Spring in Geraldine is a glorious time – not only because this is when the town becomes a riot of colour and verdant with new growth, but also because it marks the beginning of the busy event’s season.

As November romps, Geraldine hosts not just one but two major events, the Geraldine Summer Fete day and the Harcourts Geraldine Festival!

The Summer Fete is held in the grounds of Stover, the working farm of the McKenzie family, just outside Geraldine.  Bursting with hundreds of high-quality stalls, it is New Zealand’s finest home, garden & lifestyle fete, attracting people from every corner of New Zealand. The Fete is about getting friends & family together for a day of indulgence and elegance.

Many of the boutique stores of Geraldine also offer exclusive deals on Fete day, so everyone heads into town afterwards for more shopping and dinner.

The Harcourts Geraldine Festival, previously known as the Art and Plants Festival, is held over Canterbury Anniversary weekend in mid November each year.  It is a family-friendly affair and draws visitors from around Canterbury and beyond.

The Alpine Energy Art Exhibition grand opening, held on the Thursday evening marks the opening of the festival which boasts open gardens all weekend, creative fibre displays, vintage cars, and two awesome market days to do all that Christmas shopping!

There is also live music, theatre and so much more happening through November and into December.

And if you just want to get away from it all, Geraldine and Peel Forest boast amazing walks, stunning views and cycling for all levels.

Why not extend your stay and use Geraldine as a base to explore the whole region?  Day trips to Takapō/Tekapo and Aoraki/Mt Cook are an easy drive, as well as Oamaru and the Waitaki Lakes.

Timaru, the second largest urban centre in Canterbury, is just a 35-minute drive away and home to the glorious Caroline Bay, one of the South Island’s best love beaches and Te Ana, the Maori Rock Art Centre, is not to be missed featuring the original art galleries of Aotearoa and the Scenic Reserve is great for walks and biking.

Whatever you do this November make sure you include a visit to Geraldine, the place to be, naturally!