Festival bringing Maritime Spirit

After 20 attempts by its organisers to get a tall ship to attend, Picton will finally host a truly iconic vessel for its annual seaside celebration.

Picton Maritime Festival attendees are in for a special treat as the Spirit of New Zealand tall ship will sail into Picton on Saturday, 17 January 2026, marking a milestone for the 21st Annual Picton Maritime Festival.

Built in 1986 by the Spirit of Adventure Trust for youth training and development trips on the high seas, the 42.5-metre vessel accommodates up to 40 trainees and 14 crew members for overnight voyages.

Festival chairperson Beryl Bowers says the arrival of the steel-hulled, three-masted barquentine is a dream come true.

“I am very excited to hear this news ... twenty-one years in the making and one of my dreams has been to have a tall ship in port, now The Spirit of NZ will be at the Fishermans Wharf on Maritime Day.”

The festival runs Friday, 16 January, from 4pm to 9.30pm, and Saturday, 17 January, from 11am to 11pm, at the Picton Foreshore.

Friday kicks off the Festival with Bad Blonde, A Minor Note and local student performances taking to the Interislander stage ahead of Saturday’s main event.
Saturday’s maritime-themed activities include the Port Marlborough tug display, raft races, dory and clinker boat rides, surf lifesaving demos, and the popular Seagull boat race.

Onshore, expect tug-of-war, sandcastle building and beach art competitions, face painting, craft stalls, and a family treasure hunt.

The Interislander stage will host acts such as Tom Tom and the Groove Daddies, Wellington favourites Jodie and the Stowaways, Barry and Jackie from the Warratahs, Loopy Tunes, and children’s entertainer Captain Stinkypants, before a fireworks display sponsored by Crafar Crouch Picton.

For updates, visit pictonmaritimefestival.co.nz or the festival’s Facebook page.