Walking fest, Armageddon ... lots more
From Tauranga to Rotorua, discover upcoming events in the Bay of Plenty region this summer
March
March: Classes for beginners in Scottish Country Dancing. Learn the basics every Monday evening during March (4,11,18, 25) at 7pm. Suits all ages from teenagers upwards. No partner required — come by yourself or with a friend. Wear soft shoes and light comfortable clothing. $10 covers the 4 week course. Meet at the Lynmore Scout Hall, Lewis Rd, Lynmore (behind the tennis court). Phone Claire for further information 021 154 2473 or rotorua@dancescottish.org.nz Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17:
● Rotorua Walking Festival. Saturday: Scenic bush/forest 10km, 21km and 42km, marathon forest routes. Parent Centre Family Walk. Sunday — Inspirational 10km, 20km, 30km and 42km, thermal, parks and streetscape walks, SPCA Dog Walk.
● Crankworx Rotorua — Taniwha Downhill, Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest), all ages, Free, Tickets via Flicket. 9am to 4.30pm. The Taniwha Downhill track is a steep technical DH with optional big jumps and drops, a fast and technical international-level downhill race track.
● Tauranga Armageddon Expo 2024, Mercury Baypark, Mount Maunganui, 9am to 5pm. The Tauranga Armageddon Expo is coming back to Mercury Baypark Arena for two days of in-person celebrity guests, epic gaming, cosplay, anime, comics, collectibles and more. Tickets via ticket.
● Ashton Family Circus, Simpson Reserve, Pa¯ pa¯ moa East, 9am to 5pm. Grassroots entertainment for everyone of all ages to enjoy, at The Extravaganza Fair. Don’t miss this year’s new hilarious show. Saturday March 16:
● Book sale in Kuirau Park at the kiosk, 9am to 1pm. All profits go back to Rotorua Library.
● Waipuna Hospice Superhero Walk Celebration Event 2024, Coronation Park, Maunganui Rd, 9am to 12pm. Tickets via Superhero Walk. Let’s honour, remember and celebrate the real-life heroes in our lives. Bring your friends and family for a fun day out. Dress up isn’t compulsory, but there will be prizes up for grabs for best dressed. Registration opens at 9am, with the celebration walk kicking off at 10am. Tickets are $20 for adults over 18 and $10 for children, with under 5s free. Get a family pass for 2 adults and 2 kids for $50.
● Matua Village Gala, 124 Levers Rd Matua, Tauranga, 10am to 2pm. Join us for our inaugural Gala Day.
Sunday, March 17:
● Holi Festival, Rotorua Village Green, all ages, free, 11.30am to 3pm. Join Rotorua’s Indian Community in celebrating the Indian Spring festival ‘Holi’ with an afternoon of colour, culture and kai. Organic coloured powder can be purchased on the day.
● Organ Concert, Christopher Hainsworth, St. Luke’s Church, Rotorua, 2.30pm. Selection of works from: J.S. Bach, D. Buxtehude, J.B. Lully, F. Couperin, J-PH. Rameau, D. Scarlatti, F. Mendelssohn, W.A. Mozart, M. Albeniz, C.F. Pagani, C. Bodro, P. Fumagalli, V. Monti, A. Templeton. Entry by programme: Adults $30, children free.
Saturday, March 23:
● Hei Matau Paddlers — corporate waka ama event at Lake Tikitapu. There will be training sessions to teach/coach teams before the event. It’s a fun, team-building event for local businesses or groups. Teams will be coached by world-qualifying paddlers. Funds raised go to the club’s teams that have qualified for the World Sprint Championships in Hilo, Hawaii in August. Register at heimataupaddlers05@gmail.com.
● Pasifika Rotorua, Rotorua Village Green, all ages, free 10am to 3pm. This event gives opportunities for our Pacific communities to take part in showing off the beauty of their island, sharing their culture and its evolution.
● Tauranga Multicultural Festival 2024, The Historic Village, 17th Ave West, Tauranga, Saturday, March 23, 10am to 5pm. The 25th Tauranga Multicultural Festival is more than just an event; it is a celebration of unity, understanding, and the beauty of diversity. This is a family-friendly event with only a Gold Coin Entry.
March 27 to April 6: Rotorua Musical Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Tickets available from Ticketmaster.
● To include your event, email details to whatson@dailypost.co. nz at least a week before the event.