Picnic at the Castle - A Community Fundraiser for the Dunstan Hospital Foundation
Description
Picnic at the Castle
A Community Fundraiser for the Dunstan Hospital Foundation
Saturday 14 November | 1-4pm | Earnscleugh Castle
Join us this November as the gates of Earnscleugh Castle open for a very special afternoon of music, laughter, connection, and community spirit, all in support of the Dunstan Hospital Foundation.
Pack your favourite picnic, refreshments, rug, and chairs, then gather your family and friends for a relaxed afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Earnscleugh Castle. Enjoy live music, barista coffee, Mr Whippy, lawn games, a bouncy castle, and plenty of space for the kids to play while the grown-ups sit back and soak up the atmosphere.
Set against one of Central Otago's most iconic landmarks, Picnic at the Castle is a chance to slow down, connect with the community, and enjoy a memorable afternoon in a truly spectacular setting.
This year's event celebrates two significant milestones: 100 years of Earnscleugh Hall and one year of impact from the Dunstan Hospital Foundation. Together, we'll celebrate our history, our community, and the difference we can make when we come together to support healthcare close to home.
What to Expect
A relaxed afternoon filled with:
Live music and entertainment
Barista coffee
Mr Whippy
Bouncy castle
Lawn games
Family-friendly activities
Beautiful gardens and picnic spaces
A welcoming community atmosphere
Whether you're catching up with friends, entertaining the kids, or simply enjoying an afternoon outdoors, Picnic at the Castle is all about celebrating community, creating memories, and supporting a great local cause.
Bring your favourite picnic and refreshments, find a spot on the lawn, and enjoy an unforgettable afternoon at Earnscleugh Castle.
Tickets
General Admission — $30 Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Earnscleugh Castle, featuring live music, family entertainment, picnic lawn access, and plenty of space to unwind with friends and whānau.
General Admission - Child - $15 A fun-filled day for the whole family, with activities including a bouncy castle, lawn games, and plenty of room to explore.
Food & Bubbles Add-On — $50
Add a curated food offering, a glass of bubbles on arrival and shared seating within our relaxed Food & Bubbles hospitality area.
Tickets are limited, with an initial release of 250 adult passes.
Come for the afternoon. Help support healthcare close to home.
Every ticket purchased helps support the work of the Dunstan Hospital Foundation and its vision for the future of healthcare in our region.
100 years of history. One year of impact. One brilliant afternoon for our community. Not to be missed!
Sunday will act as the weather contingency day should severe weather prevent Saturday’s picnic from going ahead.
BYO Alcohol Policy
To support a safe and enjoyable event for everyone, each adult attendee may bring a maximum of 10 standard drinks for personal consumption. This is approximately equivalent to one 750ml bottle of wine, 10 standard beers, 10 RTDs, or a comparable amount of other alcoholic beverages.
The BYO limit applies to all ticket holders, including both General Admission and VIP guests.
We ask all guests to drink responsibly and in accordance with our Alcohol Management Policy. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available throughout the event. Event organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to excessive quantities of alcohol and to take appropriate action where intoxication or unsafe behaviour occurs.
Make a weekend of it
Take the opportunity to step inside the Category 1 listed Historic Earnscleugh Castle, as seen on Grand Designs.
The Earnscleugh Castle team have generously added extra guided tours throughout the weekend, with all tour profits being donated directly to the Dunstan Hospital Foundation High Impact Needs Fund, helping fund equipment and initiatives that make an immediate difference to local healthcare.
Tour times:
Saturday 11am–12 noon
Sunday 11am– 4pm
Cost: $50 per person, payable directly to Earnscleugh Castle.
Tours are booked separately from Picnic at the Castle tickets.
FAQs
- Is the Event Pet Friendly?
In terms of being pet friendly, we love animals but the property has large families of quail and pheasants that roam around the property, as well as castle dogs so will be a no unfortunately
- BYO Alcohol Limits - How many can I bring?
BYO Alcohol Policy
To support a safe and enjoyable event for everyone, each adult attendee may bring a maximum of 10 standard drinks for personal consumption. This is approximately equivalent to one 750ml bottle of wine (12-13% ABV), 10 standard beers (330ml at 4-5% ABV), 10 RTDs, or a comparable amount of other alcoholic beverages.
The BYO limit applies to all ticket holders, including both General Admission and VIP guests.
We ask all guests to drink responsibly and in accordance with our Alcohol Management Policy. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available throughout the event. Event organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to excessive quantities of alcohol and to take appropriate action where intoxication or unsafe behaviour occurs.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity