Welcoming Week Potluck Dinner

11 September 2026

6-8pm

Te Manawa Museum

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About the event

Come together, share food, meet new people, and celebrate Welcoming Week with us! Join us for a wonderful evening of community, culture, and delicious shared cuisines.
🎶 Enjoy beautiful Filipino singing performances before dinner begins!
📅 Friday, 11 September 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Come from 5:45 PM onwards
📍 Te Manawa Museum, 326 Main Street, Palmerston North
🍽️ Please bring a plate of food to share!
Everyone is welcome — bring your family and friends and celebrate the diversity of our community with us.

City Welcome Session

12 September 2026

10.30am - 12pm

Palmy Conference + Function Centre

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About the event

If you've recently arrived in Palmy, we'd like to extend a warm kia ora and welcome you to our wonderful city!
Join us on 12 September at Palmy Conference + Function Centre, 354 Main Street, for our renowned welcome ceremony, hosted by Rangitāne. The pōwhiri, led by Rangitāne, will formally welcome all newcomers to Palmy.
After that, we'll come together to share kai (food) and get to know one another, followed by a walking tour of the city centre.
Registration is not required for this free event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 – Friday Clean-Up

18 September 2026

12-1pm

Te Marae o Hine / The Square

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About the event

Join Precycle NZ and Palmy BID for the first clean-up event of Palmy Clean Up Week 2026.
Local businesses, schools, individuals and community groups are invited to come together for one hour to help pick up litter around Palmerston North City Centre.
We’ll meet at Te Marae o Hine / The Square before heading into Quadrant 1, covering the Broadway and Grey Street area.
PPE and clean-up equipment will be provided, so simply register and come along ready to help keep Palmy clean.
You can take part in this event only or register for one or more days throughout Palmy Clean Up Week.
Register here: https://forms.gle/KxUQr6TB2Su6t1LP6
Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 is brought to you by Precycle NZ and Palmy BID, as part of Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week.

Shakespeare with Peter Hambleton

20 September 2026

9am-4pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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About the event

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.

Cherry Blossom Fest 2026

20 September 2026

11.30am - 2pm

Coleman Place, Palmy

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About the event

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
🌸 Spot prizes!

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 — featuring exciting giveaways including...
👉 Purchase the ‘Cherry Blossom' Patisserie at Alexandre Patisserie & enter the draw to win a Kodama Drum Team performance for your nominated school! (Winner must have receipt of purchase & be present upon announcement at Cherry Blossom Fest to claim their prize)
👉 Take a selfie with the IPU Cherry Blossom Tree in the City Centre to be in with a chance to win either 1 of 2 $400 The Plaza vouchers or a cherry blossom tree!

Keep an eye out on our socials and watch this space for more on the above promos so you don’t miss out!

Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 – Monday Clean-Up

21 September 2026

12-1pm

Te Marae o Hine / The Square

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About the event

Join Precycle NZ and Palmy BID for the Monday clean-up of Palmy Clean Up Week 2026.
Local businesses, schools, individuals and community groups are invited to come together for one hour to help pick up litter around Palmerston North City Centre.

We’ll meet at Te Marae o Hine / The Square before heading into Quadrant 2, covering the Cuba, Walding and Bourke Street area.
PPE and clean-up equipment will be provided, so simply register and come along ready to help keep Palmy clean.

You can take part in this event only or register for one or more days throughout Palmy Clean Up Week.
Register here: https://forms.gle/KxUQr6TB2Su6t1LP6

Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 is brought to you by Precycle NZ and Palmy BID, as part of Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week.

Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 – Tuesday Clean-Up

22 September 2026

12-1pm

Te Marae o Hine / The Square

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About the event

Join Precycle NZ and Palmy BID for the Tuesday clean-up of Palmy Clean Up Week 2026.
Local businesses, schools, individuals and community groups are invited to come together for one hour to help pick up litter around Palmerston North City Centre.

We’ll meet at Te Marae o Hine / The Square before heading into Quadrant 3, covering the Main and Pitt Street area.
PPE and clean-up equipment will be provided, so simply register and come along ready to help keep Palmy clean.

You can take part in this event only or register for one or more days throughout Palmy Clean Up Week.
Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 is brought to you by Precycle NZ and Palmy BID, as part of Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week

Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 – Thursday Clean-Up

24 September 2026

12-1pm

Te Marae o Hine / The Square

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About the event

Join Precycle NZ and Palmy BID for the final clean-up event of Palmy Clean Up Week 2026.
Local businesses, schools, individuals and community groups are invited to come together for one hour to help pick up litter around Palmerston North City Centre.

We’ll meet at Te Marae o Hine / The Square before heading into Quadrant 4, covering the Church, Princess and Ferguson Street area.
PPE and clean-up equipment will be provided, so simply register and come along ready to help keep Palmy clean.

You can take part in this event only or register for one or more days throughout Palmy Clean Up Week.
Palmy Clean Up Week 2026 is brought to you by Precycle NZ and Palmy BID, as part of Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week.

French Film Night – Winter in Sokcho

25 September 2026

7.30pm

Globe Theatre

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About the event

The film Winter in Sokcho (Hiver à Sokcho) will be screened in French with English subtitles.
In the snowy seaside town of Sokcho, 25-year-old Soo-Ha works at a guesthouse. She drifts between her mother’s fish stall and her boyfriend until a French artist’s arrival stirs questions about her identity. As winter deepens, Soo-Ha and the artist form an unspoken connection through food and art.

Licensed bar/café open from 6 pm.
Free event, donations welcome.

For those who can afford it, we recommend a $15 donation per person so that we can continue to organise monthly French Film Nights.

Youth Fest

26 September 2026

1-4pm

Palmy Conference + Function Centre

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About the event

Youth Fest is all about giving things a go. Youth Fest is a free event for rangatahi aged 12 to 24, with activities, workshops and experiences covering sport, creativity, culture, wellbeing and useful skills for everyday life.

What you can try:
Get a fresh barber cut or have your nails done. Step into the ring for a boxing workshop, slow things down with yoga, learn barista skills or jump into a whole new world with VR.
You can also try acting and improv, writing, zine and sticker making, music, art therapy and more. There’ll be activities and workshops around mindfulness, relationships, budgeting, goal setting and other useful life skills too.

Grab a Youth Fest passport:
Pick up your Youth Fest passport when you arrive and collect stamps as you make your way around the festival. The more you try, the more freebies you can unlock.

Youth Fest is a chance to discover something you’re into, learn a new skill, meet new people and connect with local groups and services that can help you now or down the track.

Bring your mates, follow whatever catches your eye and see where the day takes you.

Global + Kids Market

27 September 2026

1-4pm

Te Manawa Museum

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About the event

Global & Kids Market is coming on 27 September.
If you would like to host a stall with your under 14 years old kids or your own, please sign up at https://forms.gle/qRLqzSNTtusAhUUR8
Registration is open until 20 September or full!
Organised by: Global Parents Support

Palmy Drag Fest 2026

3 October 2026

8pm

Regent on Broadway

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About the event

Step right up! The curtain is about to rise on the most spectacular, dazzling, high-camp event of the year.

Prepare for extraordinary talent, outrageous looks, and jaw-dropping performances as Palmy Drag Fest returns - bigger, bolder, and more fabulous than ever before. This is drag at its most iconic.

Hosted by Rhubarb Rouge & RubyDax alongside a powerhouse lineup of local and national performers, each bringing their own unique style, energy, and artistry to the stage, expect a night packed with unforgettable moments, high-impact numbers, and pure queer excellence.

From high glamour to high chaos, this is a full-scale spectacle celebrating the very best of drag.

Trust us, you won’t want to miss what we have in store.
Secure your tickets now and be part of the biggest show on earth.

Rainbow Fair

3 October 2026

10am

Palmy Conference + Function Centre

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About the event

Join us on Saturday 3 October from 10AM – 2PM at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre for a colourful celebration of community, creativity, pride, and fabulousness before the big main show that night!

Expect:
✨ Local stalls & makers
✨ Community groups
✨ Performances & entertainment
✨ Food, fun & fabulous vibes
✨ A safe and welcoming space for everyone
And thanks to our amazing sponsors Local Health — entry is once again completely FREE OF CHARGE!
Want to be part of the fun?
🌟 Stall applications are now OPEN at palmydrag.com
🌟 Performer applications are also OPEN — and yes, this is a paid opportunity!

Come celebrate diversity, support local talent, and kick off the biggest day of the festival with us. Whether you’re shopping, performing, connecting, or just soaking up the atmosphere — the Rainbow Fair is the place to be!

New Caledonia Film Festival 

3 October 2026

7pm

Globe Theatre

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About the event

The New Caledonia Film Festival returns to Palmerston North! Join us for a one-off screening of New Caledonian award winning short movies at The Globe Theatre on Saturday 3 October at 7pm.
Tickets include New Caledonian food sampling and a complimentary glass of wine.

Beatlemania on Tour

31 October 2026

8pm

Regent on Broadway

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About the event

The sound of a generation, and the music that has influenced every generation since – that’s The Beatles. And now you can relive the heyday of The Beatles with Beatlemania On Tour!
Hear the greatest Pop and Rock songs ever written, performed live with exquisite attention to detail and in their original key, and brought to life on stage with authentic costumes, replica instruments and theatrical lighting.
With a setlist you’ll know – and sing-along to! - from start to finish, this is a show you’re guaranteed to love!

Remembrance Day 2026

11 November 2026

11am

Te Marae o Hine - The Square

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About the event

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the guns fell silent.
Each year on 11 November, Palmerston North commemorates Remembrance Day – marking the anniversary of the armistice signed between the Allied Forces and Germany to end the fighting in World War I

Diwali Mela

14 November 2026

5-10.30pm

Te Marae o Hine - The Square

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About the event

Get ready to light up the night. Join us in the heart of city for the annual Diwali Mela – a free, family-friendly celebration for all!

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Festival of Light – a time to celebrate light over darkness and good over evil. Around the world, families mark this event by lighting lamps, sharing food, and coming together with music and dance.

Bring your friends, whānau and a picnic chair or blanket – and be part of this vibrant celebration of Palmy’s diversity.

The Sweet Caroline Tour: A Tribute to Neil Diamond

19 November 2026

7.30pm

Regent on Broadway

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About the event

The Sweet Caroline Tour: A Tribute to Neil Diamond is a celebration of one of the most enduring songbooks in popular music history - an era when songs were written with heart, soul and honesty, and melodies stayed with you for a lifetime.

This outstanding live production recreates that feeling in the most authentic way possible, with a full live band, powerful backing vocalists and a frontman whose voice and presence capture the unmistakable spirit of Neil Diamond. From iconic stadium anthems to deeply loved classics, every performance is delivered with energy, respect and a deep love for the music.

Heath Franklin’s Chopper – Gold

21 November 2026

7pm

Regent on Broadway

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About the event

AS SEEN ON 7 DAYS

Aussie comedy legend and icon Heath Franklin's Chopper is celebrating his 20th anniversary of making us laugh.

Catch two decades of Chopper's funniest bits and hardest hits, from The Ronnie Johns Half Hour to today, including Harden the F*** Up, The Weather sketch, Shopping at Bunnings, and all your favourite jokes.

This isn’t just another show – it’s a comedy heist!

There's no room for silver or bronze on this podium. It's all comedy GOLD!

Last Song, Actually!!!

14 November 2026 - 12 December 2026

6.30pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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About the event

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!

Royal New Zealand Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

16 December 2026

7.30pm

Regent on Broadway

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About the event

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.

Munch Thursday Quiz Nights

26 February 2026 - 17 December 2026

6-8pm

Munch - Broadway Ave

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About the event

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!

Neighbourhood Wednesday Quiz Nights

25 February 2026 - 23 December 2026

7pm

Neighbourhood Palmy

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About the event

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!