Join us at the Blue Lake in the North Island, and stay tuned for our South Island edition.
What is Sauna Fest
A weekend for body and soul
Sauna Fest North Island is where The Sauna Project's nationwide community of wood-fired mobile saunas comes together for one unforgettable weekend. Over 20 unique themed saunas scattered around the festival grounds, beside the lake and through the park.
Sauna Fest exists to serve genuine wellness, creating a weekend where you can slow down, be completely yourself, and connect with like-minded people.
Wood-fired mobile saunas from across Aotearoa. Silent, women's only, family, free-flowing. Each one unique.
Aufguss Champion
NZ's inaugural Aufguss Championship. Experience or compete in our competition. This is where we define NZ's take on sauna culture.
Workshops & Zones
Moon, Star, Sun and Earth zones filled with workshops, yoga, dance, talks and meditation all weekend.
Music
Live music throughout the festival. Atmospheric, not aggressive. Music wraps at 1am so you can rest and go again.
Somatic Sanctuary
A cosy indoor space for receiving healing and nourishment. Practitioners offer a variety of healing practices, including massage.
Lake Swims & Runs
Morning 5km lake loop run, sauna and cold plunge, both Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Food & Vendors
Food trucks, market stalls and local makers. Diverse, delicious and catered for all food preferences.
Kids Zone
Playgrounds, pump track, bouncy pillow and a kids zone staffed by experienced kindergarten teachers.
"I left Sauna Fest with a feeling of elation that I had never experienced before. I think the saunas bring people together, break down barriers, and allow you to truly connect with others. At no point did I feel like I was having a solo experience. It was one of the most connected I've ever felt in a large group of people."
What started as a backyard project has grown into the festival you see today at Blue Lake Holiday Park. Who knew that saunas would be such a perfect fit for New Zealand!
Each year, over one thousand people attend Sauna Fest, and that number isn't changing anytime soon. Intentionally keeping the festival at this size allows us to focus on what matters most: creating an exceptional experience and refining it year after year.
The feeling you get from being at Sauna Fest is something that simply has to be experienced. It's an energy that slowly unfolds over the course of the weekend, leaving you with a genuine sense of connection to the people around you. We have the saunas to thank for that.
We'd love to welcome you to the shores of Lake Tikitapu for a weekend that's as unique as it sounds.
Mark your calendar
When tickets go live
Get in early for the best pick of pricing.
30JUL
General Release
Remaining tickets open to everyone, starting with Early Bird pricing while it lasts.
AUG
Workshops & Vendors
Workshop applications and food & drink vendor applications open in August.
In the afternoon/evening the Moon and Star stages come alive with musicians from all over NZ as we get taken on a carefully curated musical journey. The party stops at 1am, allowing time to rest so that we can do it all again.
Star Zone
Talks and workshops from leaders in health, wellbeing and personal growth, offering the chance to learn new ideas about personal development and how to live a healthy life. Be inspired and leave feeling renewed.
Sun Zone
Movement, dance and energising practices. A space designed to bring you into the body, be that through talks or physical activities like yoga and activations.
Earth Zone
This space is for grounding workshops, ones with more of a focus on artistic activities, and ones based around connection.
Kids Zone
Kids Zone is a dedicated space for the little ones, with its own schedule of workshops just for kids. There's also a bouncy pillow, pump track and plenty of playgrounds. Kids love Sauna Fest!
Workshops, Vendors & more
Applications
Choose a category from the Applications menu above to find out more and apply. Applications for Sauna Fest North Island 2027 will open soon — check back shortly, or get in touch via the contact link in the footer.
Good to know
FAQ's
Answers to common questions will go here. Send through what you'd like covered and it'll be added in.
Ready to join us?
14–16 May 2027 · Blue Lake, Rotorua · Tickets sell fast
We're bringing Sauna Fest south. A new home, the same soul: wood-fired saunas, wild water, good people and the beauty of the South Island landscape.
Be the first to know when tickets drop.
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North Island 2027 →
Moments from the fire and the water
Gallery
A look back at past Sauna Fests — wood smoke, cold plunges, good people. Tap any photo to zoom in.
Applications
Workshops
Run a workshop at Sauna Fest — movement, breathwork, cold water, sound and more.
Workshop applications for Sauna Fest North Island 2027 will open soon. Check back here for details on how to apply, what we're looking for, and key dates.
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Applications
Musicians
Play a set at Sauna Fest.
Live music applications for Sauna Fest North Island 2027 will open soon. Check back here for details on how to apply, set lengths, and key dates.
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Applications
Vendors
Bring your food or drink to Sauna Fest.
Food and drink vendor applications for Sauna Fest North Island 2027 will open soon. Check back here for details on how to apply, site fees, and key dates.
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Applications
Markets
Set up a stall at Sauna Fest.
Market stallholder applications for Sauna Fest North Island 2027 will open soon. Check back here for details on how to apply, stall fees, and key dates.
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Applications
Volunteers
Get involved behind the scenes at Sauna Fest.
Volunteer applications for Sauna Fest North Island 2027 will open soon. Check back here for details on roles, shifts, and perks.
