Toro atu ki ngaa tinitakunetanga.
Our city centre comes alive with a year-round calendar of exciting events. From cultural festivals to live performances, from food fairs to sporting events, there's always something happening in Hamilton Central.
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TUESDAY QUIZ NIGHTS AT IGUANA!
From 7pm on Tuesday, 19th August, Iguana's Garden Bar will be transforming into QUIZ NIGHT – EVERY TUESDAY!
Hosts Albie and Eddie @quiznzuk will be bringing the laughs, the challenges and trivia for what's guaranteed to be a fantastic night.
Book by calling 07 834 2280 or email info@iguana.co.nz
Max 8 players per team
7pm start
Cash prizes for 1st and 2nd
Full food and bar service (including daily deals!)
Get your team together and come and join the fun!

26 September
31 October
28 November
Join us on the last Friday of every month (except December) for a relaxed morning at the Museum designed especially for whaanau with babies and pre-school aged children.
Enjoy a welcoming space to connect with others and explore the galleries at your own pace. We'll be in a different gallery every month and our friendly team will be on hand to answer questions and help you feel at home.
Whether you're new to Hamilton or just looking for a gentle outing, this is a great way to enjoy art and culture in a baby-friendly environment.
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HANRAD Gallery is delighted to present From Thought to Form – Materiality Speaking, a solo exhibition by acclaimed Swedish–New Zealand artist Sylvia Sinel. The exhibition opens on 6 November 2025 and runs until 18 January 2026, inviting viewers into a deeply sensory and contemplative experience of material, intuition, and transformation.
From Thought to Form is an interdisciplinary body of work that encourages audiences to connect with the mystical space where thought, surface, and soul intertwine. Sinel’s deeply rooted curiosity for materials and her continuous exploration of form have evolved into a distinctive artistic vocabulary and voice.
Through sculptural works, experimental surfaces, and poetic abstraction, the exhibition explores themes of transformation and transcendence. Each work acts as a vessel—holding memories, intuition, and knowing—extending an invitation to consider how matter might carry intention, and how viewers might engage not only with what is seen, but also with what is sensed.
Sylvia Sinel’s interdisciplinary practice spans over 35 years, with works held in private collections worldwide. Her creative drive is guided by a profound curiosity for materials and techniques, spirituality, and ancient wisdom traditions. The idea dictates the medium, and each piece is granted agency to find its own voice through an intuitive, responsive process.
Her unique form language draws inspiration from her Scandinavian heritage and evokes a sense of both familiarity and otherness.
Originally from Sweden, Sylvia emigrated to New Zealand in 2013 and settled in Hamilton, where she became an active contributor to the local art community. In 2025, she relocated to Auckland’s North Shore, where she is establishing a new studio and continues to teach at several local art centres.

Ethno Chronicles is a collection of seven short documentaries exploring the rich tapestry of cultures, identities, and creative expression that shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s diverse communities. Filmmaker Fabrice Coquet brings together voices from different corners of Aotearoa — locals and immigrants united by creativity, resilience, and the desire to share their stories.
Each short film opens a window into a life: Alister, a tattoo artist from Borneo keeping ancestral designs alive in new forms; Pepa Torre from Cádiz, who threads her Spanish heritage through her New Zealand community; Ashok, an Indian photographer handing cameras to children so they can capture their own worlds; Sheetul, a Mauritian dancer moving to the timeless rhythms of kathak; Diego from Bahia, blending Brazilian and Kiwi influences into a vibrant creative language; Oriwa from Putaruru, bringing Māori stories to life through puppetry; and Sambatron, a joyous collective where people from every corner of the world connect through music.
Projected across seven screens, Ethno Chronicles invites audiences to step into the worlds of those who bridge cultures every day — to listen, reflect, and connect through story. The exhibition is both a celebration of diversity and a quiet meditation on what it means to belong, create, and share across cultures.
Ethno Chronicles is produced by Koké Films and hosted by the Nancy Caiger Gallery at The Meteor Theatre, Hamilton.
Exhibition dates: 12–29 November 2025, open Wednesday – Saturday from 11am-2pm.

Fast-paced, funny, surprising, and just a little bit strange, Unconscious is a brand-new play premiering at The Meteor.
On the surface, it follows Sophia Ignari, a young biotech founder under pressure. But as the story unfolds, the mechanics of her mind are revealed. It’s theatre that is sharp, entertaining, and layered with weird ideas.
Think Inside Out (for adults) meets Severance.
At its heart, Unconscious is about psychological trauma, but told in a way that makes you laugh, keeps you guessing, and sparks conversations we often avoid.
This premiere production has been shaped by a team of 20+ Waikato creatives, all working together to bring a brand new story to the stage.

15 November - Grand Debut with the Frozen Princesses
29 November - Superhero Saturday with Spidey and Friends
17 & 31 January
14 & 28 February
14 & 28 March
Characters will be confrmed soon!
Please note characters can change based on availability. In the event of rain Stories will be held in the central city library. This event is brought to you by Love the Centre, Enchanted Entertainment and Hamilton City Libraries.

Roots Rising Tour – Presented by Titan Entertainment
Get ready for Roots Rising Tour, hitting Aotearoa across four incredible locations!
This is a tour you don’t want to miss, featuring three of Aotearoa’s most soulful and powerful reggae acts — House of Shem, Son and Water, and Brutha Rodz — bringing uplifting energy, rich harmonies, and authentic roots music to the stage.
House of Shem are back and stronger than ever, performing all their classic hits alongside brand new music that’s been making waves across the country.
Joining them is Son and Water, led by the legendary Jamie Ferguson — the saxophonist and songwriter behind many of Katchafire’s biggest hits. Now performing alongside his sons, Jamie and the band are creating fresh, inspiring sounds that are capturing hearts all over Aotearoa.
Adding to the lineup is Brutha Rodz, a true roots reggae storyteller known for his smooth vocals, conscious lyrics, and powerful live performances that connect deeply with the crowd.
This will be the first time Son and Water perform in many of these cities, making it an extra special experience for fans of real Aotearoa roots reggae

Get ready for a massive night of groove, rhythm, and energetic music!
Versailles is bringing their electrifying mix of reggae, dub, and funk—seasoned with tasteful jazz influences—for a high-energy set that will keep you moving. They'll be playing some fresh, brand-new original material, along with a selection of well-known covers that will have you singing along!
Opening the show is the incredibly talented Sahara, the winner of Rockquest 2025. Her captivating solo singer-songwriter performance will perfectly set the stage for an evening of unforgettable entertainment.
A jam-packed show with tons of energy and entertainment to offer—you don't want to miss this!

Celebrating 80 Years Running! Eight decades of community spirit, the iconic course, and shared memories!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of history.
Every year thousands of runners and walkers descend upon Hamilton City Centre for one of NZ's oldest and most beloved annually contested events, Lugton's Round the Bridges!
Established in 1945 by the Hamilton Harrier Club (now known as Hamilton City Hawks), Lugton's Round the Bridges started out as a road race designed to showcase some of NZ's top athletes, with past participants having included Barry Magee, Peter Snell and Dick Quax. Given its popularity, the event grew from strength to strength, eventually becoming the fantastic community event you see today!
Nowadays the event welcomes people of all shapes and sizes, from primary school students right through to running legends. With finisher's medals for every participant, on-course musical entertainment and thousands of fun-loving runners and walkers, Lugton's Round The Bridges offers an awesome day out which the entire family can enjoy.

Luke Kidgell continues new World Tour in New Zealand in 2025!
Luke is known for his viral crowd-work interactions that often lead to some fairly unusual, yet hilarious encounters. Despite not having much control over his impulsive thoughts, Luke insists that deep down he means well, and this year he’s on a mission to prove it.
After touring Australia, the US, Canada, & Europe Luke is coming back to New Zealand with his brand-new show Good Intentions. This is not one to miss!
You’ve seen him on the internet, now it’s time to see him in real life, as Luke tries to prove that he really does have Good Intentions.

Australian Irish dancing touring company PACE LIVE is bringing all the craic of an Irish Christmas to New Zealand with their high-octane show, A Celtic Christmas! The cast features Auckland champion Irish dancer Keely O’Grady, who was the 2024 New Zealand & International Rose of Tralee; and Christchurch champion Irish dancer Mitchell O’Hara. These New Zealand locals will perform alongside world-class musicians and exceptional Irish dancers to bring New Zealand audiences the very best in the industry, including world champion dancers from international hit shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. The family show brings the heart-warming spirit of an Irish Christmas into a feel-good extravaganza filled with laughter, Christmas cheer, and the pure joy of the festive season for the whole family to enjoy. The show has recently enjoyed a hit on off-Broadway in 2024, and will tour across the North and South Island of New Zealand throughout November and December 2025.
Audiences can immerse themselves in the magnificence of Christmas in Ireland as they are transported to a land where energetic music and dance embody the beating heart of good craic! This feel-good show aims to give audiences a bit of Irish charm and features a company featuring over 15 of the world’s leading Irish performers and musicians. Featuring a powerful mix of traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads and all your favourite carols, A Celtic Christmas combines incredible music with jaw-dropping dance talent in an unforgettable night of storytelling and Irish charm.
Two Shows:
17th November, 2025 (Mon) 7:30pm
17th November, 2025 (Mon) 3:30pm

Seddon Park will host the BLACKCAPS and West Indies in their 3rd ODI match of the series on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
Caribbean flair meets Kiwi fire.
BLACKCAPS v West Indies – tickets on sale now.
Big hits. Big names. Big series. Feel the electric atmosphere, soak up the summer vibes, and enjoy world-class cricket right here at home.
It’s the perfect day out for whānau, mates, or anyone who loves the game. These matches will be crowd favourites – secure your tickets now!
For hospitality packages and enquiries contact charlotte@ndca.co.nz
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