1-4pm
Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science & Heritage
Global Tour & Kids Market Day on 20th September 1-4pm at Te Manawa Museum.
The registration for Kids Market is open now.
If your children are interested to host a stall to experience of doing a one-day business with your support, please submit your registration. Free! Deadline is 7th September or until full.
https://forms.gle/rqgCQqECbHMD92cT9
11.30am - 2.30pm
Coleman Place
Join us — alongside IPU New Zealand and Youth Space — to celebrate the culture and springtime vibrancy of Cherry Blossom Fest under the beautiful sakura (cherry blossom trees) at Coleman Place!
Featuring:
🌸 Performances by the IPU New Zealand - Kodama Japanese Drum Team + interactive experience
🌸 Performances by the Soran Dance Team - Hana
🌸 Shodo - Japanese Calligraphy demonstration + interactive experience
🌸 Paper crane origami construction
🌸 Traditional Japanese Gown 'Dress Up Photo Booth'
🌸 Matcha Tea Making demonstration
🌸 Candyfloss machine
🌸 Themed face painting
BE IN TO WIN!
Follow Palmy BID and IPU New Zealand on Facebook for details on how to take part in our Cherry Blossom Fest prize promotions!
6.00pm
Brew Union
Think you know it all? Or just really good at guessing?
Either way — grab your mates, sharpen those pencils, and join us for a night of laughter, random facts, and a little bit of friendly competition… all while supporting a great cause!
You will need a team of 4 or 6 people, and it will cost $20 each.
- Silent auction
- Raffles
- Prizes for winning team
- Food and Drink available
All money raised goes towards counselling, peer support and community programs in our local region!
Contact Jo @ [email protected] to book your table!
5.30-7pm
Globe Theatre
Women & Business with Aimee Perrett - Untangling the Mystery of Menopause
Our events kick off with a networking session between 5.30 - 6.00pm so that guests can connect over a drink & nibbles. At 6.00pm we head into one of the theatres at Globe Theatre for a presentation from one of our sponsors, and then our guest speaker, with audience Q&A + discussion following before the event is wrapped up at approximately 7.00pm.
Who can attend?
Women & Business is not just about women and business. It’s about so much more.
Our monthly events are designed for guests to connect, share resources, experiences and learnings and to exchange ideas and inspiration for personal and professional growth.
They are for anyone who identifies as a woman. Whether you’re young-ish or old-er, a business owner, non-business owner, volunteer or student, CEO or intern… or anything in-between!
10am-12pm
Palmerston North City Library - Children's Zone
Build a small world. Will it be a fairy garden, planet, jungle, creepy house or your own mini library? Create all the tiny things you need to make your small world come alive using our craft materials.
Aimed at ages 5+
Free
No bookings required
11am or 1pm
Globe Theatre
Glass slippers, royal balls, and a Fairy Godmother who's still on her learner's licence, what could possibly go wrong?
Prince Percy is hopelessly charming (emphasis on hopeless), the Queen is busy approving new royal wave techniques (it's very hard work being a Queen!), the step-sisters are causing chaos in couture, and Buttons has big dreams!
Will true friendship win over fairy-tale romance? Will Buttons dreams come true? And who is behind the kingdom’s mysterious gossip vlog? Packed with music, mischief, and magical mayhem, this is Cinderella with a twist, a tune, and a whole lot of sparkle!
10.30-11.45am
Square Edge Community Centre
Join us for an enchanting art adventure in the school holidays!
•Thurs 25th Sept
10.30am- 11.45am
• Build your own fairy OR dragon castle
• Create nature mandalas with collected treasures
• Magic friendship bracelets
$10 per child
Parents /caregivers welcome to attend but not essential.
To register please email: [email protected]
(A deposit is required to secure your place).
Please note- this is not arts therapy but you may find it therapeutic
9.15am
UCOL
Tech is an ever increasing influence on our lives, and is a great career for young people to get into. Tech covers a wide range of careers.
Through this event you'll get to visit three fantastic local companies in Palmy to learn first hand what careers in tech look like as well as hear from some great speakers.
This event is for people who are involved in advising young people about their choice of careers. We want to showcase to you what careers in Tech look like so you can then pass this information on to your young people. If you are a careers advisor, interested teacher, someone who works with young people, or even a parent of someone who is considering a career in Tech then this event is for you.
Spaces are limited. Register now before the places are all gone.
12-1pm
i-Site Palmerston North
Precycle NZ and Palmy BID are teaming up again for New Zealand Clean Up Week. We’re inviting businesses in the CBD to join us in making our city shine.
When:
Friday, 19 September – 12pm to 1pm
Monday, 22 September – 12pm to 1pm
Tuesday, 23 September – 12pm to 1pm
Thursday, 24 September – 12pm to 1pm
Where: Meet in front of the Palmerston North iSite
What’s provided: fluorescent vests, gloves, and pickup sticks for all volunteers.
Who can join: Any member of a local business who is keen to make a difference.
How to get involved:
Sign up your business here:
https://form.jotform.com/252400939559868
Come along, bring your team, and help us keep Palmy looking its best!
2pm
Regent on Broadway
Coming to Palmerston North in the September school holidays, New Zealand’s own ‘Circus of Illusion Magic Show’. 90 minutes of fast-paced family entertainment!
Featuring New Zealand’s premiere Illusionist Andre Vegas and Company performing large-scale mind-blowing illusions.
Special guest artist, Joel Fenton, known as Cirque Stuntman. With a mix of comedy and audience participation see him juggle chainsaws and get sucked inside a giant balloon.
Witness the incredible and stunning Nunya Bender. Presenting amazing aerial and contortion acts that need to be seen to be believed.
New Zealand’s leading female magician, Felicity Rogers, weaves magic, puppetry, dance and theatre into her mesmerising original performances. Felicity will also turn the traditional gender roles in ‘magic’ upside down by sawing a man in half!
Kids look out for Felicity’s son 11-year-old Leonardo who will present his very own illusion.
A theatre spectacular for all ages from preschoolers to grandparents and everyone in between.
8pm
Globe Theatre
Jayda McIndoe (Winner: Best Joke, 2023 Comedy Hub Awards) leads a night of original parody songs and stand-up comedy - Laugh along, as we take a song and Sing It Wrong.
“It has comedy to get me laughing, songs to entertain me and a bevy of local talent to sample. What’s not to love?” – Art Murmurs, NZ
The acts have written these parodies themselves especially for the night! Hear lyrics that make you laugh until your sides hurt and if you want to, sing along.
Tickets just $15, or only $5 for students!
Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science & Heritage
Discover the secrets of the Sun!
Sunlight – Ihi Kōmaru offers visitors the chance to get hands-on with Earth’s star at room temperature – no sunscreen required!
From the origins of light in the Sun’s heart to its effects on Earth’s life and cultures, this science exhibition will help the whole family understand the forces that sustain life on Earth – and indeed drive the entire universe.
The journey begins in the gas and dust of the Sun’s formation. Visitors take the role of a photon on its trip through space and can test their speed against a beam of light by racing to the Moon. See how mankind harnesses the Sun’s power in everyday devices and create shapes with RGB colour-mixing lights.
Sunlight – Ihi Kōmaru was developed by Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and Heritage, Palmerston North.
General admission is free.
11am-2pm
Te Marae o Hine - The Square
FREE ENTRY.
Come and see all the custom, sport, classic, hot rod & muscle bikes.
All bikes welcome as always, this is a park up, talk rubbish and have a good time.
Please stand by for sponsor announcements and if you’re interested in coming onboard please email us at [email protected]
8pm
Tony's Pizza
To start a fabulous week of events with Palmy Drag Fest, get ready for a night of glitter, giggles, and gasp-worthy prizes as the fabulous RubyDax hosts Drag Bingo with special appearances by her local drag friends!
Expect campy chaos, cheeky banter, and dazzling performances woven between bingo rounds that’ll have you screaming “BINGO!” louder than your last breakup. RubyDax will keep you on your toes with her razor-sharp wit, outrageous outfits, and the kind of sass only Palmy’s fiercest queen can deliver.
Whether you’re in it to win it or just here for the vibes, Drag Bingo is the perfect beginning of Palmy Drag Fest week with fix of fun, friends, and fierce local drag. Prizes, surprises, and scandal guaranteed.
Plus the best of all is the amazing Venue! The best Pizza in town is at Tony's Pizza and together with their fabulous drinks you know it is sure to be a good time!
Get your tickets now!
11-11.40am
Palmerston North City Library - Children's Zone
Join The KaRs for a toe-tapping, singalong adventure these school holidays at Palmerston North Libraries! Packed with catchy tunes, laughter, and plenty of chances for tamariki to join in, it’s the perfect family outing.
We’re especially excited to welcome our brother from another mother, the incredible Anasi’i Jerome Leota, who will be stepping in for Regan. Jerome brings his soulful voice, joyful energy, and Pasifika magic to the stage – making this a show you won’t want to miss!
Free
No bookings required
7.30pm
Globe Theatre
Musical Madness is coming to Palmy Drag Fest!
Calling all musical theatre lovers, Broadway belters, and shower singers — this is your night to shine! Join us on Friday 3rd October, 7:30PM at the Globe Theatre for a fabulous dance party where every song is a showstopper.
Hosted by drag superstar DJ Kita Mean, we’re turning the drama all the way up and spinning nothing but musical bangers all night long. From Wicked to Chicago, Mamma Mia to Heathers — if you can sing it, we’ll play it!
Get your tickets now!
10am-2pm
Central Energy Trust Arena
We’re thrilled to team up with Local Health to bring back the Rainbow Fair — and this year, it’s bigger, better, and bursting with fabulousness!
We’re moving into the massive Fly Palmy Arena, giving us room for more stalls, more entertainment, and way more sparkle.
And the best part? Thanks to Local Health, entry is completely free. That’s right — totally FREE! This is all about making the fair accessible, welcoming, and packed with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and explore your local community.
Mark your calendars: Saturday, October 4, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Come soak up the fun, do some shopping, meet some legends — then head home for a disco nap before the main show and after party kick off!
If you want to take part as a stallholder or performer, apply via the link below!
palmydrag.com/rainbowfair
8pm
Regent on Broadway
Sit back, relax and prepare for takeoff as we embark to New Zealand’s Biggest Drag Show again.
This year we are taking you on a journey of glamour, fun, and world-class entertainment, featuring an all star lineup of Drag Royalty!
Onboard entertainment includes:
Lawrence Chaney (RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 2 Winner)
Kween Kong (RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars)
Lazy Susan (Drag Race Down Under Season 4 Winner)
Gabriella Labucci, Kita Mean, The Tiwhas, and many more!
Buckle up as this will be a bumpy ride with turbulence of the best kind – jaw dropping performances, high energy acts and unforgettable moments.
This will be our biggest show yet!
Fasten your wigs, secure your seats and prepare for a flight that will take you drag high!
Kiki Passes – Meet and Greet available as add on to all tickets.
Get your tickets now!
8pm
Regent on Broadway
ouring in 2025 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody!
Immerse yourself in the spectacle, grandeur and energy of the world’s greatest Rock band with Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic, celebrating the legacy of Queen and Freddie Mercury.
Bringing big sound, big screens, crazy lighting and outlandish costumes, this is the REAL ROCK EXPERIENCE!
Hear Dominic Warren performing lead vocals, guitar and piano ALL LIVE ON STAGE and in Freddie’s original key, and with all the wit, charm and bravado of the legend himself.
Get ready for a night of non-stop Rock anthems including We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Radio GaGa, I Want to Break Free, Somebody to Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, Another One Bites the Dust, A Kind of Magic, Bohemian Rhapsody and so many more.
Selling out year after year around the world, this is a rock concert extravaganza NOT TO BE
7pm
Globe Theatre
A new, totally original production of creatively bold and exciting pieces; Bare Bones is the culmination of work from Palmy's diverse performing arts community!
Get ready to laugh, cry and cheer at this smorgasbord variety showcase of short plays, devised theatre, physical poetry and short film - Bare Bones has something for everyone, and it all comes from right here in the heart of the Manawatu!
Tickets are only $12.00 each and available now from the Globe Theatre link - we are a grassroots theatre collective BY the community; FOR the community, and we believe price should not be a barrier to accessing live performance...
So come one, come all, and be amazed by the lineup we have in store!
12:00PM
Central Energy Trust Arena, Pit Lane
After an epic sold-out second festival in 2024, we’re so excited to announce that ¡Salud! Festival is happening AGAIN in 2025 on Saturday 11 October and we’re going
BIGGER
BETTER
and UPPING OUR GAME
to bring you the most epic day out Palmy’s ever seen.
With so many of you coming to get bougie last year we’ve outgrown the garden - and we’re moving to a brand new, bigger, all-purpose venue, right in the centre of town.
¡Salud! will showcase boutique distilleries, breweries and beverage producers from across the Manawatū + across NZ. We’ll have:
- On-site bars run by boutique distilleries, breweries and wineries
- Bottles of your favourites available to order
- Food truck dining and antipasto platters available to order
- Epic live entertainment from local and NZ artists
- Lounging areas and cocktail-style furniture for a relaxed, yet upmarket day out.
Your ticket includes festival entry, reusable festival cup, access to all vendors, food trucks and live music.
This event is strictly R18 (which includes no babies and children) and you will be asked for ID before you enter . Tickets are transferrable but not refundable.
10am
Palmerston North City Library
Manawatū Volunteering Expo 2025
Join us at the Central Library, Palmerston North (4 The Square) from 10:00 AM for a day dedicated to community, connection, and giving back.
The expo will showcase a wide range of volunteering opportunities across Manawatū. Meet local organisations, explore how you can contribute your time and skills, and discover the rewarding world of volunteering.
📍 Venue: Central Library, 4 The Square, Palmerston North, 4410
🗓️ Date: 17th October 2025
⏰ Time: From 10:00 AM
Come along, get inspired, and find the volunteer role that’s right for you.
10am-4pm
Square Edge Community Centre
Art Trail Manawatū is back – it’s time to hit the road and discover the creative talent spread throughout our region!
Artists will be opening their studio doors and creative spaces for you to explore, as this self-guided trail takes you through Palmerston North, Feilding, Ashhurst, Pohangina, Marton, Bulls, Foxton, Himatangi, and beyond. Follow the map, plan your route, and explore a wide range of artwork – from painting and sculpture to glass, ceramics, textiles, printmaking, and more.
Whether you're joining us for a day or the whole weekend, this is a great chance to meet the artists, see where and how they work, and experience the creativity that makes our region so vibrant.
Save the date – 18 & 19 October 2025
The trail map and guide will be available online and in print.
Sign up for updates at www.communityarts.org.nz or pop into Square Edge Community Arts to find out more.
Regent on Broadway
The National Young Performer Awards 2025 will be held on 24-26th October in Palmerston North
200 young soloist performing artists, aged between 15 and 21 , as well as more than 1,100 Troupe dancers, will come from all over New Zealand to perform at the 2025 NYPA
Soloist competitors will perform: Modern Dance, Musical Theatre, Instrumental and Speech & Drama sections
Troupes will cover all dance genres from Hip Hop to Ballet and everything in between.
Each performer represents a PACANZ member society of which there are 73 across NZ and undergoes a rigorous selection process, performing to the specific required standards of their chosen art form. As with their sporting peers, it is an honour for young performing artists to be selected to participate in the NYPA for $60,000 in prizes.
11am-1pm
UCOL
Join us on Wednesday 29 October for UCOL's annual Employment and Careers Expo! This event brings together local businesses, support services, and employment agencies to connect with students and showcase career options and job opportunities in the Manawatū region.
Our Employment and Careers Expo is an excellent opportunity for you to find part-time, full-time and holiday job opportunities while making industry connections!
When: Wednesday 29 October 2025
Time: 11am - 1pm
Where: UCOL Manawatū - 18 Princess Street, Palmerston North
5pm - 10pm
Te Marae o Hine - The Square, Te Marae o Hine - The Square, Palmerston North Central, 441
Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in the heart of Palmerston North with an evening of colour, culture, and community. Diwali (Deepavali) is marked worldwide as a time to celebrate light over darkness, and good over evil, with culture, music, dance and food.
Event highlights:
Glow and flow yoga (glow in the dark fun)
Cultural performances and live entertainment
The Curry of Fire finals, where on the bravest taste buds survive
Henna, rangoli art and more
Face painting and bouncy castles for the kids
Delicious food from local food vendors
Market stalls
And an awesome laser light show to end the night
This free event is open to all ages. Gather your friends and whānau and experience the magic of Diwali in Palmy.
8pm
Regent on Broadway
One of the country’s most treasured musical voices, Sir Dave Dobbyn, has announced five regional tour dates around Aotearoa New Zealand.
This news comes off the back of his hugely successful sold-out Auckland Town Hall show for the Live Nation’s Auckland Winter Series.
Sir Dave will be heading to Ahuriri, Napier’s Municipal Theatre on Tuesday November 4th. He’ll then head to Papaioea, Palmerston North at Regent on Broadway on Wednesday November 5th.
With over 45 years as a recording artist, Sir Dave Dobbyn has shaped the sound of Kiwi music, penning the soundtrack to generations of New Zealand lives. From iconic anthems to an extraordinary catalogue of deeper cuts, Dobbyn’s set for the Auckland Winter Series promises an unforgettable journey through one of the nation’s most storied songwriting legacies.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2022, Dobbyn declared it “business as usual” – and continues to inspire with his unmistakable voice and enduring presence on stage. Recognised with a Knighthood in 2021 for his services to music, Dobbyn remains one of New Zealand’s most revered cultural figures.
If the popularity of Sir Dave Dobbyn’s Auckland show in June is anything to go by, audiences will want to grab tickets as soon as possible before they sell out.
7pm
Regent on Broadway
Murder Mystery ‘Gatsby’ is the world’s first ever fully interactive theatre show, where every guest in the theatre gets to become a detective for the evening and try to solve the mystery of who killed the infamous stage director Larry Lugosi.
Set to a Gatsby theme, all guests are encouraged to come dressed in the glam of the 1920’s. Dress up is not compulsory but it does add to the immersive experience. No acting is required as the cast members of the show are the suspects, and guests get multiple opportunities throughout the evening to interact with the suspects to work out which one of them is the Murderer.
Get ready to laugh in the face of Murder, as this show is a side splitting comedy with some guests even complaining that their “face hurt from laughing so much”. Others have said… “Haven’t laughed that much in ages, thanks guys and girls” and “Thanks team for such a great night!! We came last night and that’s the best fun I have ever had”.
Get a group of friends together, grab your costumes and book now for the latest sensation in live entertainment. But beware! There are many distractions along the way to keep you from solving this dastardly deed!
7pm
Regent on Broadway
Calling all Swifties - make a ‘sweet escape’ to the world of Taylor Swift with TAYLOR: A Tribute to the Eras of Taylor Swift!
Showtime presents Josette with international band and dancers in this joyous, effervescent concert experience, complete with sparkly costumes, cosmic stage production and over 20 exquisite renditions of Taylor’s biggest hits from every era of her career, including Shake It Off, Anti-Hero, Cruel Summer, You Belong With Me, Love Story, I Knew You Were Trouble, Blank Space, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Bad Blood, Our Song, Lover and more.
Join us with us for a fun night of singing, dancing and celebrating Taylor together!
Don’t miss your chance to relive the greatest Pop concert tour in history and revel in all things ‘Taylor’… BOOK NOW!
8pm
Regent on Broadway
Get the electrifying concert experience of Tina Turner, brimming with iconic hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s. Featuring the powerful, raspy vocals, high-intensity dancing and thrilling stage presence of South African Caroline Borole (as seen on South African Idols) live on stage, complete with her international band, brass section, backing vocalists and dancers to make this SIMPLY THE BEST tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner.
Hear all the energetic rock and soulful RnB hits that made Tina one of the 20th century’s biggest names in music: (Simply) The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It, River Deep Mountain High, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits, We Don’t Need Another Hero, What You Get is What You See, Private Dancer, It Takes Two and many more. Not to be missed – BOOK NOW!
8pm
Regent on Broadway
Bill Bailey returns with a show that celebrates this great tradition, as the versatile multi instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of humour and musical prowess, who could lay claim to being perhaps the foremost practitioner of this great tradition, an entertainer, a performer, a modern Vaudevillian!
7.30pm
Regent on Broadway
Direct from its Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music & Dance Sensation, presents its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas. Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.
After captivating audiences across the USA and around the world, A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland returns to New Zealand this festive season following a highly successful 2022 tour. Experience the magic as world-class performers blend melodic folk mash-ups, acapella tap battles, and heartwarming storytelling in one truly unforgettable performance.
Featuring former World Irish dance champions and stars from Lord of the Dance and
Riverdance, A Celtic Christmas delivers a holiday spectacular packed with Irish wit, traditional tunes and heartfelt ballads, alongside all your favorite carols. The show’s exciting mix of electrifying rhythms and extraordinary talent promises an evening brimming with Irish charm and enthralling entertainment, all in one powerhouse event.
7.30pm
Regent on Broadway
Recommended Ages: 15 +
Details: Offensive language.
Don't miss it.
New Zealand’s most legendary comedy is LIVE on stage in your town.
Jeremy Corbett, Dai Henwood, Hayley Sproull, Paul Ego, Josh Thomson, Ben Hurley and Justine Smith smash all barriers of proper behaviour, with no cameras, censors, editors or rules.
First comes quick-fire standup comedy from the seven best in the business. Then an extreme game of 7 Days, brand new for your town. Hang onto your pants!
Get a group together and book soon. It’s the year’s best night of comedy.
10am-3pm
Barber Hall, 70 Waldegrave Street
The Manawatu Craft and Food Fair is back again!
The Manawatu Craft and Food Fair showcases the great talent of our local people through craft and food!
With over 85 stall sites this is an event not to be missed!
We will have two raffles to give away at the end of the day again. All proceeds from our raffles will be going to a local organisation.
Raffle tickets are $2.00 each!
FREE ENTRY - Barber Hall, Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North
Remember to bring Cash as not all Stall Holders have Eftpos facilities.
Jewellery - Children's Clothing - Cards - Artwork
Soy Candles - Kids Decor - Quilts - Skincare
Conserves - Woodwork - Fudge . . . and more!!!
Regent on Broadway
Summer 2025 will be celebrated with an eagerly anticipated new production of the world’s most beloved ballet classic, The Nutcracker. Central to Christmas memories for generations of audiences, The Nutcracker is a timeless celebration of family, fantasy and growing up, where ‘home for Christmas’ is the most powerful magic of all.
Learn more about Palmy and upcoming events that you won’t want to miss out on.
Globe Theatre
Central Energy Trust Arena, Pit Lane
Creative Sounds - The Stomach
Silky Otter Cinemas
Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science & Heritage
The Square - East Side
Square Edge Community Centre
Palmy Conference + Function Centre
