Events

HANRAD Gallery is delighted to present From Thought to Form – Materiality Speaking, a solo exhibition by acclaimed Swedish–New Zealand artist Sylvia Sinel. The exhibition opens on 6 November 2025 and runs until 18 January 2026, inviting viewers into a deeply sensory and contemplative experience of material, intuition, and transformation.

From Thought to Form is an interdisciplinary body of work that encourages audiences to connect with the mystical space where thought, surface, and soul intertwine. Sinel’s deeply rooted curiosity for materials and her continuous exploration of form have evolved into a distinctive artistic vocabulary and voice.

Through sculptural works, experimental surfaces, and poetic abstraction, the exhibition explores themes of transformation and transcendence. Each work acts as a vessel—holding memories, intuition, and knowing—extending an invitation to consider how matter might carry intention, and how viewers might engage not only with what is seen, but also with what is sensed.

Sylvia Sinel’s interdisciplinary practice spans over 35 years, with works held in private collections worldwide. Her creative drive is guided by a profound curiosity for materials and techniques, spirituality, and ancient wisdom traditions. The idea dictates the medium, and each piece is granted agency to find its own voice through an intuitive, responsive process.

Her unique form language draws inspiration from her Scandinavian heritage and evokes a sense of both familiarity and otherness.

Originally from Sweden, Sylvia emigrated to New Zealand in 2013 and settled in Hamilton, where she became an active contributor to the local art community. In 2025, she relocated to Auckland’s North Shore, where she is establishing a new studio and continues to teach at several local art centres.

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Session Times: 10am - 11am

15 November - Grand Debut with the Frozen Princesses

29 November - Superhero Saturday with Spidey and Friends

Jan 17th: Fairy Fun with Tinker Bell and Blossom the Unicorn Fairy

Jan 31st: DC Superhero Saturday with Batman and Wonder Woman

Feb 14th: Valentines Day with Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder

Feb 28th: Princess Day with Snow White and Sleeping Beauty

14 & 28 March - Characters TBC

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Please note characters can change based on availability. In the event of rain Stories will be held in the central city library. This event is brought to you by Love the Centre, Enchanted Entertainment and Hamilton City Libraries.

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Think you know it all? Prove it at Patrons Quiz Night!

Join us every Thursday from 7 pm for a fun night of trivia, laughter, and great prizes!

Bring your friends, test your brainpower, and enjoy delicious food and drinks while you play.

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Every Thursday | From 7 pm

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It’s time to grab the mic and let your voice shine!

Every Friday from 7 pm till late for Karaoke Night at Patrons Bar & Restaurant!

Whether you’re a shower singer or a superstar, everyone’s welcome — come sing your heart out, enjoy great food and drinks, and start your weekend with good vibes!

29a Hood Street, Hamilton

Every Friday | 7 pm – Late

Drinks | Food | Karaoke

Free Entry!

Tag your singing crew and get ready for a night full of laughs, music, and fun!

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Summer Live Music in Garden Place!

Time: 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Grab your lunch and head down to Garden Place for live music by great local musicians!

All live music sessions are weather dependent.

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Summer Line Up :

27th November - Teresa Michels - @soulti_

4th December - Sean Lurman - @sean_lurman

11th December - DJ KUDZ - @_djkudz

18th December - DJ TAZ - @tazy_hayward

15th January - Darze Keefe - @darz_music

22nd January - DJ DEGEN - @dj.degen

29th January -Sean Lurman - @sean_lurman

5th February - DJ JAE - @jaenzdj

12th February - Andrew Price

19th February - DJ GETMELO - @djgetmelo

26th February - Darz Keefe - @darz_music

5th March - DJ TW3AK - @__tw3ak

12th March -Andrew Price

19th March - DJ CYPHR - @cola_breaks

26th March - Dillon Makata

View a list of exciting events happening over summer in Hamilton!

Find out what's on in the central city in December.

The GLOtron! pop-up show opens in December and will run over summer. It can be found near the Fun Zone on Level 1 at Centre Place, and was made possible with the help of Hamilton City Council.

GLOtron! brings together eight years of fabulously successful Glow Shows into one wild and whimsical adventure. It is a magical maze of glow-in-the-dark stories, which create an utterly original world for children to explore. It invites children to wander through its mysterious interactive stories and discover multi-sensory glow-tastic creatures and characters.

Each twist and turn through GLOtron!’s mysterious maze brings extraordinary sensations for the senses, from knife and fork lightning glowing in the sky, to being eyeballed by enormous giants or feeling the tickles of huge fluffy cylinders.

As children and adults alike enjoy this extraordinary storytelling, they also learn; playing number and word challenges as they move through this whimsical world.

The Glow Show’s mashup of science, education art, storytelling and puppetry has charmed more than 120,000 children throughout Aotearoa since it was created in 2017.

Suitable for whole family, ideal for 3- 12-year-olds

Experience lasts approx 40 minutes.

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Saturday, 13th December, 11:00 am - Sunday, 21st December, 6:00 pm

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After a sellout season last year Apocalypse Lounge Room Break returns to the Meteor with a new pop-up escape room: ‘The Christmas Tree Mystery’.

Impatient youngsters have snuck down early on Christmas morning. But their puzzle loving parents are one step ahead and if they’re going to have to work for it. Your team has one hour to crack the codes and unwrap the mystery.

If your workplace or friends are looking for an end of year experience that’s a little outside the box, this might be for you.

“The Christmas Tree Mystery’ runs from December 13 to 21st at The Meteor. Limited places so book now.

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1 ticket per session. Each session is designed for a group of 4-6 people.

Running time: 60 mins

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Christmas Sewing Workshops for Kids: aged 8 - 16

A little Christmas magic for the kids - and a few free hours for you!

Thursday 18th - Tuesday 23rd December

9:30am - 12:30pm

Our School Holiday Christmas Workshops introduce kids to the wonderful world of festive sewing in a structured and supportive environment.

These beginner-friendly workshops cover the basics - from threading the machine to sewing achievable projects. ‘Getting Started’ is about learning how to thread and use the machine safely while sewing a simple project. ‘Master the Basics’ is building on their skills to sew other projects while learning new techniques.

Led by a trained primary school teacher and a skilled assistant, you can be sure that your child will have a memorable workshop filled with loads of learning AND a finished project.If your child has never sewn before then ‘Getting Started’ is a must, after that, they can sign up for any of the other kids workshops in any school holidays.

Included: All fabric, tools and equipment, as well as a hot chocolate and a snack from one of our local cafes.‍

✨ Proudly supported by Hamilton City Council as part of Summer in the City ✨
Get ready to celebrate the festive season with Carols in the City — a magical evening filled with live entertainment, delicious food, and the Christmas spirit right in the heart of Hamilton! 🌟
📅 Date: Friday, 19th December 2025
🕔 Time: 5 PM – Late
📍 Location: Garden Place, Hamilton CBD
Enjoy a fun, family-friendly night featuring:
🎤 Live Music
🍔 Tasty Food Stalls
🎶 Christmas Carols
🎬 Outdoor Movie Screening
Bring your whānau, a picnic blanket, and your best singing voice — it’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season together! ❤️
🚌 Getting There:
Catch a free bus ride with BUSIT to and from the event — Hamilton services only!
Let’s light up the city with joy, laughter, and Christmas cheer. 🎅🎁

13 December- 11am - 2pm

20 December 11am - 2pm

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Bring the whole whānau to Garden Place for a fun filled day in the heart of the city!

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There will be giant games and puzzles, face painting, live music and the magical Enchanted Characters Spider-Man and Tinker Bell on the 13th and Elsa and Holly the Christmas Elf on the 20th.

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Santa will be joining the festivities too so don’t forget your camera for some unforgettable photo opportunities.

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***In the event of rain, we will be moving Santa, Elsa & Holly and face painters and out DJ to level 1 of the library. Pops Giant Games would be set up outside under the awnings.

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Live 5 piece band playing Funk, soul, R&B, Jazz with a C'mas overture. Limited seats.

Call Patrons to book.

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