Events and Tickets » Current Events
Pop-Up Board Games Bar
Every Wednesday in March | 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Roll the dice, grab a drink at Dough Bakery, and let the games begin!
The Warriors
Bogan Film Classics | Brought to you by Aro Video
Saturday 14 March | 8.30pm
The Warriors promises an awesome retro night at movies. Set among youth gangs of New York who each have colourful names and uniforms, it’s a film faithful to its comic book origins by never pretending to be ‘real’, and with exciting action that never feels mean-spirited. It has a timeless ‘futuristic’ vibe that makes it still feel modern, and yet the story is based on an ancient Greek text that says something about the eternal nature of man and the troubled times we are now living through.
Directed by Walter Hill | 1979 | 93 minutes | R16 violence and offensive language
Goodbye Pork Pie
Bogan Film Classics | Brought to you by Aro Video
Sunday 15 March | 1.00pm
Proudly flying its Bogan Kiwi flag on the car aerial of a humble yellow mini, this road comedy classic was made in our own back yard with the undeniable #8 wire ingenuity and larrikin spirit of director Geoff Murphy. It’s a maverick-fuelled grand tour from Kaitaia to the Bluff, though it’s the mainland section where it really carries its audience towards the absolute ripper finale. “I’m taking this bloody car to Invercargill!”
Directed by Geoff Murphy | 1981 | 105 minutes | PG violence
The Castle
Bogan Film Classics | Brought to you by Aro Video
Sunday 15 March | 6.00pm
Regarded as Australia’s favourite movie of all time, this true-blue Bogan classic is up there in the hearts of Kiwis as well, full of quotable lines that have become immortalized in both of our cultures. Many of you will have seen it many times, but don’t let that stop you seeing it with a room full of fellow fans and members of a new generation keen to see what the fuss is about. It’s a film about family, after all!
Directed by Rob Stitch | 1997 | 84 minutes | M offensive language
Japanese Paper Cutting (Kamikiri) Performance
Embassy of Japan
Monday 16 March 2026 | 4.30pm - 5.30pm
"Dazzling audiences with live paper-cutting! Watch as requested subjects are brought to life from a single sheet of paper in this incredible improvisational performance."
Kamikiri is a traditional Japanese performing art developed in yose theatres, combining technical skill with improvisation and audience engagement. Using only paper and scissors, it reveals the creativity and cultural sensibilities of Japan. Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience a kamikiri artist visiting from Japan in person. Witness the breathtaking speed and precision of Master Rakuichi. A rare opportunity to experience 400 years of Japanese tradition in New Zealand!
The Performance will be followed by a post-event gathering from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Mason Brothers
Friday 20 March | 7.30pm
An intimate evening with the Mason Brothers, Wayne and Paul, in their original hometown.
The brothers take a journey through nearly sixty years of Wayne’s songs, from Upper Hutt band The Fourmyula (NZ’s no. 1 song “Nature”), to Rockinghorse in the 70s (“Thru the Southern Moonlight”), to the early years of The Warratahs (“Hands of My Heart”), and Wayne’s solo work since then – Wayne has never stopped writing songs.
World Piano Day
Sunday 29 March | 10.00am - 7.30pm
The Upper Hutt Concert Grand Piano Trust are excited to be host Upper Hutt's first 'World Piano Day.'
Come down and enjoy musicians from early learners to professionals, dancers, choir and more! The day will include a craft market and if you're a pianist of any ability, the chance to play our Kawai Grand Piano in the Community Play sessions.
Lunchtime Live!
Tuesday 31 March | 1.00pm
Strings, performed by students from Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music.
Mr Fungus
Thursday 9 April 2026 | 10.00am
“New Zealand’s Loudest Mime” Mr Fungus is on tour across Aotearoa, with silly show that will amuse and delight kids of all ages.
Featuring visual and verbal comedy, juggling and mime, with scrumptious and catchy backing soundtracks, Mr Fungus will bring the silliness and fun to your town.
Build Your Own Board Game
Thursday 16 and Friday 17 April 2026 | 10.00am
Build your very own Board Game these school holidays.
Sketches from the Trenches with ANZAC Biscuits
Saturday 25 April 2026 (ANZAC Day) | 7.00am - 12.00pm
After the Anzac Day Parade, drop in for a special morning.
Aotango Quintet
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 30 April | 7.30pm
world-class musicians performing in Piazzolla’s original quintet formation, blending classical and contemporary instruments to create a dynamic and immersive experience. Designed to be both engaging and accessible, the performance will captivate audiences of all ages and musical backgrounds.
Michael Houstoun
Classical Expressions 2026 and Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Thursday 21 May | 7.30pm
A programme of masterpieces including works by J.S. Bach (French Overture in B minor, a classic dance suite), Beethoven (Sonata in E, Op.109), Ravel (Gaspard de la nuit) and the Bach-Busoni ‘Chaconne’. Performed by iconic Kiwi pianist, Michael Houstoun.
Sean Kelly and the Super 8's
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Saturday 30 May 2026 | 8.00pm
Irish folk music and stories, with old movies. Enjoy live Irish music played to the backdrop of Super 8 movies taken in Ireland, with Sean Kelly on vocals, whistles, bodhran and guitar, Jono Lonie on fiddle and mandolin and Maree Limpus on cello.
The Warratahs
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Sunday 31 May 2026 | 8.00pm
One of Aotearoa’s most iconic bands, The Warratahs hit the stage with their signature home grown country roots-driven sound. Don’t miss this legendary band who were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of fame last year.
TNT! The Jazz Gala Concert
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Friday 29 May 2026 | 8.00pm
An explosive mix of reo Māori and Big Band Jazz, the 19-piece Capital City Big Band teams up with songstress Lisa Tomlins to play jazz hits from the big band era with traditional waiata Māori show band classics.
Mainly Acoustic Music Club
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Tuesday 2 June 2026 | 7.30pm
Carter Parker Trio, and Cindy Muggeridge accompanied by Ace Neil Billington.
Social Animal
Saturday 6 June 2026 | 8.00pm
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks… or can you? Prepare for a wild, laugh-out-loud ride where biting satire meets theatrical wizardry. Award-winning actor, writer, and solo performer Stephen Papps transforms into twelve outrageously memorable characters with jaw-dropping virtuosity. This gloriously funny solo tour de force follows a man hilariously losing face - and everything else - in his desperate (and ridiculous) quest to stay relevant. Think of it as equal parts chaos, charm, and canine-inspired chaos therapy.
Jian Liu
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 18 June | 7.30pm
This programme explores how composers from different times and cultures paint their worlds in sound.
As an internationally celebrated concert pianist, Dr. Jian Liu has performed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. His artistry has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Steinway Hall in New York, and more. Liu has also featured as a soloist with orchestras worldwide.
The Elouan Quartet with Bridget Douglas
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 16 July | 7.30pm
“Mata-Au” This programme moves between the rich Romantic lyricism of Amy Beach and Arther Foote, the contemporary fluidity of Salina Fisher’s Mata-Au (inspired by the Clutha River), and the rhythmic energy of Alberto Ginastera’s folk-infused Impresiones de la Puna.
Audiences will be immersed in a journey through soundscapes that evoke flowing rivers, twilight atmospheres, and dynamic folk rhythms. With a strong connection to water and place, this programme resonates deeply in Aotearoa, where waterways are both culturally and environmentally significant.
Carnivorous Plant Society
Sunday 26 July 2026 | 8.00pm
A psychedelic exotic jazz band featuring vibraphone, tuba, harmonica, pan flute and more – all brought to life against a stunning backdrop of hand-drawn animations.
Ash Grunwald
Saturday 16 August | 7.30pm
Renowned for his electrifying live shows, Ash Grunwald has inspired a generation to hit the road in an old van to ‘surf by day jam by night’.
The festival favourite brings a high energy, vibrant live show with stacks of guitars and foot stomping blues. Part troubadour, part storyteller-Ash has been selling out shows all over the world!
Dolfin-Lin Duo
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 3 September | 7.30pm
Hungarian cellist Balázs Dolfin and Chinese-New Zealand pianist Tony Chen Lin share a deep musical rapport rooted in diverse cultural traditions.
A chance meeting in Italy in 2021 sparked a duo between Hungarian cellist Balázs Dolfin and Chinese-New Zealand pianist Tony Chen Lin. Trained in Hungary and Germany, they bring dynamic energy and deep rapport, drawing on global influences while still calling Budapest their enduring musical home.
Aroha String Quartet
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 8 October | 7.30pm
Around the World in 90 Minutes; buckle up and travel around the globe with the Aroha String Quartet, with stopovers to sample the music of seven different countries on five continents - Europe, Asia, South America, North America and Zealandia.
Acclaimed as demonstrating "accomplished brilliance, soulfulness and sublime intensity in perfect balance and tonal unity" (The Dominion Post), the Aroha String Quartet is firmly established as one of New Zealands finest chamber music ensembles.
The above descriptions of presentations are supplied by the individual promoters of events. The promoters reserve the right to alter the artists and content of these programmes.