Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or a passionate foodie, April is jam packed with amazing events for everyone to enjoy in the Autumn sunshine.

There's jazz, Baycourt's 40th birthday celebrations, polo, music, Anzac Day commemorations, sports, festivals and some of the best food in the Bay of Plenty on offer.

The National Jazz Festival

In 1963 forty musicians performed the first Tauranga Jazz Festival to a crowd of 1000 on a summer's day in Memorial Park.

Now, celebrating its 60th year, the beloved National Jazz Festival showcases a range of local and international jazz musicians who are sure to hit all the right notes.

This year the festival has reclaimed its Easter spot and will delight the city from Saturday, April 1, to Monday, April 10.

The festival has a smorgasbord of events for all types of jazz-lovers including the Sunset Jazz Cruise, Hurricane Party and the two-day Downtown Carnival in the CBD.

It is also a showcase for some of the very best emerging jazz players from across New Zealand, who are here to take part in the National Youth Jazz Competition at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.

A new and exciting feature this year is Jazz at the Mount on Monday April 10, from 9.30am - 5pm.

A vintage car parade at 11am will leave from Maunganui Road, head past the stage on Mount Mainstreet and into Coronation Park.

There will then be a vintage car display at the park from 12pm - 1pm. Soaking up the sounds at Mount Mainstreet is a great way to round off the weekend of jazz, so come on down with family and friends and enjoy a day of great music right in the centre of Mount Maunganui's shopping area.

Tickets are selling fast, so make sure you book yours at www.jazz.org.nz

Baycourt turns 40 this April. Photo: Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.

Baycourt's 40th Anniversary

April is a big month for birthdays in our city, with Baycourt celebrating its 40th anniversary from Friday, April 21 to Saturday, April 29.

Promising to be a visual and auditory feast, the programme includes exhibitions, performances and, in true Baycourt style, loads of fun.

The team are pulling back the velvet Baycourt curtain and offering an immersive guided tour as part of the free B40:Whanau Day celebrations.

This free event takes place on Saturday, April 29 on Baycourt's lawn, with face painters, roaming performers and food carts to enjoy in between tours.

For those who can't make it along you can still stay connected from home, as Baycourt are launching an online history of the centre which will continue beyond the anniversary.

Check out the full the programme at www.baycourt.co.nz

Flavours of Plenty Festival. Photo: Tourism Bay of Plenty.

Flavours of Plenty

Get your taste buds ready as the Flavours of Plenty festival is on now until Sunday, April 2.

Back for another year, the festival celebrates our regions delicious cuisine over a nine-day programme of tantalising foodie events.

Top eateries and suppliers from Waihī Beach to Ōhope have been busy designing one-off experiences that are sure to delight.

Find out more at www.flavoursofplentyfestival.com

Sophie Maude will play at Jammin in the Park, 15 April. Photo: Sophie Maude.

Jammin' in the Park
On Saturday, April 15, Jammin in the Park is taking place in Carlton Street Reserve, Ōtumōetai.

After being rained-off earlier this year, chart-topper Sophie Maude will play along with an array of talented musicians.

There is something for everyone including The Photobooth Lady, Faded Barber, food trucks and stalls, a sensory chill-out zone, bean bags, giant outdoor games, and more!

Head to www.bit.ly/3FVxc6x to find out more.

Anzac Day commemorations
Tauranga City Council, local RSAs and community groups are coming together once again to organise Anzac Day dawn and civic services across the city on Tuesday, April 25.

The community is invited to take part in a dawn or civic service to remember and commemorate New Zealanders killed in war and honour returned and serving servicemen and women.

A free park and ride service, courtesy of Bay of Plenty Regional Council, is available to the Tauranga Civic Memorial Service and the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service.

If you can't make a service, buying a poppy on Friday, April 21, is a great way to show your support for the Royal New Zealand RSA which helps improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealand veterans.

More information, including how to lay a wreath, can be found at www.tauranga.govt.nz/anzacday

Te Matatini competitors take the stage. Photo: Te Matatini 2023.

Hawaiki Herenga Haka, a celebration of Tauranga Moana Kapa Haka

Established in 1972, Te Matatini Festival brings more than 1800 competitors together to compete in Kapa Haka. It's the pinnacle event for Māori performing arts, celebrating more than 1000 years of Māori history and culture.

Now's your chance to experience the ihi (excitement) and passion of Te Matatini in your own backyard, as Tauranga City Council brings together our local competitors to perform live at Memorial Park on Saturday, April 22.

Alongside the performances there will be kai trucks, Māori stall holders, poi making and raranga bracelet workshops, making it the perfect day out for you and your whānau.

Read more about the event at www.bit.ly/3lFnf6x

For the sport-lovers
It's time to hit the pavement and pump some iron, as several sports events are taking place this April. The Pay What You Want Half Marathon kicks things of on Saturday, 2 April, followed by the Generation Homes Mount Swim, We Run the Night, Ultimate Athlete and the Aramex Kiwi Walk & Run Series later in the month.

The Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport is also taking place from Saturday, 29 April to Sunday, 30 April. This high-energy two-day event brings together physically disabled athletes from across the nation, to compete in multiple sports codes. It also includes fun have-a-go sessions across multiple codes for youth, whānau, and low-vision athletes.

Find them all online at www.mytauranga.govt.nz

Upcoming events
• National Jazz Festival: Saturday, 1 April to Monday, 10 April, various locations.
• Baycourt's 40th Birthday: Friday, 21 April to Saturday, 29 April, Baycourt Community & Arts Centre.
• Flavours of Plenty: From now until Sunday, 2 April, various locations.
• Lexus Urban Polo: Saturday, 1 April, Memorial Park.
• Jammin in the Park: Saturday, 15 April, Carlton Street Reserve.
• Hawaiki Herenga Haka: Saturday, 22 April, Memorial Park.
• Anzac Day commemorations: Tuesday, 25 April, various locations.
• Pay What You Want Half Marathon: Saturday, 2 April, Matua and Ōtūmoetai
• Generation Homes Mount Swim: Saturday, 8 April, Mount Maunganui.
• Ultimate Athlete: Saturday, 29 April, Mount Maunganui
• Aramex Kiwi Walk and Run Series: Saturday, 29 April, McLaren Falls Park
• Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport: Saturday, 29 April to Sunday, 30 April, various locations.