ππΌ Hello Hamilton
How about trying something new this weekend?
π£ββοΈ Regatta, a new restaurant on the riverfront, officially opened yesterday. π₯¬ Hamilton Farmersβ Market is my Sunday tradition til noon at Claudelands. And can confirm thatπ¦ Melo, a new froyo shop down Casabella Lane in the city, serves a delicious treat.
See you out there!
β Ben
P.S. Signed up for Social Badminton yet? Give it a go >
Quick poll: πΈ When does spring officially start for you?
NZβs largest inflatable obstacle course
is coming back to Hamilton π
This looks fun. NZβs largest inflatable obstacle course is coming back to Hamilton for five days only this October. If you missed it last year, hereβs your chance!
345 metres of inflatables, with 33 obstacles to climb, dodge, scramble and probably fall over on. There are giant waves, beach balls, a rugby team to get past and six MEGA slides to fly down. π
This sponsored spot helps keep Hamilton free for all. Cheers!
Round up your mates, bring the family, or just come along and see if you can actually make it to the end. Either way, I reckon thereβll be plenty of laughs along the way!
β οΈ One thing to know: there are no door sales, so youβll need to grab your tickets online beforehand:
Whatβs happening this weekend?
Friday, 18th September
π Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show | Fri 18th - Sun 20th 9:00am at Mystery Creek. New Zealandβs largest motorhome and caravan event.
Escapist Mega Board Game Sale | Fri 18th - Sun 20th at Escapist. Grab a bargain or get your Christmas shopping done early. Buy more, save more! π§©
πΆ Kirikiriroa Hardcore Vol.11 | Fri 18th 6:30pm at Mesoverse. Featuring local hardcore punks Martial Law, Out of It, Mark My Words, and Home Invasion.
π΅ Nicholas Joseph Album Release Show | Fri 18th 7:30pm at Last Place. Kirikiriroa's Nicholas Joseph will celebrate the release of his debut album.
Saturday, 19th September
π Park Run - Hamilton Lake | Sat 19th 8:00am at Hamilton Lake. Come on down to Hamilton Lake Park run.
π Puketaha Spring Fair | Sat 19th 10:00am - 2:00pm at Puketaha School. Pony rides & petting zoo, bouncy castle, raffles, VR experience, climbing wall, food and entertainment, boutique market stalls, pedal tractors, and heaps more!
π¨ Architecture of Connection | Sat 19th September - Sat 3rd October 11:00am at The Meteor. This exhibition brings together fluid acrylic gestures and the disciplined precision of wrapped thread.
πΏπ¦ Afrika Bazaar 2026 | Sat 19th 11:00am - 5:00pm at Claudelands Events Centre. Come for a day filled with colorful performances, authentic African cuisine, stunning artwork, vibrant music, performances and more.
π» Hamilton City Hack Club | Sat 19th 1:30pm at Central Library. Hack Club is for makers, artists and coders ages 14-18. Bring your own project or learn something new
πΌ 2026 Centenary National Daffodil Show | Saturday and Sunday at The Pavillion, Hamilton Gardens. Growers from throughout the country exhibit prized blooms in a variety of forms colour and size.
πΊ Good George Oktoberfest | Sat 19th 2:00 - 10:00pm at Good George Dining Hall. Rally the crew, dust off the lederhosen or dirndl, and join for an afternoon packed with beer, food, music, and good times.
π NPC β Waikato vs Manawatu | Sat 19th 5:05pm at FMG Stadium. Your ticket gets you two games with the Waitomo Waikato FPC team also in action before the NPC clash.
π΅ Transmitter | Sat 19th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Bundling up their Kiwi tunes for the first set before following up with their favourite post-punk bangers.Β
πΆ Cindy Album Release Tour | Sat 19th 8:00pm at Last Place Bar. Long-anticipated debut album The Way I Do.
Sunday, 20th September
π₯¬ Hamilton Farmers' Market | Sun 20th 8:00am - 12:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands. Your Sunday tradition.
π The Hamilton Shelf Shuffle | Sun 20th 9:00am - 3:00pm at Anne Fern Coffee Shop. Time to take a look through your shelves, dig out those well loved books (or maybe the ones you never quite warmed to) and give them a chance at a new chapter. Plus flash tattoos by CaliLouβs Tattoos.Β
π The Musical Theatre Studio - Spring Musical Showcase | Sun 20th 2:00pm & 5:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
Featuring songs, scenes and choreography from Hamilton (Adults), Chicago (Teens) and Aladdin (Kids), this performance will leave you humming along to favourite tunes both old and new.
π Hamilton Salsa Free Classes | Every Sunday 3:00 - 5:00pm at Speights Ale House. Come along for a free Latin and free Social dance class.
Hello Hamilton East, Iβm your Member of Parliament ππΌ
Hello Hamilton costs hundreds of dollars to produce every week.
This sponsored spot helps keep Hamilton free for all.
Whatβs on next week?
Monday, 21st September
π§Ά Makers Common | Mon 21st 5:30 - 8:00pm at Pukete Neighbourhood House. Bring along your current craft project, supplies and kai and join like-minded makers to craft and kΕrero!
Tuesday, 22nd September
𧡠Come Craft | Tue 22nd 10:30am at Glenview Library. Join for some fun and inspiring craft sessions designed for adults with some experience, but beginners are very welcome too!
π¨ Paint and Wine Night - Protea Bloom | Tue 22nd 7:00pm at Good Neighbour. Looking for a creative night out in Hamilton? An artist guides you step-by-step, so absolutely no art experience is needed.
πΈ Photography Gear and Smartphone Camera Masterclass | Tue 22nd 7:30pm at Melville Methodist Church Hall. Join the Waikato Photographic Society for an engaging, hands-on evening exploring essential camera gear, smartphone photography techniques, and everyday field accessories.
Wednesday, 23rd September
π± From Seed To Sprout | Wed 23rd 10:30am at St Andrews Library. Passionate plant enthusiasts gather to share insights and tips on cultivating a thriving garden.
πΌ Lunchtime Recital: TANZOS Art Song Showcase | Wed 23rd 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Prepare to be transported as poem is rendered into song, with each piece offering a vignette of life in all its beauty, pain, and splendour.
Thursday, 24th September
𧣠Thrift Style Tour | Thu 24th 6:00pm at Hamilton Hotel. Kicking off with refreshments and styling inspiration at Hamilton Hotel before a private bus whisks you to three top thrift stores.Β
Friday, 25th September
π« COW City Walks | Fri 25th September - Sun 4th October at Hamilton Central. 20 walks, 10 days. COW, Hamiltonβs first design week, transforms unexpected spaces across the city into exhibitions, installations, performances, immersive experiences and places to encounter new ideas.
πΆ Take Up Space | Fri 25th 6:30pm at Mesoverse. Bringing together Lambjaw, Honeycomb, Total Outskirts, Ballerina Riot & Static, the night puts a spotlight on powerful local femme and gender-diverse artists.
𧽠The Spongebob Musical | Fri 25th September - Sat 10th October at Clarence St Theatre. The SpongeBob Musical is a high-energy Broadway show brought straight to Hamilton.
π΅ Bridge City Fight Music Vol.2 | Fri 25th 7:30pm at Last Place. See Parasitic Infestation, Nuclear Blunt, Late to Chelsea and Tunnel Ram.
Saturday, 26th September
π Op Shop Bus Tour: Hamilton to Te Awamutu | Sat 26th 8:15am pickup at Rototuna Library and Hamilton Gardens. Exploring fresh second-hand finds while sharing sustainable fashion tips along the way.Β
π Cheer Factor World Qualifying 2026 | Saturday and Sunday 8:30am at Claudelands Arena. Join for a high-energy weekend as top cheerleaders from across New Zealand compete.
πΊ Strut | Sat 26th 6:00pm at Gallagher Academy. Enjoy an exciting collection of dances learned throughout the year, by the Waikato Dance Performance Trust and Drury Lane Dance & Performance.
Sunday, 27th September
πΏ Plant Extravaganza | Sun 27th 9:00am - 3:00pm at Hamilton Gardens. Heaps of stalls including indoor and outdoor plants, unique crafts, accessories, gifts, flowers, seedlings, and more.
π Kids Pizza Class | Sun 27th 3:00pm at The Wayward Pigeon. Let the kids take charge in the kitchen with their very own pizza-making station!
π Pop Up - Pulse Club Fit | Sun 27th 5:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. The fun, high-energy dance fitness workout that feels more like a night out than a workout!
π΅ Jon Stevens | Sun 27th 6:30pm at The Factory. Jon is back performing hits from the legendary bands that catapulted him into Aussie Rock Royalty.
Keen for Hello Hamilton to stay human-written, independent, and ad-light? Consider upgrading your subscription - only if it causes you no hardship.
β Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
