Until Sun 12 Jul · Hastings, Flaxmere & Havelock North libraries

Seek out the stars of Matariki hidden around the library in this free school-holiday activity.

Until Sat 11 Jul · Hastings district libraries

Pick up a free seedling to take home and grow as part of the libraries’ Matariki 2026 programme.

Mon 6 – Wed 8 Jul · Waiaroha Heretaunga Water Discovery Centre, Hastings

Free drop-in craft sessions celebrating Matariki at the water discovery centre.

From Tue 7 Jul · Hastings Art Gallery

Free drop-in art-making days for kids at Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga over the school holidays.

Wed 8 Jul · Havelock North Library · Thu 9 Jul · Flaxmere Library

Storytelling sessions for the whole whānau as part of the Matariki 2026 library programme.

Thu 9 Jul · Havelock North Library

A games session celebrating Matariki in the district libraries’ school-holiday line-up.

Mon 6 Jul · Toitoi Assembly Ballroom, Hastings

The Cellars play an intimate indie set in Toitoi’s Assembly Concert Club series.

Thu 9 Jul · Paisley Stage, Napier

An alternative and indie fundraiser show at Napier’s Paisley Stage.

Sat 11 Jul · Boat Ramp Eatery, Napier

A homegrown hip-hop and rap showcase featuring Hawke’s Bay artists.

Sat 11 Jul · Puketapu School, Puketapu

The Veils’ Finn Andrews plays a stripped-back solo show on the Small Hall Sessions tour.

Sat 11 Jul · Hygge at Clifton Bay

An evening of live country music and dancing at Hygge’s annual winter hoe-down.

Sun 12 Jul · St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Hastings

An afternoon variety concert from the Hastings Music Society.

Mon 6 Jul · Toitoi Opera House, Hastings

Rezpect Dance Academy’s dancers take the Opera House stage for their mid-year showcase.

Thu 9 Jul · Napier Municipal Theatre

A family-friendly stage show packed with bubble artistry.

Fri 10 – Sat 11 Jul · Toitoi Opera House, Hastings

The stage musical based on Dav Pilkey’s best-selling Dog Man books comes to Hastings.

Fri 10 Jul · Toitoi Opera House, Hastings

The touring Australian stage show featuring Will Parfitt plays the Opera House.

Ends Sat 11 Jul · Hastings Art Gallery

Last days to see the exhibition by Japanese artist Ai Iwane and research collective Mānawatia te Wai.

Until 12 Sep · Hastings Art Gallery

Ella Sutherland’s exhibition continues at Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga.

Sun 12 Jul · Tōmoana Showgrounds, Hastings

One of the country’s oldest farmers’ markets runs every Sunday morning with local produce, baking and live music.

Sat 11 Jul · Herschell Street, Napier

Weekly Saturday-morning market with Hawke’s Bay growers and producers in central Napier.

Sat 11 Jul · Taradale Anglican Church, Napier

A market for pre-loved kids’ clothing, toys and gear.

Sun 12 Jul · The Mahoe Guide Hall, Taradale

A weekly community market across the bridge in Taradale.

Wed 8 Jul · Waiaroha Heretaunga Water Discovery Centre, Hastings

An early-evening session of waiata to celebrate Matariki in central Hastings.

Sat 11 Jul · Te Matau-a-Māui coastline, Hawke’s Bay

Beach fires light up the bay’s coastline to mark the Matariki season.

Mon 6 – Thu 9 Jul · Kauwaka, Hastings

A four-day series of kaupapa Māori wānanga (Tikanga, Kāinga, Haumanu and Tātai) at Kauwaka.

Thu 9 Jul · Common Room, Hastings

7 Days regular Cori Gonzalez-Macuer headlines a night of stand-up with guests.

Thu 9 Jul · The Cabana, Napier

A night of stand-up comedy at Napier’s Cabana.

Thu 9 Jul · The Urban Winery, Napier

Paint a Matariki-themed canvas with a glass of local wine in hand.

Fri 10 Jul · Farmhouse Kitchen Cooking School, Havelock North

A hands-on cooking workshop exploring the classic Indonesian rijsttafel spread.

Mon 6 – Fri 17 Jul · The Lawn Equestrian, Hastings

School-holiday horse riding sessions for kids at The Lawn Equestrian.

From Wed 8 Jul · Bay Skate, Napier

Skateboard lessons for beginner-to-intermediate riders running through the holidays.

Thu 9 Jul · Birdwoods Gallery, Havelock North

Nathan Burkepile shares practical guidance on restoring native wetland habitats.

Starts Thu 9 Jul · Birdwoods Gallery, Havelock North

A four-week course on New Zealand flora and fauna begins this week.

Wed 8 Jul · Century Theatre, Napier

A big-screen documentary tour of David Hockney’s landmark Royal Academy exhibitions.

Mon 13 Jul · Havelock North Function Centre

A talk on the remarkable photographs that documented Shackleton’s Endurance expedition.

Thu 16 Jul · Hastings War Memorial Library

Virtual-reality sessions for young people in week two of the school holidays.

Thu 16 Jul · Toitoi Opera House, Hastings

A one-night theatre performance at Toitoi’s Opera House.

From Thu 16 Jul · Napier

The Art Deco Trust’s Taste Trail returns as part of Winter Deco Weekend.

Sat 18 Jul · Paisley Stage, Napier

Hawke’s Bay punk veterans Tempo 38 launch their Chain Link EP with The Vile Maxim and Handwringer.

Wed 22 Jul · Equippers Church, Napier

A daytime tribute show celebrating the Rat Pack and Marilyn Monroe.