Jim Beam Homegrown will take place in Hamilton this weekend.
● Homegrown, music festival, March 14, at Claudelands Oval, Hamilton
The long-standing New Zealand music festival is returning to Hamilton after 18 years in the capital. Tickets online via homegrown.flicket.co.nz.
● NZ Women’s Surf Festival, March 14-15, Pauanui
The festival is a weekend of activities designed to empower women and girls in surfing. It features surf competitions, workshops, yoga, skateboarding, stalls, and sauna sessions. Entries into the competition can be made via liveheats.com.
● Motomania, motorsport event, March 14-15, Taupō International Motorsport Park
The 2026 Star Insure NZ Superbike Championship celebrates its grand finale. Tickets are available online at taupomp.flicket.co.nz.
● Mercury Bay Art Escape, art event, March 14-16, 10am-4pm around Coromandel
More than 50 artists from Pauanui to Whangapoua, working with a range of mediums, including paint, glass, wool, clay and iron, are opening their studios to the public. For more information visit mercurybay-artescape.com.
● K-Pop Live, concert, March 17, 2.30pm and 6pm at BNZ Theatre, Hamilton
Hear all your favourite K-Pop hits, from Gagnam Style to the K-Pop Demon Hunters ‘earworm’ Golden and bangers from Blackpink, BTS and Stray Kids. The show is directed and choreographed by Rina Chae, a renowned Korean–New Zealand dancer and choreographer. Tickets online via Ticketmaster.
● White Ferns and Black Caps v South Africa, T20i, March 17, Seddon Park, Hamilton
The Black Caps and White Ferns take on their South African counterparts in back-to-back cricket matches. Tickets online via tickets.nzc.nz.
● Kickdown Festival, motorcycle event, March 20-21, Whangamatā
The event is back in Whangamatā, this time in a special downtown edition instead of Joe’s Farm, in a smaller, tighter format, bringing the action into the heart of town for one weekend of riding and live music. Tickets online via kickdown.flicket.co.nz.
● Cambridge Autumn Festival, community event, March 20-29, Cambridge
Cambridge will come alive with arts, entertainment and community events. From concerts to theatre, art exhibitions, comedy and movie screenings. More information online at cambridgeautumnfestival.co.nz.
● Turangawaewae Regatta 2026, cultural event, March 21, 9am at Turangawaewae Marae, 29 River Rd, Ngāruawāhia
The event includes a ceremonial fleet of five waka tauā floating down the river, waka racing, kapa haka and other performances, kai and craft stalls. Tickets online via Eventfinda.
● Lenny’s Toddler Techno Tour 2026, kids’ event, March 21, 11am at Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton
After touring the world, Lenny Pearce is bringing his Toddler Techno Tour back home. Tickets online via Ticketek.
● Ironfist 20 Female Frenzy Fight Night, boxing, March 21, 4pm at Don Rowlands Centre, 601 Maungatautari Road, Cambridge
Nje Promotions brings the 20th edition of Ironfist. Headlined by Jadene Treadaway v Macy Smith for the Pro Box Lightweight NZ title. Tickets online via Eventfinda.
● Bic Runga – Red Sunset Tour, March 21, 7pm at BNZ Theatre, Hamilton
Bic Runga is taking her sixth album, Red Sunset, around New Zealand. It’s her first collection of all-new material in 15 years. Tickets online via Ticketmaster.
● Wellathon, wellbeing event, March 21-22, at Hamilton Gardens
This event is a relaxed “triathlon” of movement, music and mindfulness, created by Tauranga‑based occupational therapist, yoga teacher and life coach Sophie Lister. Tickets online via hamiltongardens.co.nz.
● Balloons Over Waikato, March 21-28, Hamilton
Local and international pilots take to the Waikato skies in their hot air balloons. Every morning, weather permitting, the balloons take off from Innes Common. The iconic Nightglow will open the event this year, the Basket Burn is back, and the balloons will visit South Waikato. Free event.
● Beach Hop, automotive and rock’n’roll festival, March 25-29, Coromandel
The annual automotive and Rock’n’Roll festival is revving up in the Coromandel again. The programme includes stops in Waihī, Pauanui, and Onemana before the main event in Whangamatā. Free entry.
● Soweto Gospel Choir, concert, March 28, BNZ Theatre, Hamilton
The 3-time Grammy-winning choir will perform a programme of South African freedom songs, renditions of the protest music of the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary classics, including works by Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Tickets online via Ticketmaster.