Toyota Festival 2027 — Highlands Motorsport Park

The Toyota Festival returns to Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell, on Saturday 3 April 2027. Toyota New Zealand describes it as its largest manufacturer track event of the year: a full day of track sessions, a Show and Shine, and off-track activities for the whole family. Spectator entry and parking are free.

Read the guide
Toyota Festival 2027: Track Plus, Track Cruise and Show & Shine explained

Quick answers

When is the Toyota Festival 2027?
Saturday 3 April 2027 at Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell. The South Island 4x4 Trek follows on Sunday 4 April.

Is it free to attend?
Yes. Spectator entry and parking are free for everyone. Track Plus ($299 per person) and Track Cruise ($59 per car) are paid, and Show and Shine is free to enter with registration.

What time do the gates open?
7:00am, with entry off Cemetery Road following the signage. The official welcome is at 8:00am.

Do I need to own a Toyota?
To take part in the track sessions, Track Cruise or Show and Shine, yes: Toyota, GR or Lexus vehicles only, of any age or model. Anyone can come and watch for free, with public parking outside the venue for other makes.

Is there a minimum age, and does the car have to be mine?
Neither Toyota's terms nor its FAQ state a minimum age or say whether the car must be yours. Toyota's FAQ does refer to driving your own pride and joy, accepts a restricted licence, and does not accept an international licence for the track. If you are unsure, ask events@highlands.co.nz before you book.

What does Track Plus include?
$299 per person for four 15-minute sessions: two on the A+C circuit plus a gymkhana session in the morning, and two on the full GT Circuit in the afternoon, between 9:00am and 4:30pm. There is a compulsory drivers briefing at 8:00am, and no passengers.

What does Track Cruise include?
$59 per car, with passengers free. It is two 30-minute speed-controlled sessions on the full GT Circuit, starting at 12:55pm, with no children in car seats.

Is it a race?
No. Toyota's terms say it is not a racing event: all track activity is in a controlled environment with regulated speeds, run by professional drivers and driver trainers.

What gear do I need?
A certified helmet (FIA8858-2002, FIA8858-2010 or SFI-Spec 38.1, not an MX helmet) and covered shoes. Most track activities also need at least a single-layer fire-retardant race suit, and frontal head restraints are required if your car has a 4-point harness or more.

Can I use my road car?
Yes, if it is roadworthy with a current WOF and registration, or a race car with a current MotorSport NZ logbook. Racing slicks and semi-slicks are allowed. Toyota recommends getting your brakes checked beforehand.

Can I get a refund?
Toyota's pages differ. Its FAQ says refunds are offered until seven days before the event, while its terms say the entry fee is not refundable if you cancel unless Toyota and Highlands agree otherwise. If Toyota cancels and does not reschedule, entry fees are refunded. Confirm with events@highlands.co.nz before you book.

Track Plus and Track Cruise: terms at a glance

This is a plain-English summary of Toyota's Festival terms, effective 4 November 2026. Read Toyota's full terms before you register.

• Who runs it: Highlands manages the venue, registration and on-track activities. Toyota New Zealand manages customer communications and off-track activities.
• Not a race: a controlled environment with regulated speeds. You must follow the instructions of the professional drivers and trainers, on and off the track.
• Waiver: you sign a participant acknowledgement and risk waiver before any driving activity. A copy is made available before the event.
• If you cancel: the entry fee is not refundable unless Toyota and Highlands agree otherwise. Your statutory rights are not limited.
• If Toyota cancels or postpones: if the event is cancelled and not rescheduled, entry fees are refunded. If it is postponed, you can move your registration to the new date or ask for a refund. Toyota can cancel, postpone, relocate or change the event for safety, weather or other reasons.
• Photos and video: Toyota may use them for event reporting and promotion. If you do not want to be identifiable, tell Toyota before the event or tell an event representative on the day. Toyota asks separately before using your name or comments.
• Your details: registration details can be shared with Highlands to run the event safely. You are responsible for updating Toyota or Highlands if your contact details change, and for contacting Toyota if you do not get a confirmation.
• Being removed: Toyota or Highlands can refuse or end your participation if you breach the terms, ignore a safety instruction, or behave unsafely or inappropriately.
• Not covered in the terms: a minimum age, whether the car must be yours, and insurance for track sessions. Check your own insurance cover and ask events@highlands.co.nz if you are unsure.

On track

• Track Plus, $299 per person (9:00am-4:30pm): four 15-minute sessions. The morning has two sessions on the A+C circuit plus a gymkhana session, and the afternoon has two on the full GT Circuit. Drivers are split into slow, medium and fast groups, led by a professional driver in a pace car, and the sessions are non-competitive. No passengers.
• Track Cruise, $59 per car (12:55pm): two 30-minute speed-controlled sessions on the full GT Circuit in your own car. Passengers are free, with no children in car seats.
• Toyota Parade Lap and Main Straight Photo: a free slow lap with passengers, finishing with the cars lined up on the main straight.

Show and Shine (free to enter)

Any Toyota, GR or Lexus, of any age, can enter, with categories by vehicle model. Prizes go to Best Original, Best Engine Bay, Best Interior and the People's Choice. Judging starts at 9:00am and winners are announced at about 3:30pm. Entrants need a Show and Shine sticker on the windscreen, supplied at the gate.

Off track

The GR Hub with activities, chill-out areas and food vendors, the Toyota 86 Championship and Kids Hilux Pit Stop Challenge (prizes for the three fastest times), GAZOO Racing New Zealand simulators, GR Parts, and merchandise with Eftpos.

Registering

The Toyota Festival entry form takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It has free options for Show and Shine, the Parade Lap, and a Spectator Only option to let the organisers know you are coming, plus the paid Track Plus and Track Cruise (driver) options. You confirm you have read the terms and conditions when you submit.

The 4x4 Trek, Sunday 4 April

The South Island 4x4 Trek runs the next day in Cromwell, 9:30am-3:00pm, at $89 per vehicle: a five-hour medium-level off-road drive with a refreshment stop, supported by Toyota 4WD experts. Registration is required and Toyota New Zealand runs it. Toyota's terms say the driver needs a current licence valid for the vehicle, and the vehicle must be registered, warranted where legally required, insured, roadworthy and suitable for the course. A risk waiver is required, and the entry fee is not refundable if you cancel unless Toyota agrees otherwise. Toyota's page does not name the exact venue.

Festival history

The Toyota Festival alternates between Highlands in the South Island and Hampton Downs in the North Island. It was held at Highlands on 25-26 March 2023, at Hampton Downs on 9 March 2024, at Highlands on 15-16 March 2025, and at Hampton Downs in 2026. The 2024 to 2026 editions were called the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival or Toyota GR Festival.

Contacts

Off-track questions: events@toyota.co.nz. On-track and registration questions: events@highlands.co.nz.

Details are from Toyota New Zealand's Toyota Festival page and its Festival terms and conditions, effective 4 November 2026.