What's happening in Hamilton

There is always so much happening in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. From sports fields to events, playgrounds and more, there’s bound to be lots for you and your whanaau to enjoy throughout February.

Waitangi Day Festival 

Hamilton City Council and its Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery team have come together to bring Hamiltonians a fun day out in the spirit of commemorating our country’s history and in celebration of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

There’ll be food trucks, live music, kapa haka performances, weaving workshops, and puppet shows and crafts for the kids. Enjoy guided riverside history tours to learn about paa sites, gallery tours focused on Te Tiriti, and after-hours activities including exhibition talks and films. Free entry.

For more information and event announcements make sure you check out our Waitangi Day Festival event page  

*Please note you’ll still need to pay to visit Exscite and Astronomy Photographer of the Year. 

Check out the schedule https://tewharetaonga.nz/visit/whats-on/waitangi-day-festival-2025 

Celebrate Chinese New Year in the CBD

It’s the year of the snake! Join the excitement at Garden Place as we celebrate the 2025 Chinese Lantern Festival on Saturday 22 February from 6pm. There will be cultural performances, food stalls, a dragon and lion dance, a magic show and more. Don’t miss out on an exciting evening bringing in the Chinese New Year. 

Free entry. 

For more information visit lovethecentre.co.nz 

Picnics and waterplay at Parana Park

Discover the magic of Parana Park. With its interactive kowhai-themed water play area, beautiful gardens and natural play spaces, it’s the perfect place for families to relax and explore.   

Tucked away off Memorial Drive, this is a must-visit park for fun and connection to nature, especially during the warmer months. Kids will love the fountain and water zones, while parents will enjoy the tranquil riverside setting. Bring a picnic blanket for a day full of fun.

Stories in the Garden

Love the Centre, Encharted Entertainment and Hamilton City Libraries have teamed up to bring you a magical adventure under the trees in Garden Place.

Enjoy an hour of storytelling and games with characters from Enchanted Entertainment.

Join Batman and Wonder Women for superhero training on Saturday 1 February from 10am to 11am, and be part of the princess gathering with Snow White and Sleeping Beauty on Saturday 15 February from 10am to 11am.

Entry is free. In the event of rain this will be held in Central Library. For more information visit eventfinda.co.nz

Stroll through the Munros and Te Hikuwai Reserves

Enjoy nature in the city by exploring the river walkway linking Munros and Te Hikuwai Reserves. Located in Flagstaff, it’s a great place to spot rare ferns, learn about Te Owhango Paa and see the regeneration of kahikatea trees.

If you enter the reserve from River Road, the path leading you down the river is lined with Kahikatea – New Zealand’s tallest tree. 

The walk takes approximately 30 minutes and is suitable for all ages. 

Download the Nature in the City App for a self-guided tour of the area.

Celebrate the art of popping Manus 

The Z Manu World Champs are hitting Waterworld with a super qualifier round on Saturday 1 February and Sunday 2 February 2025.  

This isn’t just a show - it's about crowning the manu champions. The very best will be heading to the grand final in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland on Saturday 1 March.  

A massive $40,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs for the biggest splash and best technique.    

Register now at manuworldchamps.com, so you don’t miss out on the chance to be crowned Manu Champion for 2025.

Freestyle Kings Live at FMG Stadium Waikato

Join the Freestyle Kings live at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday 8 February from 7pm, and witness the great display of skill, fearlessness, and pure excitement.

From double black flips, front flips, BMX triple backflips and even a world-first stunt, the best Moto-X and BMX riders will be going sky-high throughout this two-hour theatrical event.

Tickets are expected to sell out. Get all the details at hlive.co.nz 

Visit Hamilton’s sunset cinema

Northern Districts Cricket (NDC) are turning Seddon Park into an outdoor cinema and they can’t wait to welcome you along.

Four movies are set to play on the Seddon Park big screen in February. Usually reserved for replaying the action of international cricket stars, they'll be screening some of your favourite films.

Bring along a picnic blanket and enjoy a fun-filled evening of film.

Adults are $20 and children under 14 are $10. Get all the details, including how to buy tickets, at hlive.co.nz 

Movies and times 

Top Gun – Thursday 13 February, 6.30pm 

The Notebook – Friday 14 February, 6.30pm 

Inside Out 2 – Saturday 15 February, 3pm 

Footloose – Saturday 15 February, 6.30pm 

Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa

Celebrating 25 years as Waikato’s premier arts event, the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa (formerly Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival) is a vibrant outdoor festival that brings together the region’s creative community and a selection of national and international shows.

From Friday 21 February until Sunday 2 March the festival will be set against the stunning backdrop of the award-winning Hamilton Gardens.

Tickets are on sale now. Find out more at hlive.co.nz 

Try a free New Zealand Sign Language class

Come and learn New Zealand’s official language for the deaf community in these free sign language classes.

Visit Central Library each Friday throughout February from 10am to 11am. No registration required.

For more information visit hamiltonlibraries.co.nz 

Become a Code Creator 

Head along to your local library to start coding your very own playable game. Learn scratch-based coding for the very first time or continue growing your skills with help from library staff at their Code Creator classes. 

Through this nine-week course by Creative Bytes, 8- to 12-year-olds can learn step-by-step how to create their characters, enemies, collectable items, different levels and more. The last class will see participants showcase their creations to their parents and guardians.  

There are after-school and weekend classes available across four Hamilton City Libraries. To find out more and register, visit https://hamiltonlibraries.co.nz/whats-on/event-calendar/code-creators

Streamlining learn to swim classes

Learn to swim classes give you the assurance that your tamariki are safer at the beach, river, lake or in a swimming pool.

There will be a learn to swim stand at Waterworld from Tuesday 28 January to Sunday 16 February where you can find out more about pricing, timetables and the learn to swim programme.

The stand will be operating on weekdays from 3pm to 6pm and on weekends from 12pm to 3pm.

For more information head to hamiltonpools.co.nz 

Warriors vs Melbourne Storm

The mighty Warriors will play their final 2025 NRL Preseason Challenge match against the Melbourne Storm at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday, 15 February from 3.30pm.

This is your golden opportunity to see the One New Zealand Warriors in action one last time before they head to Las Vegas.

Grab your tickets now. Visit hlive.co.nz for more information.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is back

Supercharge your health, elevate your energy and cut down on your transport costs by using pedal power to travel around the city this February.

Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the Aotearoa Bike Challenge 2025, a month-long competition which aims to get more people riding bikes.

The free event is open to anyone – experienced bike riders, occasional riders or those new to biking. There are some awesome prizes up for grabs, check out Love to Ride to sign up or learn more.

Gallagher Chiefs vs Crusaders

Get ready, Gallagher Chiefs fans, because the first home game of the season is here.

The Gallagher Chiefs are taking on the Crusaders in an electrifying DHL Super Rugby Pacific at their first home showdown at FMG Stadium Waikato.

The action kicks off on Friday 21 February from 7.05pm. Check out more information and how you can secure tickets at hlive.co.nz

Northern Districts Men vs Canterbury Kings – Ford Trophy

See the Northern Districts Men take on the Canterbury Kings in a one-day match for the Ford Trophy at Seddon Park on Tuesday 18 February from 10.30am. 

Gather friends and family together for some great-value summer entertainment, perfect for all ages to enjoy, taking in the atmosphere of top-level cricket and kick-starting the cricket season at Seddon Park. 

Entry is free.

Northern Districts Women vs Wellington Blaze - Hallyburton Johnstone Shield

Check out the New Zealand women's domestic competition as the Northern Brave battle it out with the Wellington Blaze at Seddon Park for the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield on Saturday 22 February and Sunday 23 February. 

Entry is free. 

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