Tauranga’s waterfront is about to come alive as YouthFest 2025
The Bay of Plenty’s biggest youth-led celebration during Youth Week — takes over The Strand on Saturday, 24 May.
YouthFest is a festival like no other: an event entirely driven, designed, and delivered by young people themselves. Powered by passion, creativity, and leadership, YouthFest promises an afternoon packed with energy, live entertainment, innovation, and surprises.
We’re proud to announce that eight outstanding youth performers have been hand-selected by our Youth Voices Action youth panel and will take centre stage to showcase the incredible homegrown talent that our community has to offer. But the excitement doesn't stop there.
This year's YouthFest highlights include:
Live Performances by the next generation of stars
Maker Space — Hands-on creative fun
Young Entrepreneurs Market — Youth-led businesses and initiatives
Interactive Zones hosted by community organisations
Epic Giveaways — including a One NZ Warriors jersey and more!
And just when you think you've seen it all — expect a few surprises along the way.
Backing the Future, Together
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and partners. In a time when community initiatives face growing funding constraints, we are especially grateful to those who stepped forward to make sure this event could happen.
Special thanks to One NZ, Trueman & Co, and Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund for believing in the power of young people and investing in their future. It's organisations like these that give grassroots initiatives like Youth Voices Action the ability to grow and continue creating platforms where young people can lead, connect, and shine.
“YouthFest isn’t just an event, it’s a statement,” said Rebecca Kit, Programmes and Partnerships Manager of Youth Voices Action. “Young people told us they needed more spaces built for them, by them — and that’s exactly what this is. Every act on the stage, every organisation at the event, every MC with the mic — it’s all youth-chosen, youth-led, and youth-celebrated.”
YouthFest 2025 is free to attend and welcomes everyone — young people, families, and the wider community — to come together for a day of celebration, inspiration, and connection.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, 24 May 2025 (Rain date: Saturday, 31 May)
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Tauranga CBD Waterfront, The Strand
Entry: Free!
This is just the beginning. With every performer cheered, every young entrepreneur supported, and every new connection made, we build the foundation for something even bigger — together.
Follow @YouthVoicesAction for exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and your chance to grab one of our epic giveaways!
