All the dates for the 2026 Heiva in Tahiti
It's that time of year when even your schedule starts to sweat.Here are all the upcoming events, with the exact locations where they will take place..And if you survive the emotion, the percussion and the feathers, congratulations: you are officially ready to dance even when someone simply opens a bag of chips.
🌺 Papeete — The heart of the festivities
🧵 Heiva Rima'i – Traditional Crafts
📍 Mama'o Exhibition Park – Papeete
📅 June 25 → July 12, 2026
The Heiva Rima'i gathers 68 artisans from the islands : tifaifai, basketry, jewelry, sculptures,
Objects made of wood and mother-of-pearl. daily workshops allow the public to learn about
braiding, sewing, ukulele playing, or making hei po'o.
- July 11 – 14:00 p.m.: Awards ceremony
- July 12 – 15:00 p.m.: Official closing
💃 Singing and dancing competition – Heiva i Tahiti
📍 Place To'ata – Papeete
📅 July 2-18, 2026
Le Heiva i Tahiti is theflagship event of July: the best groups of hura
(Dances) and himene (songs) follow one another on the To'ata stage to offer performances
powerful, colorful and deeply rooted in Mā'ohi culture.
Evening program
- July 2 – 18:00 p.m.: Opening ceremony + rāhiri
- July 3 – 18:30 p.m.: Fa'a‑Tu‑Tira, Afareaitu, Tepeti, Toakura
- July 4 – 18:30 p.m.: Vaira'o, Tautira, Temaeva
- July 9 – 18:30 p.m.: Afareaitu, Mahina Raromata'i, Tupu Au, Tahiti Ora
- July 10 – 18:30 p.m.: Atoroira'i, Manu'ai'a, Oparo, Nuna'a e Hau
- July 11 – 18:30 p.m.: Nounouhia, Himene Vaira'o, Tāru'u, O Tahiti E
- July 15 – 18:30 p.m.: ⭐ Awards Ceremony
- July 17 & 18 – 18:00 PM: ⭐ Catwalk Nights
🏋️ Heiva Tu'aro Ma'ohi – Traditional Sports
📅 July 11, 12 and 14, 2026
📍 Exact locations:
- Javelin: Pater Stadium – Pirae
- Stone lifting: Paofai Gardens – Papeete
- Fruit carrier race: Avenue Pouvanaa a Oopa – Papeete
- Coconut tree climbing: Paofai – Papeete
The traditional Polynesian sports are spectacular: strength, agility, precision,
endurance… an unmissable event of the Heiva.
You can find my report on this same event in 2025 by clicking here 👍
🔥 Punaauia — The Fire Ritual
🔥 Firewalking – Umu Tī
📍 Mahana Park – Punaauia
📅 July 1, 2026
The Umu Tī is a spectacular ancestral ritual : crossing a furnace of incandescent stones,
Purification ceremony and traditional songs. A highlight of the Heiva.
🪶 Paea — Shows at Arahurahu marae
🪶 TA'URUA TUIFARA Festival
📍 Marae Arahurahu – Pā’ea
📅 July 11-26, 2026
The Arahurahu marae hosts every year immersive shows directed by the
Artistic Conservatory. One sacred setting, a unique atmosphere, tableaux vivants
inspired by the legends of the islands.
🎉 Punaauia — Nu'uroa Fest'
🎉 Nu'uroa Fest' – Concerts & entertainment
📍 Site of the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands – Punaauia
📅 August 1, 2026
Le Nu'uroa Fest' returns with a festive day blending concerts, animations, food trucks, local stalls and a seaside atmosphere.
A friendly and musical gathering that attracts families, young people and those who enjoy a good atmosphere at sunset.
📅 Summary calendar of upcoming events
| Date | Event | Exact location |
|---|---|---|
| June 25 - July 12 | 🧵 Heiva Rima'i – Crafts | Mama'o Exhibition Park – Papeete |
| 1er July | 🔥 Firewalking – Umu Tī | Mahana Park – Punaauia |
| July 2 – 18 | 💃 Heiva i Tahiti – Songs & Dances | Place To'ata – Papeete |
| July 11, 12 & 14 | 🏋️ Tu'aro Ma'ohi – Traditional Sports | Javelin: Pater Stadium – Pirae Stone lifting: Paofai Gardens – Papeete Fruit bearers: Av. Pouvanaa a Oopa – Papeete Coconut tree climbing: Paofai – Papeete |
| July 11 – 26 | 🪶 TA'URUA TUIFARA – Shows | Marae Arahurahu – Paea |
| July 15 | 🏆 Awards Ceremony – Heiva i Tahiti | Place To'ata – Papeete |
| July 17 & 18 | 🥇 Catwalk Nights | Place To'ata – Papeete |
| August 1. | 🎉 Nu'uroa Fest' – Concerts & entertainment | Site of the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands – Punaauia |
🎟️ How to buy your tickets for the Heiva?
Tickets for the song and dance evenings of the 2026 Heiva i Tahiti are put on sale each year by the Maison de la Culture – Te Fare Tauhiti Nui . Ticket sales usually open several weeks before the start of the festival.
💻 1. Buy your tickets online
This is the easiest and fastest way. Tickets are available on the official ticketing website:
🏛️ 2. Purchase on site
You can also buy your tickets directly at the Maison de la Culture ticket office (Papeete).
The queues can be long on the first few days of opening, especially for highly anticipated evenings.
📅 3. Plan ahead for popular evenings
Competition evenings at To'ata They often sell out quickly.
If you are aiming for a well-known troupe or a final, book as soon as the box office opens.
ℹ️ Practical information
- Non-refundable, nominative tickets (except in case of official cancellation).
- Prices vary depending on the evening and seat category.
- Children must also have a ticket.
To find out the opening dates of the 2026 ticket office, consult our dedicated section in the article or the official page of the House of Culture.
🌺 In fine
The Heiva 2026 reminds us once again how much the polynesian culture is alive, vibrant and deeply shared.
The artisans from Mama'o to dancers of To'ata, of the athletes from Paofai to storytellers From the Arahurahu marae, each event tells a part of the fenua, its memory and its energy.
Whether you're a visitor, a resident, or simply curious, the Heiva offers a rare opportunity to experience Tahiti to the rhythm of its traditions , its colors , and its voices . A moment to marvel , learn , feel … and let yourself be carried away by the beauty of what makes up the soul of the country.
And because municipalities publish their programs over the course of several days, this article will be continuously updated
To incorporate every new date, every show, every local initiative. The Heiva is evolving, and this page will evolve with it, to remain your most complete and reliable guide.
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