The Hamilton Arts Festival - Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa kicks off tomorrow! The local festival brings together international performers, Kiwi music icons, an expanded literary weekend, and an eclectic mix of theatre, music, dance, comedy and whānau-friendly experiences.

There’s more than 40 events across the Hamilton Gardens and venues throughout the CBD, with something for everyone and tickets priced to suit a range of budgets. Enjoy 15% off when you purchase tickets to three or more eligible shows. See the full Hamilton Arts Festival programme here >

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🥵 Australia's Thunder From Down Under | Thu 19th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. Hold onto your hats, Hamilton! Australia’s Thunder from Down Under is hitting the road, and they’re packing more heat than a scorching Aussie summer! Tickets.  

Push Push | Thu 19th 7:30pm at Last Place. Push Push hit the stage this summer to celebrate 35 Years of Trippin’ and their brand new EP out in February. Tickets.  

🏴‍☠️ Captain Morrow and the Sands of Time | Fri 20th - Sun 22nd at Modernist Garden, Hamilton Gardens. Directed by Barnie Duncan and showing in Kirikirirroa for the first time, this absurdist, fast-paced show is perfect for comedy fans and theatre-goers alike. Tickets.  

🤣 Blake Pavey: Live | Fri 20th 7:30pm at The Meteor. After racking up over a million followers online and making audiences across the globe laugh until they cry, Blake Pavey is hitting New Zealand with his brand new hour of stand-up! Tickets. 

Dirty Laundry | Friday and Saturday 8:30pm at Hamilton Gardens Pavilion. After nearly 20 years of selling out festivals around the world, the Briefs boys finally are coming to Hamilton - hills hoist at the ready - to air their Dirty Laundry in a high-energy party cabaret. Tickets.  

📸 Bird Photography Field Trip | Sat 21st 6:00am - 12:00pm at Rototuna Shopping Centre. Join for a morning of bird photography at Miranda / Kaiaua, one of New Zealand’s premier spots for migratory and shorebirds. Meet at the Rototuna Carpark. Register.

Mega Crop Swap | Sat 21st 11:00am - 12.30pm at Garden Place. Celebrate community resilience and food sharing! The vision is to bring together gardeners, growers, neighbors, and  friends to swap extra produce, seeds, plants, baking, jams, preserves, and gardening wisdom. Info.  

💿 Hamilton Record Fair | Sat 21st 11:00am - 3:00pm at Glenview Community Centre. Records, tapes and CDs, all sorts, all sizes, all styles. Vendors from Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Waikato and BOP. Info.  

He Piko He Taniwha | Sat 21st February - Sun 1st March at The Riverside, Hamilton Gardens. This immersive story-telling experience shares cultural narratives, waiata and ceremonial practices relating to the Waikato River and the Hamilton Gardens. Tickets.  

The Search for Meaning | Sat 21st 3:00pm at Indian Char Bagh Garden, Hamilton Gardens. Best-selling author Dr Hinemoa Elder will waananga with award-winning Waikato poet Dr Marama Salsano about the intersection between culture, creativity and mental health. Tickets.  

Miss Brontë | Saturday and Sunday 4:00pm at Chinoiserie Garden, Hamilton Gardens. Inspired by the letters and novels of Charlotte Brontë, Miss Brontë tells a story of ambition, forbidden love and the bond of family. Tickets.  

Rhys Mathewson 10th Rodeo | Sat 21st 5:00pm at Medici Court, Hamilton Gardens. After five years of sobriety, Rhys Mathewson started to relapse. Now, in front of an audience of strangers, he’s ready to share exactly what happened… Tickets.  

🎭 Much Ado About Nothing  | Saturday and Sunday at Rogers Rose Garden. The iconic Summer Shakespeare is back. A war of words between Signor Benedick and Lady Beatrice threatens to steal the stage, while young lovers Hero and Claudio find their romance tested by scandalous deception. Info.  

Dance of Angels - Journey to the Heaven | Sat 21st 6:30pm at Gallagher Academy. Dance of Angels – Journey to the Heaven is a signature concert by Dancing Angels New Zealand, presented as a celebration of cultural heritage, artistry, and spiritual expression. Tickets.   

Speed is Emotional | Saturday and Sunday at The Meteor. ADHD – it’s so hot right now! Pōneke’s creative powerhouse Jo Randerson (ONZM) unpacks their diagnosis, neurodivergent parenting, sad songs, men taking their time, and so much more in this highly lauded “funny as hell” theatre extravaganza. Tickets.  

🎼 Sunset Symphony | Sat 21st 7:20pm at Rhododendron Lawn, Hamilton Gardens. Experience symphonic favourites from the likes of Tchaikovsky, alongside dance numbers spanning culture and history - from latin dance to music from The Lord of the Rings - all against the backdrop of a stunning Rhododendron Lawn sunset. Info.

🐕 Beagle Walk in Hamilton | Sun 22nd 10:00am - 12:00pm at Taitua Arboretum. Join the Auckland Beagle Club for a peaceful walk through lovely mature trees and lakes with birdlife. Info.  

All the Things I Wish I Could Be | Sun 22nd 11:00am and 2:30pm at The Pavillion, Hamilton Gardens. Blast off with All The Things I Wish I Could Be - a wild musical adventure about two loveable dads dreaming of becoming everything from All Blacks to ballerinas, and mad monkeys to silly monsters. Tickets.    

The Voice of Vision | Sun 22nd 6:30pm at Rhododendron Lawn, Hamilton Gardens. Blending world-championship-winning hip-hop and street dance styles with immersive choreography, The Voice of Vision is a bold exploration of the unseen forces that shape movement and creation. Tickets.

🎨 NAWIC Waikato Paint & Sip | Wed 25th 5:30pm at Resene ColourShop. NAWIC Waikato is kicking off 2026 with a touch of artistic flair! Join for an inspiring evening of creativity and connection at their first event of the year. Tickets.

Garden Giggles | Wed 25th & Fri 27th at The Pavillion, Hamilton Gardens. After rave reviews across New Zealand and internationally, Laugh Club NZ returns with another stellar evening of comedy. Come along and see big comedy names such as Paul Ego, Justine Smith, Jack Ansett, Liv McKenzie and more! Tickets.  

🏏 WHITE FERNS v Zimbabwe T20i | Wed 25th 7:15pm at Seddon Park. The WHITE FERNS face Zimbabwe in a thrilling summer showdown — three T20s and three ODIs. Info.  

Intro to Pole Fitness | Wed 25th 7:30pm at High Above. 6 Week Course designed for beginners and all fitness levels, this is your chance to add some excitement to your Wednesday nights. More than just a workout, it’s a confidence-boosting, supportive community where you’ll feel stronger every single week. Tickets.  

🎶 Dan Forrest Creation | Wed 25th 7:30pm at Rhododendron Lawn, Hamilton Gardens. Join for Dan Forrest’s most ambitious work yet - a breathtaking new oratorio arranged for brass band by Todd Smith. Tickets.

$5 Sale | Thu 26th - Sat 28th at 169 London Street. Dress For Success Hamilton is having its first $5 sale for 2026! Gently used high-quality women’s clothes, accessories and shoes will all be $5. Info.

🎤 Kirikiriroa Open Mic | Thu 26th 5:00 - 7:00pm at Central Library. Whether you’re a seasoned performer looking for like-minded people, or performing to an audience for the first time, Kirikiriroa Open Mic is for you! These sessions are open to poetry, music, comedy, etc. Info.  

Te Radar's Kiwi Country | Thu 26th 6:00pm at Medici Court, Hamilton Gardens. Join raconteur Te Radar as he fossicks through the rural bits and pieces that reveal the untold stories of our past and present. Tickets. 

🚴 The Big Bike Film Night 2026 | Thu 26th 6:00pm & 7:00pm at Lido Cinema. Showcasing 2.5 hours of dazzling bike films that have everything a cycle-centric audience could want – action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration. Tickets.  

🤘 The Kings of Country Rock | Thu 26th 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre. The Kings of Country Rock is a two-hour stage spectacular celebrating the music of two of America’s greatest country rock bands - the Eagles and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Tickets.  

D-Day With Quixotic Minds | Fri 27th 7:30pm at Last Place. Closing out the month of love, four of Hamilton’s own powerhouse bands are set to storm Last Place for D-Day, delivering an impactful sonic collage of diverse sounds. Tickets.  

🎪 Fijian Flying Circus | Friday and Saturday 7:45pm at Rhododendron Lawn, Hamilton Gardens. Bold, breathtaking and human, Fijian Flying Circus is a world-first fusion of Indigenous storytelling and contemporary circus. Tickets. 

🎵 Some Hamilton Music | Fri 27th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge. Performing will be ThiefofBaghdad & Lurk Nurgle performing rap, Sinaea & Cailum (of Static), doing some beautiful acoustic stuff, Lambjaw performing some super chill melancholic rock and more! Tickets.  

Plant Extravaganza | Sat 28th 9:00am - 2:00pm at The Barn, Claudelands. Join for the plantiest day out in the Waikato! A relaxed, fun day out enjoying all things plants & gardening. Info.  

The Extravaganza Fair | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am - 5:00pm at Innes Common. New Zealand’s biggest and most fabulous traveling fair is rolling back into town – and you’re invited! Get ready for a weekend packed full of FREE entertainment the whole whānau will love. Info. 

🍿 MOVIES AT THE METEOR: Lord of the Rings Marathon | Sat 28th 1:00pm at The Meteor. Gather the whānau together, BYO blankets or bean bags and get comfy! Tickets.  

Chinese Lantern Festival | Sat 28th 4:00 - 9:00pm at Garden Place. Join for a fantastic evening celebrating Chinese New Year with a Dragon & Lion Dance, Magic Show, Chinese Martial Arts, Live Cultural Performances & Food Stalls. Info.  

🏉 Super Rugby Pacific - Gallagher Chiefs vs Crusaders | Sat 28th 7:05pm at FMG Stadium. Join the boys as they launch their 2026 home campaign in style with a Heritage Round clash against fiercest rivals, the Crusaders at FMG Stadium Waikato. Tickets.  

🏎️ Frankton Thunder 2026 | Sun 1st 9:00am - 4:00pm at Frankton. Frankton Thunder 2026 is back and bigger than ever — a free, family-friendly celebration of cars, bikes, creativity and community in the heart of Frankton, Hamilton. Info. 

Festival of Colors - Waikato Holi 2026 | Sun 1st 11:30am - 3:30pm at Whitiora School. What to expect: Colour splash, RAIN Dance, Music, Food & Fun activities for Kids, Lucky Draw and more! Register.  

⛈️ Hamilton has been identified by scientists as the lowest natural hazard risk major centre in New Zealand. Earth Sciences principal scientist Graeme Leonard said the wider Hamilton area had long been considered relatively low risk compared to other parts of the country. Read.

🦏 Hamilton invests in long‑term Zoo expansion with Hamilton City Council securing what it calls a once-in-32-years opportunity, purchasing a 40,469m² property on Brymer Rd next to Hamilton Zoo. The property including one house and a large amount of undeveloped grass and would allow for the strategic future growth of the Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct.  Read.

🏠 Hamilton City councillors have signed off on a plan change that could see Te Rapa Racecourse swap stables for townhouses. The growth and economic development committee voted to rezone 6.5 hectares of under-utilised land from a major facilities zone to a medium density residential area, paving the way for housing development on the site. Read.

💪 Hamilton rangatahi (young people) wanted for 2026 Youth Council to help shape city thinking. Up to 12 rangatahi aged 16 to 24 who live, work or study in Hamilton Kirikiriroa will be selected to join the Youth Council. Read.

⭐️ Claudelands Bridge will be transformed into the “Bridge to Homegrown” next month, allowing for concert-goer access between the central city and the music festival at Claudelands Oval. The bridge will close to vehicles on Saturday, March 14 - the day of the concert and re-open at 3am on March 15. Read.

Thanks for reading Hello Hamilton today, friend!

As always, please direct reply to this email if you have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions of Hello Hamilton. I’m all ears!

— Ben and Sarah