Daffodil Festival
Last updated: 17 Sep, 2025 04:55pm
2nd Sunday, September 2026
The wonderful Carterton Daffodil Festival is held annually.
Thank you to everyone who made this years, 2025, event a success with over 140 stall holders, the most daffodils we’ve ever seen at Middle Run, the Wai Art show was a huge hit, as was the live entertainment by the Youth Orchestra buskers, Will Prior took the stage at the Memorial Park and we have the Scallyrag Border Morris group performing on High Street and so much more!
We are already looking forward to the next event for 2026! See you there
MARKET StallS
Heritage Train
Middle Run Daffodils
Entertainment
Wai Art Show
The Library
Market Stalls
With around 140 stalls – you can explore delicious food trucks and local eateries offering a range of treats, from gourmet ice cream to wood-fired pizza. Bring your appetite!
Be part of the buzzing street market. There will be all sorts of crafts and goods.
For more information about the market stalls at the Daffodil Festival you will need to contact market organisers Grant or Heather Smith directly.
Please email smithspread@xtra.co.nz and they will add you to their list.
Heritage Train
Ride the Daffodil Festival Flyer (Carterton–Masterton) with new one-way options and fun layovers! Travel in vintage style with Steam Inc.
Choose between:
Option 1 – Travel between Carterton & Masterton in both directions on our heritage train. Approx. 1hr 30min layover at Masterton Station
Option 2 – Travel by train from Carterton to Masterton, and then immediately jump on a Shuttle Bus back to Carterton to explore the Daffodil Festival. Train departs Carterton at 10:30 and bus departs Masterton at 11:15am approx
Option 3 – Travel by train from Masterton to Carterton, explore the Carterton Daffodil Festival, and then travel by bus back to Masterton. Train departs Masterton at 1pm and bus departs Carterton Train Station at 3:15pm approx.
Please make sure you’re there 10 minutes earlier than departure time.
Middle Run Daffodils
Pack your gumboots to wander through the golden daffodils at Middle Run. Access is by free bus only – no private vehicles permitted. Pick-your-own, bunches are $5 (you can pay by cash or EFTPOS) with proceeds going to Plunket and Wellington Free Ambulance.
We have regular buses running between Carterton – Middle Run.
Please note you cannot bring your dog to Middle Run.
Entertainment
Enjoy music, dance, and live acts throughout the day. From main stage performances to roving entertainers, there’s something for the whole whānau.
Wairarapa Art Show
Visit the Wai Art Sale at the Events Centre and browse a wide variety of art by talented local artists. A must-see stop for art lovers and collectors.
The Library
The library will be open, and you can borrow books, magazines, and DVDs, or simply enjoy the space and take a break from festival activities.
We also invite you to come in and browse or borrow from our Māori Collection and pick up a flyer – listing 50 of our resources to help you on your te reo journey.
