RENT

30 July 2026

7.30pm

Globe Theatre

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Experience the energy, emotion, and unforgettable music of RENT: School Edition - the iconic musical set in New York City’s East Village that follows a group of young artists and friends as they navigate love, friendship, identity, and the challenges of life while holding tightly to hope, creativity, and each other.
Featuring beloved songs including “Seasons of Love,” RENT is a powerful celebration of resilience, connection, and living life to the fullest, reminding us all that there is “No day but today.”
This special community driven production features an all-adult student cast, bringing together performers of all experience levels, from first-time performers bravely stepping onto the stage for the very first time to experienced theatre lovers sharing their passion and support along the way.
Filled with heart, humor, and raw emotion, this is a production not to be missed. Come support local performers and experience the magic of live theatre

Armageddon: In Concert

31 July 2026

7pm

Regent on Broadway

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Armageddon: In Concert blasts off as Manawatū Youth Orchestra and Sinfonia unite for a blockbuster night of sci-fi and fantasy scores. Hear favourites from Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Sonic the Hedgehog and more—plus we will be joined by special guests the Palmerston North Knights Lightsaber Group. An electrifying, all-ages adventure in sound.

Manawatū Winter Shakespeare – Scandal & Seduction

1 August 2026

7pm

Globe Theatre

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Manawatū Summer Shakespeare are thrilled to present our first ever winter showcase, see this one off event at the Globe Theatre, like the good Bard intended!

Scandal and Seduction features salacious scenes from 12th Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Othello, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by both emerging and established local directors, with actors from across our creative community and a special guest performance from Centrepoint’s Kate Louise Elliott.

With scenes full of hilarity and horror, tension and torment, you’ll laugh, gasp, and maybe even wince a little bit. Presented with Manawatū Summer Shakespeare’s signature style of grassroots gumption, stylish spectacle, rigour and irreverence.

Shakespeare is for everyone, you won’t need a prior knowledge of Shakespeare to have a blast.
There’s something for anyone who loves to be served the tea with a side of temptation.

Content warning: one scene includes violence and blood.
Some other scenes may be a little bit saucy
And very silly

Palmygeddon Cosplay Afterparty

1 August 2026

5-10pm

Focal Point Cinema - 223 Cuba Street

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Bring the multiverse to 23 Cuba Street
FREE event.
Live bands / cosplay / late night shopping / street parade

UCOL Open Day [Manawatu Campus]

5 August 2026

9am-2pm

UCOL Manawatu Campus

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UCOL Manawatū Open Day
Wednesday 5 August
9am - 2pm
18 Princess Street, Palmerston North
Explore your study options at UCOL Manawatū!
Chat with our lecturers, explore our campus, and discover what your future can look like at UCOL.

Supping with the Devil

1 August 2026 - 9 August 2026

Various

Centrepoint Theatre

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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.

Alan Davies – Think Ahead Tour

10 August 2026

7.30pm

Regent on Broadway

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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!

Sound with Abi Symes

29 August 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

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.

Lights with Talya Pilcher

30 August 2026

9am-4pm

Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North

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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

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.

Collage & Cake Workshop

5 September 2026

1pm-5pm

Square Edge Community Centre

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ome and spend a few relaxed hours cutting, gluing and playing with paper - with coffee and cake on the side.
This is a low-pressure, welcoming collage session where you can experiment, make something small or big, start something new, or just enjoy the process. No rules, no expectations! Just time and space to create.
Magazines, books, scissors and glue will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own materials or works-in-progress too.
Whether you’re brand new to collage or already slightly obsessed, this is a space to unwind, connect, and make something with your hands.

To register email [email protected]

Coffee, tea, and cake included.

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.

Palmy Drag Fest 2026

3 October 2026

8pm

Regent on Broadway

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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.

Last Song, Actually!!!

14 November 2026 - 12 December 2026

6.30pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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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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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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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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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!