feels comfortable.

You are welcome to:

• Play one note or many

• Sit and listen instead of play

• Ask questions without fear

• Take breaks whenever you need

• Move at your own rhythm

Every sound is valid. Every level of experience is honoured.

🌿 The Venue

We return in 2026 to the sanctuary of Dunes Lakes Lodge, just one hour outside Auckland. This peaceful space is home to both humans and horses, coexisting in a respectful and educational environment.

Surrounded by nature, the venue invites slowing down and softening. Facilities are comfortable, with limited indoor beds available and plenty of camping space for those who prefer to stay close to the land.

🍲 Nourishment

All meals will be lovingly prepared by Lottie’s Soul Food Depot, offering hearty, vibrant, plant-based vegetarian food designed to nourish both body and nervous system. Most dietary requirements can be accommodated.

🎶 Who You’ll Share Space With

You’ll be guided and supported by:

• Maja Wlazly

• Dan Mulqueen

• Chewy Wilson (Alive Metal Handpan)

• Tim Tom (Celestial Sound Handpans)

• Matt Reeves (Beneath the Ether)

• Gareth Killip

• Jimi Dale

Each brings not only deep musical experience, but a strong commitment to kindness, patience, and inclusive teaching.

After the warmth and success of our 2023, 2024 and 2025 gatherings, we’re grateful to return once again for KiwiPan Festival 2026.

If you’ve ever felt drawn to this instrument but doubted yourself — this is your invitation.
Come as you are. You belong here.