What's on offer

The five zones

Good to know

FAQ's

Answers to common questions will go here. Send through what you'd like covered and it'll be added in.

Thank you for your interest in sharing your expertise, knowledge, and passion. Please read all the workshop information below before completing the application form.

Share Your Expertise

Become a part of the Sauna Fest journey by leading a workshop that inspires, elevates, and connects our community. We are setting a new standard for festival programming, curating a thoughtful and rigorous lineup rooted in genuine expertise, practical wisdom, and cultural integrity.

We are looking for dedicated, qualified practitioners and educators who bring genuine depth to their craft, prioritizing authentic expertise and professional integrity above all else.

Our workshop spaces are a hub for growth, practical learning, and meaningful connection, and we are especially interested in sessions focused on:

• Sauna Education & Culture: Sessions dedicated to the history, tradition, and authentic "how-to" of sauna culture, exploring the science of heat, physiological health benefits, and best practices for an elevated communal experience.
• Somatic Movement & Physical Practice: Grounded embodiment practices including yoga, tai chi, and functional movement that foster body reconnection and physical vitality.
• Restorative Practices & Sound Immersion: Nourishing modalities such as yoga nidra, sound healing, and meditation designed to promote deep rest, nervous system settling, and peaceful integration.
• Holistic Health & Wellbeing: Evidence-based, educational talks and interactive sessions spanning personal health, wellness, and sustainable living.
• Arts, Craft & Cultural Expression: Artistic, hands-on, and cultural workshops that celebrate craftsmanship, heritage, and creative storytelling.
• Self-Development & Inspiration: Practical personal growth, motivational speaking, and engaging storytelling designed to empower and uplift attendees.

Workshop Acceptance & Facilitator Exchange

If your workshop application is accepted, you will receive the following as our way of showing gratitude for sharing your expertise and contribution to the festival:

Key Dates for 2027

Our Approach to Workshop Content

We carefully curate our schedule to focus exclusively on grounded, practical education, somatic movement, and skill-sharing. While meaningful and enriching experiences are warmly welcomed, a festival environment is dynamic and social rather than a clinical container. For this reason, we intentionally steer clear of high-intensity modalities — such as breathwork, ritual or shamanic practices, and deep emotional, somatic, or energetic processing work — ensuring our spaces remain accessible, safe, and supportive.

Selection Process & Expectations

With a high volume of applications and limited spots, we cannot accept everyone. Curation is driven entirely by the authentic energy and quality of a facilitator's craft — not online metrics — and some proposals simply may not align with our vision. Furthermore, past facilitation does not guarantee a return, as we are dedicated to bringing fresh voices and diversity each year. We appreciate your patience during review and ask that you approach the outcome with humility — if the answer is no, please accept it with grace.

Do you have a different idea that you believe would be a perfect fit? We welcome all proposals that align with a grounded, practical, and educational approach and look forward to hearing from you.

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Thank you for your interest in sharing your musical gifts at Sauna Fest 2027! Please read all the musician information below before completing the application form.

Set the Vibe

Are you ready to share your soundscape with our community? We are seeking solo artists, DJs, live bands, and musicians of all genres — from grounding acoustic sounds to uplifting electronic beats, and everything in between.

Our musical journey flows naturally with the rhythm of the festival: starting with relaxed, ambient soundscapes during the day and building into vibrant, high-energy performances as the evenings unfold. If your music resonates with the heart, soul, and unique atmosphere of Sauna Fest, we invite you to apply!

Application Acceptance & Artist Exchange

If your musical application is accepted, you will receive the following as our way of showing gratitude for your artistry and contribution to the festival:

Key Dates for 2027

Before you apply, please ensure you've read all the above information and agree.

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Thank you for your interest in being part of Sauna Fest 2027! Please read all the vendor information below before completing the application form.

Fuel Your Fire

We are curating a vibrant culinary hub for 2027 dedicated entirely to deep nourishment. Across a weekend filled with the intense heat of the sauna, the crisp, refreshing waters of Lake Tikitapu, and hours spent moving through workshops and dance floors, the body craves wholesome, restorative fuel. We are looking for food artisans and mindful kitchens ready to feed our community with nutrient-dense, soulful sustenance that supports recovery, vitality, and connection.

We are particularly seeking vendors who excel at inclusive menus, offering thoughtful, vibrant vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options alongside quality meat dishes. From warming, grounding breakfasts and restorative midday lunches to hearty dinners, wholesome treats, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, warming hot drinks, and energizing tonics — bring your best to our festival table. If your food is crafted with intention and designed to heal and energize, we invite you to apply!

Key Festival Details

Dates: 14–16 May 2027
Location: Lake Tikitapu

Vendor Tiers & Pricing

Additional Vendor Information

• Choosing Your Tier: Please be mindful when choosing your tier. Tier 1 is strictly for setups up to 3x3m. If you select Tier 1 but arrive with a setup larger than this, it impacts our floor plan and available space. If your setup exceeds 3x3m upon arrival, you will be charged the price difference for a Tier 2 site, which will be invoiced post-festival.
• Power & Accommodation: If you require a powered site or a vehicle sleeper pass for your camping/accommodation setup, you must book and pay for these separately through the festival ticket platform.
• Extra Staff/Tickets: Additional vendor tickets can be offered at a discounted rate if you need more hands on deck.

Payment of Vendor Fees

Successful applicants will be required to pay for their site and any additional tickets within 1 week of their invoice being issued to secure their site. All vendor fees are inclusive of GST.

Hours & Operating Guidelines

• Vendor Trading Hours Guideline: Friday 1:00 PM – till late; Saturday 8:00 AM – till late; Sunday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
• Any variance in trading hours can be discussed with the Sauna Fest team prior to the event.
• Duration: Please honor trading requirements of staying on-site for the duration of the festival.

Pack-In & Pack-Out

• Pack-In: From 9:00 AM on Friday 14 May 2027. All vendors must be on-site, fully set up, and ready for trade by 1:00 PM.
• Pack-Out: From 1:00 PM on Sunday 16 May 2027.

Key Dates for 2027

Terms & Conditions

By applying, all successful food vendors agree to the following terms:

• Timing & Pack-Down: Upon acceptance, you are required to be completely set up and ready by Friday at 1:00 PM, and you must remain open for the duration of the festival trading hours until Sunday pack-out at 1:00 PM.
• Liability & Loss: Sauna Fest takes no responsibility for any loss, theft, or damage to your stock, equipment, or personal property incurred during the festival.
• Site Safety & Securing Structures: All marquees, gazebos, and structures must be safely and securely weighted down at all times (winds can pick up at the lake, so please bring adequate weights, not just pegs).
• Waste & Leave No Trace: Vendors are responsible for managing their own rubbish and packing out all packaging, waste, and unsold items. Please leave your site as clean as you found it.
• Conduct & Vibe: We expect all vendors to maintain a respectful, positive, and community-minded demeanor toward attendees, staff, and fellow vendors at all times.

Before you apply, please ensure you've read all the above information and agree.

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Thank you for your interest in being part of Sauna Fest 2027! Please read all the market stall information below before completing the application form.

Craft Your Corner

We are curating a specialized, vibrant market village for 2027, with a dedicated focus on sauna and wellbeing culture.

This year, we are curating a market grounded in practical vitality and functional wellbeing. We are especially excited to feature makers and brands whose products integrate smoothly into the physical sauna and wellness journey, including:

• Sauna Gear & Accessories: Apparel, specialized towels, swimwear, hats, and traditional or modern sauna accessories.
• Health & Recovery: Enhancing wellbeing through nutrition, hydration products, functional supplementation, and body care tailored to heat and recovery and holistic wellness.
• Art & Craft: High-quality, thoughtfully made goods that align with a grounded wellness aesthetic.

If your products are a great match for our sauna culture, apply today to be a part of our festival community!

Key Festival Details

Dates: 14–16 May 2027
Location: Lake Tikitapu

Stall Tiers & Pricing

Additional Stall Holder Information

• Food & Beverage: If you are selling food or beverages (not just small tasters), you are required to apply as a food vendor rather than a market stall holder.
• Choosing Your Tier: Please be mindful when choosing your tier. Tier 1 is strictly for setups up to 3x3m. If you select Tier 1 but arrive with a setup larger than this, it impacts our floor plan and available space. If your setup exceeds 3x3m upon arrival, you will be charged the price difference for a Tier 2 site, which will be invoiced post-festival.
• Parking, Power & Accommodation: One standard car park per market stall holder is included on-site. If you require a powered site or a vehicle sleeper pass for your camping/accommodation setup, you must book and pay for these separately through the festival ticket platform.
• Extra Staff/Tickets: Additional market stall tickets can be offered at a discounted rate if you need more hands on deck.

Payment of Market Stall Fees

Successful applicants will be required to pay for their site and any additional tickets within 1 week of their invoice being issued to secure their site. All market stall fees are inclusive of GST.

Hours & Key Guidelines

• Operating Hours & Festival Times: The festival runs from Friday 1:00 PM to Sunday 1:00 PM. Market stall holders are welcome to operate within their own flow of time, but please be mindful to be present at your stall during the busiest hours of the day to keep our market alive and vibrant.
• Duration: Please honor trading requirements of staying on-site for the duration of the festival.

Key Dates for 2027

Terms & Conditions

By applying, all successful market stall holders agree to the following terms:

• Timing & Pack-Down: Upon acceptance, you are required to be completely set up and ready by Friday at 1:00 PM, and you must remain open until the festival closes at 1:00 PM on Sunday.
• Liability & Loss: Sauna Fest takes no responsibility for any loss, theft, or damage to your stock, equipment, or personal property incurred during the festival.
• Site Safety & Securing Structures: All marquees, gazebos, and structures must be safely and securely weighted down at all times (winds can pick up at the lake, so please bring adequate weights, not just pegs).
• Waste & Leave No Trace: Stall holders are responsible for managing their own rubbish and packing out all packaging, waste, and unsold items. Please leave your site as clean as you found it.
• Conduct & Vibe: We expect all stall holders to maintain a respectful, positive, and community-minded demeanor toward attendees, staff, and fellow vendors at all times.

Before you apply, please ensure you've read all the above information and agree.

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Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Sauna Fest 2027! Please read all the volunteer information below before completing the application form.

Join the Sauna Squad!

Are you passionate about wellness, community, and unforgettable experiences? We are seeking enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers to help bring Sauna Fest 2027 to life! By joining our team, you'll contribute to a unique event that celebrates the rejuvenating power of sauna culture and human connection. Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or simply looking to give back, your energy and support are invaluable to our community.

The Exchange

We need support across a range of roles, including (but not limited to):

• Setting up and packing down
• Welcoming and gatekeeping
• Kids zone activities
• Sauna maintenance and wood tending
• Operations assistant — errands, ad hoc tasks, and driving
• Shuttle support — helping festival attendees bring their gear in and out of site
• Camping and site logistics

If you're a reliable, flexible, and resourceful individual, we'd love to hear from you!

In exchange for 2 x 4-hour shifts between 1:00 PM Friday 14 May to 1:00 PM Sunday 16 May 2027, we will gratefully provide you with:

Volunteer Commitment & Deposit Policy

To keep Sauna Fest running smoothly, we rely entirely on the dedication of our team. Over the past few years, we have experienced some challenges with last-minute drop-outs and reliability, which places a heavy strain on our crew and community.

Key Dates for 2027

Before you apply, please ensure you've read all the above information and agree.

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Thank you for your interest in presenting your craft at the Sauna Fest 2027 Aufguss Championship! Please read all the information below before completing the application form.

Bring the Heat

We are looking for passionate, experienced Aufguss masters to create unique, immersive sensory experiences inside our saunas. Following the success of our inaugural event, we are thrilled to host the second annual Sauna Fest Aufguss Championship! We are excited to showcase the ancient art of Aufguss infused with Aotearoa's unique creative spirit, celebrating culture and presence through deep heat, sensory elements, and expressive artistry.

This is your chance to share your talent in an intimate, heated environment. We are accepting applications for:

• Traditional Aufguss: Lead a session with towels, essential oils, and your expertise.
• Mindfulness & Meditation: Guide participants into a state of deep relaxation.
• Sound Journeys: Use instruments or your voice to create an immersive auditory experience.
• Live Performance: Share your music or storytelling in an intimate setting.
• Something completely different: If you have an idea that doesn't fit these categories, we'd love to see it.

Every accepted participant will be performing as part of the official Sauna Fest Aufguss Championship! We will be scoring each session across the weekend, with one exceptional practitioner taking home the official championship trophy.

Guided sauna session length: 30 minutes each (split into two 15 min slots with a cool down period in between)

Championship Acceptance & Facilitator Exchange

If your application is accepted, we require you to perform your Aufguss session twice across the duration of the festival. In return, you will receive the following as our way of showing gratitude for sharing your craft:

Key Dates for 2027

Before you apply, please ensure you've read all the above information and agree.

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Thank you for your interest in joining our Sound & Tech Crew. Please read all the details below before completing the application form.

Set the Scene

Behind every seamless workshop, vibrant performance, and immersive stage experience is a dedicated tech team. Our Sound & Tech Crew is crucial to the heart and rhythm of Sauna Fest, ensuring crystal-clear audio and atmospheric lighting across our three powered festival zones.

We are seeking reliable, engaged individuals with experience in live audio and lighting setups to join our crew and support our Sound & Lighting Coordinator throughout the weekend. Reliability, clear communication, and a strong work ethic are essential to keeping the festival energy running smoothly.

What the Role Involves

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Zone Support: Assisting with the set-up, pack-down, and smooth operation of sound systems and lighting across 3 powered zones.
• Artist & Facilitator Care: Helping workshop facilitators, performers, and musicians patch in, manage microphones, and set up their gear seamlessly.
• Coordination & Troubleshooting: Working directly alongside our Sound & Lighting Coordinator to monitor levels, manage stage transitions, and maintain equipment.

Crew Commitment & Requirements

To ensure the festival runs smoothly from start to finish, we require all tech crew members to be dependable and committed:

• Commitment: Complete 3 x 4-hour shifts over the course of the festival weekend.
• On-Site Presence: Be present on-site for the full duration of the festival (from initial setup briefings through to the final wrap-up).

Tech Crew Acceptance & Exchange

In recognition of your time, hands-on support, and vital contribution to the festival experience, you will receive:

Key Dates for 2027

Please note: Applications are curated based on reliability, alignment with festival values, and crew capacity. Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.

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Thank you for your interest in offering your healing practices at the Sauna Fest 2027 Somatic Sanctuary! Please read all the information below before completing the application form.

Return to the Body

Are you a qualified, experienced somatic practitioner ready to share your gifts with our community? We are looking for dedicated practitioners across various modalities — such as deep tissue massage, relaxation massage, and nervous system regulation — to hold space within our dedicated container.

Marking our third consecutive year offering the Somatic Sanctuary, we provide a warm, enclosed space dedicated to deep nervous system regulation, body reconnection, and holistic healing, freely accessible to all festival attendees.

We pride ourselves on curating a lineup of highly experienced, trauma-informed, and inclusive practitioners. Because we hold the depth and integrity of this experience with the utmost care, a strict application process will be carried out to ensure a strong alignment in values and practice.

Space Tiers & Pricing

Additional Practitioner Information

• Parking, Power & Accommodation: One standard car park per practitioner is included on-site. If you require a powered site (subject to availability) or a vehicle sleeper pass for your camping/accommodation setup, you must book and pay for these separately through the festival ticket platform.
• Extra Staff/Tickets: Additional practitioner tickets can be offered at a discounted rate if you need more hands on deck.

Key Dates for 2027

Before you apply, please ensure you've read all the above information and agree.

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As a facilitator or practitioner at Sauna Fest, you hold a vital role in nurturing the culture, safety, and container of our community. We ask all contributors to align with the following core principles:

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Thank you for your interest in performing at Sauna Fest 2027! Please read all the information below before completing the application form.

Weave Your Magic

Beyond heat and sound, Sauna Fest is a multi-sensory landscape brought to life through movement, physical artistry, and spontaneous magic. We are seeking dynamic performers and creative artists to weave their craft into the festival experience—whether taking center stage, lighting up the evening, or roaming through our spaces to surprise and delight.

What We're Looking For (Examples)

This list is meant to spark inspiration, not limit your creativity—if your art form brings energy, beauty, or playfulness to shared spaces, we want to hear from you!

• Movement & Expressive Dance Artists: Dancers, physical theater artists, hula hoopers, ribbon/silk performers, and movement specialists who embody fluid, captivating energy and graceful physical expression.
• Acrobatic & Circus Arts: Hand balancers, aerialists, ground acrobatics, and high-skill physical performers who command attention and inspire awe.
• Roving Characters, Storytellers & Performers: Immersive characters, interactive performers, spoken word artists, wandering poets offering micro-writings, or storytellers who bring creative expression, playfulness, and unexpected, personal moments directly to the festival grounds.
• Comedy & Playful Acts: Stand-up, physical comedy, improvisational artists, mimes, living statues, giant bubble acts, or play facilitators who bring humor, levity, and joyful moments to the stage or festival grounds.
• Body & Face Paint Artists: Conscious body artists offering eco-friendly, biodegradable face paint, natural adornments, or henna to help attendees step fully into the festival spirit.

Performer Acceptance & Exchange

If your application is accepted, you will receive the following as our way of showing gratitude for sharing your expertise and contribution to the festival:

Please note: Applications are thoughtfully curated based on artistic quality, safety, and overall fit for our festival grounds. Due to space constraints and line-up balancing, submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.

Key Dates for 2027

Before you apply, please ensure you've read all the above information and agree.

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