Sauna Fest 26

The Sauna Project is back at Lake Tikitapu for another year of Sauna Fest!

Last year was a huge success as we completely SOLD OUT!

Tickets are limited to the holiday park’s capacity. The good news is we’ve now reached the maximum number of people the park can hold, and that’s not changing. From 2026 onward, Sauna Fest won’t get any bigger, just better. By capping numbers, we can keep the event truly down-to-earth and unique, while focusing on making it better and better each year.

What is Sauna Fest?

Sauna Fest is The Sauna Project’s annual gathering, where our franchise network brings together their wood-fired mobile saunas from all over NZ for one wholesome weekend. Over 20 saunas will be scattered along the lake and through the bush, each creating a unique experience. Some are silent, some are women’s only, some are family-friendly and there are plenty more themes to explore.

This year, we’re putting a big focus on experiences inside the sauna, especially the Aufguss ritual. Aufguss is a German sauna tradition where water mixed with essential oils is poured over the hot rocks to create aromas, while the air is circulated with a towel to intensify the heat and create a multi-sensory journey.

And for the first time ever, Sauna Fest 2026 will crown New Zealand’s very first Aufguss Champion! We’ll have an official scoring system and a trophy up for grabs, so if you think you’ve got the skills, make sure to enter.

But Sauna Fest doesn’t stop there, it’s an action-packed weekend including:

• Sauna

• Mini Sauna Sessions

• Educational and interactive workshops

• Talks

• Connection circles

• Yoga

• Morning Blue Lake Run experiences with Run Aotearoa

• Delicious food

• Creative market stalls

• Music

• Dance

All with the goal of growing sauna culture in New Zealand and creating an experience unlike anything you’ve felt before. Sauna Fest is about connection, authenticity, and the freedom to fully be yourself. It’s a festival like no other.

To help fit more people into the park, we’ll also have free off-site parking available by the Blue Lake. If you’d like to bring your car into the park, you can purchase a car pass (one per site) for a small fee, or a powered site pass if you’re bringing a caravan and want to plug in.

FAQ's:

What does my ticket include?
Sauna Fest is hosted at the Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park, https://bluelaketop10.co.nz/. Your GA ticket gives you access to everything the festival has to offer and also camping. On-site amenities include showers and toilets, along with regularly maintained shared kitchen spaces for those who prefer to cook their own meals. Your ticket gives you access to all workshops and saunas throughout the entire weekend. 

What about my car or caravan?

There will be free off-site parking, however if you wish to bring your car in with you, you'll need to purchase a car pass (limited to 1 per site) or if you want plug in your caravan/motor home, you'll need to purchase a powered site pass.

Will there be food?
In addition to kitchen facilities there are BBQ areas available for your use during the festival. There will also be a variety of food available for purchase from a selection of food trucks, offering a diverse range of options to cater for all food preferences.

What about alcohol?
No alcohol will be served at Sauna Fest. If you bring your own, we just ask that you be responsible with it. Most people will not be drinking, so please don’t cause a scene—that’s not what the festival is about.

Can I bring my dog??
No sorry, not this year. We had some people last year breaking the dog rules so unfortunately we cant accommodate your furry friend.

Is Sauna Fest family-friendly?
Absolutely! Family-friendliness is a top priority for us. The festival features multiple playgrounds, including a pump track and a large bouncy pillow. We will also have a dedicated kids’ zone staffed by experienced kindergarten teachers. Children’s passes and family passes can be purchased at family-friendly prices to ensure everyone can join in the fun. We recommend camping in a quieter area away from the main tent; just ask us upon your arrival for directions.

Can I stay off-site and come back in?

Absolutely, there are plenty of great accommodation options close-by on AirBnB and the likes. You will be given a wrist band and can come and go as you like.

Do I have to stick to the rules of the themed saunas?

Yes please, each sauna will have a theme, silent, women's only, family friendly, naked, or free-flowing. Please check the sign before entering the sauna and stick to what it says.

Can I apply to volunteer?
Applications will open end of September.

How do I apply to showcase my skills and be a facilitator or musical act?
Applications will open end of September. There will also be applications for mini sauna sessions, zone workshops and musicians.

How late will the music go?

The music will go until 1am on both nights, if you want to camp in the quiet area, our staff will show you where to go when you check in.

Say Cheese!!
Tickets holders consent to be filmed, photographed and recorded during the festival. These recordings may be used to promote Sauna Fest. If you don't want your picture to be shared by us, you can send us a photo of yourself and we will make sure to not share anything with your face in it.

🔥 🤸🏼‍♀️ ☀️ 🌱 💧

Sauna Fest 2026

By Lake Tikitapu’s sacred shore,
The saunas call us back once more.
Where steam and stories intertwine,
A festival of heat, heart, and simply good times.

This year we crown, in steam’s embrace,
New Zealand’s Aufguss Champion takes its place.
Masters of heat, of rhythm, of air.

Inside the sauna, journeys unfold,
Experiences deeper, stories told.
A space to breathe, release, renew,
A circle of healing, strong and true.

The festival’s grown to its destined size,
No bigger crowds beneath these skies.
Tickets are limited, last year we sold out,
So gather your friends and don’t miss out.

Together in nature, laughter and song,
A weekend of wellness, where we all belong.
At Sauna Fest, the fire still burns,
A gift for the body, the soul it returns.