Hororātā Glowed Brighter Than Ever

On Saturday 10th May 2025, the rural village of Hororātā came to life with colour, light, and community spirit as a sell-out crowd of 11,000 people gathered for the much-anticipated Hororātā Glow Festival. Complete the visitor’s survey to WIN!

12 stunning hot air balloons glowing in unison to a soundtrack had the whole crowd dancing, amidst a captivating festival that provided 5 hours of nonstop entertainment.

The Manawa Energy Glow Walk lit up the Hororātā Domain, drawing thousands into an enchanted trail through the trees, while families enjoyed live music, a wide range of food trucks, and free children’s entertainment. A standout performance came from the ever-popular Wonky Donkey Man, who was a hit with both the young and the young-at-heart.

Presented by the Hororātā Community Trust in association with Ballooning Canterbury, the event once again proved that Hororātā really knows how to put on a show.

“This festival is about so much more than entertainment,” said Event Manager Cindy Driscoll. “It’s about building community pride, celebrating our rural way of life, and giving people something magical to be part of right here in the heart of Selwyn.”

“What many don’t see is the week-long effort behind the scenes. We host balloon crews from around New Zealand and the world. It takes a huge volunteer effort. More than 130 volunteers are involved in bringing the event to life – from setting up and running logistics, to parking, ticketing, and everything in between. It’s our people who make this festival special.”

The Hororātā Glow Festival is a key initiative of the Hororātā Community Trust, whose mission is to grow resilience, connection, and wellbeing in the region through impactful events and community-led projects, including rebuilding the historic Hororātā Hall, which some of the profits from the Glow Festival will go towards. The event also benefits 14 community groups who have their own fundraising stalls.

“This event is a celebration of who we are as a rural community,” Driscoll added. “The festival builds connections and creates a sense of pride that ripples well beyond the event. We love welcoming visitors and providing a memorable experience.

The Hororātā Community Trust is grateful to everyone who are part of the event, the volunteers’ sponsors, suppliers, stallholders, balloonists, and visitors who made this year’s event such a glowing success. We can’t wait to do it all again in 2027!”