This vibrant, family-friendly event brings the community together with kite flying, sandcastle competitions, sand art, a lively festival hub filled with food trucks and entertainment, and much more! It aims to showcase what makes Ōhope special for locals and visitors – our manaakitanga, culture, pride and sense of joy experienced for generations.  

This free event brings the community together with kite flying, sandcastle competitions, sand art, a lively festival hub filled with food trucks and entertainment, please see below for details on events. 

This festival aims to honour our unique place in Aotearoa, enhancing pride for all its communities - past and present - and reconnecting whānau and visitors to the whenua, moana and stories that make it unique.

Saturday 31 Jan between 10am-3pm at Mahy Reserve, Ōhope Beach

Kicking off and wrapping up at Mahy Reserve is the Wilde Whippet as part of the Sun to Surf event. This 1km dash starting at 2:30pm is a perfect way for your fun-loving kiddos to dive into the thrill of their very first running event! No registration required but briefing at 2.15pm.

Look up to see an incredible kite display, led by Ray & Rosemary, Peter Clark and Perrin Melchior from Kiteworks.

You can also BYOK (bring your own kite) or purchase a $10 kite to fly in our dedicated fly-zone as a fundraiser for Whakatāne Life Saving Club.

Enjoy a sandcastle demo and RADIO 1XX Sand Castle Competition with Brett from King of the Castle. 

Registration on the day between 10-11am to the left of the Whakatāne Life Saving Club, by the creek. Limited spaces available.

Sign up either as an individual, family or team.

BYO equipment and materials (spades, buckets, carving tools and decorations).

Come check out some incredible Sand Art and free Public Sand Art workshop by Kenrick from Rake Healing Sand Art.

Kenrick will be creating his own large sand installation from 10am-12pm

Lessons start at 12:30, 1:30pm, 2:30pm

Learn how to create large-scale drawings in the sand.

Hear Kenrick's story about mental health, learn guided mindfulness to improve your mental and physical health

All equipment provided

All ages welcome

Past the Kite Flying area.

Eastern Bay Road Safety Programme activity zone at the Festival Hub.

Plus there'll be food trucks, entertainment & Karma Drinks will be here from 12–3pm, giving away free drinks!
Anyone who scans their QR code will receive a free drink
They're running a Summer Campaign giveaway, including a trip for two to Sri Lanka with Intrepid!
Also be in to win a year’s supply of Karma!

Sunday 1 Feb between 7am-1pm at West End, Ōhope Beach

7am community Yoga class with Nidhi Yoga at West End, opposite 57 West End Rd - Koha donation. Register here.

 Adaptive surfing with Parafed and Salt Spray Surf School down at Westend from 9am-1pm for enquiries contact Jo Jackson  jo@parafedbop.co.nz.

9am, 10am, 11am sauna sessions with The Sauna Project - for more info and to book head here Ōhope — The Sauna Project

Join community-led conservation project, Halo for learning & interactive activities:

9-12pm - How to set up a trap in your backyard and general trap setting and target practice with Halo. Fill out a weed & animal questionnaire and enter the raffle for gifted art by Dannika Tukua.

11am – 12pm: Interwoven Workshop: Participants create Plant Guards to be used for our Trees for Survival Schools to protect seedlings, from animal browsing and weeds, grown by students and planted during the winter season. This is a beautiful initiative started by Te Kākano (Wanaka).

Regular foodies only will be at West End Sunday. 

Bring your picnic blanket, park up for the day (or stay) and get amongst it at Ō Fest!