School Holiday Plans Sorted 26 September to 11 October 2026

Your Guide to Spring Adventures in Hamilton City Centre

Whether you need high energy action, cosy indoor escapes on a rainy afternoon, creative masterclasses, or just a fun day out with guaranteed smiles, everything you need is right here in the heart of town.

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High Energy Action and Active Play

Soccer United (443 Anglesea Street)
If your kids are bouncing off the walls and ready to run, lock in a one hour School Holiday Session with the team at Soccer United. Running from 28 September to 9 October, these sessions offer active, structured football fun that keeps tamariki moving and smiling.

👉 Grab your session time at Soccer United

Exscite (1 Grantham Street)

Interactive Centre for Discovery
Exscite is a hands-on space where tamariki can play and learn through tactile and immersive surroundings.
On the lower floor, Exscite: Home showcases the way science is an integral part of everyday life.
Exscite: Taiao, on the upper floor, focuses on Aotearoa New Zealand’s interconnected natural environment.
Cost from $5.

👉Exscite | Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery

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Big Screen Magic, Classic Arcades & Big Value Combos

Metro by Hoyts & Lido Cinema (Centre Place)
When the weather turns or you just want a classic, relaxing holiday outing, pop into Centre Place for movie treats. Catch the latest family blockbusters at Metro by Hoyts or settle in for boutique charm at Lido Cinema.

👉 See what is screening at Metro by Hoyts
👉 Explore the Lido Cinema guide

Fun Zone (Centre Place)
Turn a quick outing into a full day highlight! Challenge the family across 18 immersive holes of Ice Age Mini Golf complete with glow in the dark zones, suit up for Megazone Laser Tag, tackle sound inclusive Escape Rooms, or take on the arcade machines with tap and play prize cards.

👉 Discover the Fun Zone lineup

TimeZone (460 Victoria Street)
Packed with buzzing energy and all your favourite games, TimeZone is ideal for a lively challenge that quickly turns into “just one more round!”.

👉 Check out TimeZone Victoria Street

Centre Place EPIC School Holiday Combo Paks (Centre Place)
Looking for an easy way to keep the kids entertained with maximum value? Centre Place has bundled together a massive day of family entertainment into one convenient pass. For just $25, you get over $50 worth of holiday excitement, making it an effortless choice for an all weather outing:

Available from 21 September to 11 October, 9am to 6pm.

👉 Secure your Centre Place EPIC Combo Pak

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Epic Mystery Quests and Escape Rooms

Put your family teamwork and detective skills to the test with two premier puzzle spots:

Confinement Escape Rooms (6 Sapper Moore-Jones Place)
Choose between immersive indoor rooms or step outside for a city wide puzzle trail where you hunt for clues across town together. They are running a family of 4 escape deal for just $100 as a limited-time family offer. 27th September to 11th October (T’s&C’s apply).

👉 Book your mission at Confinement

Escapist (36 Bryce Street)
Bring a group of four or more to any room and one player escapes for free! Plus, on 7 October, look out for their Whispers and Wagers evening. With dimmed lighting and softened sound, it offers a cosy, low sensory board gaming session that welcomes everyone.

👉 Explore Escapist experiences

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Creative Sparks and Hands On Making

Waikato Society of Arts at Artspost (120 Victoria Street)
Nurture your young artist with the September School Holiday Programme for ages 5 to 12. Running Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm, these small group workshops led by experienced tutors offer confidence building, hands on fun each morning.

👉 View WSA art school classes

Sip and Sew (401 Anglesea Street)
Have a maker in the family? These engaging workshops teach practical sewing techniques for kids (ages 8 to 12) and teens (ages 13 to 16). Choose between morning slots (9:30am to 12:30pm) or afternoon slots (12:30pm to 3:30pm) during Week 1 (28 September to 2 October) and Week 2 (5 October to 9 October).

👉 Book a Sip and Sew holiday workshop

City of Wonder (COW) (Across the Central City)
From 25 September to 4 October, the streets come alive with curated art, outdoor exhibitions, and whimsical interactive installations. Look out for kid friendly highlights such as Bubble Trouble, VRun, and Curious Cats as you wander the city.

👉 Follow the City of Wonder trail

Hamilton Central Library – Te Koopuu Maania o Kirikiriroa (9 Garden Place)
Always a welcoming community hub, the library offers brilliant free activities right in Garden Place. Explore Streets Reimagined: Through the eyes of our tamariki in partnership with City of Wonder, join a Spring Art Class for Kids with all materials supplied, or try your hand at simple macrame to craft a leaf wall hanger.

👉 Find holiday library programmes

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Stage Shows and Immersive Spectacles

The SpongeBob Musical at Clarence Street Theatre (69 Clarence Street)
Treat the family to a spectacular theatrical outing! Running from 25 September to 10 October, this high energy Broadway musical brings Bikini Bottom to life with vibrant sets, brilliant music, and laugh out loud moments.

👉 Get tickets at Clarence Street Theatre

GLOtron (Centre Place Hamilton)
Step inside a glow in the dark wonderland featuring giant illuminated puppets, quirky science, and dazzling sound effects. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 3pm, every weekend throughout September, October, and November.

👉  Step into the world of GLOtron

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Full Day Discovery

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery (1 Grantham Street)
Need a full day adventure where tamariki can explore, discover, and create? The Spring School Holidays programme runs weekdays from 28 September to 9 October (9am to 4:30pm). Daily themes span everything from fossil hunting and printmaking to music sessions and penguin adventures. Daily rates start from $55, or $250 for a full five day week with the discount code SPRING26.

👉 Reserve a museum programme place

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Easy Family Dining

Iguana Bar and Restaurant (203 Victoria Street)
After a busy day wandering and playing, skip the cooking and unwind together. Iguana is serving up a $15 kids menu all holiday long, complete with a delicious main meal and dessert to round out your central city visit.
👉 Check out dining deals at Iguana