Timaru Festival of Roses - Beats & Eats Twilight food market

Under new management this year, the Timaru Festival of Roses is thrilled to announce our exciting line-up for 2025. In addition to the well-loved Sunday market day on Sunday 7th December, we are introducing Beats & Eats, a twilight food market on Saturday 6th December from 4.30pm, with top notch entertainment, to really kick off your summer!
The evening is headlined by Automatic 80s – Aotearoa’s heavyweights of the live 80s scene! With a reputation for packing out venues across the country, Automatic 80s deliver all the biggest hits from the era of neon, big hair, and unforgettable anthems. Fronted by powerhouse vocalists (Justin Maclaren & Pearl Runga) and backed by world-class musicians (Ryan Wood, Sam Edgar & Simon Finnel) every performance is a high-energy, nostalgic trip back in time. Whether you’re an 80s original or just discovering the decade’s best music, Automatic 80s guarantee a night of non-stop singalongs, dancing, and nostalgia.
They will be supported by The Artefacts – a new fun five-piece band of experienced Timaru musicians playing covers from the 1970s-2000s; and Nakeisha Austin and & Ellie Fraser a pair of talented year 10 music students and song writers from Timaru Girls’ High. Separately the girls are two incredible musicians, but together the pair of them make magic.
Beats & Eats kicks off from 4.30pm on Saturday 6th December. Grab your family & friends and come down to the Bay for an evening of delicious food from our amazing lineup of vendors, then let your hair down for a good old boogie! The children’s entertainment area will be running for the earlier part of the evening. Held at Caroline Bay, beside the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden.