Diwali, scarecrows and model trains
Your Hamilton week, 29 Oct to 4 Nov
This weekend
Six picks for Saturday and Sunday
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🎉✨ Waikato Diwali Mela 2026 ✨🎉
Waikato Diwali Mela is a festival with music, dance, food and performances.
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Scarecrow Festival in the Kitchen Garden
The Scarecrow Festival in the Kitchen Garden features gardening and flowers.
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Boo at the zoo
Boo at the zoo offers Halloween-themed activities and contests.
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2026 Hamilton Model Railway Exhibition
The Hamilton Model Railway Exhibition showcases model trains and layouts.
$10 -
Around the World in Song with the Tron Songsters
Around the World in Song is a musical journey with the Tron Songsters.
More events this week
Day by day
Thursday, 29 October 2026
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. TRUNK OR TREAT is a Halloween event for kids. Free.
Clarence St Theatre, from 7.30pm. Beatlemania On Tour presents concerts of rock music.
Friday, 30 October 2026
Te Aahurutanga, The Paa, University of Waikato, 3pm to 6.30pm. Nerdfest 2026 is a free technology showcase for all ages. Free.
Claudelands Park, 9am to 4pm. The Waikato Show features agriculture, animals, and exhibitions for kids.
Saturday, 31 October 2026
Te Kowhai, 10am to 2pm. Te Kōwhai Country Market offers art and crafts.
Hamilton Model Railway Exhibtion 2026
Hamilton Gardens, from 10am, runs until Sun 1 4pm. Hamilton Model Railway Exhibtion 2026 is an exhibition by railroaders.
Hillcrest Baptist Church, 2pm to 4pm. Hamilton Light Party is a family event with games and crafts. Free.
Woodlands Estate, 5pm to 7pm. A Halloween Party at Woodlands Estate offers family mini shoots.
Silent Disco at the Museum: After Dark!
Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery, 8pm to 11.30pm. A Silent Disco at the Museum: After Dark! is a Halloween party. $50.
Clarence St Theatre, from 6am. Sumudu Walawaka is an evening of Sri Lankan music and performance.
Home Brew: Last Week AUS/NZ Tour
BNZ Theatre, from 8pm. Home Brew is on tour with a performance.
Sunday, 1 November 2026
Last Place, 6pm to 9pm. Greg Johnson is celebrating his 60th birthday with a music tour. $159.
Dad joke of the week
Why did the tomato blush?
It saw the salad dressing.
Council and roadworks
Hamilton road works and closures. Delays are expected on Lake Domain Drive on Saturday 31 October for the Diwali festival. Anglesea Street will have lane closures from Monday 2 November until Thursday 5 November daily from 10pm to 6am for stormwater repair works. There will be no right turn onto Anglesea Street from Ward Street during these works.
Roadworks: SH 1C Hamilton, near the Forest Lake Road intersection. SH 1C Hamilton, near the Forest Lake Road intersection. Roadworks (services). From 10pm Thursday 29 October to 4am Saturday 31 October. Due to utility works, there is stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place. Stop on request and drive with caution.
Roadworks: SH 3 Rukuhia, near the Raynes Road intersection. SH 3 Rukuhia, near the Raynes Road intersection. Roadworks (maintenance). From 7pm Tuesday 27 October to 5am Friday 30 October. Due to maintenance works, there is stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place. Stop on request and drive with caution.
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