Multiple outlets report that thousands of people in New Zealand attend a major, widely known steampunk festival. The event draws large crowds for its blend of Victorian-era aesthetics and science-fiction-inspired costumes, characters, and designs. Coverage describes the festival as creating a temporary “capital” atmosphere for steampunk enthusiasts, bringing together attendees who dress in Victorian fashion alongside sci-fi oddities. While details beyond attendance and the festival’s thematic focus are limited in the provided excerpts, both sources frame the event as one of the world’s best-known steampunk festivals. The common emphasis is on the scale of participation—thousands attending—and the core concept of steampunk culture: reimagining the Victorian period through speculative technology and imaginative world-building. No specific dates, locations, organizers, or program elements are included in the supplied text, so the synthesis remains centered on the shared points: New Zealand hosts the festival, large numbers attend, and the event prominently features Victorian style alongside sci-fi themes.