📅 holiday

Marlborough Anniversary Day

Monday, November 2, 2026

— days to go

The Marlborough region of New Zealand has its founding day, called “Marlborough Anniversary Day”, on the first Monday following Labour Day. You can therefore expect Marlborough Anniversary Day to arrive sometime in late October or early November each year. In 1859, the Marlborough region became its own province, separating from the province just to the west that was dominated by the city of Nelson. In 1876, the provincial system was abolished, but the former provinces still hold their “regional” founding day celebrations each year. To celebrate Marlborough Anniversary Day, you can expect a few fairs, cultural exhibits, and other low-key events. It’s mostly an off-work day for the locals. But its also a great chance to get out and explore the region’s natural beauty. Taking a ride on the Picton-Wellington Ferry, wandering downtown historic Blenheim, exploring the beautiful, intricate ins and outs of Marlborough Sounds, or visiting local vineyards where three-quarters of New Zealand’s wine is produced are good ideas on how to spend the day. Some also may want to travel the Queen Charlotte Walking Track for incredible scenic views of forests and sea coast or get a panoramic look off of Pelorus Bridge over the protected Pelorus River.

History

How It's Celebrated

In 1876, the provincial system was abolished, but the former provinces still hold their “regional” founding day celebrations each year. To celebrate Marlborough Anniversary Day, you can expect a few fairs, cultural exhibits, and other low-key events. Taking a ride on the Picton-Wellington Ferry, wan

Other Years

2026 Mon

2 Nov

2027 Mon

1 Nov

2028 Mon

30 Oct

2025 Mon

3 Nov

2024 Mon

4 Nov

Countries

🇳🇿 NZ

View all →

🌍 observance Jan 19

Wellington Anniversary

In 1840, Treaty of. Waitangi. The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi marked the beginning of British rule over New Zealand

🌍 observance Jan 20

National Penguin

In 1844, First. Penguin Fossil Discovery. The first ever penguin fossil was discovered in New Zealand, leading to increased scientific interest in penguins

🌍 observance Jan 29

Auckland Anniversary

In 1840, Auckland. Founded. Captain William Hobson, the first Governor of New Zealand, officially proclaimed Auckland a city on September 18th, 1840

📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are: