Cruz’n The Bayz | Classic Car & Bike Festival

Each late summer, the rumble of classic engines fills the Bay of Islands as hundreds of vintage cars and motorcycles gather for Cruz’n The Bayz. Over four days in late February and early March, this community festival brings classic car and bike enthusiasts from across New Zealand to cruise through Northland’s scenic routes, stopping at different towns for entertainment, local cuisine, and celebrations. What makes this event special isn’t just the impressive collection of classic vehicles—it’s the way local communities come together to welcome participants with music, food, and genuine Far North hospitality.

The Event at a Glance

Cruz’n The Bayz typically runs over four days spanning the late February to early March period. The event welcomes classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, and motorcycles, with participants registering their vehicles to join the organized cruises throughout the weekend. Each day features different routes around the Bay of Islands and wider Northland region, connecting participants with various communities along the way.

The event is free for spectators, while vehicle registration allows participants to join the official cruises, access evening entertainment, and be part of the organized activities. Based around Paihia and Waitangi, the festival uses Waitangi Sports Grounds as its headquarters, with daily cruises heading out to destinations including Kerikeri, Opononi, Kaikohe, and Russell. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly event where the focus is as much on community connection as it is on classic vehicles.

Four Days of Cruising and Community

The event kicks off with an early-arrival meet and greet for those who come a day ahead, featuring live entertainment and a chance for participants to connect before the official programme begins. From there, each day offers something different, showcasing various parts of the region while keeping the social atmosphere front and centre.

One of the highlights is Jackie’s Mystery Tour, a full-day cruise that takes participants on a scenic route through Northland. The exact route changes, keeping it fresh for returning participants while introducing newcomers to some of the region’s hidden gems. Stops include Opononi, with its stunning harbour views, and the Pioneer Village in Kaikohe, where participants can step back in time and explore Northland’s early settler history.

Saturday brings the Kerikeri Klassic Car Show, now incorporated into Cruz’n The Bayz. The cruise to Kerikeri Domain follows a local fire service truck, with hundreds of classic vehicles creating an impressive convoy. Once at Kerikeri, participants and spectators can wander among the displayed cars while live bands provide entertainment. The day ends back in Paihia with an outdoor movie on the Village Green, a free family event that brings the community together.

Sunday wraps up with a cruise to Russell, the Bay’s historic waterfront village. Participants either take the pedestrian ferry from Paihia or use the vehicle ferry from Opua, spreading classic cars throughout Russell’s narrow streets. The final gathering at Waitangi Sports Grounds features market stalls, food vendors, entertainment, and the event’s prizegiving, celebrating everyone who made the event possible.

More Than Just Cars

While the vehicles are undoubtedly the stars, Cruz’n The Bayz has developed a reputation for its evening entertainment and social programme. Each night features live music at venues around Paihia, with participants wearing event wristbands for free entry. The relaxed nighttime cruising along Paihia’s waterfront becomes its own event, with classic cars slowly parading past cafes and restaurants as locals and visitors line the streets to watch.

Local communities embrace the event with enthusiasm. Businesses dress their shop windows with rock ‘n’ roll themes, and towns along the route organize their own entertainment and food options. The event brings an economic boost to the region while creating a genuine festival atmosphere that extends beyond the registered participants. For locals, it’s become an annual fixture that signals the end of summer, while for visitors, it offers a unique way to experience Northland’s hospitality and scenic beauty.

The Spectator Experience

You don’t need a classic car to enjoy Cruz’n The Bayz. Spectators line the streets wherever the cruises pass through, cameras ready as the procession of vintage vehicles rolls by. Children wave at drivers, car enthusiasts compare notes on restoration details, and casual observers simply enjoy the spectacle of so many well-maintained classics in one place.

The best viewing spots are wherever the official events happen. Kerikeri Domain during the car show offers close-up access to hundreds of vehicles, while Russell’s waterfront gives you the chance to see classics navigating the historic town’s narrow lanes. Paihia’s main street becomes an informal gathering spot for evening cruising, with cafes and restaurants providing front-row seats to the passing parade.

All the major gathering points—the outdoor movie, the market stalls, the final day celebrations—are free and family-friendly. It’s the kind of event where spectators naturally become part of the atmosphere, whether they arrived specifically for Cruz’n The Bayz or simply happened to be holidaying in the Bay of Islands during the festival.

A Growing Community Event

Cruz’n The Bayz is a relatively young event, having started as a way to bring classic car enthusiasts together while supporting local communities. Each year has seen the event grow, not necessarily in size, but in the connections it creates between participants, locals, and visitors. The format remains deliberately relaxed—this isn’t a high-pressure competition but rather a celebration of vehicles, driving, and the communities that welcome the cruises.

Volunteers and local supporters make the event possible, from organizing the routes to setting up entertainment at each stop. Sponsors from across Northland contribute, recognizing the economic and social value the event brings to the region. It’s this community backing that gives Cruz’n The Bayz its distinctive character—it feels less like a commercial event and more like a region-wide gathering where everyone’s invited.

The event attracts a mix of serious collectors with meticulously restored classics and everyday enthusiasts with beloved family vehicles. Some participants trailer their cars up from other parts of New Zealand, while others drive their classics the entire journey. The variety of vehicles is impressive, from gleaming American muscle cars to vintage British motorcycles, local hot rods to lovingly maintained family sedans from decades past.

Plan Your Visit

If you’re in the Bay of Islands during late February or early March, Cruz’n The Bayz adds a completely different dimension to a summer holiday. The event runs for four full days, so there’s plenty of opportunity to catch at least some of the action even if you’re only in the area briefly. Paihia becomes the natural hub, with evening entertainment and the waterfront cruising easily accessible for casual visitors.

For those wanting to participate with their own classic vehicle, registration typically opens well in advance. The event welcomes a broad range of classic cars and bikes, though there are registration fees to cover the organized activities and entertainment. As a spectator, everything is free, from watching the cruises go by to attending the outdoor movie and final day festivities.

Accommodation in the Bay of Islands books up quickly for this period, as Cruz’n The Bayz coincides with the tail end of the summer holiday season. If you’re planning to attend, sorting accommodation early is worthwhile. The event draws enough visitors that it’s worth factoring into your holiday planning rather than discovering it by chance.

For full event details, registration information, and the specific dates for the coming year, visit the Cruz’n The Bayz website.