Festival weekend planner
Hawke's Bay Food & Wine Classic — a 3-day weekend in Hawke's Bay
On hiatus for 2025-2026, according to the organiser. Hastings, New Zealand.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Hastings
Land at Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Hawke's Bay Food & Wine Classic
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Pace yourself across the tastings and break for a long lunch mid-afternoon.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Hawke's Bay
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch before heading home.
Where to stay
- Hotels in Hastings
Live availability around the festival dates. Festival hotels book out 6+ months ahead, so check early.
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Practical
- Nearest airport
- Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE)
- Festival site
- Visit official site
Insider tip
The barrel-hall long-table lunches at Te Muna Road Road or Craggy Range book out weeks ahead—reserve immediately upon announcement. Skip the main festival grounds and instead focus on the individual venue events; the Syrah and Merlot-focused tastings at smaller producers like Black Barn offer better value and less crowding than the central tasting area.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Hawke's Bay itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Hawke's Bay trip →