Driftwood & Sand Festival

22-24 January 2026

The beach is stacked with driftwood, the flags are flying, and Hokitika is buzzing for the kick off this Wednesday!

There are epic prizes from local legends, an artist talk from the fabulous Jamie Pickernell on Thursday at the Old Lodge Theatre, and loads of fun for all ages. Choose the section that best suits you and let your creativity run wild!

Join art workshops, build creatures at Hoki Zoo, design tiny homes at Penguinville, or go treasure hunting on Sunday.

Come watch the magic unfold and walk the beach through the living unfolding gallery from Wednesday to Sunday followed by the prizegiving on Sunday at 2pm. Don’t miss the chance to add your people’s choice vote!

REGISTRATIONS
To enter the competition register your sculpture at the caravan at Sunset Point.

Registrations OPEN Wed 21 Jan 10am
'Work in Progress' signs are available by the Tambo from Sunday 18th if you want to start early.

Registrations CLOSE Sun 25 Jan 11am

ENTRY FEES Adults, Groups and Families $10. Kids $5

CARAVAN HOURS 10am - 6pm daily. Closes 3pm Sunday.

PUBLIC VOTING OPENS FRIDAY 23 Jan 10am.
Vote for your favourite artwork, Gold coin to vote, one vote per person.

VOTING CLOSES SUNDAY 25 Jan 1pm.

PRIZEGIVING SUNDAY 25 Jan 2pm at Sunset Point.

Check out the Art Workshops below and make sure to Register Early as there are limited places available. Register your interest - driftwoodandsand@gmail.com OR phone Sue 0211886564

ART WORKSHOPS

Use wave-worn sticks to create a rustic piece of art, with Sue Asplin. Age 12 to adult. Cost $15. Limited places.
Learn to weave elegant flax flowers, putiputi, with Kerry Weston. Age 8 to adult. Under 8 need a caregiver to assist. Cost $10.
Learn to weave customary Māori sandals (pāraerae) from Tī kōuka fibre (cabbage tree) with Otaki artist Louie Zalk-Neale. Louie grew up in Hokitika and is a descendent of Ngāi Te Rangi. Cost $25 or koha. Limited places. Age 14+
Use real feathers to learn the technique of gelli plate printing, with Kerry Weston. Age 8 to adults. Under 8 need a caregiver to assist. Cost $10.
Create your own driftwood animal or beach fairy at a drop-in workshop with Jason Thompson. No set fee but koha appreciated.

Find a piece of driftwood that looks like an animal, give it eyes and a name and add it to the zoo. FREE.
Buy a section and build a house for a Little Blue Penguin. Open to all ages, build on your own or in a group. Prizes to be won. $2 per section.
Add colour to the festivities with a flock of flying kites.
Meet our guest artist, Jamie Pickernell from Rotorua. Hear his story, followed by a Q&A session. At The Old Lodge Theatre, 11 Revell St. All welcome, koha appreciated.
With the Red Moki from Hoki, Local Pirate. Meet at the caravan. FREE!
At Sunset Point (or at the Old Lodge Theatre if raining!)