What's happening in Hamilton - September 2025

Hey Hamilton, spring is here, and we’ve got great news – there’s always something happening in Hamilton. Check out below what’s on in September. 

You’re invited to Your Neighbourhood – Election 2025 edition!   

Bus, bike, scooter or walk to Garden Place on Saturday 27 September for Your Neighbourhood – Election 2025 edition!

A free, family-friendly day out with a range of activities for all the whaanau. 

At Your Neighbourhood you can:  

• listen to the Mayoral Q&A panel (11am – 12pm, free entry with limited tickets (100 available) and a livestream option for additional viewers)  

• enjoy a free sausage sizzle  

• meet the candidates  

• onsite and special voting available

• learn about Council services 

• bring tamariki to the kids zone – face painting, bubbles, a bouncy castle, and more!  

• support our great local cafés by grabbing a bite to eat. 

Come along anytime that suits you between 10am and 1pm.  

For more information and updates on the event, head to hamilton.govt.nz/yourneighbourhood 

 

Thrifty Threads is back for 2025 – and it’s bigger and better than ever!

Come along to The Meteor Theatre and fill your BYO reusable supermarket shopping-sized bags (maximum 5 per person). Pay the $20 entry fee at the door ($10 with a valid student ID) and find some Thrifty Threads!

We’re partnering with Hospice Waikato, Sip & Sew Workshops, Recreators, and Serving Up T to reduce clothes to landfill in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. All door sale proceeds go to Hospice Waikato.

Shop these times: 

• Thursday 11 September, 4pm – 8pm 

• Friday 12 September, 10am – 8pm 

• Saturday 13 September, 10am – 2pm 

 As well as our usual clothing sale, our partners are hosting a bunch of workshops across the city to help share the Thrifty Threads kaupapa. Keep an eye on our Facebook event for details.

 

The Plant Extravaganza is returning

Join us on Saturday 27 September from 9am - 2pm for another family-friendly plant lovers' event at The Barn, Claudelands.

Browse the plant market stalls featuring plants, planty crafts, garden accessories. Plus, there'll be coffee, ice cream and food trucks!

Entry is $5 at the door and kids under 12 years old are free. 

 

Welcoming Week

We're back for another year of welcoming our new Hamiltonians and celebrating diversity in our city!  

Welcoming Week runs from Friday 5 September to Sunday 14 September.  

Join us for a series of events across the week to learn more about our city and welcome our migrant and refugee community.  

From open days to food festivals, youth hui to community days for our older persons, keep an eye out for what's coming up. 

Visit the Facebook event to keep up to date. 

 

Welcoming Manaaki Village

In partnership with Welcoming Week events, Welcoming Manaaki Village returns to Claudelands Events Centre.

Come one, come all and get a taste of Hamilton at the Welcoming Village on Saturday 6 September, 9.30am - 4pm.  

Meet some of our community groups, watch some kapa haka performances, get your face painted and grab some kai (food)!

Visit hlive.co.nz for more information. 

 

Welcoming Week at the Museum

As part of Welcoming Week for new immigrants to Kirikiriroa Hamilton, we’re inviting you to Te Whare Taonga O Waikato Museum and Gallery for a half-hour talk about Hamilton and the Museum. Entry is free.

Join us on Tuesday 9 September from 10.30am or Thursday 11 September from 1.30pm.

Visit tewharetaonga.nz for more information. 

 

Take action for Conservation Week

Celebrate Conservation Week by getting your hands dirty for a great cause. The Nature in the City team are hosting two community planting events throughout Conservation Week where you can work alongside their passionate Natural Area Rangers to help restore native habitats and enhance our local environment. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or planting for the first time, everyone is welcome.

The events are taking place at Glenview’s Resthills Park on Tuesday 2 September, 10am – 1pm and Dinsdale’s Wake Park on Thursday 4 September, 10am – 1pm.

Make sure you bring along your colleagues, family, friends, and love for nature. For more information and to register visit Volunteer Hamilton- Conservation Week Planting. 

 

Confinement: A Night at the Museum 

A gathering at the museum for a nibble and a drink will turn into a heist. What will you do? What will you find? Who will be involved?

Bring your friends and solve the mystery in this very special event, a collaboration between Confinement Hamilton and Te Whare Taonga O Waikato Museum and Gallery. 

For more information and tickets head to tewharetaonga.nz 

 

Te Wiki o Te Reo Maaori 2025: Tawhio (Gallery Tour)    

Check out the free tour of Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery completely in Te Reo Maaori, delivered by Pou Araahi, Sonny Karena on Wednesday 17 September from 1pm. 

This will cover Tongue of the Dog, Te Winika, Te Whare Waka, Te Mauri o te Iwi and select works from Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Awards.    

For more information visit tewharetaonga.nz

 

Afrika Bazaar Waikato 

Celebrate and experience the diverse beauty of Africa right here in Hamilton at Claudelands Events Centre on Saturday 13 September, 11am - 5pm.

This will be a day filled with colourful performances, authentic African cuisine, stunning artwork, vibrant music, performances and more.

Entry is free. Get all the details at hlive.co.nz 

 

All Ford Day, display and swap meet

Ford fans – get ready to start your engines! Join us for the All Ford Day, display and swap meet at Claudelands Events Centre on Sunday 14 September, 8am - 2pm.

Hosted by Waikato Mustang Owners Club and proudly sponsored by Fairview Ford, Star Insure and Repco. This year’s designated charity is the Cancer Society.

For more details head to hlive.co.nz 

 

Tools down, boots on, and Mooloo up 

Get ready to make some noise at FMG Stadium Waikato as we cheer on the Mooloo Men in the 2025 Bunnings NPC.

September sees the first-ever Tradies Game – powered by Livingstone Building. We’re celebrating our tradies – with a brand-new themed match night as Waikato NPC v North Harbour on Friday 12 September.

Expect spot prizes, giveaways, and a few surprises just for the crew that keeps Waikato ticking. Kick-off is at 7.05pm.

Visit hlive.co.nz for more information.

 

NRLW – NZ Warriors v Broncos 

Get set Waikato. The New Zealand Warriors Women are coming to Hamilton in Season 2025 and taking on the Brisbane Broncos at FMG Stadium Waikato on Sunday 7 August from 2pm.

It’s NRL action like you’ve never seen before. Learn more at hlive.co.nz 

 

Dive into great reads and conversations 

Swing by the Chill and Chat sessions on the first and third Thursday of the month at Glenview Library from 10am – 11.30am. 

From thrillers to romance and everything in between, we've got your literary fix covered. Bring your friends, make new ones, and let's chat up a storm about our latest book obsessions over a cuppa.

You can also receive a list of selected titles discussed at each meeting and at the other book clubs in our monthly Shelf Help newsletter, sign up here.  

 

School holidays at Hamilton Pools

There’s so much for the kids to enjoy these school holidays! 

Bombing platforms at Gallagher Aquatic Centre from 11am – 2pm on Monday 22 September, Thursday 25 September, and Monday 29 September.

Half price slides at Waterworld from 11am – 6pm (hour passes only) on Tuesday 23 September.

Inflatable races at Waterworld from 11am – 2pm on Wednesday 24 September.

Diving boards at Waterworld from 11am – 2pm on Friday 26 September. 

Table tennis is now available at Waterworld, check it out when you’re next there! 

 

School holidays at Te Whare Taonga

Inspired by Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery's current exhibitions, these hands-on sessions from 9am - 3pm will expand your child’s knowledge of art and science through creative crafting techniques. Great for tamariki aged 8 – 13 years.

Patterns and Peoples on Monday 22 September. 
Explore patterns from across the Pacific and beyond and then design your own mixed media artwork inspired by the shapes and forms of our multicultural community.  

Face to Face on Wednesday 24 September. 
Portraiture is an important art form, we will explore the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture awards and then create our own self-portraits. 

Spring into Spring on Friday 26 September. 
Spend the day basking in the warmth of art inspired by the beauty, colours and themes of spring.  

Sculpt a Story on Monday 29 September. 
Inside out explores the art and artists who have created some of Kirikiriroa Hamilton’s most famous public artworks. You will be the designer of your own mini, mixed media sculpture.     

Spaces are limited, secure your child’s spot at tewharetaonga.nz 

 

Take your pup for a run at Minogue Park

If you’re looking for a spot to take your four-legged friend for a run, then make sure you visit the dog exercise area at Minogue Park in Forest Lake. This fully fenced off-lead area is a controlled environment where dogs to run around safely, and features lots of native trees, seats, and a doggy water fountain too.

Work was made to the area earlier this year to help improve its drainage and surface, with spring the perfect time to go put it to the test with your pup. 

Keen to find more off-lead dog exercise areas in Hamilton? Make sure you check out the new online dog park map.

 

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