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Cook Islands Calendar of Events 2024-25

The purpose of this page is to show you what main events take place when if you're planning a visit to the Islands

All dates are provided in good faith, but could change at short notice. Where 2025 dates have not yet been announced, you can see when an event took place in 2024. All events are in Rarotonga unless otherwise stated.

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2024-25 CALENDAR in summary

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DECEMBER 2024

CHRISTM AS EVENTS

JOLLY JINGLE JAM TRADE DAYS, 18-19 December, 830 am-2 pm. A special event celebrating and showcasing local crafts and food vendors. Punanga Nui Market
ROTORACT CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK, 19 DECEMBER Entertainment, food fireworks and children's activities at the National Auditorium
SANTA PARADES through Avarua from the start of December with festive floats and more. And don't forget to take a stroll through town where the main street has a fun way of decorating for the season, including coloured street lights, palm frond Island-styled Christmas trees and lots of decorations

HOTELS AND RESORTS also have special events for their guests. And even if you're not a regular church-goer, a visit to one of the many services will not only remind you of the true meaning of Christmas it will leave you with memories of some amazing harmony singing

DECEMBER 2024/JANUARY 2025

KONI RAONI, AITUTAKI 26 DECEMBER AND 2 JANUARY

Unique to Aitutaki, Koni Raoni loosely translates as "to dance around", and each year one of the villages on the island takes a turn at hosting the event to raise funds for that village. Fresh ei (flower garlands) and kai manga (a heavy duty kaikai feast) welcome the dancers wherever they go.

JANUARY 2025

CELEBRATION CONCERT 1 JANUARY

Cook Islands 60th anniverary concert poster

2025 is an historic year for the Cook Islands, marking 60 years of self-government. And it all begins with a free concert which Prime Minister and host Mark Brown describes as "a chance for us to start the year together - proud and full of life". Music, dance and celebration are promised at the National Auditorium from 5-9 pm (doors open at 4 pm). And if you can't make it in person, the event will be live streamed over the internet.

And the author of this website has also created a video which reflects on the past 60 years and ponders the future. WATCH IT HERE.

BEACH GAMES

This community event started in 2020 and is now an annual feature organised by the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee. Islanders compete against each other in sports including netball, handball, football, air badminton, 3v3 basketball, beach touch and volleyball. And of course it's all on the beach
Held from 6-20 January in 2024

MARCH 2025

COMPOSERS COMPETITION (TE MIRE ATU) 13 MARCH

The competition is a celebration of original compositions, open in 2025 not only to Cook Islanders but everyone wherever they live. It's also a great chance to listen to some beautiful, traditional music from the Cook Islands. Held at the National Auditorium

APRIL 2025

LGBT+ CELEBRATIONS

2024 saw the first gay pride type events. A week long celebration of love acceptance and unity is how 'Anuanua' was described by 'Pride Cook Islands' marking the first anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2023 (Click here to find out more about that). There are hopes it will now be an annual event.
Held 12-20 April in 2024

PURSUIT IN PARADISE MARATHON, AITUTAKI 28 APRIL-1 MAY

First held in 2018, this event is now a regular part of the calendar and attracts entrants from all over the world, as well as Cook Islanders. Entrants can choose from the 10km course, half marathon 21.1Km course and the full 42.2km marathon course. Even if you're a seasoned runner, it's unlikely you'll have raced anywhere as stunning

MAY 2025

DANCER OF THE YEAR (Te Mire Ura)

Cook Islanders have a passion for dance and each year there's a keenly fought competition to find the best dancers from across the Islands. This is one of the biggest events of the year. Contests are held for juniors and intermediates, seniors and experts. The National Auditorium in Rarotonga is the usual venue for the final and it's a spectacularly noisy and colourful event not to be missed. Held 2-24 May in 2024

TRIATHLON FESTIVAL

The organisers describe this as "a fun packed week of island fun and fitness" as well as an Olympic distance triathlon race. It comprises a 1.5-kilometre swim in Muri lagoon, around the island cycle of 41km and a 10km run to the finish line at the Rarotonga Sailing Club. The event attracts international competitors and although the entry fee is quite pricey, it costs nothing to watch. Held 2-7 May in 2024

JULY/AUGUST 2025

TE MAEVA NUI 24 JULY-4 AUGUST
Cultural festival and constitution celebrations: 60TH ANNIVERSARY

The MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE COOK ISLANDS CALENDAR is the annual celebration of self rule granted in 1965, and in 2025 it will be even bigger, five days longer and more special than usual. The details are still being worked on but the organisers promise stars from across the region and big concerts. As usual though, performing artists from Rarotonga and the outer islands will present new dances, songs, drum beats and costumes expressing the cultural theme chosen for the year. And a colourful parade through Avarua will kick everything off. Constitution Day itself (4 August) is a public holiday.

FIND OUT MORE
"Celebration of a Nation" is a new video which looks at key moments in the past and present day story of the islands and ponders about a future with threats from climate change, seabed mining, tourism and a declining population. Created by the author of this website. Watch it now on YouTube

JULY TO OCTOBER: WHALE WATCHING SEASON

Nobody organises this one, but for many visitors it's a highlight not to be missed. Between mid to late July and October, the waters off the islands are full of whales. But they arrived early in 2024 with the first sighting in late June off Rarotonga. They swim close to shore as they head for warmer waters to mate, give birth and rest. In Rarotonga they come so close that you can even watch from the main road through town (Avarua) Photos: Cook Islands News

Find out where and how to watch responsibly

SEPTEMBER 2025

ROUND RARO ROAD RACE 19-25 September

Top international athletes, veterans and "nutters" share their love of running in this annual event which will be 48 years old in 2025. It kicks off with a lighthearted fun run where everyone is encouraged to dress up. The 31km race round Rarotonga is the main event, usually with a 530 am start. Other events include a "round rock relay", an island kaikai (feast) and a "nutters cross island relay" which starts in Titikaveka and heads over mountain ridges, across rugged valleys and riverbeds down to the coast at Avatiu

OCTOBER 2025

COOK ISLANDS GAMES

Athletes from across the 13 inhabited islands come together on Rarotonga, not only to compete in a friendly way with each other but also to promote unity and sportsmanship. Events include rugby, netball, rugby league, rugby union, football, cricket, tennis, bowls, golf, athletics, sailing, indoor basketball. canoeing, weightlifting, boxing, table tennis, volleyball, squash...and darts!
Held from 6-19 October in 2024

NOVEMBER 2025

TURAMA 1 NOVEMBER

Graves may not be everyone's idea of a tourist attraction, but on Rarotonga they're a spectacular sight on 1st November each year when islanders decorate them with flowers, and light candles (real and solar powered!)at sunset which burn throughout the night. Turama is a an ancient Roman Catholic celebration of All Souls Day when people gather at gravesides, laugh about happy times and tell stories of their departed loved ones. These days other denominations also join in.

VAKA EIVA (Canoeing festival)

The festival - the biggest sporting event in the islands – began in 2004. The Cook Islands Canoeing Association host a series of competitions including a round-Rarotonga relay for the main prize of the Pacific Cup (29th), singles and fun mixed racing (23rd), V6 iron racing (25th), boiler swim (26th), mixed changes race (26th) and marathon day (28th). Upwards of 850 people have competed previously in around 100 teams. Trader Jacks is one of many great places to watch the action. Held from 22-29 November in 2024

Photo: Harvie Allison, used with permission

FITNESS FESTIVAL, AITUTAKI

This community initiative was established in 2021 to promote health and fitness on Aitutaki but it's now much more than just that. Competitors from Australia and New Zealand were among nearly 100 people showing their weightlifting skills in individual and team events in 2023. And there was also a beginners category which the organisers hoped would encourage islanders to have some fun while getting fitter. Held from 7-10 November in 2024

TE MIRE TIARE (Flower) FESTIVAL

The sight and scent of flowers is everywhere on Rarotonga during this annual festival. Highlights include a float parade, a pageant to choose Miss Tiare and competitions for the best decorated businesses and government buildings Held from 30 November-6 December in 2024

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND GOSPEL DAYS

By law the following are PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Every Sunday
Good Friday and Easter Monday
Christmas Day and Boxing Day
New Year's Day and 2nd January
Anzac Day, 25th April each year
King's Birthday (HM King Charles III): first Monday in June
Not Palmerston which has its own public holidays
Ra O Te Ui Ariki (The Day of the Council of High Chiefs): first Friday in July
Constitution Day - 4th August
Cook Islands (national) gospel day - 26th October
Where a public holiday (other than Sunday itself and Anzac Day) falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be the public holiday

GOSPEL DAYS
These are also holidays local to each of the islands to celebrate the arrival of Christianity. And its not just church services...all kinds of special events are held and there's much partying and feasting. The days are organised by the Christian Church in the Cook Islands (CICC) and are on different dates on each island

MORE ABOUT GOSPEL DAYS

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