A celebration of community, culture and cuisine

Celebrating its 21st anniversary on Saturday, March 8, the Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival has long been a highlight on the culinary and cultural scene.

Established in 2004 to honour Havelock’s reputation as the Greenshell Mussel Capital of New Zealand, the festival began as a community-driven initiative to showcase the region’s rich aquaculture. Over the years, it has evolved into a significant annual gathering, attracting visitors from across the country to celebrate the bounty of the region.

The 2025 event promises a day brimming with delectable seafood, vibrant entertainment, and enriching community engagement. Attendees can indulge in a variety of seafood dishes from over 40 food stalls, each offering unique flavours that capture the essence of the region. The Gascoigne Wicks Stage will feature performances by renowned Kiwi band The Black Seeds, and the festival also boasts a dedicated Kids Zone with family activities, dress-up competitions, and the ever popular public mussel-opening contests, including an attempt to set a Guinness World Record.

“The festival is a celebration of Marlborough’s incredible seafood, talented locals, and strong community spirit,” says event contractor and director of Elevated Events, Kara Fielding. “This year, it’s going to be unmissable, not only because it’s the 21st celebration – but The Black Seeds are headlining, Nadia Lim will be doing live cooking demos, and there’s a fantastic mix of entertainment, including local favourite Tom Knowles and popular covers band, The Relatives.” Nigel Patterson from The Black Seeds, says, “We are very excited to be returning to Mussel Fest. We remember our last time there for it’s great audience, the amazing local hospitality and delicious food! Can’t wait to get back there!”

Beyond its incredible offerings, the Havelock Mussel & Seafood Festival plays a pivotal role in supporting the local community. As a registered charity, the festival has contributed over $315,000 to various local organisations over the past 21 years. Proceeds from the event are allocated as grants to charitable causes within the surrounding areas. “The festival is more than just a great day out – it’s about coming together as a community, and we’re hoping for one of those classic sunny Marlborough days to make it even better. Not only do we give back through our
grants, but the support we receive is incredible from sponsors and community members alike. During the week leading up to the festival, people flock to the Domain to lend a hand with the setup, many of our stalls contribute to local causes, and volunteer groups play a crucial role in bringing it all to life. It all just comes together, and it makes the year of planning so worth it. Supporting our community in this way is something we’re really proud of – it’s what makes this festival so special.”

Saturday 8 March, 10am-6pm
Tickets available from: havelockmusselfestival.co.nz