This month’s edition of ‘What’s On’ features events happening all over New Zealand curated by our local in-country staff. There’s fun and delicious events here for everyone!
Auckland
Parnell Farmers’ Market [FREE]
When: Every Saturday, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Jubilee Building – Parnell Community Centre, 545 Parnell Road
Think fresh. Think local. Think delicious produce brought to you by the producers themselves at this genuine community farmers’ market.
Raw Comedy – Winter Season [Tickets are $15 – students 2 for 1 price]
When: Every Monday 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Where: Classic Comedy Club, 321 Queen St
A brand new Winter season of Raw Comedy – the Open Mic for new comedians at NZ’s home of live comedy. Stand up and be counted and you could be in the running for the 2016 Raw Comedy Quest.
2nd NZ Beard & Moustache Competition [Entry fee $5]
When: Friday 28 Aug 6:30pm – 11:00pm
Where: Kings Arms, 59 France St
We are calling all New Zealand beard and moustache growers to join us. Get ready for a hairy night where you can find the craziest facial hair from all over the country. Categories for this year’s competition are: Best Beard, Best Moustache and Crowd Favourite. This year, ladies can compete in the ‘Whiskerinas’ category ( best fake beards or moustaches).
The New Zealand, Travel, Holiday & Adventure Expo [Tickets are $10]
When: 28 – 30 August 2015
Where: The Cloud, Queens Wharf
The New Zealand Travel, Holiday & Adventure Expo, New Zealand’s largest holiday expoAnyone and everyone within the travel, holiday and adventure industry will be there! $10 admission fee
Street Eats [Tickets are $5]
When: Saturday 29 August, 10:30am – 8:00pm
Where: Shed 10, Queens Wharf
It’s loud, it’s busy and it’s a whole lot of foodie fun. Auckland’s Street Eats returns with a diverse line-up of central city restaurants serving up their favourite street food in a gourmet hawkers market.
Wellington
Wellington Chocolate Factory [$15 admission]
When: Every Saturday 11.00am
Where: 5 Eva St, Te Aro, Wellington
The tour introduces you to the entire process of making chocolate at WCF, New Zealand’s first open to the public ‘bean-to-bar’ chocolate factory. The tour traces the journey of making chocolate at WCF, from meeting the farmers to delicious single origin, Fairtrade and Organic chocolate. The tour finishes with the chance to taste the full range of the Factory’s delicious single origin chocolates, and includes a complimentary hot chocolate. Bookings are essential- bookings@wcf.co.nz
Giant Jenga Competition + Giant Nachos [FREE]
When: Every Wednesday
Where: Southern Cross Bar and Restaurant, 39 Abel Smith St.
For all those architecture students out there (and of course the rest of you structural timber enthusiasts too) come get busy with your building block skills and win some mean prizes here each Wednesday. In the garden bar, kicks off around 8pm – grab a drink and get involved.
Lux Light Festival [FREE]
When: Friday 21 August 2015 – Sunday 30 August 2015 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Where: Wellington Waterfront
Wellington Lux is a free public light festival that turns Wellington’s waterfront and laneways into a captivating celebration of light, art, technology and design. Lux showcases a fantastical array of international light sculptures that wind their way through the city as well as artist talks, pop up installations, and free activities.
Christchurch
Downtown Farmers Market [FREE]
When: Every Saturday, 9:30am – 2:30pm
Where: The Commons 70 Kilmore St, Christchurch City
With a focus on fresh, quality (local where possible) produce (fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, cheese, deli items, eggs and juices), the market will also incorporate a smaller element of non-produce/giftware, plants, arts and crafts, live music/entertainment, kids’ activities, food trucks and food stalls selling delicious ready to eat food.
Weka Pass Railway [$18 Adult one way, $30 return]
When: Public trains run every 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, every Sunday in January and most public holidays.
Where: Waipara Glenmark Station, 113 Glenmark Drive, Waipara
Trains will usually be hauled by 1909 built “A” Class “Pacific” steam locomotive number 428, the only one of it’s type still operating. Trains depart Waipara Glenamrk Station (113 Gelnmark Drive, Waipara) at 11:30am and 2:00pm
New Zealand International Film Festival [FREE]
When: Friday 7 August 2015 – Sunday 23 August 2015 10:00am – 11:00pm
Where: Issac Theatre Royale 145 Gloucester St, Christchurch City
Every winter the NZ International Film Festival (NZIFF) brings the best and brightest of world cinema straight from the international circuit to the giant screens of New Zealand. NZIFF is run by charitable trust, NZ Film Festival Trust, and held annually in Christchurch
Rama Tuna [FREE]
When: Friday 28 August 2015 – Sunday 13 September 2015 12:00am
Where: The Arts Centre of Christchurch, 30 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch City
This stunning new sculptural installation by well-known Canterbury artist Priscilla Cowie honours ‘Tuna’, the long finned eel. Inspired by Ngāi Tahu stories and customs surrounding mahinga kai – traditional food gathering practices and use of natural resources – ‘Rama Tuna’ brings alive the excitement of going eeling with rama or fire torches.
Christchurch Arts festival [FREE]
When: 27 Aug – 20 Sept
Where: Various venues
Christchurch Arts Festival is a major feature on the South Island event calendar showcasing a programme of arts and entertainment by leading international and New Zealand performers and artists. The Festival experience in 2015 will span more than three weeks with a range of theatrical enticements that lead the city out of winter and into the lightness of spring. It’s a Festival promising a burst of creative energy, vitality, amusement and adventure.Featuring an exciting programme of cabaret and magic, high quality theatre and dance, that sits alongside a diverse offering of classical through to contemporary music and a range of community events.
Killer Kilo Steak Challenge [FREE admission]
When: Every Wednesday
Where: Rose & Thistle 24a Main North Road
1kg of prime steak, coleslaw, hot chips, pint of beer/cider- 30 mins to finish it all- Think you could handle the Killer Kilo Steak Challenge? Put your money where your mouth is and register to take on the Killer Kilo Challenge! Each entry receives a free t-shirt.
Dunedin
New Zealand International Film Festival [FREE]
When: Thursday 30 July– Sunday 16 Aug from 10:00am – 11:00pm
Where: Regent Theatre, 17 The Octagon, Dunedin
Every winter the NZ International Film Festival (NZIFF) brings the best and brightest of world cinema straight from the international circuit to the giant screens of New Zealand. NZIFF is run by charitable trust, NZ Film Festival Trust, and held annually in Dunedin (from 30 July).
Self Guided Castle Tours [$29 admission]
When: Wednesday 22 July – Monday 31 Aug 9:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Larnach Castle 145 Camp Rd, Company Bay
Visit Larnach Castle – New Zealand’s only castle. With its exciting, sometimes scandalous and tragic history, magnificent carved ceilings, New Zealand antiques and breathtaking views, Larnach Castle offers you a vision of the past and present. Today, the Castle is the home of the Barker family, who have spent over forty years lovingly restoring the building and recreating the beauty of the 14 hectares of gardens and grounds.
Russian National Ballet Theatre – Dunedin [$69]
When: Friday 28 Aug 7:30pm and Saturday 29 Aug 7:30pm
Where: Regent Theatre, 17 The Octagon, Dunedin
The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded with support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The basis for the creation of the theatre was necessity of promising young theatre with high creative potential, both the classical and contemporary. For aim and objective serves motto: “The talent and dedication to service to art”.
Dunedin Heritage Festival [FREE]
When: Friday 28 August 2015 – Sunday 30 August 2015
Where: Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin
Event includes show casing of Dunedin’s history, seminars, and dancing/entertainment.
