What's happening in Hamilton

We’ve blinked and just like that, it’s nearly August! As always, Hamilton is buzzing with activity. From the final days of the planting season to vibrant cultural festivals, silent discos, and sports matches – there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month!

Get ready to Plant and Ride  

We’ve partnered with Bike Waikato, Te Awa River Ride and Go Eco to bring you Hamilton's first Plant and Ride event on Saturday 9 August, 11am – 2pm.

Pedal, walk or scooter through picturesque landscapes and make several stops at designated planting sites along the Te Awa River Ride in Hamilton.

This event is perfect for all ages and skill levels, encouraging community involvement and a love for the outdoors. Bring your bikes or environmentally friendly transport, a sense of adventure, and commitment to making a positive impact on our environment.

Spades and everything you need will be provided at each plant site. Park up, plant a tree or two, and then continue to the next spot. You can visit the planting sites at any time throughout the event.

Planting sites include: 

• Hammond Park 
• Te Ara Pekapeka bridge 
• Cobham Drive.

Register your interest at volunteerhamilton.rosterfy.co 

 

Catch the Filipino Market

For the first time the Filipino Market is venturing out of Auckland to bring Hamiltonians the best of Filipino food and products at The Barn, Claudelands on Saturday 2 August, 11am – 3pm.

The cuisine is influenced by a mix of Spanish, American, Malaysian and Chinese flavours, all melting into one hotpot of deliciousness for something uniquely our own. There will be exciting dishes like chargrilled chicken inasal, sizzling pork barbecue skewers, lumpia (spring rolls filled with meaty goodness), pancit, leche flan, ice-based dessert halo-halo and of course, Philippine national dish, adobo!

There will also be a dry goods section too for proudly Philippine-made products.

Check out more details at hlive.co.nz 

 

Free yoga workshops at Te Kete Aronui     

Join the Yoga for a Healthy and Happy Life workshops created specifically for adults.

Discover how physical, mental, and spiritual practices that originated in ancient India can contribute to greater physical and mental health, while learning introductory stretching, breathing, and relaxation techniques that will enhance your overall wellbeing.

Sessions are free and will run from 10.30am – 12pm on Saturday 9 August and Saturday 30 August.

Limited spaces are available, register your interest at hamiltonlibraries.co.nz 

 

Take a trip to Waterworld

Waterworld is open, and the team is ready to welcome you back.

Check out the updated changing rooms, updated group fitness and function spaces.

Ready to dive into your fitness journey? There’s a class for every goal—from Parents and Bubs, a fun and supportive full-body workout, to Mat Pilates, which focuses on posture, strength, mobility, and flexibility, to HIIT, a fast-paced session designed to make you sweat.

Bring the kids along on Tuesdays from 4pm – 6pm and slide into fun with half-price hydroslides until the end of Term 3!

For the full fitness schedule and more information, visit hamiltonpools.co.nz  

 

Visit the new garden in Garden Place  

We’ve put the garden back into Garden Place.

The new garden features plants, stepping stones and balance beams, it makes for a fun and family-friendly area in the central city.

Pop over and check it out next time you’re visiting the shops, popping into a cafe or grabbing your latest read at the Central Library.

 

Calling all board game fans for games night! 

Every Thursday from 5pm, board game fans come together and play at the Central and Chartwell Libraries.
There are plenty of board games, but feel free to bring one along too.
Join in the competitive fun every Thursday 7 August.
Learn more at hamiltonlibraries.co.nz  

 

Experience the biggest exhibition of Lego creations in the Waikato 

The Hamilton Brick Show is coming to Claudelands Events Centre on Saturday 9 August and Sunday 10 August from 9am – 4pm.

Come along and check out the incredible creations and collections from members of the Hamilton Lego Users Group.

Grab your tickets now at hlive.co.nz. 

 

National Contemporary Art Award Exhibition

Check out the brave, colourful, and never shy award winning art.

With a cash prize pool of more than $30,000 and egalitarian ‘blind judging’ process, the National Contemporary Art Award competition has brought the cutting edge of Aotearoa New Zealand art to Kirikiriroa Hamilton since it was established in 2000.

The exhibition opens Friday 1 August and the People's Choice Winner will be announced late October. 

Visit tewharetaonga.nz for more information.

 

80s Silent Disco at Te Whare Taonga 

After selling out over 100 shows across the world, the team from 'Silent Discos in Incredible Places' is now coming to Aotearoa New Zealand. Come along and be part of the global phenomenon right here in Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

They've lined up three epic DJs playing all your favourite ‘80s tunes in the stunning, illuminated surroundings of Te Whare Taonga like you've never seen before.

Hundreds of like-minded ‘80s fans singing their hearts out while wearing state-of-the-art LED headphones where you can select between three different channels of music.

Two sessions will be held on Friday 22 August at 6.30pm - 9pm and 9.30pm - 12am.

This is strictly an 18+ event. 

Book your tickets at tewharetaonga.nz

 

Get set for NRL action like you’ve never seen before 

The New Zealand Warriors Women are coming to Hamilton to take on the competition at FMG Stadium Waikato, with two games in August:

• New Zealand Warriors v Canberra Raiders on Saturday 16 August from 5.05pm.
• New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks on Sunday 24 August from 12.40pm.

Grab your tickets now – see all the details at hlive.co.nz 

 

Cheer on the Mooloo Men at FMG Stadium Waikato

Get ready to make some noise at FMG Stadium Waikato as we cheer on the Mooloo Men in the 2025 Bunnings NPC. Kick-off for each of the matches starts at 4.35pm.

• Waikato NPC v Wellington on Sunday 9 August.
• Waikato NPC v Counties Manukau on Sunday 17 August.
• Waikato NPC v Southland on Sunday 31 August.

Season memberships are on sale now. Visit hlive.co.nz for more information. 

 

Waikato Women’s Farah Palmer Cup matches    

Let's cheer for our Waikato Women at FMG Stadium Waikato during the 2025 Farah Palmer Cup season. Bring your friends, family, and all your team spirit. It's time to show our Waikato pride — let's fill the stands and show our support! Kick-off for each match starts at 2.05pm.

• Waikato Women v Counties Manukau on Sunday 17 August.
• Waikato Women v Canterbury on Sunday 31 August.

Season memberships are on sale now. Visit hlive.co.nz for more information. 

 

Have the ultimate girl's day out  

The ultimate girls' day is coming! Filled with shopping, pampering and mouth-watering indulgences, and the chance to win amazing prizes.

Gather your besties and prepare for an unforgettable day at the Hamilton Women’s Lifestyle Expo on Saturday 23 August and Sunday 24 August at Claudelands Events Centre!

Earlybird tickets are $8 for one adult or $14 for two adults. Children aged 6 – 12 years old are $5 each and under 5’s are free.

Door sales are $13 per adult and $6 for children aged 6 – 12 years old.

Grab your tickets online now – visit hlive.co.nz for details. 

 

New Zealand’s biggest Southeast Asian Festival is coming  

Don’t miss out on non-stop cultural dances, musical performances, and live bands on Saturday 30 August from 10am – 5pm at Claudelands Events Centre.

There will be Southeast Asian Street foods to enjoy including Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak, Pad Thai, Vietamese Coffee, Teh Tarik, Halo Halo, Adobo and more! 

Entry and parking are free. Visit hlive.co.nz to learn more.

 

These are just some of the fun activities to do in Hamilton, for more ideas check out: 

• hamilton.govt.nz/parks-recreation-and-community-spaces
• HLive.co.nz
• or download the Nature in the City App