Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13: The Winter Carnival is back in Mount Maunganui. Two exciting days of family-friendly entertainment at Te Papa O Ngā Manu Porotakataka. Mount Mainstreet’s classic carnival includes a giant rainbow slide, Kombi train rides, free face painting, fairy floss, and kettle corn. 11am to 4pm each day, free entry with $5 rides ($10 for three rides on the slide).
Saturday, July 12:
- Experience Tērā te Auahi, a powerful script reading by Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Tickets are $20 for this 90-minute exploration of the Tarawera eruption and its enduring cultural legacy.
- Join the Death Without Debt workshop from 9am to 1pm at the Omokoroa Pavilion, Tauranga, and learn how to plan dignified, affordable funerals. Tickets from $40 (includes booklet and refreshments), or pay by donation. Register at deathwithoutdebt.org.nz.
- Auckland singer-songwriter Jenni Smith brings her Girl Next Door tour to The Jam Factory, Tauranga at 8pm, offering an intimate acoustic evening of country-pop storytelling. Tickets are $20 (all ages), with Jenni performing hits like T-Shirt, Nightfall, and her latest anthem Laugh Louder.
Sunday, July 13:
- Don’t miss the Central North Island Swap Meet and Car Show from 7am to 2pm at Paradise Valley Raceway, hosted by the Rotorua Vintage and Veteran Car Club. Entry is $20 per seller vehicle/site, $10 for general admission, and accompanied children go free—expect hundreds of vendors plus vintage, classic, muscle cars and hot rods.
- RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under stars Kita Mean and Rita Menu bring their fierce energy and outrageous comedy to Rotorua for a dazzling night of drag bingo at Good Eastern Taphouse from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets are $43.28 (R18), available via 0800 BUY TIX — expect glamour, surprises, and unforgettable performances.
- Presented by The Incubator Creative Hub, All About Art – The Salt of the Earth screens at Village Cinema, Tauranga 1.30pm to 3.30pm, with tickets at $14 (M classification). After the documentary, guests are invited to explore The Light Lab photography studio from 3.20pm to 4pm, hosted by Nicholas Charles Photography.
- BOP Annual Orchid Auction Masonic Lodge, 18 Oxford St, Te Puke 12 noon. Orchids, plants, and more for sale. No entry fee, no EFTPOS.
Monday, July 14: Tauranga SeniorNet Club‘s Apple Macbook Basics small classes begin. More info: taurangaseniornet.co.nz.
Tuesday, July 15: International illusionist Anthony Street brings his bold new show to Rotorua — part of his biggest and most personal New Zealand tour yet. Tickets available now for the Sir Howard Morrison Centre event.
Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16: Tauranga Intermediate presents Moanaroa – Guardian of the Crabs, a powerful school production exploring belonging, whakapapa, and environmental guardianship, showing at Baycourt’s Addison Theatre at 7pm. Tickets range from $10.75 (child) to $25.08 (adult), with full accessibility available — book now to witness Moanaroa’s journey to protect Rangataua Bay.
Thursday, July 17: Magic Men 2025 – Feel The Magic lights up Baycourt’s Addison Theatre in Tauranga at 8pm, featuring Australia’s top male revue and special guest Will Parfitt. Tickets range from $62.48 to $103.98 (Premium includes meet & greet), R18+ — expect electrifying moves, dazzling lights, and an unforgettable girls’ night out.
Friday, July 18: Join the Graeme Dingle Foundation WBOP for a Gin Tasting Fundraiser at 6.30pm, Tauranga Club, 72 Devonport Rd. Tickets are $75 (or $130 for two) and include a welcome drink, five local gin tastings, nibbles, live music by Sophie-Maude, and a charity auction — all supporting youth development programmes in our community.
Saturday, July 19: The Linton Park West Care Group aims to plant 970 native plants and needs people to dig holes, plant and help with the sausage sizzle. BYO gardening gear and register at forms.office.com/r/r7kEnViF7F. 8.30am at the Edmund Rd entrance.
Saturday, July 26: Get ready for an epic adventure at The Great Forest Rogaine held in Whakarewarewa Forest. Foot or mountain bike, teams of two to four can choose a three or six-hour challenge trails — maps revealed on the day.
Saturday, July 26 to Saturday, August 2: Stage Right Trust presents Legally Blonde – The Musical, a high-energy, feel-good show packed with catchy songs, big laughs, and pink-powered fun. Tickets are on sale now, ranging from $27.12 to $56.84 at Baycourt.
Sunday, July 27: Presented by Tauranga Musica, acclaimed New Zealand pianist John Chen performs an all-French solo programme at Baycourt’s X Space, Tauranga at 7pm. Tickets range from $10.75 to $48.12 (all ages) — don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear works by Poulenc, Duparc, Franck, Fauré, and Saint-Saëns from one of the country’s finest classical talents.
Regular events
Activities at Parksyde Community Centre:
Mondays:
- 8.30am: Pilates ($8 per class)
- 2.30pm: Seated Aerobics ($7 per class)
Tuesdays:
- 9.30am: Zumba ($8 per class)
- 1.30pm: Strength and Balance Class ($7 per class)
Wednesdays:
- 9am: Tai Chi ($10 per class)
- 11.15am: Pilates ($8 per class)
Thursdays:
- 1pm: Strength and Balance Class ($7 per class)
- 2.30pm: Seated Aerobics ($7 per class)
Fridays:
- 9.30am: Zumba ($8 per class)
- 12.45pm: Seated Zumba ($8 per class)
- 2pm: Qi Gong Tai Chi ($10 per class)
All classes are for Rotorua residents 55+ and held at Parksyde Community Centre, 9 Tarewa Place.
Mondays:
- Join a run club every Monday evening at 5.30pm, starting outside the EightySix Coffee kiosk at the lakefront (old QE end). Everyone’s welcome.
- Harmony A Plenty have been singing for 20 years. Covid has reduced our numbers. We are inviting men to join and enjoy our 7pm-9pm Monday practice, supper and sing-outs in Tauranga. If this appeals to you contact Frank 576 3037 or David 576 0575.
Tuesdays:
- Rotorua District Cadet Unit Parades – if you’re Year 9 and up, come along to see if you are the next cadet to join the ranks. Where: 23 Geddes Rd, Rotorua, on Tuesdays during school term, 6.15pm to 9pm.
- Cards 500 at the Mount Community Hall 12.30pm to 4pm. All welcome. Inquiries to phone 0276586848.
Thursdays:
- Rotorua Night Market, weekly at Tutānekai St from 5pm until 9pm. Weather dependent.
- The Mount Art group meets every Thursday at St Peter’s Anglican Church hall, 15 Victoria Rd at the Mount, from 9am until noon. Call Merilynn on 0274846874 for more information.
- Air Training Corp parade during term weeks from 6.15pm at 23 Geddes Rd. Age 13-plus. Come down and have a look or contact cucdr.75sqn@cadetforces.org.nz for more information. You are welcome to come and have a look.
- Cards 500 at the Mount Community Hall 12.30pm to 4pm. All welcome. Inquiries to phone 0276586848.
Fridays:
- Friday Night Fun Night at Baywave – enjoy two hours of racing down the hydroslide, bobbing through the waves in our wave pool and bombing off a special platform to the latest tunes for $6 a person. From 6pm to 8pm Fridays, excluding public and school holidays.
- Tauranga Night Market at McKinley Park in Tauranga Racecourse. 5pm-8.30pm. Come along for food, small business stalls and entertainment.
Saturdays:
- The Little Big Markets – Summer Series: October 20, Tauranga CBD Waterfront, 9am to 2pm.
- Rotary Charity Market at Kuirau Park has been operating for 37 years, every Saturday morning, wet or fine, 7am to 2pm. Stalls selling vegetables, a wide range of takeaway food, popcorn, coffee, meat, jewellery, clothing, gift cards, and more. Proceeds are used for various community undertakings. Sites for stalls cost $30.
- Tauranga Farmers’ Market rain or shine, 7.45am to noon at Tauranga Primary School.
- Kuirau Park Book Sale on first and third Saturdays, from 9am until 1pm in the kiosk near the playground. All proceeds to Rotorua Library.
- The Greerton Hall Market on the second and last Saturday of every month from 8am to noon.
Sundays: Waihī Beach Sunday Market 9am to 1pm at Wilson Park.
Friday to Monday: Have you ever wanted to try your hand at glassblowing? Learn how to blow and shape glass into a design of your choice at Amokura Glass. Make your own Paperweight, Pumpkin or Tumbler to bring home with you, while learning fundamental glass-making skills during one of our hot glass experiences! Prices start from $150- $220 per person, depending on the design choice. Workshops take approximately 45 minutes. Experiences can be booked from Fridays to Mondays. 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Daily: Government Gardens Guided Tours, 11am, outside Rotorua Museum.
Fortnightly:
- Pakihi Ora Māori Business Network Māori Business Rōpū focused on bringing together and supporting ngā pakihi Māori. Anchored in Māori values, knowledge and cultural practices, dedicated to creating spaces that are mana enhancing. A place where Māori business owners can come together and feel connected through mātauranga. This is a Wednesday fortnightly kaupapa held at Kai Caff Aye, Fenton St, 7.30am to 9am. Visit Pakihi Ora on Facebook for more information.
Twice-monthly:
Geyserland Country Music Club meets twice monthly at the Rotorua Bowling Club — on the first Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm and the third Sunday from 1pm to 4.30 pm. Entry is $6 for non-members and free for children under 13 — for more information, visit the Geyserland Country Music Club Facebook page or contact Dallas at 350 2048 or Bruce at 027 446 5800.
Monthly:
- Muscular Dystrophy Support Group meets the last Sunday of the month at 11am at the Whipped Baker Cafe, Historic Village. Family and friends welcome. Any inquiries to reactn2you@gmail.com.
- Sol Markets at Simpson Reserve includes products, services and information from local stallholders that consider sustainability in their business practises. From 9am to 2pm on the first Sunday of the month.
- Geyserland Country Music Club meets on the first Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm and the third Sunday of the month from 1pm to 4.30pm at the Rotorua Bowling Club. Non-members $6, children under 13 are free. For more information go to Geyserland Country Music Club Facebook page.
- Rotorua UkeBox Ukulele Open Mic and Strum Along. Third Sunday of the month, 3pm to 4.30pm at Te Runanga Tea House. Free to strum or sing along or watch.
- Western Bay Crop Swap, a free event for backyard gardeners, home bakers and food foragers to swap and share high-quality local food on the first Saturday of the month, 10am to 11am at SuperGrans Western Bay of Plenty, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati.
- Rotorua Jazz Club meets first Sunday of every month, 4.30pm to 8pm, winter and summer. Rotorua Citizens Club, Arawa St. $20 entry for adults, $2 for juniors. The public is always welcome. For upcoming events and bands go to Rotorua Jazz Club Facebook page or email rotjazzclub@gmail.com.
- Historic Village Wellbeing Market on the third Saturday of the month from 10am to 3pm.
- Ōmokoroa Market featuring arts and crafts, produce, plants and car boot, plus more. Held on the last Saturday of the month 9am to noon at Ōmokoroa Settlers Hall.
- Maketū Market from 7am at Maketū Village Green on the third and fifth Sunday of the month. Vendor stalls $10. Phone Maureen 021 2671 685.
- Improv Comedy with The Honest Liars – 16th Ave Theatre. First Saturday of the month 7.30pm to 9pm, entry $15.
- BoP Blues Club Jam, first Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm to 10.30pm, Rotorua Citizens Club.
- Art By Bike Tours, third Saturday of the month, (finishes April 15) 10am, Te Manawa.
- Collective Energies Holistic Wellness Market the fourth Saturday of each month 9am to 2pm at the Mount Community Hall, 345 Maunganui Rd, Mount Maunganui. Collective Energies Facebook/Insta. Contact Melanie 027 286 8268 for more information.
■ To include your event, email details to whatson@dailypost.co.nz at least a week before the event.
