The Top Events & Festivals in the Cook Islands 🎉 [2024]

© Claire Wilson - Cook Islands Tourism

January Events

The main event in January is the New Year, celebrated differently across the islands.

Public Holidays in January

• January 1 – New Year’s Day
• January 2 – New Year Holiday

Note that if any public holiday dates fall on a weekend, the next Monday (and Tuesday in some cases) is observed as the national public holiday.

New Year’s Celebrations

Kick off the New Year much like anywhere in the world with fireworks displays and parties on Rarotonga between 31 December and 1 January. The Cook Islands is one of the last places to celebrate the New Year.

On the outer islands, you might be lucky enough to be a part of Rangokere, which involves the giving of food baskets, having picnics, singing, dancing and, of course, feasting.

On Aitutaki, don’t miss Koni Raoni, which is a “round-the-island dance”. See how to experience this public holiday for yourself with our Cook Islands New Year Ideas.

What is the weather like in January? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in January.

© Dylan Harrison - Cook Islands Tourism

February Events

February is a less lively month in the Cook Islands events calendar but not if you’re a rugby fan!

The Cook Islands Rugby League Season

The Rugby League Season kicks off in February with village teams competing across the Cook Islands. If you would like to catch a game of rugby in the Cooks, February is the best time for it.

What is the weather like in February? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in February.

© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism

March Events

With it being the hot and humid wet season, the events in March are minimal with the exception of this sporting event…

Aitutaki Marathon

Get sporty in Aitutaki with the Aitutaki Marathon. The three-day event includes a race briefing, a race day and a day of leisure and prize-giving. There is also a 5 km fun run on the last day with something for all fitness levels. Look out for this year’s dates and instructions on how to enter on the Destination Management Cook Islands (DMCK) website.

What is the weather like in March? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in March.

© Cook Islands Tourism

April Events

April is the true start to the events season, kicking off with the biggest dance competition of the year.

Public Holidays in April

• Friday before Easter Sunday – Good Friday
• Monday after Easter Sunday – Easter Monday
• April 25 – ANZAC Day

Te Mire Ura

One of the biggest cultural events of the year, Te Mire Ura – Dancer of the Year is a lively event where competitors dance their way in true Polynesian gusto to become “Dancer of the Year”. There are three age groups and the unmissable final event is held in the National Auditorium on Rarotonga. Look out for the latest dates for Te Mire Ura on the Cook Islands Tourism events page.

Easter

Easter most often falls in April and is celebrated with enthusiasm with events organised by the CICC (Cook Islands Christian Church). Attend a vibrant church service on Sunday, 10 am to 12 pm, with some churches following with a feast. There are also scavenger hunts organised for children, as well as the Tropical Easter Night Market in Avarua, Rarotonga. Learn more about how to experience Easter in The Guide to Easter in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day (25 April) is observed as a public holiday. ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and is a remembrance day for those who have fought and died in world conflicts. A dawn memorial service is held at the cenotaph in Avarua, Rarotonga.

The Boiler Swim

The Boiler Swim is a 775 m (848-yard) swimming race starting at Trader Jacks in Avarua, Rarotonga. Swimmers must sprint across a deep passage to “The Boiler” (the visible remains of the RMS Maitai) and back. It’s good practice for the triathlon later in the week. Look out for the latest Boiler Swim dates on the Cook Islands Tourism events page.

Rarotonga International Triathlon

Need some off-season training in a tropical paradise? Don’t miss the Rarotonga International Triathlon typically held in April (but check out the latest dates on the Cook Islands Tourism events page), with competitors from all over the world tackling one of the world’s most challenging types of races.

What is the weather like in April? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in April.

© Tabby Berg - Cook Islands Tourism

May Events

May is the month of sports with many annual competitions, some serious and some not-so-serious, taking place.

Ride Rarotonga Cycle Race

If the week leading up wasn’t exhausting enough, the annual Ride Rarotonga Cycle Race, formerly the Tour de Raro Cycle Race also usually takes place in May. The 31.2 km race circumventing Rarotonga sees world-class riders and ironman athletes from Australia, New Zealand and beyond peddling for victory. Look out for the latest dates on the Cook Islands Tourism events page.

Cook Islands Oldies Rugby Mini Festival

Relive the good old days on the field at the Cook Islands Oldies Rugby Mini Festival. The annual event that typically takes place in May offers a fun get-together for older rugby teams in a festival of “fun, friendship and fraternity”. The event is held on Rarotonga. Instructions on how to enter, as well as this year’s dates, are on the DMCK website.

What is the weather like in May? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in May.

© Claire Wilson - Cook Islands Tourism

June Events

Don’t worry about missing too much in June except for a public holiday when shops will but closed for longer over the long weekend.

Public Holidays in June

• First Monday in June – The Sovereign’s Birthday

The Sovereign’s Birthday

The Sovereign’s Birthday is a public holiday in the Cook Islands, celebrated because the country is part of the Realm of New Zealand whose head of state is “the Sovereign in Right of New Zealand”.

What is the weather like in June? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in June.

© Cook Islands Tourism

July Events

July is a significant month on the cultural events calendar with the Ra o te Ui Ariki public holiday and the start of Te Maeva Nui at the end of the month.

Public Holidays in July

• First Friday of July – Ra o te Ui Ariki

Ra o te Ui Ariki (Ariki Day)

Ra o te Ui Ariki means “Day of the Council of High Chiefs” and is a public holiday in the Cook Islands. The day celebrates the traditional aspect of the Cook Islands legislative body. Although the Cook Islands has a modern democratic system, Ariki are now more of a  figurehead who serve to advise the elected government. On the day, you’ll see hundreds of Cook Islands dressed in colourful pareu (sarongs) and ei (garlands), as well as a tribute parade on Rarotonga.

Te Maeva Nui

Also, don’t miss Te Maeva Nui – a week-long event starting at the end of July until Constitution Day in August (see below).

What is the weather like in July? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in July.

© Turama Photography - Cook Islands Tourism

August Events

The beginning of August is full of festivities for Te Maeva Nui and Constitution Day, while the odd sporting event also takes place.

Public Holidays in August

• August 4 – Constitution Day

Te Maeva Nui

Te Maeva Nui is a week-long cultural marathon of arts, crafts, music, song, dance and local food. The main events are the dance competitions concluding with the finals of Te Maeva Nui at the National Auditorium on Rarotonga. The latest dates and ticket sales can usually be found on the Ministry of Cultural Development website.

Constitution Day

The Cook Islands’ most patriotic public holiday, Constitution Day (4 August) commemorates the day the Cook Islands gained their independence and authority over their own Constitution in 1965.

Manureva Aquafest

August is also the month of Manureva Aquafest in Aitutaki, a mix of watersports competitions, socialising and cultural events. The main sport is kitesurfing, but there’s also oe vaka (outrigger canoeing), SUP and swimming. The award ceremony includes fire dancing, cultural performances and an energising night market. Look out for the latest dates on the Cook Islands Tourism events page.

What is the weather like in August? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in August.

© Tabby Berg - Cook Islands Tourism

September Events

The top event in September is by far the annual running event, luckily during the cooler climate of the dry season.

Round Rarotonga Road Race

Have a running addiction? Get down to the Round Rarotonga Road Race. The annual event includes the main race, which is a 31 km run around the stunning coastal road of Rarotonga, as well as a 5 km fun run, a relay, cross-island run and more. Instructions on how to enter, as well as this year’s dates, are on the DMCK website.

What is the weather like in September? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in September.

© Dylan Harrison - Cook Islands Tourism

October Events

If there was ever a good time to experience one of the Cook Islands’ famous church services, it would have to be in October.

Public Holidays in October

• October 26 – National Gospel Day

National Gospel Day

Join vibrant church ceremonies, fireworks and more on Gospel Day (26 October) making the day in 1821 when the first missionary brought Christianity to the Cook Islands. Of course, the celebration of Gospel Day is focused at local churches, but there are also Gospel Day pageants, reenactments about the coming of the Gospel to the Cook Islands, fireworks and more.

What is the weather like in October? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in October.

© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism

November Events

Some of the top annual sports events occur in November.

Motu2Motu Aitutaki

Paddle over one of the world’s most beautiful lagoons at Motu2Motu Aitutaki. A true South Pacific sporting event, this annual race typically in November sees paddlers in sport oe vaka (outrigger canoes) battling it out on various courses across the lagoon of Aitutaki. Look out for the latest dates on the Cook Islands Tourism events page.

Te Mire Tiare Flower Festival

Finally, another one of the top cultural events of the year, Te Mire Tiare Flower Festival is a must-see. The colourful festival where shops, schools and government buildings are decorated with flowers can’t help but put a smile on your face. The focal point of the event is the annual pageant starting with an event at Punanga Nui Market, Rarotonga, and ending with a float parade where the Maine Tiare and Tama Aito are crowned. Look out for the latest dates on the Cook Islands Tourism events page.

Raro Rugby 7s

Raro Rugby 7s (which has also been called Sevens in Heaven for some years) is the Cook Islands International Rugby 7’s Tournament held over three days. The celebrations start with a parade of the teams in Avarua, Rarotonga, and then it’s down to business with some exciting rugby games. It’s not just about the sport though with parties and dress-up as all part of the experience. Look out for the latest dates on the Cook Islands Tourism events page.

What is the weather like in November? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in November.

© Dylan Harrison - Cook Islands Tourism

December Events

The festive season is also one of the most lively months of the event calendar! Book your flight early for this popular time to be in the Cook Islands.

Public Holidays in December

• December 25 – Christmas
• December 26 – Boxing Day
• December 27 – Christmas Holiday

Note that if any public holiday dates fall on a weekend, the next Monday (and Tuesday in some cases) is observed as the national public holiday.

Netball in Paradise

If you’re a netball fan, don’t miss Netball in Paradise on Rarotonga. The annual competition is open to all levels, ages and genders with competition categories including 13 years and under, 15 years and under, 17 years and under, Open Ladies, Social Ladies and Open Mixed. It’s an adrenaline event for both players and supporters. See the latest dates and buy tickets on the DMCK website.

Christmas

An important Christian holiday, Christmas (25 December) is celebrated in the Cook Islands and Boxing Day (26 December) is also observed as a public holiday. Learn more about Christmas in our guide, How to Spend Christmas in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

What is the weather like in December? Find out in our guide, Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in December.