Wānaka Crag Fest 2025

Tickets go on sale 20th December 2024.

New Zealand Alpine Club and Wānaka Climbing Club are thrilled to present the 2025 edition of Wānaka Crag Fest! This sustainable, inclusive rock-climbing festival celebrates community and best practice while bringing together climbers of all backgrounds to connect, upskill, and explore one of New Zealand’s premier climbing regions.

What to expect

The festival runs from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon and includes a mix of climbing sessions, instructor-led clinics, non-climbing activities, and social events. When you purchase a festival pass, you gain access to:

• Social Events: Enjoy evening activities like the Friday night social at the Wānaka Community Hub and Saturday night’s DJ party at Velo Glendhu.
• Non-Climbing Activities: Recharge with yoga, cold dips, and acroyoga sessions.
• Social Climbing Sessions: Choose between self-sufficient climbing and supported climbing sessions at Hospital Flat crags.

Your pass also allows you to book instructor-led clinics to sharpen your climbing skills. You can opt for a mix of social climbing, clinics, and festival events, or simply stick to the social climbing and activities. The schedule is designed to accommodate both options.

Festival Highlights:

• Friday Night: Social evening at the Wānaka Community Hub with climbing-themed talks, competitions, a vendor village, and more. Food and drinks by Ground Up Brewery.
• Saturday Night: Party at Velo Glendhu with live DJs, prizes, food and drinks, just a short walk from Glendhu Bay Campground.
• Crag Maintenance: Join conservation efforts and earn free food and drink.
• Non-Climbing Activities: Morning yoga, cold plunges, and acroyoga to recharge and relax.

Climbing Sessions: Choose Your Style

Pick your preferred climbing style:

• Self-Sufficient Climbing: Perfect for seasoned climbers with their own gear, belay buddies, and knowledge of the Wānaka crags. Spend your time sending projects and catching up with friends or meeting new climbers at evening activities.
• Supported Climbing: Ideal for climbers who know how to safely climb outdoors but are looking for social climbing sessions with volunteer crag guides. Enjoy set-up top ropes, additional ropes and draws, and a welcoming community vibe.

Crag Fest is family-friendly and welcomes youth climbers (13-18). Tailored sessions ensure everyone, from beginners to advanced climbers, finds their perfect fit.

Instructor-Led Clinics

Improve your climbing skills with our instructor-led clinics—details below:

• Friday Afternoon (11:30 AM – 3:30 PM):
  • Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • Foundational Rescue Skills
  • Rock Movement/Performance Clinic
  • Youth Climbing Clinic
• Saturday Full Day (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM):
  • Beginning to Lead Climb
  • Learn to Multi-Pitch Climb
  • Intro to Leading on Trad
  • Multi-Pitch Rescue Skills
  • Youth Lead Climbing Clinic
• Sunday Half Day (10:00 AM – 2:30 PM):
  • Youth Rescue Clinic
  • Family Climbing Clinic

Clinics range from half-day to full-day sessions, starting at $50. Spots are limited—book early! If you miss out, join the waitlist—we may be able to open more clinics if demand allows.

Click here for full clinic details.

Festival Ticket Structure

• Full Festival Ticket: Includes access to three days of climbing (self-sufficient or supported), social events, non-climbing activities, and both social events. 
• Half Ticket: Includes the same benefits as the Full Festival Ticket for for the selected days you choose - Friday or Weekend (Saturday & Sunday).
• Youth Ticket: Includes access to climbing sessions, youth clinics, and social events.
• Caregiver Ticket: For adults accompanying youth climbers, with access to youth-focused activities.

How to Purchase Tickets on Humanitix

1. Buy Your Festival Pass: Select from Full, Half, Youth, or Caregiver tickets.
2. Add Your Clinics: Choose from our range of skill-boosting clinics. Click here for full details.
3. Answer Checkout Questions: This is where you specify your preferred climbing style, along with other safety details:
   • Self-Sufficient Climbing: For independent climbers.
   • Supported Climbing: For those seeking guided sessions.

Complete your checkout and get ready for an unforgettable weekend!

Join us for Wānaka Crag Fest 2025—a weekend of climbing, connection, and community celebration. For more information or to view the full programme, visit  our website and Facebook event page to keep up to date.