What’s On Waikato
Waikato and Hamilton have some great events lined up that will see the city and region abuzz for the rest of summer. There will be lots of music, sport and motoring in the coming months, with some much-loved events returning from Covid cancellations.
Highlights include the rebranded Hamilton Arts Festival, the Cancer Society fundraiser Relay for Life (which hits two birds with one stone: being active and doing good for the community) and the Balloons over Waikato festival.
■ Festival One, music, January 27 to 30 at Hartford, Karapiro Music, art and community are again at the heart of the annual festival which has now moved to a new location: Hartford. The festival line-up includes Tyra, Switchfoot and Albert Street. Tickets are available at iticket.
■ That Weekend Festival, music, January 28 to 29 at the Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel South Waikato will be abuzz with people and music this weekend. Artists set to play include international pop duo the Veronicas, Luude and the Black Seeds. Festival attendees will have access to all hotel facilities, including the golf course and the hot pools. Tickets are available at ticketfairy.com.
■ Te Aroha Waitangi event, February 3 from 5pm at the Te Aroha Domain Matamata-piako District Council is putting on a community event for Waitangi Day. Featuring a free openair movie screening of Hunt for the Wilderpeople at about 8pm. The event will feature food stalls, entertainment and family-friendly activities. BYO picnic blanket and seating (beanbags, cushions) — no chairs please, as they may damage the croquet lawn.
■ Classic Festival, motorcycle event, February 4 to 6 at Pukekohe Raceway
The New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Racing Register is sending Pukekohe off with a last hurrah. The centre of the event will be the motorcycle racing, with other highlights including three Britten motorcycles, bike parades and four Rodger Freeth Mcintosh-suzukis.
■ Porritt Classic Athletics, sports event, February 11 from 2pm to 8pm at Hamilton’s Porritt Stadium, 78 Crosby Rd, Chartwell Young athletes from across New Zealand will compete in disciplines such as hurdles, high jump and shot put. Entries are now open and close at midnight on February 5. For inquiries about entries, email porrittclassic@gmail.com.
■ Fifa Women’s World Cup playoff tournament, February 17 to 23 at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato Ten international teams compete for the final three qualifying spots in this year’s World Cup in July. Hamilton also welcomes Cameroon, Thailand, Portugal, Chinese Taipei and Paraguay, as well as some countries that will be determined from the outcomes of early matches.
■ Hamilton Arts Festival, performing arts event, February 24 to March 5 in Hamilton
The programme of the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora Ki Kirikiriroa is a joyous fusion of new works and some shows from the cancelled 2022 event. Highlights include the concert The Soundtrack from Bazz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge, reo rangatira project Te Kaahu, cabaret show Fever: Return of the Ula, Tutus on Tour and the annual Sunset Symphony. Tickets for the festival are available via Ticketek.
■ Relay for Life, cancer fundraiser, March 11 from 10am to 10pm at Claudelands Oval, Hamilton
The annual fundraising event in support of the Cancer Society sees teams dressing up to walk and keep a baton on the track non-stop for 12 hours. Sign up at relayforlife.org.nz/ waikato to help join the fight against cancer.
■ Frankton Thunder, automotive event, March 12, from 9am to 4pm in and around Hamilton’s Commerce St
The Frankton Thunder automotive and community festival is back this year with displays of classic and custom cars, motorcycles, special interest vehicles, live entertainment, food stalls and Steampunk. A highlight will the the display of Scott Dixon’s iconic indycar. The LJ Hooker Frankton Thunder Cruize-in and Toys for Charity run assembles at the Cambridge raceway, Taylor St Cambridge, at 8.30am and leaves for Frankton at 9.30am.
■ Balloons Over Waikato, hot air balloon festival, March 14 to 18
The much-loved event is back in full force after a Covid-hit 2022 event. Highlights will be two special shape balloons, the Basket Burn and the annual Nightglow, this time at Claudelands Oval. For a more detailed schedule visit the Balloons Over Waikato website.