November is late spring and the start of the busiest period for group travel. Racing, wine festivals and the first Christmas events fill the calendar, and work Christmas functions start in earnest.
The events below return every November. Confirm dates with each organiser before you book.
Annual November events
New Zealand Cup and Show Week, Christchurch
Christchurch's biggest week combines the NZ Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway, the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton Park and the Canterbury A&P Show, finishing with Canterbury's Show Day holiday on the Friday. Race days are a classic group outing, and booking a coach avoids the taxi queues.
Toast Martinborough
A one-day wine, food and music festival in Martinborough in mid November, now hosted at The Runholder with neighbouring wineries taking part. Travelling by coach from Wellington is by far the most popular way to go.
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, Christchurch
The free Christmas concert in North Hagley Park is held in late November, two weeks before the Auckland show.
Taranaki Garden Festival
The garden festival continues into early November.
High Tide, Wellington
A multi-genre music festival at Waitangi Park on the Wellington waterfront, held in November.
November sport
- Queenstown Marathon: starting at Millbrook Resort and finishing in Queenstown, held in mid November.
- Auckland Marathon: sometimes falls on the first weekend of November.
- Racing: NZ Cup Week at Riccarton and Addington in Christchurch.
Getting your group there
Big November events bring road closures, limited parking and long taxi queues at the end of the night. A private minibus or coach keeps your group together, gets you to the official drop-off zone and takes everyone home at a set time.
- Book early for long weekends and the biggest festivals, as coaches in the host town are often fully booked weeks ahead.
- Check the event's transport page for the bus drop-off point before you confirm pick-up times.
- Allow extra time after the last act or final whistle for crowds to clear.
- For multi-day festivals, ask about a return trip on each day or a single drop-off and pick-up.
Frequently asked questions
How do we get a group to Toast Martinborough from Wellington?
Most groups book a coach from Wellington city. The drive is around an hour and a half, and a coach means nobody has to drive home after the tastings.
When is Christchurch Show Day?
Show Day is the Friday of NZ Cup and Show Week in mid November, a public holiday in parts of Canterbury.
Book group transport for November events
Bus Hire NZ arranges minibuses and coaches for groups of all sizes, from 11-seat minibuses to 53-seat coaches, with professional drivers who know the venues, the drop-off points and the event traffic plans.
Tell us your event, date and group size through our quick quote form, and we will come back with options.