The Matariki Night Market returns to the Vines Village on Saturday, July 4th with new times from 3pm to 7pm. Join us for a special evening under the stars as we come together to acknowledge Matariki, the Māori New Year. Circumnavigate the Village's beautifully lit gardens full of live music, food offerings, stargazing, fire performances, local producers and craft artisans, face painting, storytelling, and restorative sauna sessions.

This third annual event has a twist – Matariki Around the World! Inspired by the book A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories Matariki Around the World written by New Zealand astronomer Rangi Matamua and New Zealand journalist Miriama Kamo, learn the star cluster (aka star cluster M45)’s significance from various countries around the world, its different names, and its different stories (some dating thousands of years old). Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the Vines Café during the event.

Become a celestial explorer with the Omaka Observatory team stargazing with their mobile telescopes and digital 3D celestial exploration kits. Learn all about the star cluster from Omaka as well as fun facts throughout the Vines Village with a special treasure hunt. Will you be able to find them all?

Hear stories from the A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories Matariki Around the World book, presented by actress Amanda Tollemache throughout the evening, including The Seven Brothers or the Lost Boys, Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, Subaru and Amaterasu, Ngau Poñu o Gul Poñu or the Pile of Potatoes, Freya’s Hens, and of course New Zealand's Matariki and more! Common themes in many of the stories are seasonal changes, love, tragedy, and the everlasting beauty of the night sky.

Dance under the stars to musical duo Double Shot, who will be performing all evening long with their upbeat, harmonious covers.

Gaze at the stars in the comfort of the Nordic Sauna, a mobile wood-fired sauna inspired by Nordic tradition. Nordic Sauna focuses on the three essentials of a good sauna: heat, steam and ventilation, creating a well-balanced experience. Their authentic wood-fired sauna delivers deep, steady heat, with a guaranteed temperature of 85–95°C every session. Traditional “leil”, created by pouring water over hot stones, brings the heat to life, adding softness, depth and intensity to each round. To avoid disappointment, book directly with Nordic Sauna for this event.

Explore Marlborough is working on transport options to make the event even more accessible and will post how to book this once details are confirmed.

All are welcome to this free event and proudly supporting our local Marlborough community. This is a time for remembrance, connection, and looking ahead with intention. Reflect on those who have passed, gather with friends and whānau, and celebrate the season alongside our Marlborough community.

It will be a stellar encounter around every Village corner!

*Please note that in case of bad weather, this event will be postponed to Saturday, July 11th with the same time.