Sauna Fest 27
Nau mai, harāmai
The Sauna Project is back on the shores of Lake Tikitapu for another year of Sauna Fest.
After another completely SOLD OUT festival last year, we're absolutely buzzing about what this festival has become. If you're thinking of joining us, make sure to grab your tickets early. Tickets are limited to the holiday park's capacity and once they're gone, they're gone.
The energy that builds over the weekend is honestly hard to describe, but the feeling you leave with is one that stays with you long after the festival is over. Lake Tikitapu provides the perfect setting, with hot showers, a full kitchen, and regularly serviced toilets. It's camping, but just a little bit boujee.
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 New Zealand for one unforgettable weekend.
Over 20 saunas will be scattered along the lake and throughout the surrounding bush, each offering its own unique experience. Some are silent, some are women only, some are family friendly, and many have their own themes and personalities to discover.
This year we're continuing our focus on creating incredible experiences inside the sauna, especially through the art of Aufguss.
Aufguss is a traditional German sauna ritual where water infused with essential oils is poured over the hot stones, while the sauna guide circulates the hot air with a towel. The result is an immersive journey of heat, aroma, music, and connection that transforms the sauna into something truly special.
But Sauna Fest doesn't stop there. It's a full weekend packed with amazing people, workshops, live music, movement, great food, cold plunges, lakeside sunsets, and countless moments of connection. Some highlights include:
Sauna
Educational and interactive workshops
Talks
Connection
Yoga
Morning Blue Lake Run experiences with Run Aotearoa
Delicious food
Creative market stalls
Music
Dance
A Better Camping Experience
One of our biggest learnings from last year's festival was the number of vehicles inside the holiday park.
To create a better experience for everyone, we're making a few changes this year.
From 2027 onwards, only vehicles that are being slept in will be allowed inside the holiday park. If you're planning to sleep in your vehicle, you'll simply need to purchase a Sleeper Vehicle Pass when booking your tickets.
Powered sites will have their own clearly designated area within the campground, with reserved spaces for campervans that have a powered site pass.
If you're camping in a tent, you'll use our free off-site parking. We'll have a complimentary shuttle service running throughout the arrival and departure periods to help transport you and your belongings between the car park and the festival.
This change will free up a huge amount of space throughout the campground, making it feel more open, relaxed, and enjoyable for everyone. We think it's a small change that will make a big difference to the overall Sauna Fest experience.
Thanks for being here, we hope you can join us at the Blue Lake.
FAQs
- 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 want to bring your car in with you, you'll need to purchase a Sleeper Car Pass or if you want plug in your caravan/motor home, you'll need to purchase a powered site pass. There will be a complimentary shuttle service helping you get your gear to and from site.
- 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 pervious years 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 August.
- 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.
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