Chocoholics get involved with some chocolate face painting at the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival. Image credit: Cadbury World
Coming up at the end of July is the annual Cadbury Chocolate Carnival in Dunedin and it is an event not to be missed, especially if you are a chocoholic! The week long carnival will celebrate all things chocolatey and brings a series of irresistible chocolate events including chocolate tours, chocolate decorating, chocolate painting and chocolate facials. You can also ride on the iconic Cadbury Crunchie Train as well as watching the annual Jaffa race down Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street.
The week promises to be a fantastic celebration of delicious Cadbury chocolate with over 50 events taking place throughout the city across the week long carnival. With so many events to choose from, we’ve picked our top five just for you!
Top five events at the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival
Jack Frost on Ice
Held at the Dunedin Ice Stadium, this family favourite will take you deep into the story of Jack Frost as Freddo Frog and his friend the Fairy Godmother will tell you all about the magical story of Jack Frost. Make sure you dress warmly as you are taken on a wonderful journey and by the end of it, you might just believe in Jack Frost and even be able to hear him.
Entry costs $15 per person or $50 for a family (2 adults and 3 children)
Giant Jaffa Rolling Ball Sculpture
Jaffas hurtle down Baldwin St, Dunedin at the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival
Every day throughout the carnival you will be able to go along to the Otago Museum and help the Cadbury team design and build a choc-tacular kinetic rolling ball track. You will be able to add elements to the sculpture and see where the giant jaffas go. Fun for all the family!
Entry is FREE for the whole family.
Happy Hens – Experience Peninsula
This event is part of the Cadbury Chocolate Carnival Experience Peninsula Day and has a do-it-yourself elements. At this event you will get to design and decorate your own Happy Hens and add to the fun and colourful designs that continue to enchant people all over the world. Known as Dunedin’s ‘little ambassadors’, their happiness goes on forever!
This event is at the Happy Hens Studio, Portobello and entry is FREE.
The chocolate and beer affair tour
Match the iconic Speight’s Ale with delicious Cadbury chocolate
Dunedin’s two most famous exports come together for what promises to be an awesome event. Running from the 18th to 22nd July, come and explore the Speight’s Brewery tour and find out more about this legendary Kiwi beer. The 90 minute tour will take you around the old brewery as well as the brand new brew house and will culminate with an exclusive Speight’s beer and Cadbury Chocolate matching session with one of the Speight’s Brewery team. Which Cadbury favourite do you think will go with which Speight’s classic?
The tour runs at 1pm and 3pm daily and entry costs $25 for adults and $11 for children (5-17 years). You can also purchase a family pass for $54 (2 adults and 4 children). Booking is essential.
Larnach Castle Cadbury Winter Ball
Once a year, Larnach Castle comes to life as it was over 140 years ago. This iconic Dunedin event has been welcoming guests for over three decades and is a highlight on the Dunedin events calendar. Soak up the unique atmosphere with everyone in Victorian Period evening attire dancing the night away. Ticket numbers are limited. The price includes transport to and from Dunedin City, continuous supper, non-alcoholic punch, band and entertainment in New Zealand’s Castle, plus a donation to the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group. There will be a cash bar with a wide selection of beverages available.
Transport leaves Railway Station at 7.30pm, Ball starts at 8pm. Transport leaves Castle approximately 12 midnight and tickets costs $95 per person.
Best of the rest
There are of course many other events taking place across the city throughout the week and if we haven’t covered on you are interested in here, make sure you check out the official Cadbury Carnival website for a full list of events, dates, destinations and prices.
This is a definite favourite amongst the staff down at the Wains Hotel and you will definitely see a lot of our team out and about enjoying a variety of events at the festival. We’d love to hear about your experience or even better, see some of your photos so make sure you send them in to our Wains Hotel Facebook page.
All images courtesy of Undertow Media and Cadbury World