Art Deco Weekend Napier

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The Annual Art Deco Weekend Napier is a must for all Art Deco fans.  I went a couple of years ago so I'm sharing lots of wonderful photos and videos on the following pages. 


Art Deco Festival Poster 2016Festival Poster 2016

Napier in New Zealand is the world's most complete Art Deco town and celebrates its heritage every year with a spectacular programme of events, fairs, dinners, dancing and vintage car rallies. 

Read about how the town was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1931.

If you're an Art Deco fan like me, imagine a place where every building was built in the 1930s, vintage cars and buses adorn the streets and the shops and cafes are all Art Deco inspired.

It is just like stepping back in time. 

Vintage Cars in front of the Shell Theatre NapierStep Back In Time at Napier Art Deco Weekend

On top of that, every year, at the Art Deco weekend, you can step back in time, wear the fabulous fashions of the day, dance to the music of the jazz age, go on picnics, and have a ball!

Dancers in 1920s CostumesDancers Showcase at the Sound Shell, Napier

Check out the video of the Dancers Showcase here. 


Art Deco Weekend Napier is Held Every Year in February

The dates for the next few years are:  

  • February 17 - 21, 2021
  • February 16 - 20, 2022

Book early as people book their hotels for the next year as soon as the Festival ends. 

The fun activities include dinners and dances where you dress up in 1920s and 1930s costumes, bathing belle beauty contests, picnics, steam train rides, concerts and much more.  You need to plan ahead as lots of events get sold out months in advance. 

Napier Art Deco CentreThe Art Deco Centre, for Bookings and Tours


What to Wear at Napier

Young people dressed up in 1920s costumesAll ages join in dressing up

Everyone gets dressed up at the festival from tiny tots to grandmas.  The whole town is like one big fancy dress party for 5 days.  If you're in modern dress, you stand out like a sore thumb.  Quite an incredible situation. 

Check out photos of the outfits people wear and how to put together an ensemble for Napier here


So successful have these events been, that they've now got a DIY Deco weekend in July too. 

The future dates for these are: 

Art Deco Winter Weekend Dates: 

  • July 16 - 18, 2021

Do let me know know if you're going and share your photos on our Facebook page!


Big Band Jazz Concert at the Sound Shell, Napier, NZDancing to the Big Band at the Sound Shell

Check out the video of the Big Band Party


Share your photos of Deco Fashion Fun!

Find out more about the Art Deco Weekend programmes


Can't make it in February?

The Art Deco Trust in Napier also has a year round programme of guided walks through the most complete Art Deco city in the world. 

You can also book a vintage car or bus tour if you prefer to savour the atmosphere of the vintage transport of the twenties and thirties.

Check out my video of the vintage automobiles on display at the Art Deco Weekend. 


Vintage Car for Hire with Lady DriverVintage Car for Hire!

Art Deco Trust Napier - Walks and Tours


Etsy has a surprisingly good range of Art Deco furniture, interior decor, art and prints, 1920s and 1930s fashion, accessories, jewellery and Bakelite.  Click the banner to explore.  



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