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Summary of Cook Islands events in 2024
This is a summary of the main events in the Cook Islands calendar which will make any visit even more memorable. All events are on Rarotonga unless otherwise stated. Where dates are shown they are confirmed. Where they're not, you can see when the event took place in 2023
FOR FULL DETAILS OF THE EVENTS
CLICK HERE That page also includes a summary of 2025 events
All information is provided in good faith, but in these uncertain times events are liable to cancellation or rescheduling
JANUARY TO AUGUST
KONI RAONI FESTIVAL, AITUTAKI 2 January
BEACH GAMES: 6-20 January
RAROTONGA AIRPORT 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS:
22-29 January
COMPOSERS COMPETITION (Te Mire Atu): 27 March
SOLAR ECLIPSE (Penrhyn) : 8 April, 2024 Click for more
PRIDE COOK ISLANDS CELEBRATIONS: 12-20 April
PURSUIT IN PARADISE MARATHON, AITUTAKI: 29 April-2 May
DANCER OF THE YEAR (Te Mire Ura):
2-24 May
TRIATHLON FESTIVAL: 2-7 May
MANGAIA GOSPEL BICENTENNIAL: 9-16 June
TE MAEVA NUI (CONSTITUTION CELEBRATIONS): 30 July-5 August
NATIONAL GOSPEL DAY: Held 26-27 July in 2023
Whale watching season
July to October
Between mid to late July and October the waters off the islands are full of whales you can watch without ever leaving the shore. Find out more here
Photos: Cook Islands News
SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
ROUND RARO ROAD RACE:
19-25 September
COOK ISLANDS GAMES: 6-19 October
TURAMA: 1 November each year
VAKA EIVA (CANOEING FESTIVAL): 24-29 November
TE MIRE TIARE (FLOWER) FESTIVAL: Held from 27-29 November in 2023
FITNESS FESTIVAL, AITUTAKI: Held 31 Aug-2 Sep in 2023 but expected to be in November in 2024
CHRISTMAS EVENTS: Throughout December - including Santa parades and a picnic in the park
KONI RAONI FESTIVAL, AITUTAKI 26 December
FOR FULL DETAILS OF EVENTS CLICK HERE
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
Queen's Birthday (HM Queen Elizabeth II): first week of June*
Ra O Te Ui Ariki (The Day of the Council of High Chiefs): first Friday in July
Constitution Day - 4th August
* Following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, the government will decide whether there will be a different holiday but so far this remains. Not Palmerston which has its own public holidays