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The South Pacific
Destination Guides:
Exclusive Resorts:
Tahiti Special Events
The world of French Polynesia is ripe with fun and frolicking. Festivals are aplenty and fun-loving locals can come up with just about any reason to celebrate. No matter when you arrive in the islands, you’re sure to come across some sort of special event that will make your stay even more delightful. Beginning with New Year celebrations in January and ending with gala Christmas fetes in December, Tahiti provides guests with a taste of local flavor all year long, courtesy of their many special events.
Festive Holidays
• Chinese New Year – What could be a better way to ring in the New Year than with colorful dragons, unique Chinese dances, martial arts demonstrations, and – of course – authentic Chinese food? This mid-January celebration pays homage to the Asian background of many Tahitians, but everyone joins in the fun.
• Tahiti Moorea Marathon – What a great way to see the island of Moorea! Runners from around the world gather in this most beautiful location to circle Moorea on an exciting 42 kilometer (26 mile) run around the island. Thousands come out to cheer them on, making this annual February event fun for all.
• Coming of the Gospel – This unique French Polynesian event takes place on the island of Tahiti and commemorates the anniversary of the arrival on the islands of the London Missionary Society, the first Protestant missionaries in Tahiti.
• Areaarea I Tahiti – A sort of mini-Olympics, athletes from all the islands of French Polynesia come together each April for a fierce but friendly inter-island games. This event is a favorite with both locals and visitors and involves a number of different sports.
• Billabong Tahiti Pro Surfing Tournament – This 2 ½-week event, held each May, brings the world’s greatest surfers to Tahiti for a crack at “The Jaws of Water”, located near the village of Teahupoo on the west coast of the island. Locals also have the opportunity to take on these world-class surfers to determine who can better handle these raging waters.
• Heiva I Tahiti (Cultural Tahiti) – Held in Papeete, this festival is touted as the largest cultural event in French Polynesia and features dance competitions, traditional cuisine, sporting events, cultural demonstrations, and much more. Held in June.
• Tahiti Nui Cup Regatta – Dubbed "the only sailing regatta in the world with more lay days than races," this is more an island-hopping festival of food and fun than a race! Lucky sailors have the opportunity to race among the islands of Raiatea, Huahine, Taha'a and Bora Bora in this 10-day event which takes place each June.
• Heiva Nui – A month-long (July) festival originally organized to commemorate Bastille Day, this amazing event features a bit of everything from parades and games to music, dance, and reenactments of ancient Polynesian ceremonies. Hotels fill up quickly during this time, so those wanting to experience Heiva Nui should plan far in advance.
• World Tourism Days – Islanders tip their hat to foreign visitors during this September event, which strives to highlight the rich culture of the island. Guests can take advantage of lots of perks during this celebration.
• Carnival de Tahiti – The last week of October brings this Rio-type carnival to Papeete. Thousands participate in parades, dancing, music, Polynesian storytelling, and much, much more. Truly one of the most colorful events of the year.
• All Saints’ Day – The Feast of All Saints (November 1), honoring those who have passed away, is celebrated in poignant style in Tahiti. Entertainment is held during the day and, in the evening, family members bring candles to the cemeteries, praying together and singing hymns of tribute to their loved ones.
• Tiare Days – This three-day festival pays tribute to the Tiare flower, a gardenia indigenous to Tahiti. Downtown Papeete is ornately decorated during this event and everyone you meet will be donning one of these fragrant flowers.
• Pineapple Festival – Held on Moorea and sponsored by the local tourism commission, this special event honors Moorea’s official symbol – the pineapple. Nearly everything that happens during this festival is pineapple-themed and visitors especially love tasting the unique foods that feature the national fruit.