What's happening in Hamilton

We’re back again with more monthly must-dos for Hamilton Kirikiriroa. March into another exciting month and take a look at what’s happening in Hamilton.

Hamilton Children's Day 2025 

Celebrate Children’s Day 2025 with a bang in Hamilton Kirikiriroa. There are fun activities and free offers happening across the city. If you loved last year's celebration, this one is going to be even better – with double the fun across the city on Saturday 1 March - Sunday 2 March.

Here’s just some of the events on offer:

Hamilton Central Library 

Head along to Garden Place and Central Library on Saturday 1 March from 10am – 2pm for a fun-filled day and amazing performances that the kids will love. 

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery 

Kids can combine science and fun through special activities at Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery on Saturday 1 March, 10am – 3pm. There will also be free entry into Exscite for kids. 

Gallagher Aquatic Centre 

Make a splash at Gallagher Aquatic Centre. There will be free bomb platform use, spot prizes and face painting between Saturday 1 March, 1pm – 3pm. Normal entry fees apply.

Waterworld 

Waterworld is bringing the fun on Sunday 2 March. Between 1pm – 3pm the kids can enjoy inflatable races, spot prizes, face painting, outdoor games and more. Normal entry fees apply.

There will be free buses operating around central Hamilton for all of the events. Bring along a picnic, a water bottle and a hat and make a day of it.

For more details check out the Hamilton Children’s Day Facebook page 

Free FM Chalk Fest

Free FM are taking over Civic Square once again for the annual chalk art festival during Children’s Day on Saturday 1 March, 10am – 2pm.

Individuals and groups are invited to take part in this free event by creating chalk art in the central city, with prizes up for grabs.

It will be easy to join in on the fun – all the chalk is provided so just turn up on the day with your creative ideas! 

For more information visit lovethecentre.co.nz

Celebrate Parks Week 2025

Celebrate the vital role that parks play in creating liveable cities and thriving communities during Parks Week on 3 March - 10 March.

This year, Parks Week focuses on how spending time in our parks and open spaces positively influences our wellbeing. Gather up your friends or whaanau and head to your local park or playground to burn off some energy or download the Nature in the City app for self-guided tours through some of Hamilton’s stunning natural areas.

For those wanting a little extra inspiration, head along to the Nature in the City Open Day on Wednesday 5 March from 10am – 1pm. Held in the Reception Lounge at Hamilton City Council’s Anglesea Street building, the day will be a chance to learn about the Nature in the City programme, meet the team who are working to care for and enhance our natural areas, and find out how to get involved in regular or one-off volunteer opportunities. A highlight of the event is bound to be the Kids in Nature modules, which will include appearances by bees and native lizards. You can find out more here. 

Balloons Over Waikato

Enjoy the magic of hot air ballooning, where balloons and pilots from around New Zealand and the world take to the skies of Hamilton Kirikiriroa.

Watch the balloons up close, as they inflate and lift off at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake (free entry, no tickets needed) on the following dates: 

• Tuesday 18 March from 7am for the Hamilton City Council Opening Festival 

• Wednesday 19 March from 7am for the Grassroots Trust Lift Off 

• Thursday 20 March from 7am for the WEL Energy Trust Muffins in the Morning 

• Friday 21 March from 7am for the First Credit Union Fun Friday 

Visit the Love the Centre Walk-Thru Balloon on Thursday 20 March at Garden Place from 4pm – 7pm. Free entry, no tickets needed.

The Base Basket Burn is happening Friday 21 March, 6pm – 7.45pm at Te Awa, The Base. There will be onsite food trucks (perfect for a family dinner), carnival rides and of course the fiery basket burn display with live music.  

Visit balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz to learn more.

Boon Street Art Festival and Te Whare Taonga collab

Celebrate 10 years of Boon. The Boon Street Art Festival has been brightening the streets of Hamilton Kirikiriroa since 2015 and is returning for four days of epic art, and magic for the community.

Visit boonarts.co.nz to find out what’s happening across the city from Thursday 13 - Sunday 16 March.

Visit Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum and Gallery on Sunday 16 March, 12pm – 4pm to enjoy the finale events of the 2025 Boon Street Art Festival.

Watch as Australian artist Alison Mooney completes her bold mural in the Museum car park. Get inspired and add your own doodles to the collaborative wall. Bring your creative kids to enter the design-a-mural competition. Or just sit back and enjoy the live DJ and epic vibes. The winner of the Boon scavenger hunt will be drawn at 4pm. 

Street art walking tours

Boon art street tours are back, exploring the hidden and not-so-hidden gems of Hamilton Kirikiriroa. Venture off the beaten path and discover over 60 murals in our city.

The tours run from 2pm – 3pm, starting at Hamilton Central Library and finishing at Victoria on the River.

Upcoming tour dates: 

• Saturday 1 March  

• Saturday 15 March 

• Saturday 29 March.

Play in nature at Gower Park 

 

Looking for something a little different for the kids? A new nature play area is open and ready for fun at Gower Park in Melville. Made from a fallen oak tree, this area is all about adventure, learning, and being eco-friendly.

The kids can climb, balance, and explore all the cool, uneven surfaces – it’s a great way for them to get stronger, improve coordination, and boost their confidence. Plus, the natural textures and shapes are perfect for sparking their imagination and helping them connect with nature.

Make sure you go check it out for yourself.

 

Rugby and Rhythms

The Chiefs Rugby Club presents Rugby and Rhythms – a rugby music festival on Saturday 1 March at FMG Stadium Waikato. Enjoy a day filled with rugby, music, and fun for the whole family. There will be performances by Ladi6, Muroki, Hollie Smith, Bailey Wiley, Dan Sharp, and more.

The festival kicks off at 12pm with three stages of live music, food trucks, bars, and two thrilling Super Rugby games. The action starts with Chiefs Manawa vs Matatū from 2.05pm, followed by Gallagher Chiefs vs Brumbies from 4.35pm.

Check out how to secure tickets at hlive.co.nz 

2025 Double Header action 

Join the action at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday 15 March. Round Three of Sky Super Rugby Aupiki presents Chiefs Manawa vs Hurricanes Poua at 4.35pm. Then, get ready for Part Two of the 2024 Final Rematch: Gallagher Chiefs vs Blues at 7.05pm.

Rugby fans don’t miss this chance to see the Gallagher Chiefs defend their home turf in one of the fiercest rivalries in the game. The event is part of the Super Rugby Pacific Kids Round, featuring activities for the whole family. This is Chiefs Country at its best.

For more information on how to secure tickets visit hlive.co.nz 

Step into Braithwaite Park 

Known for its riverside reserve and pockets of forest, Braithwaite Park in Pukete makes for an enjoyable leisurely nature stroll.

This park is steeped in history and runs along the western bank of the Waikato River, connected to Munros Reserve via a footbridge.

Keep an eye out for the impressive stand of kaanuka that could be up to 120 years old and try and spot the tuuii among the trees. There is a small beach in the park that is the perfect spot for a picnic or to sit back and enjoy the changing seasons and all that they bring.

Totara Drive provides the best access to the park. Download the Nature in the City App for a self-guided tour of the area.

Northern Districts Men vs Canterbury Kings – Plunket Shield

Cheer on the Northern Districts Men at Seddon Park as they compete for the Plunket Shield, one of New Zealand's oldest and most challenging sporting competitions, comprising hard-fought, four-day cricket. The match runs from Wednesday 5 March – Saturday 8 March, from 10.30am.

Entry is free.  

For more information visit hlive.co.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