How do you navigate one giant creative open home?

140 artists will open studios, galleries, and creative spaces across the Kāpiti Coast during the 2026 Art Trail.

Over two weekends, 24-26 October and 31 October-1 November, the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail will transform the district into one giant creative open home. With 140 artists opening their doors to the public, the challenge isn't finding something to discover; it's deciding where to start.

Spanning the length of the district, this year's Art Trail offers rare behind-the-scenes access to studios, workshops, galleries and gardens.

Visitors can meet artists where they work, learn about their creative practice, and experience one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most vibrant creative communities.

"There isn't a single right way to experience the Art Trail," says Kāpiti Coast District Council Climate Action and Connected Communities Manager Monique Engelen.

"Some people arrive with a carefully planned itinerary. Others simply follow the Art Trail flags and see where the day takes them. You might set out to visit one artist and finish the day having discovered five more. That sense of discovery is what keeps people coming back year after year."

From purpose-built studios and gallery spaces to working workshops and garden exhibits, many participating venues are only open to the public during the Art Trail. Visitors have a unique opportunity to experience creativity in action, hear the stories behind the work, learn about artistic processes and purchase directly from the maker.

During the event, participating studios and venues will display the distinctive Art Trail flag when open. If there is no flag displayed, the artist is not available. This year's bright blue flag is the easiest way to know an artist is ready to welcome visitors into their space.

With the Art Trail spanning two weekends, visitors can take their time, revisit favourite studios, discover new artists, or explore different parts of the district on different days. Whether you're an experienced collector, a first-time visitor, or simply looking for a memorable day out, every Art Trail journey is different.

To help navigate the Art Trail, visitors can pick up a free Art Trail Guide from Kāpiti Coast libraries, Council offices, and venues throughout the district. Artists and exhibition spaces are grouped by location, with maps and an artist index making it easy to plan a route or focus on a particular part of the Coast.

Visitors can also use the online ‘Plan Your Trail’ tool to browse artist profiles, search by medium or location, save favourite stops, and create a personalised itinerary. Everyone who uses the tool goes into the draw to win a $300 Art Trail voucher, while visitors who complete the post-event survey can win a $500 Art Trail voucher.

While many people explore the Art Trail by car, others choose to walk or cycle between venues, creating countless ways to experience the creativity, landscapes and communities that make the Kāpiti Coast unique.

For artist profiles, planning tools and event information, pick up a Guide or visit KapitiCoastArtTrail.co.nz.