Just because it’s hibernation weather doesn’t mean you need to hibernate!

There’s plenty of events and activities to keep you entertained (and warm) over the coming months. We’ve put together a list of some of our to-dos:

1. International Film Festival, 14 July-18 September
various locations throughout New Zealand
This month sees the New Zealand International Film Festival kick off in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, followed by other locations throughout August and September. Along with highly anticipated fashion film The First Monday in May, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the Met Gala, other hot tickets are Beware the Slenderman (tipped to be the most compulsive viewing since Making a Murderer) and Everybody Wants Some, from Boyhood and Dazed and Confused director Richard Linklater.
Book your tickets now at nziff.co.nz

2. Beretta at Bracu, from 29 July
Simunovich Olive Estate, Bombay
Not just for the boys, a day with 500-year-old Italian gun manufacturer Beretta is glammed up considerably when the claybird shooting, knife-throwing and archery activities are accompanied by a fine dining finisher at Bracu. Set amid the 96 hectare olive grove at Simunovich Olive Estate, you’ll love being able to kick back aferwards inside the homely restyled Kauri villa and enjoy a comforting red wine and seasonal offerings prepared by head chef Mikey Newlands.
See the packages here berettaatbracu.co.nz

3. Clicquot in the Snow, 4-7 August
Queenstown
The four-day celebration is back with a lineup of luxury events to get your blood pumping and your tastebud’s salivating. Aside from daily ski jaunts up Coronet Peak, obviously with regular recesses at the Clicquot Apres Bar and Clicquot Cabin, there is a load of ‘off-piste’ action to get involved with too – including street parties, high teas, long lunches and fashion shows aboard the Earnslaw steamship.
See the full Clicquot in the Snow program and buy tickets, visit clicquotinthesnow.co.nz

4. Restaurant Month, 1-31 August 
Auckland
Throughout August, you’ll be able to try something new for lunch and dinner every day – quite literally – with over 100 Auckland restaurants offering special menus for Restaurant Month, providing $25, $40 and $55+ options. There’s also a line-up of over 25 special foodie events to keep your on your toes – from Street Eats and The Big Cheese (a long lunch celebrating everyone’s favourite food group!) to Dinner by Bike, a progressive dinner by cycle.
Find out more at heartofthecity.co.nz

5. New Zealand Fashion Weekend, 26-28 August
ANZ Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland
Following on from New Zealand Fashion Week, Fashion Weekend is a chance for the public to head to the same Viaduct venue and sit in the same seats as media and VIPs earlier in the week. Grab a group of friends and make a day of it – along with shows from Trelise Cooper and WORLD, Fashion Quarterly and Miss FQ will also be putting together designer showcases (in association with Newmarket and Goodness respectively), with all your most coveted brands getting a turn on the runway. You’ll be able to shop the famous Designer Pop-up Sale, with your favourite labels on sale for a fraction of the price, plus get a makeup touch-up or try something completely new at the Beauty Hub.
Tickets are on sale now at iticket.co.nz.

6. NZ Pop-Up Sauna, 9-31 July
Wellington waterfront
If the winter cold is starting to get to you, head to the Wellington waterfront, where a converted shipping container has become a pop-up sauna – the perfect place to warm up with friends and thaw out after a long day in the office. The NZ Pop-Up Sauna resides on Taranaki Wharf, so while you’re sitting back, relaxing and socialising, you’ll be able to take in sweeping views of the harbour. They provide changing stalls, drinking water and a heated outdoor shower, so all you need to do is turn up – oh, and bring your togs, towel and $5 entry.
Find out more at nzpopupsauna.com.

7. Game of Rhones, July 9
Wellington
Game of Rhones is bringing its combative celebration to the windy city for the first time. The great grape varieties of the Rhone Valley (think Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Viognier and Marsanne) will go head to head in a variety of different battles – country vs. country, region vs. region and producer vs. producer – and wine-tasting punters (ie. YOU) will decide the ultimate winner. If the 100+ wines on offer isn’t enough to tempt you, there is no way you can avoid an event with the hashtag #WINEISCOMING. Can you?!
General admission tickets are $60 and available from gameofrhones.com.

8. Ice Rink and Ice Slide, June-July
Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North.
Is there a winter activity more romantic than ice skating? Well, that may be so but this one is not just for the couples – OR the kids. Pile on the layers, pack a flask of hot chocolate, grab a few mates and get thee along to one of the pop-up ice rinks throughout the country this winter (including Auckland’s Aotea Square, Wellington’s Odlins Plaza and Palmerston North’s The Square). We promise you’ll laugh non-stop.