Booking information
Registrations are open for Waimate Folk Festival. If you register via our form then the cost is $100 for adults and $45 for kids 12y and over. Under 12 years are free.
If you register via Evetfinder then there is an added booking fee.
Day passes are also available but do not require registration and can be bought onsite with cash: $45 for adults and $25 for kids 12 years and over. Under 12 years free.
Registration forms are available to download here and can be emailed to songbird1nz@yahoo.co.nz with subject line "Waimate". Make an online payment to the bank account on the form.
The Eventfinder link is here: www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/waimate-folk-festival-2023/waimate-district
Registration includes three nights accommodation (or camping) and camper vans are welcome. We have six camper power points available at a small additional cost- ask Rachel via email if any are still available.
The theme for 2023's Glitz and Glam final concert is 'Ancient History'. (or Herstory)
Come dressed up or in themed costume for Sunday night.
Meals can likely be purchased on Saturday and Sunday nights- caterers still to be located. (Please note: there are no eftpos facilities available at Gunns Bush.)
Full kitchen facilities are available until outside of 4pm - 8pm, Saturday and Sunday (While our caterers prepare dinner).
Barbeques are also available to be used.
Registration fees are:
Adult (Full registration): $100
Child 12 years and over (Full registration):$45
Day passes:
$45 per adult
$25 per day per child 12 years and over, under 12y free
Powered camper points are $25 and are sold on a first in-first served basis by emailing Rachel directly. These will become available when tickets go on sale and sell out quickly.
Covid-19: If you are sick, please let us know and we can cancel your tickets.
Due to the possibility of another lockdown in the lead up to the festival, if there is a cancellation of the festival, we will refund tickets (minus any eventfinder fees). We will be in touch if this happens and will try to let everyone know. You must not come into the Hall if you are unwell, even with a cold, illness spreads like wildfire in there.
How To Get There
The Waimate Folk Festival is held at Gunns Bush Camp, Waimate, 50km South of Timaru. Google Maps does a pretty good job these days. There will be signs posted on the weekend but do your research, its very dark in the countryside at night in the winter - it can be hard to see the signs and there have been tears!
If travelling north on State Highway One, at the yellow barn, turn left into Waimate. Turn right onto Queen Street, left onto Parsonage Road, past the Waimate golf course (on your left) and follow the signs for Gunns Bush Camp / Waimate Hunter Road.
If travelling south on State Highway One Google will give you several options my preference is:
1)turn inland at the Nosh Cafe ( signs for Waimate / Kurow) and drive into Waimate town turning right at Parsonage Road and then past the Waimate golf course (on your left) and follow the signs for Gunns Bush Camp / Waimate Hunter Road.
2)drive all the way south to the yellow barn and turn right to head in to Waimate and then follow directions as above.
OR
3) least preferred, turn right earlier at Makikihi and follow signs (following the signs is hard in the dark!)
If travelling north on State Highway One, at the yellow barn, turn left into Waimate. Turn right onto Queen Street, left onto Parsonage Road, past the Waimate golf course (on your left) and follow the signs for Gunns Bush Camp / Waimate Hunter Road.
If travelling south on State Highway One Google will give you several options my preference is:
1)turn inland at the Nosh Cafe ( signs for Waimate / Kurow) and drive into Waimate town turning right at Parsonage Road and then past the Waimate golf course (on your left) and follow the signs for Gunns Bush Camp / Waimate Hunter Road.
2)drive all the way south to the yellow barn and turn right to head in to Waimate and then follow directions as above.
OR
3) least preferred, turn right earlier at Makikihi and follow signs (following the signs is hard in the dark!)
Weather Forecast
Please check out the forecast here: www.metservice.com/rural/regions/canterbury-plains/locations/timaru
Meals
We hope that meal tickets will be available to purchase between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday and Sunday and food will be served at 6pm. The website will be updated as info comes to hand.
We do not sell lunches or breakfasts, but we do have kitchen facilities where you will be welcome to prepare your own except from the hours of 4pm-8pm when the caters will be onsite.
We hope that meal tickets will be available to purchase between 12pm and 1pm on Saturday and Sunday and food will be served at 6pm. The website will be updated as info comes to hand.
We do not sell lunches or breakfasts, but we do have kitchen facilities where you will be welcome to prepare your own except from the hours of 4pm-8pm when the caters will be onsite.
Accommodation
There are a number of bunks available at Waimate Folk Festival. Rooms have either 8 or 12 bunks in each of them. Rooms have heaters which are able to be used in the evenings, and no power points in 8-bunk rooms. If you have friends attending the festival, let us know and we can aim to put you in the same rooms as each other. Bring a woolly hat and a hot water bottle and all your bedding.
There is plenty of space for campers, caravans, and housetrucks. Six powered camper spots are available for $25 each.
There are a number of bunks available at Waimate Folk Festival. Rooms have either 8 or 12 bunks in each of them. Rooms have heaters which are able to be used in the evenings, and no power points in 8-bunk rooms. If you have friends attending the festival, let us know and we can aim to put you in the same rooms as each other. Bring a woolly hat and a hot water bottle and all your bedding.
There is plenty of space for campers, caravans, and housetrucks. Six powered camper spots are available for $25 each.
What to bring
All the warm things.
Bunks are available, but you will need to bring your own bedding, pillows, sleeping bags, hot water bottles, etc.
There is a limited amount of plates and cutlery on site, so please do bring your own incl wine glasses.
We recommend bringing warm clothes, boots and waterproof layers just in case.
Bring your own food for breakfast and lunch. If you are not purchasing dinner at the festival, please note that the kitchens will be closed from 4 til 8 while the caterers cook for the rest of the festival attendees.
If you are under 18 years old, please bring an adult
If you are a musician and have CDs for sale, you are welcome to sell them at the festival
Bunks are available, but you will need to bring your own bedding, pillows, sleeping bags, hot water bottles, etc.
There is a limited amount of plates and cutlery on site, so please do bring your own incl wine glasses.
We recommend bringing warm clothes, boots and waterproof layers just in case.
Bring your own food for breakfast and lunch. If you are not purchasing dinner at the festival, please note that the kitchens will be closed from 4 til 8 while the caterers cook for the rest of the festival attendees.
If you are under 18 years old, please bring an adult
If you are a musician and have CDs for sale, you are welcome to sell them at the festival
What not to bring
Dogs: Unfortunately, we do not allow dogs at Waimate Folk Festival. They are welcome to stay in the car or caravan, or off-site, leashed up away from everyone so long as they cannot interact with our festival attendees. We know yours is probably wonderful and friendly and would never hurt anyone, but we kindly request you do not bring them to the festival.
History
In 2016 the Whitestone Winter Folk Festival changed it's name to the Waimate Folk Festival reflect the new location in sunny Waimate.
The Festival is held every King’s Birthday Weekend (to include the first Monday in June) at Gunns Bush, Waimate. Although small, the festival has been steadily growing in popularity since it began in 1994 as 'Whitestone' in Herbert, Otago. Waimate Folk Festival is a great occasion for performers of all ages and skills, from the beginner to the seasoned professional. The community of festival goers fit in well to the special ambience of this unique event by being willing and available to the festival in general. The friendliness and fun experienced by all of the 120 or so maximum participants is valued by many who return year after year.
Registration includes three nights accommodation (or camping, for the hardy) and continuous entertainment and workshops from Saturday morning to Sunday evening (and the wee hours of Monday). Day passes are also available.
Previous Years
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I have attended most of the Whitestone Festivals since its inception in 1994 and have always loved the intimacy of the small, friendly festival. This year was no exception. Driving down from Christchurch after work on the Friday is part of the fun; it’s getting dark as we leave and a stop in Temuka for fish and chips is obligatory. Read more...
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