Explore

One of the great benefits of the central city is the vast number of experiences on offer and there is no better one than the annual central city progressive dinner.

This exciting event is the opportunity for the public to enjoy the traditional progressive dinner model with a vibrant and exciting twist in the big city. With five restaurants on offer – each providing a meal course with a matching drink – this is a fantastic way to enjoy some of the central city’s best restaurants all in one evening.

One of the joys in exploring a city is finding spaces and places that appear off the main streets, often characterised as laneways.

Casabella Lane and Racquet Lane were described in my last column but Hamilton’s central city boasts two others that are also worthy of exploration: Bucks Way also off Barton St, and Riverbank Lane off Victoria St.Bucks Way is a laneway between Barton and Victoria streets alongside the Wilson’s car park, which is also home to the food truck markets on a Friday night.Bucks Way has a tenancy that is famous in the central city – Rocket Coffee.

Prepare for a magical experience with Stories in the Garden on November 9 and 23 from 10-11am in Garden Place. This enchanting hour of storytelling and games, hosted by characters from Enchanted Entertainment, is sure to ignite the imagination of children and adults alike. Don’t miss this chance for a story time adventure. For all the details, check out our event listing here.

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The annual Yamaha Rollo’s Marine Bridge to Bridge, takes place from November 8 to 10 on the mighty Waikato River from Grantham St. This thrilling event celebrates its 40th year and promises an adrenaline-packed adventure as water ski racers tackle the breathtaking course. It’s a must-see for thrill-seekers and families alike. For all the details, check out our event listing here.

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When it comes to looking for culinary delights from around the world, the north end of Victoria St does not disappoint. There is a mix of international cuisine that takes you from Asia to Africa in the space of a mere two blocks. The Hamilton Central Business Association showcased a sample of what is on offer, taking 30 business people from around the city, on a tasting evening in 90 minutes. First stop was Penang Street Food NZ at 941A Victoria St − a Malaysian restaurant offering a blend of traditional Malay flavours with a modern dining experience. The owners said they wanted to craft a delicious sensory experience true to their family motto and their roots, bringing their love for the Malay street food to the plate − and they certainly did this with a selection plate of nasi lemak, char kway teow, mee goreng and chicken satay. The evening was certainly off to a great start.

Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato is thrilled to announce Exscite, its interactive centre for discovery, won the prestigious Innovation Award at last night’s Hamilton Central Business Association CBD Awards 2024.

The award recognises Exscite’s outstanding contribution to the community through its innovative approach to science education and engagement.

The recent redevelopment of Exscite has transformed it into a state-of-the-art facility making science accessible and exciting for all ages.

Quality secondhand books adorn the shelves, and old singer sewing machines, typewriters and comfy leather chairs lend themselves to the somewhat nostalgic atmosphere. The books feel well-loved and well-thumbed, and the head high bookshelves will keep you entertained for hours.A particularly impressive display of craftsmanship is the towering bookcase located right next to the entrance, where the mystery remains as to what would happen if someone fancied a novel right at the top.

Hema, founded by master barber Liam, is not just another place to get a haircut—it's a sanctuary where the time-honored tradition of barbering meets modern sophistication. With a decade of experience under his belt, Liam has honed his craft in various shops, learning the ins and outs of what makes a truly exceptional barbering experience.

Now, he's brought that wealth of knowledge to Riverbank Lane, filling a gap in the market for a high-end, dedicated, and professional barber service. Hema, which means "to bevel" or "taper" in Te Reo Māori, perfectly encapsulates the shop's philosophy. Here, it's all about precision cuts, attention to detail, and a commitment to quality that sets Hema apart.

Located in an iconic building on the banks of the Waikato River, in the heart of Hamilton’s south-end cultural precinct, Waikato Museum’s varied galleries feature dozens of new exhibitions and public events annually.

This go-to is where you’ll find Hamilton locals grabbing their early morning Allpress espresso, unwinding with a long lunch (yes, there’s wine on the menu) or dropping in for a weekend brunch outing. TLDR; you can’t go wrong at Scotts Epicurean.Having been in business for more than 20 years, it’s no surprise the team here has café culture nailed. Relaxing, humble vibes paired with damn good grub = the recipe for success. Tucked away in a heritage building on ​​Victoria Street, you’ll be greeted with vintage windows, pressed tin ceilings and comfy leather booths that are perfect for lounging in.

This little lane between Barton and Anglesea Streets is bursting with treasures, and with 17 locally-owned stores there’ll be something that catches your eye, no matter your interests. Bit of a bibliophile? Poppies Bookstore has got you covered. Is fashion your forte? Sills and Co are NZ fashion designers with luxurious wardrobe staples in store, while Zebrano sources fashion-forward plus-sized pieces. If indulging in jewellery is more your thing, Midas Diamond Jewellers offers a stunning collection of ready-made jewels, as well as the option to customise one of your own.

This underground retro lounge is a shady haven of music, hosting local and international artists with a large stage, homely atmosphere, groovy lights and a dance floor.Well regarded as ‘the place’ to listen to live music in Hamilton, Nivara Lounge serves craft beer, wines, and a range of snack food for you to chew on while you listen to the beats on offer (they also sell old vinyls).

People rave about the friendly service, warm vibes and fun atmosphere. Hosting a range of musicians, Nivara Lounge also attracts visitors from far and wide, establishing itself as the hub of live music in the Waikato and beyond.

Sharing a space with the South Bloc offices and neighbouring the Hamilton District Court, Anne Fern sees plenty of professionals through its doors throughout the day. Rocket coffee is available to drink onsite, or you can purchase filter or espresso beans to take away with you. Hanging pots of foliage add a hit of green to the glossy wood panelling, and from the coffee jugs to the ethos everything here is sleek and simple.

Staff look super dapper in white tees and dark green aprons, but mixed with the cheeky marketing and menu, this place is proof that a restaurant can be both suave and easy-going all at the same time. Operating from an impressive island bar, pull up a stool and watch the talented bartenders strut their stuff, or take your tipple out to the impressive patio and watch the sun set over the mighty Waikato River. Feeling hungry? Mr. Pickles opens at midday, so you can perch here for lunchtime eats onwards. Designed to share, the menu is not a fixed thing but instead revolves around what customers want to see, and the waitstaff will cheerfully remind you that what works for you, works for them.

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.

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Summer Live Music in Garden Place!

Grab your lunch and head down to Garden Place for live music by great local musicians!

All live music sessions are weather dependent.

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Summer Line Up :

4th December - Sean Lurman

11th December - DJ KUDZ

18th December - DJ TAZ

15th January - Darze Keefe

22nd January - DJ DEGEN

29th January -Sean Lurman

5th February - DJ JAE

12th February - Andrew Price

19th February - DJ GETMELO

26th February - Darz Keefe

5th March - DJ TW3AK

12th March -Andrew Price

19th March - DJ CYPHR

26th March -TBC

Fashion For a Cause – A Night of Style, Culture & Purpose

The countdown has begun!

We’re just days away from Fashion for a Cause 2025 — a glamorous evening filled with style, purpose, and community spirit!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of fashion with heart at Fashion for a Cause, proudly presented by Rudra Entertainment and Rupal Solanki in support of St. John New Zealand.

This one-of-a-kind multicultural fashion show will showcase the incredible talent of local and emerging designers, featuring stunning collections from ethnic to modern and fusion styles.

But this event is more than just a runway. It is a celebration of creativity, diversity, and community spirit. A portion of all proceeds will go directly towards supporting St. John New Zealand, helping them continue their life-saving work across Aotearoa.

Expect an evening filled with inspiring designer showcases, live entertainment, cultural performances, red carpet moments, and a meaningful cause that brings fashion and community together.

Come dressed to impress, enjoy the glamour, and be part of a night that truly makes a difference.

Limited seats available – book your tickets now.

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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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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!

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Worldwide sensation - the MAGIC MEN AUSTRALIA are finally coming your way!

For One Night Only, MAGIC MEN AUSTRALIA is bringing the heat with Australia's Hottest Male Revue Show!

Tickets

Regular Patron - $50 General non-reserved seating

Deluxe - $75 Priority Seating for the best views!

Premium - $95 VIP Seating for the ultimate front-row experience!

18+ ONLY

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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

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The "Sangamam 2025" NZ Tour featuring the legendary singer Srinivas & Sharanya Srinivas is proudly brought to life by Moksha Base. This marks a major milestone as Singer Srinivas and Sharanya Srinivas’s first-ever tour of New Zealand.

Singer Srinivas is a renowned Indian playback singer and composer, with a career spanning over three decades. His heartfelt vocals have graced more than 3,000 songs across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi cinema. His deep understanding of melody, combined with a mentor-like presence on reality TV, cements his status as an Indian music icon.

Sharanya Srinivas is a versatile and dynamic playback singer, known for her soulful voice and genre-spanning performances. Daughter of singer Srinivas, Sharanya has carved out her own space in the Indian music industry with playback credits in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi films. Trained in both Carnatic and Western music, she effortlessly blends classical precision with contemporary style.

Singer Srinivas and Sharanya Srinivas’s participation, alongside Moksha Base’s powerful live presence, elevates this concert tour into a once-in-a-lifetime experience, blending pure nostalgia for longtime fans with exciting new memories for the next generation.

This is not just a tour. It’s a celebration of identity, excellence, and the magic that happens when legends meet legacy.

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It was the biggest concert tour in history, and now you can re-live the hype when TAYLOR: A Tribute to the Eras of Taylor Swift comes to Aotearoa!

Join us as we salute 'Tay Tay' and the indelible impact she's had on Pop music with this joyous, effervescent concert experience, complete with sparkly costumes, cosmic stage production and over 20 exquisite renditions of Taylor's biggest hits from every era of her career, including Shake It Off, Anti-Hero, Cruel Summer, You Belong With Me, Love Story, I Knew You Were Trouble, Blank Space, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Bad Blood, Our Song, Lover and more.

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7th December, 2025 (Sun) 1:00pm7th December, 2025 (Sun) 4:00pm

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Directions Dance Academy's annual Dance Show: The Four Elements.

Dancers of all ages will showcase a variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre and hip hop as they portray the elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire.

From toe-tapping music, through to dazzling costumes, this is a spectacle which will delight the entire family.

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t Doesn’t Matter Where you Sit, as long as you’re there!

Prepare to be spellbound by the mesmerising live encounter of Cael O'Donnell – With his signature magnetic stage presence, Cael is gracing our town for one-night-only. Get ready for an evening filled with Psychic ability that’s absolutely unmissable! Cael, the Psychic everyone's talking about with 1 million followers worldwide and featured regularly on Australian TV, is set to captivate you with heartfelt messages that touch your soul and lift your spirits.

He's not just a psychic; he possesses a gift that's often described as “off the charts”. Picture a night where hope takes centre stage – this isn't just 'another psychic show'; it's an unforgettable experience that will have you buzzing with excitement and reminiscing with mates for decades to come!

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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.

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Te Kawau Toi | Wintec Performing Arts students, under the direction of Kyle Chuen, present The Witches of Eastwick. Written by John Dempsy and Dana P. Rowe, this devilishly dark comedy musical is based on the classic 1987-film.

In the sleepy New England town of Eastwick, three (not-so-wicked) witches Alexandra Spofford, Sukie Rougemont and Jane Smart are divorcees feeling trapped in their everyday humdrum lives. One stormy night, high on Martinis and brownies, they make a crazy wish for the man of their dreams. When Darryl Horne arrives, they quickly find out their wish has consequences they could never have imagine.

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