Press release from DCC - Foundations Festival: Reimagined event to showcase Dunedin’s incredible heritage

(Dunedin, 5 February 2026) - A new city-wide festival celebrating Dunedin’s rich heritage and evolving cultural identity will launch in 2027, a collaboration between the Southern Heritage Trust and the Dunedin City Council (DCC).

Foundations: Festival of Dunedin’s Past, Present and Future will replace the city’s long-running Heritage Festival, building on its seven-year legacy while expanding its scope to engage broader and more diverse audiences. The new festival will bring together history, creativity, food, music and community, honouring the stories that have shaped Dunedin while exploring how they continue to influence the city today and into the future.

The Southern Heritage Trust says the new festival represents a major step forward in how Dunedin’s outstanding heritage is shared and celebrated.

“We are delighted to partner with the DCC on this ground-breaking new festival we know will build on Dunedin’s rightful place as heritage capital of New Zealand. We have seen what other cities in Aotearoa have done with events around their own built heritage and architecture, however we have the assets and the ambition to create a distinctly Dunedin heritage festival that can become a national and international drawcard. Dunedin’s heritage has fans throughout New Zealand and the world,” says Trust chairwoman Joy Baker.

“Foundations Festival allows us to continue celebrating Dunedin’s rich heritage, but in a way that is more inclusive, dynamic and relevant to contemporary audiences. Heritage is not static — it lives in our streets, our communities and our creativity. This festival embraces that idea.

Baker says running the festival in recent years had become time consuming and run by a core group of hard-working volunteers and often on the ‘smell of an oily rag’.

“The festival’s new vision and increased support by DCC is fantastic news and the event will be a great asset to our city and the annual events calendar.”

The festival is being developed in close collaboration with Enterprise Dunedin, the Dunedin City Council’s economic development and destination agency, with a strong focus on long-term sustainability, accessibility and community involvement.

The development of the festival delivers on the strategic priorities within the Ōtepoti Dunedin Destination Management Plan to increase visitation to Dunedin by leveraging the city’s signature events.

Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker is excited about the possibilities presented by the partnership.

“The creation of this festival is an important element of our Festival and Events Plan - aimed at ensuring Dunedin is a vibrant, year-round events destination with a strong focus on community wellbeing and diversity, while also boosting the local economy. My expectation is that a heritage festival will attract significant visitor numbers in the off-season during April to October and will grow to be a marquee national event fitting to the Heritage Capital of New Zealand.

“We want to celebrate what is important to our community - and what sets our city apart from other places. Heritage is something that is strongly valued by our residents. Celebrating and showcasing our heritage, the Foundations Festival will hold strong appeal for both domestic and international visitors.

“The Southern Heritage Trust has for many years run an informative and enjoyable heritage programme. We are excited to incorporate and develop the Heritage Festival kaupapa within this new event.”

As part of early community engagement, festival organisers will be at the George Street Market, inviting the public to share feedback and ideas on festival programming. The market will be a signature event within the Foundations Festival programme, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on participation, place and everyday heritage.

Another key signature event will be Bath Street Eats and Beats, combining music, food and atmosphere to celebrate Dunedin’s vibrant laneway and arts culture, and hospitality scene.

“The Foundations Festival is about connection — to place, to history, and to each other,” Mayor Barker says.

“By inviting the community to help shape the programme from the outset, we’re creating a festival that truly belongs to Dunedin.”

The Foundations Festival is scheduled to launch in 2027, with further programme details, partnerships and announcements to be released over the coming months.

Community members are encouraged to visit the festival team at George Street Market, share their ideas, and help shape the future of Dunedin’s newest major cultural event.

James Hall

Senior Communications and Engagement Officer

Enterprise Dunedin

Dunedin City Council

James.Hall@dcc.govt.nz