7.30-11.30pm
Creative Sounds - The Stomach
BATTLE OF THE BANDS 2026 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Manawatu Heat - Friday 8th May
Enter your band now at: http://battleofthebands.co.nz/register.php
(If your band is already registered from previous years, just send us a message if you're keen to take part this year)
5.30-9pm
Focal Point Cinema
Join Graduate Women Manawatū for a fundraising film event, with proceeds going to GWM community projects.
Wuthering Heights will be the film shown (M rating).
Venue Location: Focal Point Cinema & Cafe, 223 Cuba Street, Palmerston North
Ticket price: $34.05 (includes booking fee)
Ticket includes entry to film and a drink of your choice on arrival.
Arrive by 5.30pm, with screening start time 6pm
For dinner reservations, please ring 06 241 8417. Bookings are essential.
7pm
56 Queen Street
Brains, banter, and a bloody good cause.
We’re bringing the Studio X community together for our annual Quiz Night Fundraiser to support Relay for Life — and trust us, this one’s going to be a goodie.
Get your team together, brush up on your random knowledge, and get ready for a night of laughs, friendly competition, and raising money for a cause that impacts so many of our members, families, and friends.
The details:
Date: Thursday 13 March
Teams: Up to 6 people per table
Cost: $100 per table
How to secure your table:
Donate $100 to our Relay for Life fundraising page
In the caption, write: “Quiz Night – [Your Team Name]”
Once your donation is in, your table is locked in!
Spots will be limited, so rally your smartest (or funniest) mates and get in quick.
Come for the trivia. Stay for the banter. Leave knowing you’ve helped make a difference.
Grab your team and secure your table now — let’s raise some funds and have a cracking night doing it.
Donate to grab your ticket here:
https://manawatu.relayforlife.org.nz/studio-x
10pm-3am
Holy Grail - 511 Main St
Back to the 90's with Special Guest Jolyon Petch plus Sam Hill & Nick Collings.
After a fully sold out run across New Zealand in 2025, Back to the 90s arrives in a regional city for the first time, making its debut in Palmerston North. This one night event marks a big moment for the city, launching inside a brand new nightclub designed for high energy dance music, late nights, and full scale club production.
For its first regional stop, Back to the 90s delivers the biggest DJ lineup Palmerston North has seen, bringing together an international artist and top tier Auckland talent. Every act is selected for their genuine connection to the era and their ability to translate it onto a modern dancefloor. Expect 90s house, Eurodance, trance, and remixed 90s pop anthems played loud and right. Dress up if you want, bring the crew, and settle in for a full club experience built around music, production, and a packed room from open to close.
Back to the 90s has sold out everywhere it has landed so far. Palmerston North, this is your first chance to experience it without leaving town. One night only.
Limited Early Bird & VIP Tickets available!
Various
Globe Theatre
NZ's second-largest comedy festival returns to Palmerston North with comedians from all over the country, in 32 hilarious shows over four weekends, all at the Globe Theatre! Pick your favourites, or grab a Nightly Pass to see all four shows on a given night at 20% off.
Check the Globe Theatre website for all the info!
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Discover how to bring characters to life through costume in this practical, creative workshop.
You’ll learn how to interpret a script, and design costumes that align with the Director’s vision while considering aspects such as the physicality of both the role and the performer.
We’ll explore how to balance creativity with practicality, work with colour palettes, touch on the visual codes of clothing, and manage real-world constraints like timelines and budgets.
Perfect for anyone keen to deepen their understanding of storytelling through costume, along with a few tips and tricks to deliver a cohesive design concept - you don't have to have experience, just a passion for Costumes or for Theatre in general.
6.30-10.30pm
Central Energy Trust Arena
Saloon King of the Arena + Manawatu Sidecar & Adult Ministock Champs
The Robertson Prestige International Speedway, centrally located in the heart of Palmerston North, the Central Energy Trust Arena. From October to April the speedway track hosts hundreds of competitors and thousands of fans from all over the country, as they flock to one of the best-appointed circuits in the southern hemisphere.
A variety of different classes race on the clay & lime surface, from the glamour Superstocks and Super Saloons through to the dare devil Sidecars. Other season highlights include the ever-popular demolition derbies, Manawatu championships, and national events.
Come along to the Robertson Prestige International Speedway for an unforgettable speedway experience, for information on our race events be sure to check out our website www.pnspeedway.co.nz or our Facebook page Robertson Prestige International Speedway.
Public Gates open 5.30pm
Racing Starts 6.30pm
10am-3.30pm
Te Marae o Hine - The Square
The Hitching Post Farmer's Market will be back for the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games - we'll have about 20 stall holders offering goodies from jams, chutneys and preserves through to stock whips, dog food, honey, eggs, milk, vegies and fruit.
9am-4pm
Te Marae o Hine - The Square
Free Entry & Over $5,000 in Prizes! A Massive Weekend of Family Fun & Competition.
Get ready for the most iconic rural sports celebration in New Zealand! The Rural Games is a FREE ENTRY, action-packed weekend where classic Kiwi character comes to life. Watch world-class champions, have a go yourself, and create unforgettable family memories.
🎉 HIGHLIGHTS & HAVE-A-GO ACTIVITIES!
Get stuck in and try your hand at these classic rural challenges: Gumboot Throwing, Cowpat Throwing, Egg Roulette & Egg Throw/Catch, Stock Whip Challenge, Haystacking, and more!
👨👩👧👦 KIDS' ZONE - HEAPS OF FUN!
Our special events just for the kids: Tree Climbing, Self-Drive Digger, Miniature Ponies, Slip 'n Slide, Push Tractor Races, Haybale Rolling & Egg & Spoon Races and Haystack Hunt for Prizes!
🐑 WEEKEND SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
📍 FRIDAY: Agri Futures Clash of the Colleges, NZ Women's & Rookies Axe Chopping Champs, Secondary School Shearing Champs
📍 SATURDAY: Power & Precision of Speed Fencing, Men's Timbersports, Sheep Dog Trials and Gumboot Throwing
📍 SUNDAY: Strength & Skill of: Tree Climbing Champs, Coal Shoveling, Highland Heavies, Egg Catch & Throw and Shearing
ℹ️ EVENT INFO
🎟️ ENTRY: FREE! Yes, you read that right! Free entry for everyone!
💰 PRIZES: Over $5,000 in prizes to be won across the weekend.
🐾 PAID ATTRACTIONS: (Small fee applies): Heartland Petting Zoo - over 40 animals & birds! Plus, Steam Traction Engine Rides
$ Hitching Post Farmer's Market, Food Truck Food Court and Chainsaw Sculpture Expo - all have items to sell.
So, rally your troops and we'll see you there for a weekend of legendary rural action!
6.30pm
Globe Theatre
The Big Bike Film Night is on a mission - bringing the best short cycling films from around the world together for you. Showcasing 2.5 hours of mesmerising bike films that have everything a cycle-centric audience could want – action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration. The evening is unashamedly and utterly, utterly, utterly designed and devised to delight the two-wheel devotee!
The 2026 treasure chest of films includes:
- a dazzling mountain bike ride exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Norway, embracing the magic of the midnight sun
- a life-changing experience for two adventurous women as they embark on to cycle to all the ski-fields in New Zealand in one gigantic attempt
- an inspiring film that captures the wettest, most miserable riding conditions imaginable
- a film that playfully delves into the world of those taking cycling to new heights - celebrating fun, silliness, and creativity that comes with pushing boundaries on two wheels
- a compelling story about perseverance, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of navigating daily life following a life-altering injury, and how adaptive design has transformed and enriched the journey forward
- a moving movie that follows a father and son’s journey as they take on one of life’s most meaningful milestones- riding a bike together as a family
- a bold and uplifting story of an adventure activist, attempting to break the 24-hour Guinness World Record in downhill mountain biking- all to raise funds for reforesting the foothills around Queenstown, New Zealand. Her relentless pursuit not only pushes the limits of endurance but also becomes a powerful symbol of resilience and environmental commitment
- and crowning the night off… we all love an underdog tale. This charming, funny, heartfelt film inspires us to believe that we all have the capacity to be unlikely heroes in our own stories. The audience is transported back to the nostalgic 1990s, to the slopes of the punishing Mont Ventoux, in Southern France, to witness the drama of a battle between two giants
These short films are a great reminder of why we love to ride our bikes; with stories that captivate us, stories that move us, and most importantly of all – inspiring us to get out and ride. All celebrate the fun, adventure, and joy that cycling enables.
So...listen to the voice inside you; it’s telling you to go. Grab your mates, GO ON… grab your bike and come along for the ride!! PREVIOUS ATTENDEE’S COMMENTS: “One of the most inspiring events of the year" “If you only have one night a year out, make it this!!”
11.30am - 1.30pm
Little Savanna
Take a brush in one hand, a drink in the other… and let’s paint a masterpiece!
Join us for a relaxed afternoon Paint & Sip in the heart of Palmerston North. This is a fun, guided painting session designed for anyone—no previous painting experience needed. We’ll walk you through the artwork step by step while you unwind, sip, and get those creative juices flowing.
Whether you’re here to try something new, catch up with friends, or sneak a little creativity into your workday, this session is all about connection, creativity, and zero pressure.
Why an afternoon session?
- Perfect for shift workers – enjoy a creative break before or after work
- Ideal for mums – fit it in around school hours
- Great for part-time workers – make the most of your free afternoons
- Team bonding during work hours – a fun, relaxed alternative to traditional team building
- Friends catching up – paint, sip, chat, and laugh together without the late night
8pm
Tony's Pizza
Resistors: A night of hardware electronic music. Voltage. Timing. Intent.
On Friday March 20, Tony’s Pizza turns three, and we’re celebrating the best way we know how, live machines x live humans, deep sound, shared space, and a dance-floor for everyone.
Just George
SGP
researchintospeed
Synthetic Children
A welcoming space for the electronic curious, and tech enough to tame a rogue AI. Expect a dancefloor built moment by moment, where drum machines breathe, synthesizers turn voltage into feeling, and imperfect circuits make humans shimmy across the room.
Resistance as expression. Circuitry as instrument. Community as amplifier.
Tony’s Pizza
134 The Square
8pm
$10 cash money
Come early. Stay late. Support live hardware music. Celebrate three years of Tony’s Pizza.
17:00 - 20:00
Te Marae o Hine - The Square, Te Marae o Hine - The Square, Palmerston North Central, 441
Palmy’s Festival of Colours is back! Join us on for a vibrant Holi-inspired celebration filled with colour, music, and community spirit.
Don’t miss the final event in our summer series – a colourful, high-energy celebration for all ages!
1-5pm
Square Edge Community Centre
In this surrealist collage workshop, we’ll use magazines and books to create collages of heads split open and spilling out their inner worlds. Working with found imagery, you’ll explore symbolism, intuition, and unexpected combinations to reveal what’s hidden beneath the surface.
This is a playful, expressive session focused on trusting your instincts rather than planning, letting images lead the way and meaning emerge naturally. All materials will be provided, and you’re welcome to bring your own source material if there’s something you’d like to work with.
1pm till 5 pm
@Square edge, Palmerston North
All materials provided (including cake 😉)
$25 per person
Limited spots available
Email [email protected] to register
2-4pm
Tony's Pizza
Join us at Tony's Pizza on The Square for a puppy filled afternoon supporting the SPCA 🧡
Ask questions, pat puppies, learn about adoptions, take photos, enjoy delicious pizza - and who knows maybe give one of our adorable puppies a furever home?! 🐶
Date: 21st March
Time: 2pm-4pm
4-10pm
Central Energy Trust Arena
Bites & Beats brings together the best of food, fun, and entertainment for the ultimate weekend out! Enjoy mouthwatering food trucks, live music, boutique retail stalls, desserts, and free family activities - including lawn games, outdoor kids’ movies, and giveaways.
With affordable entry and something for everyone, it’s the perfect day or night out for all ages.
6.00pm
Regent on Broadway
Ladies, it’s time to embrace The Change with a night out full of uncontrollable laughter, uplifting celebration and shared sisterhood! The international phenomenon Menopause The Musical is back – touring New Zealand in March and April 2026.
Set in a department store, four women meet by chance while shopping for a black lace bra. Though they couldn’t be more different, they quickly discover a shared bond over memory loss, hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, and much more. What follows is a hilarious, heart-warming musical journey through “The Change” — told with love, laughter and the greatest hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.
The laughter-filled 90-minute production gets audiences out of their seats dancing and singing along to clever parodies of beloved pop classics. It’s a celebration for every woman who’s ever experienced “The Silent Passage,” and for everyone who knows one!
1pm
Regent on Broadway
Celebrating the success of our UCOL graduates!
This event is a great opportunity for our graduates to celebrate their achievements with their whānau, friends, and lecturers.
If you are expecting to graduate in 2026, you will receive information about registering for Graduation and hiring the required academic regalia in the lead-up to the big day. We recommend that eligible students register for Graduation as early as possible
1pm
Regent on Broadway
Celebrating the success of our UCOL graduates!
This event is a great opportunity for our graduates to celebrate their achievements with their whānau, friends, and lecturers.
If you are expecting to graduate in 2026, you will receive information about registering for Graduation and hiring the required academic regalia in the lead-up to the big day. We recommend that eligible students register for Graduation as early as possible
6.30-10.30pm
Central Energy Trust Arena
Peter Barry Memorial Derby Teams Champs
The Robertson Prestige International Speedway, centrally located in the heart of Palmerston North, the Central Energy Trust Arena. From October to April the speedway track hosts hundreds of competitors and thousands of fans from all over the country, as they flock to one of the best-appointed circuits in the southern hemisphere.
A variety of different classes race on the clay & lime surface, from the glamour Superstocks and Super Saloons through to the dare devil Sidecars. Other season highlights include the ever-popular demolition derbies, Manawatu championships, and national events.
Come along to the Robertson Prestige International Speedway for an unforgettable speedway experience, for information on our race events be sure to check out our website www.pnspeedway.co.nz or our Facebook page Robertson Prestige International Speedway.
Public Gates open 5.30pm
Racing Starts 6.30pm
6.30 - 8.30pm
Centrepoint Theatre
This term-length programme is perfect for those who wish to grow confidence and creativity in a positive and safe learning space. Through the basic rules of improv, learn to work with others, trust yourself, not be afraid to fail, develop public speaking skills, increase your listening prowess or all of the above!
The workshops are weekly, 90-minute sessions, designed to provide useful skills for everyday life through improv and fun!
No prerequisites are required; just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to dive into the world of improvisation.
Improv for Life is designed to deliver both the goodies and the giggles for 18+ (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis).
Not intended for experienced improvisers.
6.30-10.30pm
Central Energy Trust Arena
Stockcar King of the Arena - Qualifying + Lucas Oil Superstock & Super Saloon Series
The Robertson Prestige International Speedway, centrally located in the heart of Palmerston North, the Central Energy Trust Arena. From October to April the speedway track hosts hundreds of competitors and thousands of fans from all over the country, as they flock to one of the best-appointed circuits in the southern hemisphere.
A variety of different classes race on the clay & lime surface, from the glamour Superstocks and Super Saloons through to the dare devil Sidecars. Other season highlights include the ever-popular demolition derbies, Manawatu championships, and national events.
Come along to the Robertson Prestige International Speedway for an unforgettable speedway experience, for information on our race events be sure to check out our website www.pnspeedway.co.nz or our Facebook page Robertson Prestige International Speedway.
Public Gates open 5.30pm
Racing Starts 6.30pm
6.30-10.30pm
Central Energy Trust Arena
Grand Finale: Stockcar King of the Arena - Finals + Manawatu Sprintcar & Midget Champs
The Robertson Prestige International Speedway, centrally located in the heart of Palmerston North, the Central Energy Trust Arena. From October to April the speedway track hosts hundreds of competitors and thousands of fans from all over the country, as they flock to one of the best-appointed circuits in the southern hemisphere.
A variety of different classes race on the clay & lime surface, from the glamour Superstocks and Super Saloons through to the dare devil Sidecars. Other season highlights include the ever-popular demolition derbies, Manawatu championships, and national events.
Come along to the Robertson Prestige International Speedway for an unforgettable speedway experience, for information on our race events be sure to check out our website www.pnspeedway.co.nz or our Facebook page Robertson Prestige International Speedway.
Public Gates open 5.30pm
Racing Starts 6.30pm
7.30pm
Libre
Loteria is a traditional Mexican game of chance, similar to bingo but with pictures!
This is a fun evening full of hilarity hosted by SPONTANEOUS
Each player receives a tabla - a board of colourful images - which they have to match to the cards called each round.
The winner of each round also receives a prize, from a complimentary tequila to a $50 voucher to use!
Loteria is $10 to play, with the funds this week being donated to St Peters Olds Girls Netball!
https://www.libre.co.nz/book-a-tabl
10am-12pm
Te Marae o Hine - The Square
World Parkinsons Day "Walk The Square "
Palmerston North Square, Palmerston North Square, Palmerston North
Saturday 11 April 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm
Palmerston North is the first location in the world to acknowledge World Parkinson’s Day, Saturday, 11 April 2026
The local support group are running a “ Walk the Square ‘ event ( rain or shine )… official Walk is at 10 am ( registrations from 9 am)
We are fundraising as a Parkinson's New Zealand Support group in the Manawatu, and the funds raised will go back into Parkinsons services in the Manawatu
. It is a free event; however, access to the prize list draw is via a QR code raffle. Enjoy the walk around the square...
After payment via a QR Code a raffle number which puts you in the drawer for the special prices provided by the business community in the Manawatu.
The prizes will be drawn at 11:30 am. Prizes will be listed on a display board in the main tent against random drawn tickets.
All tickets will then be draw for the major prize draw of a BBQ ( retail value $1200), compliments of Mitre 10 Mega
Start\/Finish and Organising Tent located close to the Cenotaph. Be aware that the bus lane(s) for Inter City Buses are fully operational close to the i -Site
There are traffic restrictions around the new hotel building site.
Palmerston North is the first location in the World to acknowledge World Parkinson’s Day, Saturday, 11 April 2026
Enjoy the music of local band High End Riff Raff. Coffee Cart is on-site
Additional limited Disability parks will be available close to the start/finish. Please display a valid Disability card.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that impacts each person differently. Although there is no cure, treatment and information are available.
For more information or to support the event with donations or prizes, contact Glenys Murphy at [email protected]
7.30-9.30pm
Centrepoint Theatre
An Unauthorised Comedy!
An epic, laugh-a-minute journey from the team who brought you the smash hit, The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic (In 90 minutes)!
Three actors and a musician attempt the impossible - to retell all three Tolkien books in one outrageous live experience.
Complete with battles, LOTR bingo, Tom Bombadil, film trivia, and a banging early noughties soundtrack, expect an irreverent delight.
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Participants will learn to use physical action and games to grow their performance technique. Working with physical action enables performers to fully embody their performance in a structured yet intuitive way. The technique assists the actor to sculpt and shape their work, and to physically understand how to keep the work alive through multiple performances. Performing with game builds playfulness and grows the imagination of the performer. It opens up new and exciting possibilities for developing performance outside of the text. Both these techniques are physically engaging, fun and vibrant ways for creating a performance.
7.30pm
Regent on Broadway
CHICAGO is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one showstopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.
In the whirlwind of Chicago’s Jazz Age, two of the Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses—vaudeville star Velma Kelly and chorus girl Roxie Hart—become fierce rivals as they compete for headlines amidst a media frenzy.
Broadway’s longest-running musical has been razzle dazzling audiences for over 29 years, and after more than 10,000 performances, 6 Tony Awards®, 2 Olivier Awards, and a Grammy®, we’re just getting started.
Come on, babe! Head to CHICAGO!
We’re back, and we’re hotter then ever!
8pm
Regent on Broadway
After nearly three decades of captivating audiences, The Pink Floyd Experience proudly brings back the legendary production of The Wall — an epic live reimagining of Pink Floyd’s most powerful concept album.
This breath taking tour recreates the spectacle of the original — complete with the monumental construction and dramatic destruction of The Wall itself. It’s not just a concert; it’s an immersive journey through sound, light, and emotion — from isolation to transcendence.
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Go backstage and create! Starting with a story concept and the “Director’s vision”, you will work in teams to design and create a basic scene and set piece for a black box theatre using a variety of techniques and materials.
You will learn how to work to scale, perspective and take your completed miniature set home when you are finished.
There will be time for plenty of questions and even a chance to learn about making your own sets for stories you have created.
7.30-9.30pm
Centrepoint Theatre
ollowing the success of Cringeworthy ‘50s, ’60s, ‘70s and ’80s, this show pays homage to NZ music and culture in the last decade of the 20th century. Expect a 'rad' mix of local and international hits delivered with snappy dance moves, scintillating vocals and a generous dollop of cheesy comedy.
The ‘90s were a decade bursting with diverse musical genres, from boy bands and girl groups to MMMBop and hip hop, grunge and country (Achy Breaky Heart), The Macarena and re-releases of iconic hits such as Silly Love Songs, and Killing Me Softly.
What's the time, Mr Wolf? Time to grab your ticket to ride this retro rollercoaster! Nostalgia invites you to relive a decade that still resonates today.
“A fantabulous blast from the past, high energy, fun and a belly full of laughs!”
“A unique blend of uplifting vocals, brilliant choreography and personality personified!”
Starring Andrea Sanders, Kali Kopae, Devon Neiman, and Mackenzie Htay - get ready to party like it's 1999, cos Backstreet’s back!
7.30pm
Regent on Broadway
Get ready, New Zealand—ROCK TENORS are back with a brand new, anthem loaded rock experience - a nationwide eruption of power, nostalgia and 'ROCK'manship .
The Anthems Reloaded Tour is a full-throttle celebration of the greatest rock hits of all time, delivered with theatrical firepower and vocal brilliance by five of Aotearoa’s finest. Backed by a live, hard-hitting rock band, this is not just a concert—
it’s a full-scale theatrical rock experience.
Soaring harmonies, epic guitar solos, and anthems that defined generations, all reimagined with dramatic vocal flair and explosive energy.
Touring 23 iconic venues nationwide, the Anthems Reloaded Tour is set to ignite your city and pay homage to the world’s greatest rock anthems from artists such as Queen, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, White Snake, KISS, TOTO, Guns'N'Roses, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Animals, U2, Radiohead and many more.
Whether you're a die-hard rocker or a first-time Tenors fan, this is your chance to witness the ultimate fusion of vocal mastery and rock spectacle.
9am-4.30pm
Central Energy Trust Arena - Arena 3
Get ready for the ultimate LEGO® extravaganza at the 2026 Palmy Brick Show – it's going to be HUGE!!!
Once again, we are holding the show over King's Birthday weekend so be sure to BLOCK OUT YOUR WEEKEND and mark the 30th and 31st May in your calendar and come along to see the amazing LEGO® creations from some of NZ’s best builders.
This year the show is being held at Arena 3, and we will have amazing LEGO® displays, interactive activities, brick pits to get creative, raffles and much more!
We also have some amazing colab builds, including the return of our amazing "Glo-lab".
The show will be open to the public on:
- Saturday 30th May - 9am to 4:30pm
- Sunday 31st May - 9am to 4:30pm
Tickets will be available soon and will be valid for either day of the show, with pass-outs available for the same day.
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Ever heard an accent on TV and wanted to know how to do it? How a voice can sound American one moment and British or Scottish the next – or even something totally new?
Well no more guessing! Come learn how accents really work. Tessa will break down everything you need to know to perform accents with confidence.
You’ll experiment with new sounds, record real scripts on a studio mic, and hear your progress as you go. It’s playful, practical, and seriously fun.
Join Tessa for a week of accent and vocal discovery – you might surprise yourself with what your voice can do.
7.30-9.30pm
Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North
Nicola Cheeseman is sick of trying to do it all.
Nicola’s husband has moved out, her ageing dad has moved in, and somewhere between raising kids and holding down a job, she’s lost her mojo—and her dreams of being a nouveau punk goddess.
Now, armed with a chaotic vision board, a killer vinyl jumpsuit, and a craving to be more than “just Mum”, she’s falling apart to put herself back together.
Following two sold-out seasons in Auckland, Nicola Cheeseman is Back comes to Centrepoint Theatre.
Starring the brilliant Jodie Rimmer in her first-ever solo show, and written by award-winning playwright Kathryn Burnett (Under the Vines, My Life is Murder), this is a hilarious, heartfelt ride through midlife mayhem.
Raw, honest and painfully relatable—bring your Mum, your daughter, your nana, and your besties. Every woman will get it. Every man should see it.
6-7.30pm
Centrepoint Theatre
This term-length programme is perfect for those who wish to grow confidence and creativity in a positive and safe learning space, develop their performance skills, grow their comedy muscles, and increase their listening prowess.
Through group games and exercises, learn the basic rules of improv to working with others, trusting yourself, and not being afraid to fail. The workshops are weekly, 90-minute sessions, and the term finishes with a showcase performance for your friends, whānau, and public.
You will learn to create characters and stories on the fly, build offers from nothing, collaborate with a partner and team and embrace failure with a smile…maybe even a laugh!
These classes are suitable for those wanting to begin their improv performance journey and those wanting to diversify their stage skillset. No prerequisites are required; however recommended for those with some stage or improv experience, or confidence to give it a go. Just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to dive into the world of improvisation.
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
A punch kick slam crash course in Stage Combat techniques to help you design safe effective staged violence.
Actor, nerd, Goofball dad. Allan is a performance capture artist and actor based in Wellington. Most recently appearing as Malgosha in a Minecraft Movie, King Kong in the Monsterverse and Cokey in Cocaine Bear, Allan is often found rolling dice, or rolling around in Lycra. A founding member of Aotearoa Fight directors, Allan always looks forward to sharing his knowledge of Stage Combat with students of all ages.
7.30pm
Regent on Broadway
Get ready to say, “Thank you for the Music”.
A 2-hour spectacular live concert that will take you through the songs, the life and magic that made ABBA one of the most successful bands of all time. All the hits “Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Money Money, SOS, Ring Ring” and the list goes on.
ABBA Thankyou the Music is the must see show this year.
Performed by Narelle Ryan, Michelle Birmingham and full backing band.
Duration 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Various
Centrepoint Theatre
An exciting new production “piggy-backing” off last year’s Pasifika youth workshops, Pigs on the Run is a vibrant, modern retelling of The Three Little Pigs filled with contemporary music, bold storytelling, and plenty of heart. Created to celebrate and showcase the incredible Pasifika talent we have here in the Manawatū, this playful and powerful production puts young voices centre stage and reimagines a classic tale for today’s audience.
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Join award-winning performer, director and vocal coach Jason Te Mete for an inspiring musical theatre workshop! Dive into the magic of storytelling through song - exploring character, emotion, and connection in both solo and ensemble work. With Jason’s industry experience and creative guidance, you’ll learn how to bring authenticity, confidence, and heart to every performance. Whether you’re preparing for auditions or simply love to sing, act, and move, this is your chance to develop your craft and shine on stage.
Various
Centrepoint Theatre
Leni Riefenstahl was called ‘Hitler’s Pin-Up Girl’. A dancer, an actor and one of the most brilliant and innovative film makers of the twentieth century, she sold her soul to Hitler’s Third Reich and destroyed her career. After the Second World War, Riefenstahl was ostracised in Germany and never made another film until she was in her nineties.
*A discussion session will be offered by the creative team after each show.
Content warning: References to the Holocaust and sexual violence.
7.30pm
Regent on Broadway
Get ready to laugh out loud!
Comedy legend Alan Davies is hitting the stage with his razor-sharp wit, brilliant storytelling, and trademark charm in his brand-new Think Ahead Tour. From hilarious mishaps to clever observations on everyday life, Alan delivers an evening packed with warmth, humour, and those brilliantly unpredictable moments he’s famous for.
If you love clever comedy with heart, this is a show you won’t want to miss.
Grab your tickets now and get ready to Think Ahead… and laugh all night!
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Get hands-on with the essentials of live sound! This workshop covers the basics of setting up a PA system — from plugging in and signal flow to EQ and gain structure. Learn how to choose and position microphones for vocals, instruments, and drums to get the best sound possible. Perfect for beginners, bands wanting to level up their live shows, or anyone curious about how it all works behind the desk.
The Stomach is a community music hub in Palmerston North, offering affordable rehearsal spaces, an accessible recording studio, and an all-ages venue. We support artists of all genres and stages, from first-time jammers to seasoned performers. Our focus is on creativity, connection, and keeping live music thriving in the Manawatū. The Stomach is operated by Creative Sounds Society Inc — a not-for-profit proudly run by musicians, for musicians.
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Focusing on the basics of light rigging, learn about lighting systems and their uses.
Talya is a graduate from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School’s technical production course. She has since worked in the entertainment industry doing lighting, staging, pyrotechnics, and event management for over 20 years. She has designed the lighting for many of Centrepoint Theatre’s productions including That Bloody Woman, Shortland Street – The Musical and Misery. Recent credits include: Act Three's production of Come From Away, the touring production of Two Guitars, and Monument at Circa Theatre. When she's not working on theatre lighting design projects, she can be found working behind the scenes on Trackside broadcasts around the lower North Island and tutoring lighting at Feilding High School.
9am-4pm
Centrepoint Theatre
In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs
Who are you talking to? An intensive, fun-filled session exploring what we can learn from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, and the Pop-up Globe. We’ll delve into practical skills that will improve your focus, connection and confidence on stage. Great fun for newcomers who want to decode Shakespeare’s mystery, for those wanting to enhance their skills before 2027 SGCNZ Festivals, and for theatre-lovers!
Well-known Wellington Actor/Director Peter Hambleton (of THE HOBBIT movies, and local TV comedy HAPPINESS) has directed many of Shakespeare’s plays, including ALL's WELL THAT ENDS WELL, and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS for Manawatu Summer Shakespeare. He also appeared at Centrepoint Theatre in HUDSON AND HALLS LIVE.
6.30pm
Centrepoint Theatre
Step into the whirlwind two years after the beloved China Inn changed hands.
The community is buzzing: tragedy, mystery, and mayhem collide as wedding bells threaten to ring. But who’s the real bride? Where’s the elusive groom? Why is everyone glued to their phones?
Continuing with the lovable characters we met in Last Song, Last Song, Actually is a comedic rollercoaster that is a love letter to the magic of karaoke, the warmth of the Palmy community and the haziness of late-night shenanigans.
NOTE: You do not have to see Last Song to understand Last Song Actually – no one really understood that one anyway, but it was fun though!
7.30pm
Regent on Broadway
In summer, we return to a much-loved Royal NZ Ballet production from 2011: Greg Horsman’s fairytale version of The Sleeping Beauty.
The age-old story of the princess who pricks her finger and falls into an enchanted sleep, only to be wakened by true love, is brought to life in picture-perfect designs by Gary Harris, classical choreography and Tchaikovsky’s music. A touch of wizardry from Wellington’s W?t? Workshop adds to the joy and wonder, making this a pre-Christmas treat for audiences of all ages.
2011 saw the premiere of this production, enjoyed by more than 42,000 people around New Zealand. Choreographer Greg Horsman left the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2012 to take up a new role at Queensland Ballet, and this production has now been staged there several times to great acclaim. 15 years after its creation, we are proud to bring it home to where it all began.
6-8pm
Munch - Broadway Ave
Come join us for the fortnightly ritual on a Thursday night at Munch on Broadway, where you and your crew will negotiate five rounds of amazing trivia with Gee Quiz.
Your team's street cred, life smarts and common sense will go a long way to ensuring success on the night.
Add to the mix delicious food and an incredible vibe, it's the place to be on a Tuesday night with plenty of time for laughter, banter and merrymaking!
The quiz kicks off at 6pm and runs for roughly 2 hours. So, grab your buddies and come on down and join us for one of Palmy's best quiz nights – Munch style!
7pm
Neighbourhood Palmy
Every Wednesday is quiz night with Quiz Master Brad at one of Palmy's best venues - Neighbourhood Bar & Restaurant!
Make sure to check out their Facebook page, as quiz nights book out EARLY!
Kicking off at 7pm, the quiz offers five rounds of big-screen trivia that's not too hard, not too easy, but includes content that relates to you and your crew! So if you've got some street smarts, a good attitude, and a dash of luck, you'll be a good chance on the night.
Add to the mix some bonus games, great food & drink, a stack of prizes, great banter and laughs aplenty, it's the place to be on a Wednesday for a rollicking good time!
Learn more about Palmy and upcoming events that you won’t want to miss out on.
Focal Point Cinema
Creative Sounds - The Stomach
Te Marae o Hine -The Square (PN City Library side)
Central Energy Trust Arena
Globe Theatre
Distinction Hotel Palmerston North
Globe Theatre
Centrepoint Theatre
