Takai Festival

Niue's first festival of the year is the Takai festival, which combines solemn prayers with lively 'driving' shows in which people drive around in brightly decorated cars. Actually, the English word Takai means 'to go around.' Each day of this festival, which takes place during the first week of January, features sporting events, dancing and daily church services. Many motorists throw candy at children as they drive across the entire 40-mile perimeter of Niue's main ring road.

Niue celebrates the New Year in its own unique way. Then they drove through each village, throwing candy out the windows to passersby. As one of the famous festivals in Niue, the festival is also a sacred thing to Niue, because, during the festival period, all government offices are closed. The Niue people organize the festival in the most unique way while still keeping the uniqueness of their national identity. This has made the Takai Festival one of the most popular festivals in Niue.

Location: Taika, Niue