After a year-long hiatus, Walk of Wonders is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated return to Black Barn Vineyards. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Te Mata Peak, this renowned light & fire festival will once again ignite the imagination of attendees from near and far from the 14th-17th & 21-24th of September.
Walk of Wonders was conceived from daydreaming in the lockdown of April 2020. Although the inaugural event was postponed due to a resurgence of COVID-19 in the community, it went ahead successfully in November 2020, garnering an enthusiastic local following and attracting thousands of visitors from out of the region.
In 2021, Walk of Wonders returned triumphantly, running for 10 consecutive nights in August under level 1 restrictions. Miraculously, the event concluded just one day before the country plunged into a sudden second lockdown. Due to the tumultuous and uncertain events of the past two years, organisers made the difficult decision to forego the festival in 2022. Concerned that the momentum gained might have faded, they have been astounded by the overwhelmingly positive response when announcing the return in 2023.
The excitement surrounding Walk of Wonders was evident from the moment tickets went on sale. Early bird tickets, released to those who had pre-registered their interest, sold out within a remarkable five hours. When tickets were made available to the public 48 hours later, sales surged well beyond expectations. It is clear that this year’s event will be a sell-out success, with the community eagerly awaiting its return.
Adding to the excitement, both Napier City Council and Hastings District Council have pledged their support this year. Their collaboration aims to bolster tourism in the region and foster the growth of the local artistic community. This partnership signifies the importance of this festival to the cultural fabric of Hawke’s Bay.
The creative team behind the event has grown substantially since its inception in 2020, boasting a talented group of creatives who have crafted an array of site-specific art pieces and activations never seen before. Walk of Wonders: The Return Journey will showcase seventeen ambitious art installations and attractions, sixteen of which will be making their debut at the event. Attendees can expect a fusion of kinetic sculpture, puppetry, performance art, pyrotechnics, and cutting-edge new-media installations, incorporating some of New Zealand’s most advanced equipment and technical expertise. On Saturday 23rd September, Walk of Wonders will come to life with LIVE Night: the epitome of excitement, as extra performers, DJ’s and dance floors pop up around the venue to create a vibrant atmosphere, giving audiences even more to linger on.
To avoid disappointment, it is strongly recommended to secure tickets early, as Walk of Wonders: The Return Journey is poised to sell out this year! Don’t miss your chance to experience this extraordinary festival of light and fire at Black Barn Vineyards in Hawke’s Bay.
About Walk of Wonders
Walk of Wonders is an enchanting light & fire festival which guides its audience through a landscape of illuminated art installations and wandering performances, accompanied by a wondrous original musical score and interwoven with a tale of adventure and magic.
Tickets can be purchased from Eventfinda.