Steampunk NZ Festival
King's Birthday Weekend 29 May 2025 - 2 June 2025
Trim Your Steampunk Hat - $30 per person
Thursday 29 May 2025
TRIMMING YOUR STEAMPUNK HAT
Milliner Liz van den Ende (LIZ ENDE HATS) Will take you through a tutorial in hat trimming.
*Binding, bands, bows and fabric rouleaus using bias cut fabric.
*Preparing and stitching of feathers.
*Hand sewing trimmings.
Fabric and feathers will be supplied for some hands-on experience .
Bring your own projects if you need some, One on One help.
TBC
Early Bird Meet & Greet - $15 per person
Thursday 29 May 2025
A splendid kick-off to the festivities at ‘The Early Bird Meet and Greet’!
Embrace the spirit of Steampunk as you join us in the Steampunk NZ Festival High Command, adorned in your most splendid Steampunk attire. With photo opportunities galore, this is your first chance to capture timeless memories and indulge in the magic of the Circus in Time.
First-time attendees will be warmly welcomed and included, with activities fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
With nibbles to fuel your adventure, and a cash bar for refreshments, every moment is infused with excitement and delight. This is also an opportunity for those that are taking part in the ‘Trinket Swap’ to share and exchange trinkets with other attendees.
Cycle Journeys
The Night Circus (Friday) - $60 per person
Friday 30 May 2025
Inspired by the Erin Morgenstern book of the same name, the Night Circus is not a show to just sit and watch! It's an immersive experience set amongst the black and white aesthetic of the Night Circus tents.
Enter through the tunnel and past the fire performer then explore…a contortionist, an illusionist, acrobats, oh - and things that might move! What is your fortune? Interactive tactile activities are there to amaze and amuse.
Those who have read the book will recognise many of the tents, and those who haven’t will not be disadvantaged. The magic and charm of the Night Circus will cast its spell on everybody!
In keeping with the aesthetic of the book, we are adhering to a black and white dress code for this event (though a tiny touch of red is allowed, as per the circus followers in the book).
Join us at the Night Circus - where you become the circus, and the circus is all around you.
Entry $60
The Masonic Hall
Prof Heaphy’s Tent of the Phantasmagorical - $60 per person
Friday 30 May 2025
For one astounding night only, The Professor will invite those of abundant curiosity of spirit on an expertly curated journey through the darkest recesses of the Ringmaster’s magnificent cerebral organ.
Prepare to be amazed by acts of derring-do, visually feast on the spectacle of fire, steel and rope, be beguiled and seduced by the erotic, and be awestruck by the theatrical prowess of the realm’s greatest performers and artists.
Prepare to be transformed by the Phantasmagorical!
Restrictions: R18 - coarse language, nudity and other wicked stuff!!
The Scottish Hall
Potioneering with Cauldron and Cogs - $25.00 per person
Saturday 31 May 2025
Ever dreamed of bottling liquid luck, brewing an elixir of discombobulation, or concocting a tincture for time travel? This is your chance to turn your ideas into decorative potions! You will be guided through the whole process, and all materials will be provided - the only thing you need to bring is your imagination! If you haven’t made a potion to pitch at the Snake Oil competition yet, this is the perfect opportunity!
Suitable for all ages, although young children will need adult supervision.
The Scottish Hall - Supper Room
Tea Pot Racing - $20 per adult, $25 per adult+one child
Saturday 31 May 2025
Gear up for an extraordinary adventure. The Southern Society of Steampunk Steamologists proudly presents the whimsical spectacle of Steampunk Teapot Racing, with extraordinary new circus-themed obstacles to entertain, amuse, and challenge the contenders!
Join us for a riveting display of ingenuity and excitement as contestants navigate their teapots through a thrilling Circus obstacle course.
Published rules ensure fair play and exhilarating competition, while the spirit of racing pervades the atmosphere, electrifying every moment with anticipation and excitement. Audience participation is encouraged, with cheering and shouting enthusiastically endorsed. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere and cheer on your favourite racers as they navigate the course with skill and finesse.
Prizes await the victorious, including a grand trophy for the ultimate champion and certificates for winners. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience at the heart of the Steampunk NZ Festival!
The Scottish Hall
3 Ring Riot! - $45 per person
Saturday 31 May 2025
Enter in daylight and leave in the dark!
Join us for this gritty, smokey, 3 Ring Riot of performance and music as the sun goes down in the dystopian dreamscape of Steampunk HQ’s courtyard.
While local band the Road Doggz play, MC J Usher will conduct a performance suspended above your heads in the Steampunk HQ courtyard. Aerial artistes will spin, hang by the hair, and astound you with their moves, amid lights, smoke, and illusion.
Enjoy the entertainment outside, and then spend time exploring Steampunk HQ. Your ticket includes access to all of Steampunk KQ’s collection of retro-futuristic sci-fi art, movies, sculpture and sound.
Please note: Due to costuming and adult themes, this event is NOT suitable for young children.
Steampunk HQ
The Night Circus (Saturday) - $60 per person
Saturday 31 May 2025
Inspired by the Erin Morgenstern book of the same name, the Night Circus is not a show to just sit and watch! It's an immersive experience set amongst the black and white aesthetic of the Night Circus tents.
Enter through the tunnel and past the fire performer then explore…a contortionist, an illusionist, acrobats, oh - and things that might move! What is your fortune? Interactive tactile activities are there to amaze and amuse.
Those who have read the book will recognise many of the tents, and those who haven’t will not be disadvantaged. The magic and charm of the Night Circus will cast its spell on everybody!
In keeping with the aesthetic of the book, we are adhering to a black and white dress code for this event (though a tiny touch of red is allowed, as per the circus followers in the book).
Join us at the Night Circus - where you become the circus, and the circus is all around you.
The Masonic Hall
League of Victorian Imagineers’ Mess Dinner - $85 per person
Saturday 31 May 2025
An unforgettable evening steeped in tradition and innovation! Feast your eyes and appetites on a splendid buffet dinner, and prepare for a spectacle of light entertainment. From stirring speeches to the haunting melodies of our piper, each moment is infused with the spirit of adventure and camaraderie.
And what's a mess dinner without a bit of ceremony? Raise your glasses high for a toast to friendship and innovation and partake in a time-honoured pudding ceremony that's sure to delight and amuse.
The true highlight of the evening awaits as airship pilots are recruited for high-flying battles! Simple yet energetic, airship racing promises thrills and spills for all. Cheer on the airships as they soar across the ceiling, and let your enthusiasm propel them to victory!
Don your finest attire, embrace the spirit of adventure, and embark on a journey through time and imagination. It's a celebration of ingenuity, camaraderie, and the endless possibilities of the Steampunk universe.
The Loan and Merc
Steampunk ‘Circus in Time’ Fashion Showcase - $25 per person
Sunday 1 June 2025
Step into the spectacular world of Steampunk couture, where creativity knows no bounds! Expect a select gathering of daring entrants, showcasing their innovative interpretations of the theme. Can you wear a Steampunk circus tent? Are steam-powered stilts intertwined with gears the latest accessory? Each entry promises to mesmerize and inspire.
Our esteemed panel of judges bring a wealth of expertise to the table, ensuring every detail will be scrutinized with precision and critiqued to the highest possible standard!
With the accompaniment of esteemed organist Ron Newton, the stage is set for an afternoon of elegance, innovation, and brilliance. Prepare to be dazzled at the Circus in Time Fashion Showcase – where fashion meets fantasy in the heart of the Steampunk universe.
Please note: if you are entering the Fashion Showcase, please do not buy a ticket!
The Scottish Hall
Smoke and Mirrors - $60 per person
Sunday 1 June 2025
Settle yourself into the charming Victoria Lounge for titillating treats and temptations, with ingredients that delighted and amused the Victorians – indulgent chocolates, sneaky cocktails, naughty jellies and some interactive magic and merriment.
'The Green Fairy' frequents this establishment in many forms – how will she appear this year? Through the smoke? Or in the mirrors? One thing is for certain – she will be there!
Limited spaces – bookings essential. R18 only.
The Victoria Lounge
Ringmasters Grand Huzzah! Steampunk Ball - $110 per person
Sunday 1 June 2025
Join the Ringmaster at the Grand Huzzah! Steampunk Ball.
Step through the curtain into the Ringmaster’s exclusive elegant circus. Celebrate the end of the Festival on the dancefloor with splendid Steampunk friends, old and new. Dance to the rhythm of Deep Soul, our esteemed band for the night.
Seating arrangements are as meticulous as our clockwork mechanisms, with guests choosing their preferred tables from the floor plan when they book their tickets. Grazing platters will be waiting on your tables and sweet treats served later in the night, along with the award and prize announcements and, of course, the reveal of the 2026 Festival Theme.
The Oamaru Club Inc
SteamPINK Breakfast - $45 per person
Monday 2 June 2025
Join us for a delightful morning of Steampunk splendour at the SteamPINK Breakfast, where charity meets camaraderie in a feast for the senses! This year, we're supporting Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust.
As you indulge in a sumptuous buffet-style breakfast served by the esteemed team at the Loan and Merc, your contributions will make a meaningful impact for the families that Life Matters support.
Dress to impress in your finest SteamPINK attire, and immerse yourself in the spirit of giving. With quizzes, spot prizes, and goodie bags galore, there's never been a more exciting way to start your day.
Doors open at 10:00am, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy a hearty breakfast on the Monday of a public holiday – ensuring you're well-fed before your journey home after a week of Steampunk indulgence.
Whether you're a seasoned Steampunk enthusiast or a newcomer to the scene, the SteamPINK Breakfast promises a morning of laughter, friendship, and community spirit.
The Loan and Merc
