The happiest festival in New Zealand is back this winter.
27 June – 25 July 2026
Get your Christmas jumpers (and gumboots) ready! The New Zealand Festival of Christmas returns this winter with a brand-new theme for 2026:
A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS.
At The White Swan, Christmas in July is our favourite time of year—and somehow, it just keeps getting better. Each winter, Greytown transforms into Aotearoa’s cosiest destination, filled with glowing lights, crackling braziers, festive food and drinks, and that unmistakable small-town charm. All the favourites are back—bigger and brighter—alongside exciting new events for 2026, bringing even more rural flair to the festivities.
We do warm, country hospitality like no other—so wrap up warm, gather your friends and whānau, book your stay with us and soak it all in. We can’t wait to celebrate with you. 🎄
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This winter, step into something truly magical.
Our most exciting new addition for the season, The Snow Supper is set to be a truly magical winter experience.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of festive dining, where falling snow, glowing lights, and a beautifully curated menu come together to create something special.
Running Sunday–Thursday throughout the Festival of Christmas, the Snow Dinner Experience is perfect for couples, friends and visitors looking for a truly special mid-winter evening.
See all details below.
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Make a night (or two!) of it with our Snow & Stay Experience.
Enjoy The Snow Supper, then retreat to one of our boutique hotel rooms for a relaxed and cosy overnight stay. Wake up refreshed and ease into the morning with the charm and comfort The White Swan is known for. Then step out into the Greytown Village Festival of Christmas, and enjoy all it has to offer.
It’s the perfect winter escape—great food, a magical atmosphere, and warm, country hospitality like no other.
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Presented in partnership with Greytown Distilling Company
WHERE: The White Swan, Greytown
WHEN: Every Friday & Saturday in July
Doors: 5:00 pm - 8:30pmGreytown’s best-kept winter secret is back. Step into The White Swan’s Gin Garden Bar — a cosy mid-winter pop-up brimming with festive charm, crackling fires, live music, and winter warmers crafted with small-batch mulled gin from Greytown Distilling Company.
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Our mid-winter festival is designed to bring friends and family together, and we’ve got entertainment that really brings the joy. Plus, with school holidays in the middle of the festival, it’s an ideal time to plan a trip with friends or whānau.
Some of the most popular events, like The Illumination Night Walk and Festive Night Glow are ticketed and expected to sell out, so it’s worth locking in your dates early.
Have a look through the highlights, and start planning your visit now. We can’t wait to welcome you here!
THE SNOW SUPPER
AT THE SWAN
This winter, step into something truly magical.
Our most exciting new addition for the season, The Snow Supper is set to be a truly magical winter experience. Join us for an unforgettable evening of festive dining, where falling snow, glowing lights, and a beautifully curated menu come together to create something special.
Set between award-winning The Captain’s Dining Room and our beautifully lit winter deck, you’ll dine beneath dark Wairarapa dark skies as snow gently falls around you. Wrapped in cosy blankets and winter hats, you’ll enjoy a carefully crafted seasonal menu paired with outstanding local wines. Think hearty, seasonal dishes, perfectly paired drinks, and an atmosphere that feels straight out of a winter postcard. It’s cosy, a little bit indulgent, and unmistakably us.
The Snow Supper – Booking details
Available: Sunday – Thursday evenings only
Location: North Deck (outdoor setting), The Captain’s Dining Room (indoor setting)
Menu: Set menu – $99 per person
Choice of 2 entrées / 2 mains / 2 desserts
Includes a warming mulled gin on arrival
Bookings: Essential – available online via NowBookIt.
Payment: Pay on arrival
Please note: Snow Supper is a special experience and only available on selected nights with limited capacity.
THE GIN GARDEN BAR
Presented in partnership with Greytown Distilling Company
WHERE: The White Swan, Greytown
WHEN: Every Friday & Saturday in July
Doors: 5:00 pm - 8:30pm
Greytown’s best-kept winter secret is back. Step into The White Swan’s Gin Garden Bar — a cosy mid-winter pop-up brimming with festive charm, crackling fires, live music, and winter warmers crafted with small-batch mulled gin from Greytown Distilling Company.
Perfect for a relaxed afternoon catch-up or a post-lunch sip, the Gin Garden is your go-to weekend destination this July.
No bookings required — just drop in and soak it up.
There’s something for the everyone at The Swan! We’ve got our infamous Hot Choc Charlie, The Sugar Shack, and Caveman BBQ parked up every Friday and Saturday.
More details to come!
THE SNOW & STAY EXPERIENCE PACKAGE
Make a night of it with our Snow & Stay Experience.
Enjoy The Snow Supper, then retreat to one of our deluxe hotel rooms for a relaxed and cosy overnight stay. Wake up refreshed and ease into the morning with the charm and comfort The White Swan is known for. Step out into the Greytown Village Festival of Christmas, and enjoy all it has to offer.
It’s the perfect winter escape—great food, a magical atmosphere, and warm, country hospitality like no other.
The Snow & Stay Experience Package - Booking details
Available: Sunday – Thursday nights only between 28 June – 23 July 2026
Package includes:The Snow Supper dining experience for two
One night in a boutique room at The White Swan
Price: $400 for two guests
Bookings: Must be booked in advance online, availability limited.
Please note: Snow Supper & Stay is a special experience and only available on selected nights with limited capacity.
