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Waikato taniwharau. He piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha.
There's always something new to discover in the heart of Hamilton city. Let us be your guide as you rediscover the charm, culture, and character that make our city centre unique.
This underground retro lounge is a shady haven of music, hosting local and international artists with a large stage, homely atmosphere, groovy lights and a dance floor.Well regarded as ‘the place’ to listen to live music in Hamilton, Nivara Lounge serves craft beer, wines, and a range of snack food for you to chew on while you listen to the beats on offer (they also sell old vinyls).
People rave about the friendly service, warm vibes and fun atmosphere. Hosting a range of musicians, Nivara Lounge also attracts visitors from far and wide, establishing itself as the hub of live music in the Waikato and beyond.
Sharing a space with the South Bloc offices and neighbouring the Hamilton District Court, Anne Fern sees plenty of professionals through its doors throughout the day. Rocket coffee is available to drink onsite, or you can purchase filter or espresso beans to take away with you. Hanging pots of foliage add a hit of green to the glossy wood panelling, and from the coffee jugs to the ethos everything here is sleek and simple.
Staff look super dapper in white tees and dark green aprons, but mixed with the cheeky marketing and menu, this place is proof that a restaurant can be both suave and easy-going all at the same time. Operating from an impressive island bar, pull up a stool and watch the talented bartenders strut their stuff, or take your tipple out to the impressive patio and watch the sun set over the mighty Waikato River. Feeling hungry? Mr. Pickles opens at midday, so you can perch here for lunchtime eats onwards. Designed to share, the menu is not a fixed thing but instead revolves around what customers want to see, and the waitstaff will cheerfully remind you that what works for you, works for them.
Come evening time the music is loud, the tables are packed and the atmosphere is buzzing. Appealing to young and old, dates, groups and solo eaters, tables and brightly coloured stools are packed close together, transporting you straight to street side South East Asia.
A licensed restaurant, there’s beer, wine and a seductive sounding cocktail list, as well as house-made smoothies and sodas.
Street-side on the ground level of the Parkhaven Building, Frank has both apartment dwellers and office workers for neighbours, resulting in a beautiful mix of homely and corporate feels. Get comfy on the olive green velvet booth seats, sip on a cuppa whilst gazing out the window, or dine al fresco in the little courtyard which captures a slice of the morning sun. From the gold cutlery to the smart retro water glasses, speckled salt shakers and the pastel-coloured serving bowls, small things add up to create a real vibe here.
For hearty, authentic Chinese food, head straight to Dumpling House, a wholesome eatery serving up friendly vibes and even better dumplings. After operating for 12 years and opening two venues, this family-run establishment has truly made its mark on the Hamilton food scene.Owner Lei Wang comes from a long line of dumpling makers—her great grandfather even made dumplings for the Chinese Royal family!
And lucky for Hamilton locals, she and her mum found roots in New Zealand, bringing generations of secret techniques and flavours to their restaurants on Grey Street and Bryce Street. It’s hard not to feel at home when you step into Dumpling House. Lei Wang sums it up perfectly when she says “over the years, customers have become regulars and regulars have become friends.”
Walking in to big smiles and greetings, Erik and his team work like a well-oiled machine to bring you an authentic experience of fresh, fast and affordable Vietnamese food, right here in Hamilton. Plentiful windows look out to the busy street corner, making for prime people-watching on the side of feasting on comforting dishes that transport you to the streets of Vietnam. Authentic Vietnamese flavours can get lost in the Western world, but Erik has made it his mission to revive them. And with 15+ years of experience in the food industry, he’s just the man for the job.
Having spent many years doing the market, festival and event rounds with their OG food truck, On A Roll have clocked up a devout following of local foodies from all around Hamilton. So, we weren’t the only ones who were pretty wrapped when the doors to their permanent Vialou Street spot opened in 2021. The eatery itself is the embodiment of good vibes. You’ll notice industrial cement blocks contrasted with bold feature walls and a larger-than-life tiger mural. Accented with warm wood tones, leather seating and bohemian lighting, they’ve simply nailed the aesthetic. Known for their flavour-packed take on Asian-fusion bites, On A Roll is a serious crowd-pleaser when it comes to dining out with the crew. Our advice? Sharing is caring, so order one of everything because we guarantee you’ll want to taste it allllll.
With its signature red interior and exterior, murals, and neon lights, it’s a vibrant space, topped off by the background of friendly chatter, clinking cutlery, and attentive staff moving from table to table. With different levels of spice, vegetarian and gluten-free options (as well as the cheeky option of taking home some of their incredible frozen dumplings for a lazy weekday meal), even people with dietary requirements can enjoy the glorious Chilli House cuisine.
Offering an expertly crafted menu, calming decor and even executive meeting rooms for hire, it’s the ideal place for a catch-up with colleagues. The interior styling alone is everything you’d want from your weekday coffee spot. Bright open spaces are complemented by cooling hues across the tiling and feature walls, while warm timber accents, lush greenery and rattan chairs make this Hamilton café an inviting destination to order up a treat and smash through those emails.
Cream Eatery flung its doors open in early 2021 and it’s been a hit from day dot. Owners Luke and Chrissy Houghton sure know a thing or two about creating dishes people love to devour. Luke himself is a trained chef, while Chrissy is an expert at whipping up mega-impressive cakes. Lucky for our taste buds, this is a match made in heaven.
One thing is for sure—only good things come out of Riverbank Lane. Those who know the area will be well aware this place has it all: a café, a bar, a hairdresser, a barber, and a bookshop. We love it so much, it made the cut for our round-up of New Zealand’s best hidden laneways.So it’s safe to say when Café Kopi found a home in this community, we were pretty stoked. The vibe of this little caffeine haven is pretty chic, to say the least. You’ll find sky-high concrete walls adorned with exposed copper pipes, flanked by dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Complemented by warm wooden panelling and dappled sunlight on a good day, there’s no better place to while away the afternoon.
In the heart of Hamilton’s vibrant Riverbank Lane, with its cosmopolitan Melbourne-like ambience, you’ll discover Rüdi’s—a micro-bakery that perfectly marries Nordic minimalism with artisan passion. The interior, painted in serene shades of deep blue and pristine white, resonates with a cool, understated elegance. Concrete floors contrast with warm wooden accents and fresh botanicals, creating a space that feels both modern and welcoming. After spending over a decade abroad working in other fields, Stefan (architectural and interiors photographer) and Fern (director in innovation) returned to New Zealand in 2021 with their young family.
New Year's Eve
Party kicks off from 8pm
Main Gaming Floor, Amuse Bar & Kitchen, Number Eight Bar
Get ready to shine, sparkle and dance your way into 2026!
This New Year's Eve, SkyCity Hamilton is turning back the clock with a full-blown Disco-themed celebration - glitter, groove and good vibes guaranteed.
Feel the funk with high energy live music from Groove Street and Gold Dust Divas in Amuse Bar & Kitchen and Number Eight Bar.
What's New Years' Eve without a little extra excitement? We'll be having cash prize draws at 8.30pm, 10.30pm and 12.30am, with $2,026 cash up for grabs at each draw - find out more here.
Dust off the sequins, bring your best dance moves, and let's celebrate the new year the disco way!
See you on the dance floor.
R20
Game Responsibly.
The Breeze Waikato is proud of the return of the Breeze 12th Day of Christmas. To show the love this Christmas, we have teamed up with Love the Centre to bring you a morning full of Christmas cheer!
Meet Stu and Camille at the centre! They will be set up at Garden Place, outside the Christmas Tree, from 7:30 am on Friday, 12th December, with a massive range of prizes, thanks to the love from local businesses.
Each hour starting from 6am until 9am on Friday, 12th, we will be uploading a giveaway to the Breeze Waikato Facebook page, valued at over $2,000 from 25 businesses.
We will be giving away 4 prize packs, including:
Prize 1: $568
Prize 2: $560
Prize 3: $570
Prize 4: $570
After taking Australia by storm, Pleasure P brings A Night of Pleasure to Aotearoa for the very first time! Performing his timeless solo hits and Pretty Ricky anthems live, this is the ultimate throwback for R&B; lovers — an intimate concert experience filled with passion, rhythm, and connection.
Powered by Titan Entertainment, the New Zealand run features nine cities across the country, delivering the full R&B; experience to fans from the South Island to the North.
✨ 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. 🎅🎁
Supported by J.Tajor+ Richie Cattell
This December, DJ Noiz, Kennyon Brown and Donell Lewis bring their signature island sound for a long-awaited New Zealand tour, hitting Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland and Hamilton.
Known for hit records 'Senorita', 'Chill', 'Amelia', 'Island Girl' and more, the trio have become global ambassadors of modern Pacific R&B — blending smooth vocals, island grooves and soulful production that’s earned them millions of streams and loyal fans worldwide.Joining them on the road is special guest and viral superstar J.Tajor known for his hit record ‘Like I Do’.
Together, they promise an unforgettable celebration of Pacific music, culture and connection — a summer tour that captures the soul of the islands.Buy tickets via futurenowmusic.comDoors 7pm • 18+ Only • ID Required
Biddy Mulligan’s Annual Christmas Party - don’t miss it!
Check out the full lineup of festive events happening at Biddy’s this December, with something on almost every night, it’s the perfect spot to get into the Christmas spirit.
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.
Wriggle & Rhyme takes place during term time only:
Wednesdays, 10.30-11.00am, Central Library
Looking for a relaxed, fun group where you and your baby or toddler can enjoy music and movement together? It's time to Wriggle & Rhyme! Classes combine singing, movement and rhythm, in a way that will delight and stimulate your child. This programme is aimed at babies and children under two years, but older siblings are welcome.
During school holidays or other times we are unable to hold Wriggle & Rhyme, you can see our playlist of Wriggle & Rhyme videos to enjoy classes at home.
Please note children under 14 must always be accompanied by a caregiver in our libraries.
Tuesdays, 10.30-11.15am, Central Library
Taking place during Term Time Only
Storytime is a fun-filled preschool programme tailored specifically for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. The programmes feature stories, songs, movement and interactive fun which foster children's literacy. Caregivers can bond with their children while enhancing their social, cognitive, motor and musical skills.
During school holidays or other times we are unable to hold Storytime Puaawai, you can check out Suzy's Book Corner to watch at home.
Please note children under 14 must always be accompanied by a caregiver in our libraries.
View a list of exciting events happening over summer in Hamilton!
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Find out what's on in the central city in December.
Dates:
21st December, 2025 (Sun) 4:00pm
21st December, 2025 (Sun) 7:30pm
The Greatest Christmas Show is New Zealand’s #1 family Christmas event, blending heartwarming moments, spectacular dance, and world-class entertainment into one unforgettable night.
Prepare for a breath-taking spectacle featuring soaring vocals that will fill the theatre with the spirit of Christmas, while our cast of incredible dancers and a jaw-dropping cirque aerial act bring the stage to life in a flurry of wonder, skill, and glittering costumes.
From high-flying feats to touching moments that capture the true meaning of Christmas, and a very special visit from Santa Claus himself, this is a show that will warm hearts, inspire smiles, and create cherished memories for the whole family.
🎟Don’t miss the magic. Don’t miss the laughter. Don’t miss the #1 family show this Christmas.
After racking up over a million followers online and making audiences across the globe laugh until they cry, Blake Pavey is hitting New Zealand with his brand new hour of stand-up! Fresh off two national tours and a YouTube comedy special, Blake’s bringing plenty of cheeky stories, sharp punchlines, and his signature charm across the ditch!
“Pavey’s stand-up delicately weaves elements of darkness and light, moving the audience to the brink of tears, before landing a hefty punchline that leaves them in (metaphorical) stitches.” – The Age
Get your tickets and come see why he’s more than just “that guy off TikTok!”.
Running time: 70 mins
Content warning: 18+, adult themes, coarse language
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