A WEEK OF MAGIC, COMMUNITY & UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

As we begin dreaming, planning, and preparing for FREEDOM2FLY FEST 2026, we've found ourselves reflecting on the incredible memories created during last year's festival.

Performance Squad performing their Cheerleading routine during the Student Dance Showcase ‘A Season of Dance’

For one unforgettable week, Raglan came alive with creativity, connection, music, movement, laughter, and world-class performance. Artists, performers, volunteers, families, businesses, and audiences came together to create something truly special—and what a celebration it was.

Members from the Raglan Ukelele group performed on the Sunday Busking Day Festival a fun uplifting set that had the public tapping their toes and singing to some absolute bangers!

A Festival Built on Community

What makes FREEDOM2FLY FEST so unique isn't just what happens on stage.

It's the people.

The volunteers who give their time. The local businesses who jump in to help. The families cheering from the audience. The artists who travel from around the country to be here. The young performers stepping bravely into the spotlight.

Phoebe Lockyer performing a beautiful ballet routine for Grade 4 in the Dance Showcase - A SEASON OF DANCE

Every year, we're reminded that this festival is about so much more than performances—it's about bringing people together and creating experiences that leave a lasting impact.

F2F crew Jay Ramirez, Valerie Bianchi and Raglan Council member Lisa Thomson saying a Karakia during the opening ceremony of the Sunday Busking Day in the main Street of Raglan.

None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our Raglan community.

From businesses sponsoring vouchers and prizes, providing meals for artists and crew, helping with printing and promotion, to the countless volunteers working behind the scenes, FREEDOM2FLY FEST truly is a community effort.

Every contribution, big or small, helps bring the festival to life, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who continues to believe in and support what we're building together.

SOLD OUT SHOWS & MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME

One of the most exciting parts of the festival was seeing our community get behind every event.

Romane performing her solo silks routine in the F2F all women cast camping show ‘BUZZKILL” that had the public in awe on Sunday Busking Day.

Both of our Student Showcases—the Aerial, Circus & Acro Showcase and the Dance Showcase—sold out, with audiences filling the spaces to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students.

Watching young performers take the stage with confidence, courage, and pride was one of the highlights of the entire festival.

Performance on ‘Sunday Busking Day’ by F2F students coming together on the stage for the opening ceremony in Bow Street.

Our Adults-Only Cabaret Shows also sold out once again, continuing what has become one of the most anticipated events on the ANNUAL RAGLAN calendar. Filled with extraordinary talent, unforgettable performances, and plenty of laughter, these evenings were a true celebration of live entertainment.

The beautiful burlesque performer Michelle Kasey added glamour, sass and captivated the adults only Cabaret Audiences.

Across the week, hundreds of audience members joined us to experience the magic of performance, with each show welcoming around 150 people through the doors.

Audience members were enamored with the talent, fun, shenanigans and sass of the Adults only Cabaret Night ‘CABARET BLANCO’

WORLD-CLASS TALENT IN OUR LITTLE COASTAL TOWN

‘Naranjarte’ an international puppeteer company based in Auckland performed a mesmerising puppet show to the locals as the opening busking show for Sunday Busking Day.

One of the things we love most about FREEDOM2FLY FEST is bringing exceptional artists to Raglan while creating opportunities for local performers to share the stage.

Artists travelled from Auckland, Christchurch, and beyond to be part of the festival. Many of these performers spend their international summer seasons performing professionally throughout Europe before returning to New Zealand and choosing to include FREEDOM2FLY FEST in their annual calendar.

Christchurch performers Mullet Man and Mim wowed the Raglan crowds on Sunday Busking Day.

For a small-town festival, that's something we're incredibly proud of.

Their talent, generosity, and passion continue to inspire audiences and performers alike.

Zactacular brought his fiery solo performance to the main street of Raglan on Sunday Busking Day.

MORE THAN A FESTIVAL

From live music and performances throughout SUNDAY BUSKING Day, to workshops, backstage moments, shared meals, spontaneous laughter, and connections formed along the way, FREEDOM2FLY FEST is about so much more than entertainment.

It's about creating opportunities

Opportunities for young performers to step onto a stage.
Opportunities for audiences to experience incredible live entertainment.
Opportunities for artists to connect, collaborate, and inspire.
Opportunities for our community to come together and celebrate creativity.

Raglan Art to Wear masterpieces were modelled throughout the main street between Sunday Busking Day performances bringing a touch of mystique, creation and magic to the festival.

Every year we see friendships formed, confidence built, dreams sparked, and memories created.

That impact extends far beyond festival week.

Raglan Theatre Academy performed a beautiful colourful piece from their ‘LION KING’ end of year performance during the Sunday Busking Day.

THE COUNTDOWN TO 2026 BEGINS

As proud as we are of what was achieved in 2025, we're even more excited about what's ahead.

Planning for FREEDOM2FLY FEST 2026 is already underway. New ideas are being explored, exciting opportunities are emerging, and our team is dreaming bigger than ever before.

If 2025 taught us anything, it's that this festival belongs to all of us—the performers, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, families, businesses, and audience members who continue to believe in the power of the arts.