With only one week left to snap up early-bird tickets for the Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival on November 14-17, festival enthusiasts are activating their bucket list before the price changes.

The frenzy to get in quick before July 15 is propelled by the realisation that this year’s festival, Bayleys being the principal partner, will be topping any other.

‘Early-birds’ are already buzzing with excitement on learning that about 50 per cent of this year’s 80 festival garden and art stops were not in the 2022 festival.

“We’re really excited,” says festival director Marc Anderson. “We also have 60 per cent more art studio stops than last time.”

Marc says the stunning Garden & Art Trail, sponsored by Palmers Bethlehem, has widened eastwards this year, extending to Pukehina and Pongakawa.

The festival’s hub Bloom in the Bay, sponsored by Craigs Investment Partners, is moving to a new location on Tauranga’s CBD waterfront, with festival goers expecting to see a lot of new, fresh ideas.

“We are told this will be the first event on the transformed waterfront development. There will be a lot of new installations and workshops at Bloom in the Bay. And the CBD will be buzzing with people enjoying the local restaurants, bars and cafes.”

For those who are dealing with ‘fear of missing out’ or FOMO, Multi-Day Festival pass vouchers are just $70 until July 15, saving $10.

Early-bird multi-day passes are available from Palmers Bethlehem; online at Eventfinda; or visit www.gardenandartfestival.co.nz.

A service fee applies if purchased online.

The Multi-Day Festival Pack gives access to the festival for all four days, and a 1-Day Festival Pack, which is available now for $45, gives access to the festival for any one day. Both packs include a festival pass, directory and map.