The Trust Horizon Light Up Festival is lighting up Whakatāne town centre once again, and while Saturday’s grand opening, Light Parade, and Dance Carnival drew big crowds, there’s plenty still to enjoy throughout the week.

Tonight, Night Wheels and the Light Up Your Bike Workshop invite you to bring your bike, scooter, or skateboard for some glowing fun on wheels.

The workshop takes place 5pm to 6pm in The Comm courtyard, followed by Wheels Night, from 6pm, where you can explore the light trail on your bike or other wheels.

Waka on the Water is also on tonight from 6pm – Whakatane River will come alive with glowing waka and boats.

Monday night saw a surprising turnout, with families and kids – faces glowing with neon paint and waving light sticks – exploring the Art Trail. With over 20 installations stretching from the top to the bottom of The Strand and spilling into Boon Street, near the library, and other locations, the town is alive with light and creativity. Many local shop windows have also joined in with themed displays in a storefront competition that is running this week.

Wharaurangi (The Gap), centrally located on The Strand, has been transformed into the festival hub. It’s the best place to begin your evening and to take a break from the light trail – grab a warm drink, pick up an Art Trail map, enjoy live music and let the kids enjoy nightly activities.

“Rather than running a closing community night this year, we decided to operate a festival hub at Wharaurangi each evening of the festival,” said Kim Fort, team leader events at Whakatane District Council. “Come along, grab a warm drink, meet our information team, check the trail map, listen to musicians from the Sound Project, and enjoy children’s activities running all week,” she said.

Saturday’s opening celebration was a highlight.

“The community celebration began with the Dance Carnival, featuring a mesmerising fire dancer and local performance groups. The highlight was the light parade, where participants dazzled in beautiful illuminated costumes as spectators lined Kakahoroa Drive and The Strand.

“Four local bands then performed until 9pm, while food trucks, market stalls, and community groups provided plenty of options for attendees.”

Among the standout Art Trail experiences is Ātea, a stunning 15-minute light and sound installation created by Tāme Iti and Te Mira Collective.

Set at the southern end of The Strand, it reimagines the Māori legend of Tāne Mahuta with immersive audio-visual storytelling.

Other crowd favourites include Aquarium by Meadow Club, Through the Falls by Daimen at Quayside Apartments, and the interactive Nature’s Dance Floor by Tamzin Blair, which had children dancing across the lit-up ground in delight. There is also Whakatane Kiwi Trust’s Kiwi Hub After Dark to visit.

The Light Up Festival is a creative and family friendly experience that brightens winter evenings. The Light Art Trail runs nightly from 6–9pm until Saturday, July 12, with a full programme of events available at lightupwhakatane.com.

The festival is brought to Whakatāne by the council, Arts Whakatāne, and EPIC Town Centre group.

What you can see:
■ He Tohu – by Sarah Hudson
■ Ātea – by Tāme Iti and Te Mira Collective
■ Black Mirror: Flora – by Creature Post
■ Aquarium – by Meadow Club
■ Nature’s Dance Floor – by Tamzin Blair
■ Illusive Geometry – by Tania Akehurst
■ Liquid Lumia – by Erica Sklenars
■ Manutukutuku – by Fiona Collis
■ The Way Home – by Mink Funk Visuals
■ Cymatic Connections – by Peter Hobbs
■ Nukunuku Whakairo: Carving with the Camera – by Zena Elliot and Tia Barrett
■ She Henge – by Tamzin Blair
■ Fungal Foray – by Nico Woodward
■ Through the Falls – by Daimen (at Quayside Apartments)
■ Disco Disco – by ProjektNZ
■ Te Waharoa Marama – by Hemi Stewart
■ Nga Pou Marama – by Hemi Stewart
■ Mapping – by Mink Funk Visuals
■ Kura Group Projects – by Whakatāne High School
■ Te Kahui Tieke – by Halo Whakatāne