Rātapu / SUNDAY
8TH Feb / 10am - 6pm
SHORLAND PARK
2026
8TH Feb / 10am - 6pm
SHORLAND PARK
2026
Day
In The
Bay
Island Bay comes alive with community, music, and coastal fun during Day in the Bay, the heart of the Island Bay Festival. It’s a day full of fun, connection, and celebration — a chance for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the bay’s vibrant spirit and stunning coastal setting.
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The day kicks off from 10am at Avon Street (by the main Island Bay shops) as the Community Parade winds its way south to Shorland Park, filling the main road with music, colour, and local flair.
Spend the day browsing vibrant markets featuring handmade crafts, local produce, and unique treasures, or visit community stalls to learn more about local initiatives and discover ways to get involved. A wide range of food trucks and pop-up stalls will be on hand, serving everything from sweet treats to savoury favourites.
ROAD CLOSURE INFO
Spend the day browsing vibrant markets featuring handmade crafts, local produce, and unique treasures, or visit community stalls to learn more about local initiatives and discover ways to get involved. A wide range of food trucks and pop-up stalls will be on hand, serving everything from sweet treats to savoury favourites.
ROAD CLOSURE INFO
Live music and performances fill the park all day across three stages showcasing local bands, choirs, dance groups, and cultural performances. From upbeat rhythms to soulful melodies, there’s something for every age and taste.
At 2pm, gather by the seawall for the much-loved Blessing of the Boats, a moving ceremony that honours Island Bay’s deep connection to the sea.
Relaxed, welcoming, and full of heart, Day in the Bay is a celebration of community, creativity, and place. With music in the streets, games on the grass, and the stunning bay as a backdrop, it’s a perfect day to come together and make memories that last.
Live music and performances fill the park all day across three stages showcasing local bands, choirs, dance groups, and cultural performances. From upbeat rhythms to soulful melodies, there’s something for every age and taste.
At 2pm, gather by the seawall for the much-loved Blessing of the Boats, a moving ceremony that honours Island Bay’s deep connection to the sea.
Relaxed, welcoming, and full of heart, Day in the Bay is a celebration of community, creativity, and place. With music in the streets, games on the grass, and the stunning bay as a backdrop, it’s a perfect day to come together and make memories that last.
2026
DAY IN THE BAY
WHAT'S ON
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Blessing
of the
Boats
2pm Waterfront
A cherished Island Bay tradition, the Blessing of the Boats is a colourful and deeply moving ceremony that honours the bay’s long and enduring connection to the sea. With its roots in Island Bay’s Italian fishing heritage, the blessing symbolises gratitude, protection, and hope, offering wishes of safe journeys and good fortune for all who work and spend time on the water. Each year, locals and visitors gather along the shoreline to share in this unique coastal moment of reflection and celebration.
MORE INFO
A cherished Island Bay tradition, the Blessing of the Boats is a colourful and deeply moving ceremony that honours the bay’s long and enduring connection to the sea. With its roots in Island Bay’s Italian fishing heritage, the blessing symbolises gratitude, protection, and hope, offering wishes of safe journeys and good fortune for all who work and spend time on the water. Each year, locals and visitors gather along the shoreline to share in this unique coastal moment of reflection and celebration.
MORE INFO
Community
Parade
10 - 10.45AM SHOPS to SHORLAND PARK
The Island Bay Festival Community Parade is a vibrant, joyful celebration that brings the whole neighbourhood together. Bursting with colour, music, and movement, it highlights the diverse groups and organisations that make Island Bay such a special place to live.
From local schools, kindergarten, playcentre, and daycare to sports clubs, dance studios, and community groups, the parade showcases the creativity, energy, and talent of those who call the Bay home.
The procession heads down the main street to Shorland Park where the Festival is officially opened. With locals lining the route to cheer and celebrate, the parade is a true expression of community spirit and sets the tone for festival fun.
If you want to be part of the parade - either as a participant (individual or group), performer or marshal get in touch.
Want to be part of the parade?The Island Bay Festival Community Parade is a vibrant, joyful celebration that brings the whole neighbourhood together. Bursting with colour, music, and movement, it highlights the diverse groups and organisations that make Island Bay such a special place to live.
From local schools, kindergarten, playcentre, and daycare to sports clubs, dance studios, and community groups, the parade showcases the creativity, energy, and talent of those who call the Bay home.
The procession heads down the main street to Shorland Park where the Festival is officially opened. With locals lining the route to cheer and celebrate, the parade is a true expression of community spirit and sets the tone for festival fun.
If you want to be part of the parade - either as a participant (individual or group), performer or marshal get in touch.
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Food & Markets
10AM - 5.00PM REEF ST & THE ESPLANDE
A feast for all the senses, the festival markets and food trucks are the perfect place to graze your way through Island Bay. From local makers and artisan stalls to a mouth-watering mix of street food favourites, there’s something for every appetite. Grab a bite, browse the stalls, and soak up the buzz, it’s all part of the Island Bay Festival atmosphere.
A feast for all the senses, the festival markets and food trucks are the perfect place to graze your way through Island Bay. From local makers and artisan stalls to a mouth-watering mix of street food favourites, there’s something for every appetite. Grab a bite, browse the stalls, and soak up the buzz, it’s all part of the Island Bay Festival atmosphere.
thanks to our sponsor's
