What's happening in Hamilton - October 2025

Get ready for another month filled with exciting things to do for the whole whaanau! Check out what’s happening in Hamilton during October.

Come along to Vote and Vibes!

Bring your whaanau and friends to chill, listen to our DJ, do activities with your kids, and most importantly – vote! Our mobile voting station will be on site for you to drop off your completed voting papers or make a special vote if you haven’t received your pack in the post or haven’t yet enrolled to vote. 

The final Vote and Vibes pop-up events are:  

• Vote and Vibes – Korikori Park, Wednesday 1 October, 10am – midday  
• Vote and Vibes – Steele Park, Sunday 5 October, 10am – midday  

Find out about other local election events at hamilton.govt.nz/events.

 

Biketober

We’re celebrating Biketober, a month-long festival of cycling in October.    

Come along to one of the free activities for some school holiday fun – from biking basics and maintenance to arts and crafts, there's something for all ages.   

To learn more or register for an activity visit hamilton.govt.nz/biketober 

A highlight of Biketober will be Love Your Bike Day on Saturday 4 October, 10am – midday at Innes Common. Make sure you bring your whaanau along to enjoy free activities like face painting, scavenger hunts, games and more. Check out the Facebook event page for more details.

 

Waikato Home and Garden Show 2025

On a mission to create your dream home, renovate to sell, or ramp up the value of investment? Don’t miss the annual Waikato Home & Garden Show, where you’ll find everything you need to renovate, build, decorate and landscape your home under one roof.

As well as some great show-only deals, hundreds of exhibitors will be on hand to present exciting new products, stylish trends, innovative ideas and top-quality service to help make your project a reality.

That’s not all – you’ll find something for the whole family including live cooking demos, seminars, demonstrations, food and drink, a kids' zone and so much more!

Visit hlive.co.nz for ticket details. 

 

Kapu Koorero – casual Maaori language space

Ready to koorero in te reo Maaori? Kapu koorero is a chilled-out catch-up where you can chat, laugh, and grow your language skills with others on the same journey.

Sessions will be taking place on Thursdays at Te Kete Aronui and Tuesdays at Central Library from 1.30pm – 2.30pm.

Naau te rourou, naaku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive. 

Register at hamiltonlibraries.co.nz to secure your spot.  

 

Check out Dinsdale Library Kids Club

Dinsdale Library Kids Club has something new and exciting each Saturday for children to take part in! There’s always a variety of crafts, games, LEGO and more from 11am – midday.

Learn more at hamiltonlibraries.co.nz 

 

Last home game for Bunnings NPC

It’s the final round and we’re bringing it home at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday 4 October from 4.35pm. Don’t miss your last chance to see Waikato on home turf before finals footy kicks in. Northland’s coming, and so should you.

Bring the kids too. There will be a kids' zone with games, giveaways and entertainment!

Tickets are $20 for adults (with every adult ticket including one free kids ticket). Extra kids tickets can be purchased for $10 each.

For more information including ticket details visit hlive.co.nz

 

Looking for a chance to perform?

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 all forms of performance art like poetry, music, comedy. The options are endless. 

Nau mai, haere mai, you are welcome to come as you are and free to share whatever you wish. If you would just like to watch and see if it’s something you would be interested in, you’re welcome to do that too.

Join in the fun from 5pm – 7pm at Te Kete Aronui on Thursday 9 October and Thursday 13 October, and Central Library on Thursday 30 October.  

For more information head to hamiltonlibraries.co.nz 

 

Bremworth Park playground is ready for fun!

Tucked away in Dinsdale, Bremworth Park is a local gem that’s perfect for a family day out. The playground was refreshed in 2023 and now features a great mix of equipment for tamariki of all ages, as well as modern public toilets.

Whether you're swinging, sliding, or just soaking up the sun, Bremworth Park is a top spot to play and relax. 

 

Stroll through Memorial Park

Memorial Park is a beautiful riverside space with something for everyone and is just a short walk from the central city or Hamilton East shops. Explore the gardens, reflect on the war memorials, discover hidden features, and don’t miss the War Horse Memorial. 

While there, make sure you keep your eyes peeled – there have been recent sightings of the rare kaarearea (New Zealand falcon) perched among the trees!

 

Poetry in the Galleries

Step away from your desk and into the galleries to explore poetry and art at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato on Friday 10 October, 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

These free drop-in poetry sessions are perfect for both beginners and poetry lovers alike to explore their creativity.

Learn more at tewharetaonga.nz 

 

It’s a Kinda Magic – 50th anniversary tour of Bohemian Rhapsody!

Immerse yourself in the spectacle, grandeur and energy of the world’s greatest rock band with Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic, celebrating the legacy of Queen and Freddie Mercury.

Hear Warren Vernon-Driscoll performing lead vocals, guitar and piano and in Freddie’s original key, and with all the wit, charm and bravado of the legend himself. 

Coming to Clarence Street Theatre on Friday 24 October from 8pm. 

Don’t miss out on tickets, details are at hlive.co.nz 

 

BLACKCAPS v England 2nd ODI

That’s right, an all-new season of cricket is on at Seddon Park with the BLACKCAPS taking on England in Hamilton on Wednesday 29 October from 2pm.

For more details and ticket information visit hlive.co.nz 

 

Air playground at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato

Whoosh, gust, swirl, float and more! At Air Playground, curious kids and families have fun with air, the invisible elemental force.

Explore the science of aerodynamics through experimental play: float objects in mid-air, release material in a fast-flowing airstream and launch your own paper plane design.

Learn about the complex physics of air by challenging your friends to an ‘aircade’ game, tinkering with the speed and direction of airflow or collaborating to create a spinning, flapping air show! 

Developed by a team of Scienceworks experts from Museums Victoria, this exhibition is jam-packed with hands-on interactive experiences.

The exhibition opens on Friday 31 October from 10am. Book your tickets now at tewharetaonga.nz 

 

Halloween: Exscite After Dark

Step into Exscite After Dark for a Halloween adventure like no other. Hear ghost stories around the campfire, follow the trick-or-treat trail, and enjoy free face painting for all ages.

Join in the fun at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato on Friday 31 October from 6pm. Come along in costume whether you're a kid or a grown up!

Tickets are available at tewharetaonga.nz

 

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