In the room
The experience
Place To'atā sits on the Pape'ete waterfront, the ocean behind the audience, the volcanic spine of Tahiti Nui behind the stage. Heiva i Tahiti has run here every July since 1881, a 145-year-continuous competitive festival of 'ori Tahiti dance and hīmene chant. Troupes of 100+ performers compete each night. The Soirée des Lauréats (winners' night) is more rigorously judged and cheaper than the gala finale; locals consider these the real festival. The drumming carries up the valley behind. The audience knows every troupe by name.
Insider tip
Walk in knowing
Soirée des Lauréats (winners' night) is cheaper and harder-fought than the gala finale. Locals consider these the real festival.
Why it fits
Why it is in the atlas
One of the longest continuous cultural festivals in the Pacific, performed in a venue tuned by the trade wind.
Plan the trip
When to go, hours, getting there
Best time to go
Annual, three weeks in July. Competition nights (Wednesday through Saturday) are the most-rigorous. Daytime craft and food markets run alongside.
Hours
Annual three-week festival, July. Performances nightly from 19:30 to 23:30. Place To'atā itself hosts year-round programming for other Polynesian cultural events.
Getting there
Fly Pape'ete (PPT). From the airport, 15 minutes by taxi to central Pape'ete. Place To'atā is on the harbour at the western end of the city, walking distance from the central market and ferry terminal.
Straight from the source
Official site and tickets
Dates and tickets come from the venue itself. Opens tahititourisme.com in a new tab.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Where is Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti)?
Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti) is in Pape'ete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. Coordinates: -17.5337, -149.5697.
What kind of music is at Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti)?
Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti) programmes Mā'ohi Traditional, Hīmene, Tō'ere Drumming. 5,000-seat open-air amphitheatre on the Pape'ete waterfront. Heiva i Tahiti since 1881 runs three weeks of competitive 'ori Tahiti dance and hīmene singing every July with troupes of 100+ performers.
When is the best time to visit Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti)?
Annual, three weeks in July. Competition nights (Wednesday through Saturday) are the most-rigorous. Daytime craft and food markets run alongside.
How do I get to Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti)?
Fly Pape'ete (PPT). From the airport, 15 minutes by taxi to central Pape'ete. Place To'atā is on the harbour at the western end of the city, walking distance from the central market and ferry terminal.
Why is Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti) in the Sonic Paths atlas?
One of the longest continuous cultural festivals in the Pacific, performed in a venue tuned by the trade wind.
Stay
Book somewhere to stay nearby
Find a bed close to Place To'atā (Heiva i Tahiti) in Pape'ete through our accommodation partner, Stay22.
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