Community Events

The Kaiapoi River Festival is a vibrant community celebration that brings the town together for a full day of fun, entertainment, and activity along the river. Held in the heart of Kaiapoi, the festival highlights the town’s strong connection to the river while creating an exciting event for locals and visitors of all ages.

A major highlight of the day is the Cardboard Regatta, where participants design and race their own cardboard boats on the river in a fun and creative competition. Alongside the regatta, the festival features a lively atmosphere with carnival rides, live music, market stalls, and a wide variety of food and drink vendors.

Visitors can also explore boat displays and on-water demonstrations, including impressive displays from Coastguard and water rescue teams, showcasing the important work they do to keep people safe on the water.

Whether people come to race, cheer from the riverbanks, browse the market stalls, enjoy the entertainment, or simply soak up the festive atmosphere, the Kaiapoi River Festival offers something for everyone. It is one of the town’s biggest annual celebrations and a wonderful way for the community to come together and celebrate life by the river.

https://visitwaimakariri.co.nz/events/river-festival-kaiapoi/