Family. Food. Community.

RISE Fest gets underway with a high-energy R18 opening night at Marchwood Park. With a powerful sound system and a hand-picked mixed-genre DJ line-up curated by Optimus Gryme, the licensed evening will set the tone for an incredible weekend of music, connection and celebration. Tickets are $25.

Saturday begins at 10am with our traditional opening ceremony, followed by a vibrant programme of multicultural performances and kapa haka celebrating the diversity and culture of our community. From 11am, once the opening ceremony has finished, the Wellness Zone comes alive with activities and experiences for all ages, while the market stalls and food village run from 9.30am to 4pm, showcasing local businesses, producers, food and creativity. Throughout the day, enjoy a fantastic line-up of live entertainment and bands, building towards an exciting evening of music. At 7pm, the incredible Tiki Taane will headline the main stage in our licensed R18 bar area, bringing the festival atmosphere to life for an unforgettable night of music and celebration.

Sunday carries on the spirit of Kai Fest, with a relaxed, family-friendly day filled with community, culture, entertainment and connection. This year, we’re adding our Wellness Zone, featuring interactive workshops and experiences from 10am through to 3pm. The market stalls and food village will be open from 9.30am to 4pm, giving visitors plenty of time to explore local products, enjoy great food and support local businesses. We’ll bring the weekend to a memorable close with our closing ceremony at 3.30pm, featuring the incredible Tiki Taane and a final celebration of music, community and connection.