๐๐ผ Hello Hamilton
Itโs fair to say Iโm looking forward to some warmer weather! Hamilton reached -2.3ยฐC on Monday, -4.4ยฐC on Tuesday, and -1.9ยฐC yesterday. Did you know it snowed in Hamilton in 2011?
Lots of Hamiltonians felt an earthquake for the first time last week, when Taumarunuiโs 5.9 magnitude quake rattled homes across Hamilton early Saturday morning. Poll results from Saturdayโs special edition show 48% of Hello Hamilton readers felt it. Did you?
Now, Iโm going to be honest. I was up late last night, having fun at our social strangers event! A bunch of Hamiltonians headed to Escapist for an escape room with strangers night. We had a blast. But that does mean this edition of Hello Hamilton is pretty basic! Youโll forgive me just this once, Iโm sure.
Some Hello Hamiltonians with new friends!
โ Ben
Whatโs happening this weekend?
Thursday, 30th July
๐งโ๐พ Meet the Gardeners | Thu 30th 2:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Behindโtheโscenes presentations followed by Q&A and afternoon tea.
โป๏ธ Waste-Ed with Kate | Thu 30th 6:00pm at Central Library.
A workshop for those who want real-world solutions on how to waste less.
๐ NPC - Waikato vs Bay of Plenty | Thu 30th 7:00pm at FMG Stadium. Kicking off the NPC season!
Friday, 31st July
๐คฃ Hayley Sproull | Fri 31st 6:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
What happens when a 36 year old walking tornado heads back out on the prowl after 15 years off?ย
๐ Alan Davies | Fri 31st 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Returning to New Zealand with his brand-new stand-up show.
Saturday, 1st August
๐ฅพ Op Shop Car Boot Sale | Sat 1st 9:00am - 1:00pm at 15 Ruakura Road.
Stalls, food and drink, sausage sizzle, barista coffee, and a bouncy castle.
๐ฟ Plant Sale | Sat 1st 9:30am - 1:00pm at Hamilton Gardens.
Friends of Hamilton Gardens' monthly plant sale.
๐งโ๐จ Artists Talk | Sat 1st 11:00am at Artspost Galleries.
Join Painter Jennie De Groot and Glassmaker Di Tocker.
๐ Waikato Wedding Affair | Sat 1st 12:30 - 5:00pm at The Atrium. Everything from wedding gowns, florists, jewellers, caterers, cake designers, photographers, entertainment and more.
๐ญ HGHS & HBHS Production | Sat 1st 7:30pm at Hamilton Girls' High.
Mistaken identities, clever disguises, love triangles, music, and dance.
๐ถ Moonfest | Sat 1st 7:30pm at Last Place.
It's Moon's birthday โ and to celebrate, they're playing live at their favourite venue with some of their favourite bands.
BENโS PICK:
๐ญ EVITA | Sat 1st- Sat 15th 7:30pm at Riverlea Theatre.
Join Hamilton Musical Theatre's 50th Anniversary production of EVITA.ย Featuring a standout local cast and the legendary score from Andrew Lloyd Webber.ย
๐ธ Devilskin | Sat 1st 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Performing the entirety of their chart-topping 2016 album.
Sunday, 2nd August
Bonjour Hamilton | Sun 2nd 10:30am - 12pm at Central Library.
Come join the French Conversation Cafรฉ, whether you are fluent, rusty or have basic skills.
๐ป Violin Music | Sun 2nd 4:00pm at St Peterโs Cathedral.
A captivating afternoon of music by European composers from seven countries, concluding with The Victorious Nightingale.
๐ซต๐ผ HAVE YOUR SAY: What event should we organise next?
Whatโs on next week?
Tuesday, 4th August
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ Club Kahukura | Tue 4th 6:00pm at Te Are Hou Village Auditorium.
An opportunity for adults who are newly exploring their sexuality and gender to meet other people on the same pathway.ย
๐ฌ Joy, Full and Fearless Film | Tue 4th 6:30pm at Lido Cinema.
See the Hamilton premiere screening of the documentary on the internationally renowned author Dame Joy Cowley.
๐ท Textured Art and Wine Night | Tue 4th 7:00pm at Good Neighbour.
Add dimension to your art at this fun beginner-friendly textured painting event!ย
Wednesday, 5th August
๐ป Lunchtime Recital: Violin and Viola Delights | Wed 5th 1:00pm at Gallagher Academy.
University of Waikato students and their teacher Lara Hall demonstrate the varied musical possibilities of the violin and viola.ย
๐ก Inspire with Angus Brown, Co-founder of ฤrepa | Wed 5th 5:00pm at Gallagher Hub.
What does it take to build a globally recognised company, face financial setbacks that threaten everything you've built, and come back stronger?ย
๐งฉ Whispers & Wages | Wed 5th 6:00pm - 8:30pm at Escapist.
A low sensory board game night.ย
๐คฃ HaHaHamilton Comedy Lounge | Wed 5th 8:00pm at Nivara Lounge.
MC Kevin Passman presents another funny lineup of comedians.
Thursday, 6th August
๐ต Daniel Champagne (Australia) | Thu 6th 7:30pm at Gallagher Academy. Expect jaw-dropping guitar skills, songs that carry the heart away, and the stories of a troubadour that will stay with you long after the last note rings out.
Friday, 7th August
๐จ Watercolour Art Class | Fri 7th 9:30am at 2 Seddon Road.
A community art class for adults of all abilities.
๐ผ Silk & Soul | Fri 7th 7:00pm at Clarence St Theatre.
Silk & Soul brings together Jaedyn Randell, NAIA and Makayla for a special live concert experience celebrating soulful vocals, storytelling and powerful voices and artistry.
๐ถ Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie - The Hellbent Tour | Fri 7th 8:00pm at Last Place.
If you like big riffs, dark atmosphere, and live music played with conviction, don't miss your chance to catch Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie on tour.ย
Saturday, 8th August
๐คฉ The Hamilton Brick Show | Saturday and Sunday 9:00am - 4:00pm at Claudelands.
The biggest exhibition of Lego creations in Waikato.ย
๐ชก Mending & Repair Meet | Sat 8th 9:30am - 1:00pm at Riverbank Lane.
Learn practical sewing skills to repair, alter, and extend the life of your clothing and other household textile items.
BENโS PICK:
๐ Boon Street Art Tours | Sat 8th 10:00am at Garden Place. These guided walking tours showcase the spectacular murals created through Boon's Street Art Festival. Happening every fortnight.ย
๐บ Bed by 10pm | Sat 8th 4:00 - 9:00pm at House on Hood.
Bed By 10 is a chance for ravers over 30 to relive the peak of the 80s, 90s & early 2000s clubbing scene!ย
๐ฒ Light Up Your Ride | Sat 8th 5:30pm at Garden Place.
Wrap up warm and come for an evening of lights, entertainment, and biking in the central city.
DISCOUNT:
๐ One NZ Warriors vs Newcastle Knights | Sat 8th 7:15pm at FMG Stadium. Come to cheer on our Warriors Waahine.ย Use code HELLOHAMILTON to unlock 10% off tickets!
Sunday, 9th August
๐ The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever Kirirkiriroa | Sun 9th 11:00am at Hamilton Gardens.
This is an annual global event where fans gather in red dresses to recreate the iconic 1978 music video for Kate Bushโs song.ย
Be in to win!
It seems to be the season of giveaways at the moment! Congratulations to Chelsee W who won the double pass to the Vera Ellen gig at Last Place last week. Our CatVideoFest ๐ giveaway is closing soon - grab another entry on our socials before it closes.
And our friends at the iconic Hamilton Farmersโ Market are celebrating 10 years at their Claudelands home. Weโre giving away a bunch of $50 vouchers to Hello Hamilton community members so you can browse stalls from local growers, bakers and makers, grab a coffee, listen to live music, and catch up with friends and family - all while supporting local businesses. Enter on our socials (Instagram or Facebook).
Coming upโฆ
Nurse Georgie Carroll: Infectious | Tue 11th August 7:30pm at Clarence St Theatre.
An undeniable live comedy powerhouse and a natural storyteller.
Waikato Home & Garden Show 2026 | Thu 1st - Sun 4th October 10am - 4pm at Claudelands. If youโre renovating, building, updating or simply dreaming big, this is for you.
The Wiggles Live in Concert | Sat 10th October 10am & 1pm at Claudelands.
Back with a fun intimate live concert experience that will have the whole family singing.
Fletch, Vaughan and Hayley | Sat 10th October 7:30pm at BNZ Theatre.
Three of New Zealandโs most beloved broadcasters are hitting the road.
Equifest 2026 | Fri 16th - Sun 18th October at Claudelands.
A three-day festival of action-packed education, shopping and competition.
Black Ferns vs France | Sat 17th October at FMG Stadium.
An unforgettable night of world-class rugby in the heart of Waikato.
Royal New Zealand Ballet presents The Sleeping Beauty | Fri 27th - Sun 29th November at BNZ Theatre. A show of drama, beauty and imagination - where timeless stories and bold new visions collide.
Tilโ next week,
โ Ben Woodgates and Sarah Blake
