Beach Hop is New Zealand's iconic 1950s–60s American car and rock'n'roll festival in Whangamatā on the Coromandel Peninsula. Held every March, it transforms this small beach town into a time capsule of Americana – complete with hot rods, custom cars, sock hops and poodle skirts.
Beach Hop runs for 4 days in late March. The event celebrates 1950s–60s American car culture alongside music, fashion and lifestyle of the era. The main parade through Whangamatā town centre draws enormous crowds. Vehicles: pre-1970s American cars and hot rods are the heartbeat of the show.
Whangamatā is 2 hours south of Auckland on the Coromandel Peninsula (via SH2 and SH25). The town is very small and accommodation books out completely – book a year ahead. Many visitors stay in Thames or Tauranga and drive in daily.