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Here, you have permission to lose yourself in all things eclectic and colourful, celebrating the true meaning of New Zealand-made art, crafts and treasures.Founder Lisa Voigt’s vision for the gallery was to “create a haven where people could come to appreciate a melting pot of New Zealand art and design.” It’s safe to say she’s absolutely nailed that.Upon entry, your eyes are spoiled for choice, with a range of paintings, glasswork, prints, ceramics and jewellery (and much more) to peruse. You’ll spot favourites from established Kiwi creatives as well as up-and-coming artists.

Housed within the Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery is Exscite, an interactive discovery centre offering a vibrant and engaging learning experience. Exscite’s seamless blending of fun with education makes it an ideal destination for families, especially those with children under the age of 15. Exscite reopened in July 2024 with a whole new look. It spans two floors, each level providing a unique focus. The ground floor, known as Exscite: Home, highlights the role of science in everyday life, while the upper floor, Exscite: Taiao, draws inspiration from the awa (Waikato River) and New Zealand’s interconnected natural environment.

Their annual street art festival has been breathing life into the streets of Kirikiriroa since 2015. You can still find their early murals hidden down curious little laneways around the inner city, but recent years have seen them commissioning both local and international artists to take over iconic hero walls across the city. ‘Art everywhere, everyday’ is Boon’s vision in a nutshell. The crew at Boon are big fans of public art and what it can do for the people who live and work in that area.

If you just can’t face another treadmill, and the thought of stepping into a gym makes you feel sick—we hear you. For those who are tired of the status-quo exercise tropes, listen up: Hamilton is home to a boutique fitness studio that will shake up your next sweat sesh.Founded by competitive pole dancer and qualified AntiGravity Fitness Instructor Laura Lockhart, HIGH ABOVE is a fitness hub like no other. Specialising in both aerial and pole classes, working out here is all about getting fit through having fun.

Something like a plush lounge meets garage: low-lit, slightly grungy and carpeted, of course. Hamilton’s Last Place Bar doesn’t have to be the last place you visit in a night, in fact, it’s well set up to be the beginning, middle or end of your evening, depending on your mood. Offering good beer, bad beer and everything in between, the crew at Last Place Bar are confident there will be something on the menu for every beer drinker. How could they not when they have one of the most extensive beer menus in the city? There are 10 brews on tap and over 100 beers in the fridge.

In addition to the number of keen buyers and sellers, it’s the city’s security measures that are working in its favour, according to owner owner Henrik Stovring.Some buyers and sellers have embraced the concept of an offline Facebook-like marketplace and 163 stalls have popped up since it opened on May 1 yet there’s still space for another 400 to 600 stalls.

NORTH & SOUTH + Hamilton Business AssociationThe revitalization of central business districts is a global phenomenon, with cities adapting to new realities in a post-COVID world. Hamilton is no exception. The city’s central area is transforming into a vibrant hub that merges business, social, and experiential elements, ensuring it remains relevant and competitive. We spoke with Vanessa from the Hamilton Central Business Association to understand how local businesses are navigating this landscape and thriving in the new normal.

Sometime in the 1990s, Hamilton acquired the unofficial, ironic slogan “City of the future”.Lacking the cosmopolitan airs of Auckland or Wellington’s theatre scene, Hamilton was viewed by many as nothing more than a daggy blip on SH1.But these days, thanks to relatively inexpensive housing, significant investment in the city’s infrastructure both by the council and property developers like Stark Property, and the completed Waikato Expressway, Kirikiriroa is the fastest-growing city in New Zealand – and it’s got the hospitality scene to match.

From humble beginnings on Hood St to becoming a stronghold in Hamilton’s culinary scene - popular restaurant Gothenburg has had quite the journey.Now, the foodie hotspot is celebrating its 15th year in business.Gothenburg was founded by Susanna Rislund Fullana and Carl Bloxam in a small location on Hood St in 2009.

Dagu Rice Noodle chef Lynn Zhang and Hamilton branch owner Kim Wang love the meals served in the restaurant. Wang said he eats the chicken katsu every day.

Opening a new restaurant in an economic downturn looks less risky compared to dropping his 14-day-old girl into a stranger’s arms while his house burned around him.Chandan Kumar has brought Mac’s Steakhouse and Cocktails to Hamilton, just as many other hospitality venues in town struggle to get customers through the doors.

Although their menu is 100% vegan, Hello Rosie’s customers are actually mostly non-vegan.Since the shop is tucked down Casabella Lane, owner Renae Josephs said most of their customers are curious passers-by that stop for a fauna-free treat.

The Hamilton Central Business Association has announced that entries are open for the annual CBD Awards.After a challenging few years, the association is delighted to be able to bring a sense of celebration to the central city with the Spark-sponsored awards, which are also backed by MediaWorks.

National Youth Theatre proudly presents Disney’s Frozen JR., the much-loved classic based on the 2018 Broadway musical.

Join Elsa and Anna in the magical kingdom of Arendelle for a heartwarming tale of sisterhood, courage, and adventure. Featuring all your favourite songs from the animated film — plus five new numbers written for the Broadway stage by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez — Frozen JR. is filled with music, magic, and fun for the whole family.

At its heart, Frozen JR. is a powerful story of love and acceptance, as two sisters discover their hidden strength when faced with danger. With a talented young cast, vibrant costumes, and dazzling effects, this enchanting production will melt even the coldest heart.

Get your tickets early — when NYT last staged Frozen JR. at Auckland Town Hall, all five performances sold out!

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10th October, 2025 (Fri) 7:00pm
11th October, 2025 (Sat) 1:30pm
11th October, 2025 (Sat) 7:00pm
12th October, 2025 (Sun) 1:30pm

Produced by National Youth Theatre

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Get ready for a night full of flavour and fun as “Still Got It” NZ Tour hits STATUS, Hamilton!

Show only- $30 pp

4-course meal + welcome drink — just $79 pp  

45 Bryce Street, Hamilton Central

Laughter tastes better with good food and greatcompany!

Join us Saturday, September 20th for a night of laughs at Lido Cinema!

For the low price of $15 (earlybird) come see some of the best up and coming comics from around NZ!

You won't wanna miss out on this show hosted by Punch Muffin.

This show sold out the last time so make sure and get your tickets early!

Featuring comics:
(MC) CJ Pierson - US
Geoff Rissole - AKL
Alexander Petropavlovskiy - Russia
Sandra Pace - UK
Jason Chand - India
Thomas Chapman - AKL

Warning: Content is R18

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Your Neighbourhood is coming to Garden Place with a special twist – you’ll be able to vote onsite!

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Listen to the Mayoral candidate Q&A panel (11am – 12pm, free entry with limited tickets and a livestream option for additional viewers)

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Enjoy a free sausage sizzle

Meet the candidates

Vote onsite

Learn about Council services

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Bring tamariki to the kids zone – face painting, bubbles, a bouncy castle, a mini ferris wheel, entertainment, and more

Support great local cafés by grabbing a bite to eat.

Free event for the whole whaanau

Fair Enough’s Mākete Kirihimete is on again for 2025! Join us at Garden Place and Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa (Hamilton Central Library) on the 30th of November to celebrate Waikato’s mahi toi, local artists, live music, and kapa haka.

Artist applications still open: https://forms.gle/n32Jgkf5rgYAFMsJ7

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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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Join for one or both of the following practice sessions:

Monday 15 September, 1pm – Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum

Wednesday 17 September, 3:30pm – Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum

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This joyful community experience welcomes singers of all levels to join together in song at waiata practices during September, culminating in a vibrant waiata nui (big sing) in the galleries of Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum.

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Join te waiata nui - the big sing!

This year marks a special milestone – 50 years of Te Wiki o Te Reo Maaori. To celebrate, we’re inviting our community to come together for Te Waiata Nui – The Big Sing in the galleries of Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum.  

Led by local legend and kaiako Harley Pitihira, this event is a celebration of music, language, and connection. Whether you’re a confident singer or just love to hum along, everyone is welcome.

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The annual First Credit Union Christmas Parade is a must do Christmas experience for the young and young at heart. Come and join us for the festival fantasy as around 80-90 floats parade down Anglesea Street in central Hamilton.

This years’ beloved holiday parade features colourful grand floats representing the unique communities of Hamilton. Come and join us to see crazy characters, lively marching bands, dance group, ethnic groups, characters, amazing character balloons, and of course Santa Claus!

The Parade starts at the corner of Rostrevor and Anglesea Streets, travels down Anglesea Street, and ends at the corner of Anglesea and Knox Streets. The length of the route is 1.2km.

• Pre-parade 1.15pm – 2pm includes colourful characters and our Corporate Clowns handing out lollies.
• The parade starts at 2pm.

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Get ready for an unforgettable night as we light up the Christmas tree for the first time. This exciting event promises a night of festive fun and dazzling lights! Join us in Garden Place on Saturday, 29 November, from 5pm to 9pm. We’ll have food trucks, various characters, face painting, balloon art and live entertainment! Don’t forget your picnic blankets. Stay tuned, the full programme will be available soon.

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Join us at The Factory for Hamilton’s biggest Rock 2000 countdown party on Friday the 26th of September. This is the only place in the Waikato where you can enjoy the biggest rock songs of all time with a classic Beerfest twist. We’ll have a limited number of one litre steins (available with your favourite brew), free BBQ and spot prizes for heading down early. Entry is still free and doors open from 3pm

Saddle up, Cowboys and Cowgirls! 

Get ready for The Country Superstars Experience, where the spirit of the Wild West meets the best of country music!

Join us for a boot-stompin', hat-tippin' party like no other, as Rodeo Rhythms brings you the ultimate country extravaganza!

Dust off your cowboy boots and two-step your way to our ranch for a night of dancing under the stars to the biggest country anthems from the decades! 

Featuring a live band alongside Morgan Wallen & Luke Combs Tribute.

Experience the magic of live performances, DJ sets, and dancers as they bring the hits of legends like Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and Shania Twain to life, alongside modern favorites from Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Taylor Swift!

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Wing Valley Productions brings Outside In

Seven women navigate their lives and themselves inside prison, trying to manage how much the outside seeps in. As a new inmate arrives and another prepares to leave, the cracks appear in a dangerously-thin veneer of order.

Beaton created the script out of “…a desire to create roles for women where they are seen as the subject and not the object”.

Playmarket describes it as, “Brutal, funny and at heart, a love story…. an intensely honest portrayal of seven women’s lives within the hostile world of prison.”

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24th September, 2025 (Wed) 2:00pm

24th September, 2025 (Wed) 6:00pm

Coming to Hamilton in the September school holidays, New Zealand’s own ‘Circus of Illusion Magic Show’. 90 minutes of fast-paced family entertainment!

Featuring New Zealand’s premiere Illusionist Andre Vegas and Company performing large-scale mind-blowing illusions. Special guest artist, Joel Fenton, known as Cirque Stuntman. With a mix of comedy and audience participation see him juggle chainsaws and get sucked inside a giant balloon.

Witness the incredible and stunning Nunya Bender. Presenting amazing aerial and contortion acts that need to be seen to be believed. New Zealand’s leading female magician, Felicity Rogers, weaves magic, puppetry, dance and theatre into her mesmerising original performances. Felicity will also turn the traditional gender roles in ‘magic’ upside down by sawing a man in half! Kids look out for Felicity’s son 11-year-old Leonardo who will present his very own illusion.

A theatre spectacular for all ages from preschoolers to grandparents and everyone in between.

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