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Tahiti Annual Events
Dates and events are subject to change. For more details, check with tahititravelmate.
January
New Year's Day, All of French Polynesia celebrates the New Year. The long-standing tradition is to spend New Year's Day driving around the islands visiting friends and relatives. Children's games are held in town on most islands.
New Year "Kaina" Island Tour takes place in Tahiti the first Sunday of the New Year. The Office of Tourism organizes this celebration which features a guided "circle island" tour along with music, songs, games, plays, sports dances and other traditional animation
Ceremony of "Tere". The traditional three-day New Year's festivities celebrated in each village on the island of Rurutu .
First ATP Pacific Tour International Tennis Tournament (Tahiti)
Hinano Surf Tour (Tahiti), end of January
February
St. Valentine's Day, February 14th
This loving feast is celebrated everywhere with special entertainment
Tahiti Nui Marathon (and Tahiti Nui Inline Skate Marathon) - Along this entirely flat course next to a crystal blue lagoon and a rich tropical surrounding on paved circle island roads, water, PowerAde, and tropical fruits will be served to you from dugout canoes, and when you cross the finish line at Temae Beach, the beautiful Tahitian vahines will bestow you with a floral wreath and a shell medal! For more details, visit Tahiti Nui Marathon.
Chinese New Year
The Chinese community of Tahiti celebrates the New Year on the date given by the Chinese horoscope for that particular year. The program and festivities begin with an official opening ceremony at the Town Hall of Papeete. This is followed by a Grand Ball. A cultural day is also organized to discover the magic of Chinese folk culture; song, dance, martial arts and culinary arts.
"Hinano Cup Va'a" pirogue race (Tahiti)
March
Arrival of the First Missionaries (Marquesas Islands)
The only annual public holiday honoring the arrival of the first Christian European missionaries over 200 years ago, on March, 5, 1797. Celebrations include re-enactments of the missionaries' arrival.
The Coming of the Gospel
A commemorative celebration of the arrival of the first Protestant missionaries in Tahiti. This year marks the 207th anniversary of the Coming of the Gospel.
Tahitian Cultured Pearl Festival
The Black Pearl Festival will be held in To'ata Sqaure on the waterfront in Papeete Tahiti. See the amazing designs created with these world renown Cultured Pearls.
Raiatea International Billfish Tournament
The rules for this tournament are based on IGFA rules, which help protect deep-sea marine life. The winners of this competition will be rewarded with trophies and cash prizes!
Austral Inter-Island Games
A weeklong sporting holiday on the island of Rurutu, bringing together 400 athletes from throughout the Austral archipelago.
4th Annual Leeward Island Games
Competition to be held on the island of Huahine
The Tahiti Pro Regatta. "The only sailing regatta in the world with more lay days than races". Race among the stunning tropical Islands of Raiatea, Huahine, Taha'a and Bora Bora in Tahiti's Leeward Islands. Enjoy an island hopping festival of traditional food and entertainment and when the parties are over cruise the turquoise waters of the most beautiful lagoons in the world.
April
Tifaifai Quilting Week. Held on Tahiti at the City Hall of Papeete
Heineken Kayak Contest.
This competition is split into two races; the first leg will race over the 35-km stretch between Tahiti and her sister island, the second leg will be over the 45-km stretch between Huahine and Raiatea. These 2 contests are the basis for selection into the top French Polynesian team that will carry the national flag in overseas competition.
Areaarea I Tahiti. The inter-island games held on the island of Tahiti.
The "Me" Ceremony. The Evangelical Church's charity event to fundraise from each parish throughout French Polynesia.
May
Billabong Tahiti Pro Surfing Tournament -
The quiet village of Teahupoo (west coast of Tahiti) will host the event with trials organized from May 1st to May 4th and the main event from May 4th to May 17th. Local surfers will be invited to compete with the best surfers in the world during the trials. Surfers will face one of the most respected reef waves in the world. The size of the waves have earned the site the moniker "Jaws of Water."
Arearea I Tahiti Games - Sun 6th May - The inter-islands games held on the Island of Tahiti Following the elimination trials held in April - This offers an exciting insight into traditional island sport
Commemoration of the arrival of the Bounty - Held in the Austral Islands on the island of Tubuai
Marqueses Marathon or the "Land of Men" Marathon on Hiva Oa May 12th
Exotic Raid Adventure - Triathalon -Team or individual races held in Moorea in 3 trials: Kayak, bicycle tour and running in the mountains. Saturday May 14 and Saturday May 28
June
Tahiti Pro Am - Tahiti Golf International organised by the Polynesian Federation od Golf
This month is full of local cutltural activities as the community prepares for the month long Heiva I Tahiti celebration which opens at the end of the month.
Heiva I Tahiti (Cultural Heiva). - Opens 30th June to 29nd July - The largest cultural festival in all of Tahiti taking place at beautiful To'ata Square in Papeete, Tahiti. This year's Heiva will feature the biggest-ever assembly of dance troupes. In addition to the dance competitions there are sporting events, cultural demonstrations, cuisine and artisans.
July
Tahiti - Heiva Nui
Heiva of Arts & Crafts
This event will kick off the month-long Heiva Nui. Artists from all over French Polynesia will show and sell their wares at the Aorai Tini Hau Exposition Hall in the district of Pirae in Tahiti. Artists from all archipelagoes will demonstrate their skill at weaving, carving, tifaifai (Tahitian patchwork)... Demonstrations and workshops will be also held
Singing and dancing Festival
Tahiti Nui Games
Canoe Races
Bora Bora - Heiva I Bora Bora
August
International Golf Open. International event at the 18-hole golf course on the main island of Tahiti. The best golfers from the Pacific compete for the prize money.
Night of the Guitar & Ute. In late August, the local musicians descend on Papeete to compete in this contest based on traditional satirical improvisational songs.
Tahiti Agricultural Fair (Tahiti). Agriculture enthusiasts and flower growers join with artisans from throughout Tahiti and Her Islands during this highly-anticipated annual event. A Tahitian village is built for the occasion.
Te Ora e Te Mana. Historical reconstitution at the Marae Arahurahu in Paea on Tahiti.
September
World Tourism Day (Tahiti & Her Islands). Similar to the Heiva, this event celebrates tourism to Tahiti with a range of cultural, artistic, musical, and sporting demonstrations to delight visitors.
Annual Arts & Crafts Exposition of Tahiti-Iti. Held in the small village of Taravao, located at the isthmus of Tahiti and Tahiti-iti.
October
Super "Aito" Individual Canoe Race (Moorea-Tahiti). The best outrigger canoes compete in this inter-island race in pursuit of the title and the winner's ring.
Aitoman & Half-Aitoman Triathlon in Moorea. Proclaimed the "most exotic long distance triathlon in the world!!!".
Mister Tahiti Contest. Located on the island of Tahiti .
Hawaiki Nui Va'a. International Outrigger Canoe Race from the island of Huahine to Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora. Over 100 teams from canoeing countries all over the world participate in this grueling open-ocean race.
Carnival de Tahiti. Patterned after Rio's famous Carnival, visitors are encouraged to participate in this joyful celebration, which will have all of Papeete dancing to folkloric, Polynesian and international rhythms. The Parade takes place on the Papeete waterfront, a very colorful affair with around 15,000 participants.
Annual Arts & Crafts Exposition from the Austral Islands. Held at Vaiete Square in Papeete, Tahiti.
November
Tahiti Nui Roller Marathon
Located on the peninsula of Tahiti, also known as Tahiti-iti.
International Endurance. Sporting events in the Tuamotu atolls.
All Saint's Day -- "Turamaraa". The Papeete marketplace is transformed into a botanical garden and entertainment center during this poignant celebration. At night, the cemeteries are adorned with candles, as families sing hymns and recite prayers for their dearly departed.
Rugby in Moorea & Tahiti
A rugby "sevens" tournament on a half-field with special Tahitian atmosphere.
Special Austral Islands Festival Day. For a few days, the GIE Tahiti Manava Visitors Bureau offers an overview of the arts and crafts, cultural activities and cooking specialties practiced in the faraway Austral islands located at about 600 kilometers south of Tahiti.
Day of the "Tipanie" Flower (Tahiti). The frangipani (or plumeria) is celebrated during this festival. For this special event, many buidlings are decorated with this flower. A dinner is held during which contests are organized for the most beautiful flower crown and traditional "Mama Ru'au" dress.
"Te Tuhuka O Te Henua Enana" Marquesas Arts & Crafts Exhibit & Sale (Tahiti). In honor of Polynesian traditions, handicraft associations assemble to show their work. The Marquesas are well known for exquisite wood carvings and tapa cloth.
Annual Arts & Crafts Exposition from the Austral Islands. Held at Vaiete Square in Papeete, Tahiti.
Annual Arts & Crafts Exposition from the Marquesas. Held at To'ata Square in Papeete, Tahiti. November 16 - December 1.
Raiatea Quadrathlon
December
Tiare Days on Tahiti. Tahiti pays tribute to its emblematic flower during this three-day celebration. Many buildings are exceptionally decorated for this event.
Pineapple Festival (Moorea). The pineapple is the official symbol of Tahiti's sister island of Moorea. Moorea's Tourism Committee organizes a day of tastings and a variety of shows, all centered around the theme of the pineapple.
Special Marquesas Island Festival Days (Tahiti). For a few days, the GIE Tahiti Manava Visitors Bureau offers an overview of the arts, crafts, cultural activities and food specialties indigenous to these remote islands located approximately 500 kms North East of Tahiti.
Annual Arts & Crafts Exposition from the Marquesas
Held at To'ata Square in Papeete, Tahiti.
