The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival comes back to the city’s waterfront in March 2026, celebrating the craftsmanship, heritage and community spirit of New Zealand’s classic boats.

The date is set for 13-15 March 2026, across four neighbouring Auckland venues: the Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour, the New Zealand Maritime Museum and the Percy Vos Heritage Boat Shed.

A flagship event of Moana Auckland, New Zealand’s Ocean Festival, the free event is created to tell the stories of the city’s maritime heritage.

Nick Hill, CE at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says: “The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is a celebration of our city’s maritime culture and a proud feature of Moana Auckland. As an Auckland Council Event it reflects our commitment to showcasing the heritage and stories that connect us to the ocean, while providing a world-class experience for locals and visitors alike.”

New Zealand has the largest fleet of classic yachts still actively sailing in the world. At the inaugural Auckland Wooden Boat Festival in 2024, more than 200 boats, models and memorabilia were on display, and more than 11,600 people of all ages enjoyed the event. In 2026, event organisers hope to attract an ever-larger fleet of on-water exhibitors, alongside existing and new wooden boat enthusiasts.

“This is a reason to be in Auckland that weekend,” says Tony Stevenson, Co-Director of the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival and Chair of the Tino Rawa Trust. “We not only expect our local classic boating community, but we look forward to welcoming Aucklanders from across the region, visitors from around New Zealand, and international enthusiasts to learn about our maritime heritage.

“We are absolutely delighted to be part of Moana Auckland and to have the opportunity to create this event once again for the city.”

The event will include boats and boat tours, seminars, interactive displays, music, food and more.

The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival is delivered in partnership with New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa, one of the substantive cultural institutions that Tātaki Auckland Unlimited owns, operates and maintains for the benefit of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.