Mount Busking Festival Is Back and Set to Take Over Mount Mainstreet for King’s Birthday Weekend!

After a short hiatus, Mount Busking Festival is making a bold return. Taking over Maunganui Road for King’s Birthday weekend, get ready to see local performers put on a show. 

Until 2019, it has been a long-standing event that has brought a lot of vibrancy to the seaside destination. Mount Business Association (aka Mount Mainstreet) is proudly reviving it for all to enjoy. The street-wide festival encourages Tauranga locals, and those further afield, to join in across the two-day event and soak in the entertainment while roaming downtown.

On Sunday 2 June, from 12pm to 5pm, and Monday 3 June, from 9am to 12pm, expect musicians with killer vocals and circus performances that defy. 

We’ve got The Hittmen performing their unique style of fuse drumming. DJ Matt Bizzle will spin tunes paired with epic solo sax performances. We’ll also have local favourites, including Louie Campbell, Finn Curtis, Josh Pow and Bridget Morgan belting out the hits, new and old. 

Delivering pure entertainment, we have Ringmaster Rowan from Circus In A Flash doing stunts on a unicycle, Steve London putting on sensational magic tricks, and daredevil juggler Crazy Jase from Butler Circus Warehouse.

In addition, Monday afternoon will also have something just for the kids with Circus In A Flash’s have-a-go style workshop from 12pm to 2pm. This will involve learning to juggle, spinning plates, hula hoops, poi spinning and much more.

The mix of amateur and professional entertainers will rotate between five locations on both days, including Te Papa O Ngā Manu Porotakataka, Coronation Park, The Cruise Deck, the corner of Grove and Maunganui Road, and the corner of Mount Drury and Maunganui Road. The full set list and map will be released closer to the date. 

“Members of the Mount Maunganui community have spoken fondly of the Mount Busking Festivals we have hosted in the past, so for this year’s revival event, coupled with the chance to support our local artists and performers, it was a no-brainer to bring it back to life,” Mount Mainstreet’s Destination Manager Michael Clark said. “We look forward to making this an event for everyone to enjoy for years to come.” 

The crowd is encouraged to support their favourite talents by making cash or coin donations on the day, or they can do so electronically using the individual QR codes that many of the entertainers will be sporting through The Buskers Project. 

King’s Birthday long weekend is the perfect excuse to make the most of getting out and about downtown. Park up at one location or roam the shops and dine out as you travel between each spot.

See you there!

Mount Busking Festival 2024

Sunday 2 June, 12pm – 5pm

Monday 3 June, 9am – 12pm &

Have-A-Go Workshop: Monday 3 June, 12 – 2pm

Free event. No tickets required.