WOMAD New Zealand Festival Returning In March 2023

The last truly international festival to happen in Aotearoa before our borders closed due to the pandemic in 2020, WOMAD New Zealand have announced they're welcoming overseas artists back to Ngāmotu New Plymouth's award-winning Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park in March 2023. Boasting a rich, vibrant history of performances by such beloved musical icons as Femi Kuti (2007 and 2014), Sinéad O'Connor (2015), De La Soul (2016), The Alabama 3 (2012), Calexico (2010), Beirut (2008), The Specials (2017), Angelique Kidjo (2019), Kamasi Washington, Tinariwen (both 2018) and countless more, the multi-day extravaganza next year celebrates two decades, seventeen festivals and over 1500 performers thus far.

In his laudatory review of 2020's event (pensively sub-titled A Last Concert Before The World Closed), Gareth Shute observed WOMAD is "also a festival that encourages community and exploration into diverse creative styles." A space for music lovers to see artists they've always wanted to catch live and encounter never-before-heard favourites for the first time, WOMAD traditionally also hosts a wealth of cultural community events, performances and activities — including literary speakers, poetry and live comedy superstars.

While we look forward to discovering who'll be performing in 2023 alongside the crème de la crème of Aotearoa talent, best lock in the dates below for your trip to Taranaki as soon as possible, as tickets are strictly limited due to the rollover from last year's cancelled festival...

"WOMAD is part of the long-standing cultural fabric in Taranaki, bringing all corners of the world to the iconic Brooklands Park over three days. While delivering significantly to the vibrancy of our region, it is also a major attractor of visitation, contributing economically, and engendering a positive regional profile through the positioning of Taranaki as a lively and dynamic region.” — Venture Taranaki Chief Executive, Kelvin Wright

WOMAD New Zealand 2023

Friday 17th March to Sunday 19th March - Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Park, New Plymouth

Tickets on sale from womad.co.nz

Note: after honouring the WOMAD 2022 tickets that rolled over to WOMAD 2023, all pre-sale and Early Bird tickets have sold out. The remaining general admission tickets to the 2023 three-day festival are on sale Tuesday 19th July from womad.co.nz.

Experience an audio-visual taste of WOMAD New Zealand 2020, which was the last time the festival hosted international performers...