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New Zealand🇳🇿 | festivalsHokitika Wildfoods FestivalHuhu grubs, wild West Coast game, costumed crowd, Cass Square | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Hokitika Wildfoods
👍 Recommendedfestival ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

The festival is not a food-truck fair of gourmet bites; it is a one-day event where the point is eating things like huhu grubs, and it sells out in advance. Hokitika Wildfoods Festival takes place in Hokitika, on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, held on the town’s Cass Square. Stalls sell wild West Coast game, bush ingredients and local brews to a costumed crowd of roughly 15,000. I drove in over Arthur’s Pass, and a weka stood in the road and refused to move until I stopped and let it inspect the car. The pace works because everything sits within a few streets of the beach. You get tasting, music and town in one walk. Adventurous eaters and groups will love it; anyone wanting a quiet, sit-down meal won’t.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 festival in New ZealandReasons people choose to celebrate the here

Backpackers build West Coast routes around this day because Hokitika is small enough that the whole town becomes the party. Cass Square is the center, and hostels, pubs and the beach are a short walk away, so you meet people at the stalls and keep meeting them all evening. The crowd dresses up, and strangers who share a plate of something questionable bond fast.

It also fits the road. The festival suits a trip down the coast toward the glaciers, with Hokitika Gorge and the driftwood beach nearby for the days around it. Tickets are the main spend, and food and drink tokens go further than you expect because many tastes are small. Book beds early, since the town fills well ahead and a bunk is worth securing before anything else. For a traveler who wants culture through the stomach, wild West … read more 👉
Backpackers build West Coast routes around this day because Hokitika is small enough that the whole town becomes the party. Cass Square is the center, and hostels, pubs and the beach are a short walk away, so you meet people at the stalls and keep meeting them all evening. The crowd dresses up, and strangers who share a plate of something questionable bond fast.

It also fits the road. The festival suits a trip down the coast toward the glaciers, with Hokitika Gorge and the driftwood beach nearby for the days around it. Tickets are the main spend, and food and drink tokens go further than you expect because many tastes are small. Book beds early, since the town fills well ahead and a bunk is worth securing before anything else. For a traveler who wants culture through the stomach, wild West Coast flavors give you a sense of local life that no museum matches.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Cass Square Main Arena: The heart of the day, where dozens of stalls serve wild West Coast fare in one open field. Come hungry and pace yourself.
  2. Huhu Grubs and Bush Bites: The festival’s famous dare food, with live grubs and other unusual tastes at the center of the buzz. It is a rite of passage for first-timers.
  3. Wild Game and Seafood Stalls: Venison, wild pork, whitebait and other local catches show what the coast really eats. The cooks are often small producers who love to explain what is on the plate.
  4. Costumes and Crowd Parade: Many attendees come in elaborate dress, so the people-watching is half the fun. Joining in earns you instant conversation.
  5. Hokitika Beach and Driftwood Sculptures: After the tasting, walk the shore where the Tasman Sea throws up logs and sculptors build from them. It
… read more 👉
  1. Cass Square Main Arena: The heart of the day, where dozens of stalls serve wild West Coast fare in one open field. Come hungry and pace yourself.
  2. Huhu Grubs and Bush Bites: The festival’s famous dare food, with live grubs and other unusual tastes at the center of the buzz. It is a rite of passage for first-timers.
  3. Wild Game and Seafood Stalls: Venison, wild pork, whitebait and other local catches show what the coast really eats. The cooks are often small producers who love to explain what is on the plate.
  4. Costumes and Crowd Parade: Many attendees come in elaborate dress, so the people-watching is half the fun. Joining in earns you instant conversation.
  5. Hokitika Beach and Driftwood Sculptures: After the tasting, walk the shore where the Tasman Sea throws up logs and sculptors build from them. It is free, and sunset here clears your head.
Allow a full day for the festival itself and another half day for the beach and town.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Hokitika Wildfoods Festival?

The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is held on a Saturday in March (recent editions have been in early to mid March), runs from roughly 10:30 am to 7 pm, and takes over Cass Square in Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island.
  • Best part of the day: Arrive at the 10:30 am opening for short queues and the full stall menu, because popular items sell out by mid-afternoon.
  • Weather: Expect 14 to 20°C (57 to 68°F), with West Coast rain a real possibility at any time. Bring a waterproof jacket, closed shoes for muddy grass and sunscreen, since the sun is strong when it appears.
  • Booking: Tickets sell out, so buy them as soon as they are released. Book beds two to three months ahead, as festival weekend rates in town often run 30 to 60 percent above normal.
  • Crowds and roads: State Highway 6 and the Hokitika
… read more 👉
The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival is held on a Saturday in March (recent editions have been in early to mid March), runs from roughly 10:30 am to 7 pm, and takes over Cass Square in Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island.
  • Best part of the day: Arrive at the 10:30 am opening for short queues and the full stall menu, because popular items sell out by mid-afternoon.
  • Weather: Expect 14 to 20°C (57 to 68°F), with West Coast rain a real possibility at any time. Bring a waterproof jacket, closed shoes for muddy grass and sunscreen, since the sun is strong when it appears.
  • Booking: Tickets sell out, so buy them as soon as they are released. Book beds two to three months ahead, as festival weekend rates in town often run 30 to 60 percent above normal.
  • Crowds and roads: State Highway 6 and the Hokitika approaches clog before opening and after closing. Walk in from town, and leave after the last stalls close or wait out the rush.
Book accommodation before tickets if you must choose, since rooms vanish first.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in New Zealand

Stay in Hokitika itself, because Cass Square is a flat walk of a few minutes from nearly every bed in town and you will not need a car or taxi on the day.

The town center around Revell Street is the best base for solo backpackers. Hostels and guesthouses cluster here, the pubs and cafes are on your doorstep, and you will meet other festival-goers in shared kitchens and lounges. It is also the safest option at night, since the streets are lit, compact and busy after the event.

The beachfront and Sewell Street side is quieter and good for a low-key sleep. Holiday parks and motels here sit near … read more 👉
Stay in Hokitika itself, because Cass Square is a flat walk of a few minutes from nearly every bed in town and you will not need a car or taxi on the day.

The town center around Revell Street is the best base for solo backpackers. Hostels and guesthouses cluster here, the pubs and cafes are on your doorstep, and you will meet other festival-goers in shared kitchens and lounges. It is also the safest option at night, since the streets are lit, compact and busy after the event.

The beachfront and Sewell Street side is quieter and good for a low-key sleep. Holiday parks and motels here sit near the driftwood-strewn beach and sunsets, and some have campervan and tent sites, which suit budget travelers with their own wheels.

If town is full, look at Greymouth, about 40 minutes north by road, which has more beds and a larger hostel scene. Fox Glacier and Franz Josef are further south and work only if you have a car and a designated driver. Shuttle and bus options after the festival are limited, so staying in Hokitika is far easier.
Best hostels in New Zealand


Best quality hotels in New Zealand

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Hokitika Wildfoods

A day at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival costs about US$175 for an independent traveler in high season, with the ticket and a bed making up most of it.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$65 to 85General admission has recently sat in this range and sells out well ahead. Entry is by advance ticket, with the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival held on a Saturday in the Tancred Street area and nearby grounds.
AccommodationUS$30 to 120 (budget: US$30 to 45 dorm; high season: US$120 private room)Dorms and campsites fill early, and rates climb for the festival weekend. Counting one high-season night at US$60 as a shared room or cabin is common, so the total below uses US$60.
Local transportUS$0 to 15Hokitika is walkable and the festival is on foot from the town center. Shuttles or taxis from
… read more 👉
A day at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival costs about US$175 for an independent traveler in high season, with the ticket and a bed making up most of it.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$65 to 85General admission has recently sat in this range and sells out well ahead. Entry is by advance ticket, with the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival held on a Saturday in the Tancred Street area and nearby grounds.
AccommodationUS$30 to 120 (budget: US$30 to 45 dorm; high season: US$120 private room)Dorms and campsites fill early, and rates climb for the festival weekend. Counting one high-season night at US$60 as a shared room or cabin is common, so the total below uses US$60.
Local transportUS$0 to 15Hokitika is walkable and the festival is on foot from the town center. Shuttles or taxis from Greymouth or campsites cost more, and the regional bus runs infrequently.
Food & drinksUS$25 to 45Stalls sell small tasting portions, usually US$4 to 8 each. Beer and cider from the bars run about US$6 to 9, so grazing for a day adds up quickly.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Rain gear, sunscreen, an ATM visit or a little cash for market stalls. Most vendors take cards, though queues move faster with cash in New Zealand dollars.
Total Daily BudgetUS$175Based on a US$75 ticket, US$60 bed, US$5 transport, US$30 food and drink, and US$5 extras, all for one day in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in Hokitika Wildfoods

The festival is a dare disguised as a lunch. Wild food is the whole point, and stalls compete to sell the strangest thing on the West Coast.

Expect huhu grubs, crickets and worm items, alongside wild game such as venison, wild boar and goat, mountain oysters, and whitebait, the West Coast delicacy, often served in fritters. There is also seafood like mussels, crayfish and kina, plus sweeter things like hokey pokey and local honey treats.

For drinks, look for craft beer, cider, NZ wine and spirits made by small regional producers, often alongside live music.

For authenticity, try the whitebait fritter first, then work up to the grubs. Share plates with friends so you can taste more without filling up. Servings are small, so plan a lap of the whole square before committing.

Queues form at … read more 👉
The festival is a dare disguised as a lunch. Wild food is the whole point, and stalls compete to sell the strangest thing on the West Coast.

Expect huhu grubs, crickets and worm items, alongside wild game such as venison, wild boar and goat, mountain oysters, and whitebait, the West Coast delicacy, often served in fritters. There is also seafood like mussels, crayfish and kina, plus sweeter things like hokey pokey and local honey treats.

For drinks, look for craft beer, cider, NZ wine and spirits made by small regional producers, often alongside live music.

For authenticity, try the whitebait fritter first, then work up to the grubs. Share plates with friends so you can taste more without filling up. Servings are small, so plan a lap of the whole square before committing.

Queues form at the best-known stalls, so go early. Many stalls use eftpos or card, but cash is handy if terminals drop out, as West Coast signal can be patchy. Bring a water bottle and eat something solid in town for balance.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Hokitika Wildfoods

The festival is held on a Saturday in March, with recent editions in early to mid March, from about 10:30 am to 7 pm. It takes place in Cass Square in the center of Hokitika on the West Coast. Rooms fill fast, so book 2 to 3 months ahead.
General admission tickets cost from about NZ$45, with food and drinks paid for at the stalls. Individual stall items run about NZ$8 to 20 and drinks NZ$8 to 12. A realistic day total, including a bed and food, is NZ$205 to 465.
Yes, buy tickets in advance, because the festival regularly sells out and few or none are available on the gate. Purchase online as soon as they are released, often months ahead. Book your accommodation in Hokitika at the same time, as beds are scarce on festival weekend.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other New Zealander festivals near Hokitika Wildfoods

Explore more nearby:

  • Electric Avenue—Nelson bass sets, sunrise dancing, festival camping, Abel Tasman recovery| 249 km away
  • Luminate Festival—Alcohol-free, Canaan Downs tussock, biennial January, light installations, tent village| 252 km away
  • Marlborough Wine and Food Festival—Renwick Domain, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, green-lipped mussels| 272 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the Hokitika Wildfoods

Give it two nights. One covers the festival day and the recovery after, and the second lets you see Hokitika Gorge or the beach without rushing toward the glaciers. Book your bed before your ticket if you can, and bring a poncho, because the West Coast often sends rain.

✈️ When did I visit New Zealand?
All the way back in high school I have been visiting the North Island of New Zealand (1993).

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in New Zealand, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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