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AKAROA FRENCH FEST 2013

Akaroa French Fest

Akaroa French Fest 2013

Piper and Heidsieck French Fest 2013 is happening from the 11th to the 13th of October in Akaroa. Just in case the quaint seaside village itself wasn’t enough to entice you over for the weekend, here are five reasons you should head over the hill for this fantastic celebration of everything French.

Fête de Rue (Street Party)

The festival kicks off on Friday evening along Beach Road with a fantastic night of food and entertainment. Enjoy open air dining overlooking the sea at one of the main road’s many excellent restaurants, each offering a menu full of French cuisine. And to add to the excitement, roving performers and musicians will amuse and entertain diners, while the evening is topped off by a fireworks display.

Akaroa. C’est La Vie

Akaroa french fest

The Landing & Parade

Theatrics and drama galore are ready to be found on Saturday morning. If you head over early to the shores French Bay you’ll get the chance to hear the story of Akaroa’s colonial history retold by the descendants of those who arrived on the Comte de Paris back in 1840. Educational and entertaining, this part of French Fest gives you some background to what the celebrations are really all about.

Landing reenactment in Akaroa for French Fest

Akaroa French Fest

Festivale dans La Verte (Festival on the Green)

If you’d prefer a bit of a sleep on Saturday, come over the hill a little later for the Festivale dans La Verte. An official opening ceremony kicks the day off at 11.30, with a brass band parade and buskers to get the festivities going. Music and markets go throughout the day, and the local toy library’s puppet shows, face painting, and bouncy castle are bound to keep the kids busy too. And for the more competitive, there’s the chance to take out the title of the French Waiters Race, or try your hand at the classically French game of Péntanque.

French Fest Mardi Gras

When the sun starts to set the show really gets going on Saturday night. The parade leading into the Carnival Party at Jubilee Park will leave you dazzled and delighted. Bands, roving street performers, and even colourful can-can dancers will fill the streets and bring the night to life. And once darkness sets in at around 9pm, the Carnival Show gets going – something a little more risqué for a more mature audience.

Akaroa French Fest Performers

Akaroa attractions

French Cricket

Finish of a fabulously French weekend with a day of fun and games at the French Cricket tournament on the Village Green. A mix of 20/20 and backyard cricket makes this light-hearted sport great for a day of sitting back and picnicking in the sun with the whole family. But don’t be fooled by the jovial nature of the game – once it gets down to the Grand Finals the teams get a little more than a little competitive in pursuit of the prestigious title and the trophy that comes with it. 

Whether you’re there for a day, a night, or the whole festival, the Piper and Heidsieck French Fest has something fun and French for everyone to experience. See the full schedule below.

Akaroa French Fest Programme

Akaroa French Fest Programme