Vintage vehicles parade
The festival is presented by the Art Deco Trust, an organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting the region’s architectural and cultural history. Beyond the annual celebration, the Trust facilitates a year-round programme of activities, including guided walking tours, vintage car experiences, restoration initiatives, and the Hawke’s Bay Heritage Awards. Their work ensures that the stories, buildings, and community spirit of the 1930s remain visible and valued. Across the festival weekend, Napier transforms with period fashion, music and performance. Highlights include the ever-popular soapbox derby, where competitors race handmade carts down the streets; the vintage car parade, featuring meticulously restored vehicles from the era; and the best-dressed
competitions along the foreshore, where participants showcase their interpretations of 1920’s and ’30s style. The atmosphere is further enriched by world-class jazz performances, open-air screenings of classic films, and dining experiences at some of Napier’s finest Art Deco restaurants. Fashion plays a central role in the festival’s identity. Attendees are encouraged to embrace period clothing and accessories, creating a vibrant display of cloche hats for women and boater hats for gentlemen, beaded dresses, tailored suits, and Deco-inspired embellishment. For many, preparing an outfit is part of the anticipation, and local makers contribute significantly to the authenticity and creativity seen throughout the event.
HATalk | APR 2026
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