Events and Tickets » Current Events
Pop-Up Board Games Bar
Every Wednesday in March | 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Roll the dice, grab a drink at Dough Bakery, and let the games begin!
Mason Brothers
Friday 20 March | 7.30pm
An intimate evening with the Mason Brothers, Wayne and Paul, in their original hometown.
The brothers take a journey through nearly sixty years of Wayne’s songs, from Upper Hutt band The Fourmyula (NZ’s no. 1 song “Nature”), to Rockinghorse in the 70s (“Thru the Southern Moonlight”), to the early years of The Warratahs (“Hands of My Heart”), and Wayne’s solo work since then – Wayne has never stopped writing songs.
World Piano Day
Sunday 29 March | 10.00am - 7.30pm
The Upper Hutt Concert Grand Piano Trust are excited to be host Upper Hutt's first 'World Piano Day.'
Come down and enjoy musicians from early learners to professionals, dancers, choir and more! The day will include a craft market and if you're a pianist of any ability, the chance to play our Kawai Grand Piano in the Community Play sessions.
Lunchtime Live!
Tuesday 31 March | 1.00pm
Strings, performed by students from Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music.
Mr Fungus
Thursday 9 April 2026 | 10.00am
“New Zealand’s Loudest Mime” Mr Fungus is on tour across Aotearoa, with silly show that will amuse and delight kids of all ages.
Featuring visual and verbal comedy, juggling and mime, with scrumptious and catchy backing soundtracks, Mr Fungus will bring the silliness and fun to your town.
Build Your Own Board Game
Thursday 16 and Friday 17 April 2026 | 10.00am
Build your very own Board Game these school holidays.
Priceless
Presented by the Heretaunga Players
Thursday 16 to Saturday 25 April | Various Times
Heretaunga Players is proud to present our first show of 2026, ‘Priceless’ by Mary Portalska. Batley Hall is in desperate need of repairs, and elderly Sylvia refuses to let son and daughter-in-law Tom and Anna sell their one asset - a priceless Ming dynasty vase. Tom hits on the idea of giving guided tours to bring in some money, but their only guests are shady characters with their eyes on the vase - and Batley Hall’s resident ghost only adds to the chaos.
Sketches from the Trenches with ANZAC Biscuits
Saturday 25 April 2026 (ANZAC Day) | 7.00am - 12.00pm
After the Anzac Day Parade, drop in for a special morning.
Aotango Quintet
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 30 April | 7.30pm
world-class musicians performing in Piazzolla’s original quintet formation, blending classical and contemporary instruments to create a dynamic and immersive experience. Designed to be both engaging and accessible, the performance will captivate audiences of all ages and musical backgrounds.
Michael Houstoun
Classical Expressions 2026 and Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Thursday 21 May | 7.30pm
A programme of masterpieces including works by J.S. Bach (French Overture in B minor, a classic dance suite), Beethoven (Sonata in E, Op.109), Ravel (Gaspard de la nuit) and the Bach-Busoni ‘Chaconne’. Performed by iconic Kiwi pianist, Michael Houstoun.
Sean Kelly and the Super 8's
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Saturday 30 May 2026 | 8.00pm
Irish folk music and stories, with old movies. Enjoy live Irish music played to the backdrop of Super 8 movies taken in Ireland, with Sean Kelly on vocals, whistles, bodhran and guitar, Jono Lonie on fiddle and mandolin and Maree Limpus on cello.
The Warratahs
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Sunday 31 May 2026 | 8.00pm
One of Aotearoa’s most iconic bands, The Warratahs hit the stage with their signature home grown country roots-driven sound. Don’t miss this legendary band who were inducted into the NZ Music Hall of fame last year.
TNT! The Jazz Gala Concert
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Friday 29 May 2026 | 8.00pm
An explosive mix of reo Māori and Big Band Jazz, the 19-piece Capital City Big Band teams up with songstress Lisa Tomlins to play jazz hits from the big band era with traditional waiata Māori show band classics.
Mainly Acoustic Music Club
Upper Hutt Music Festival 2026
Tuesday 2 June 2026 | 7.30pm
Carter Parker Trio, and Cindy Muggeridge accompanied by Ace Neil Billington.
Social Animal
Saturday 6 June 2026 | 8.00pm
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks… or can you? Prepare for a wild, laugh-out-loud ride where biting satire meets theatrical wizardry. Award-winning actor, writer, and solo performer Stephen Papps transforms into twelve outrageously memorable characters with jaw-dropping virtuosity. This gloriously funny solo tour de force follows a man hilariously losing face - and everything else - in his desperate (and ridiculous) quest to stay relevant. Think of it as equal parts chaos, charm, and canine-inspired chaos therapy.
Jian Liu
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 18 June | 7.30pm
This programme explores how composers from different times and cultures paint their worlds in sound.
As an internationally celebrated concert pianist, Dr. Jian Liu has performed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. His artistry has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Steinway Hall in New York, and more. Liu has also featured as a soloist with orchestras worldwide.
The Elouan Quartet with Bridget Douglas
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 16 July | 7.30pm
“Mata-Au” This programme moves between the rich Romantic lyricism of Amy Beach and Arther Foote, the contemporary fluidity of Salina Fisher’s Mata-Au (inspired by the Clutha River), and the rhythmic energy of Alberto Ginastera’s folk-infused Impresiones de la Puna.
Audiences will be immersed in a journey through soundscapes that evoke flowing rivers, twilight atmospheres, and dynamic folk rhythms. With a strong connection to water and place, this programme resonates deeply in Aotearoa, where waterways are both culturally and environmentally significant.
Carnivorous Plant Society
Sunday 26 July 2026 | 8.00pm
A psychedelic exotic jazz band featuring vibraphone, tuba, harmonica, pan flute and more – all brought to life against a stunning backdrop of hand-drawn animations.
Ash Grunwald
Saturday 16 August | 7.30pm
Renowned for his electrifying live shows, Ash Grunwald has inspired a generation to hit the road in an old van to ‘surf by day jam by night’.
The festival favourite brings a high energy, vibrant live show with stacks of guitars and foot stomping blues. Part troubadour, part storyteller-Ash has been selling out shows all over the world!
Dolfin-Lin Duo
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 3 September | 7.30pm
Hungarian cellist Balázs Dolfin and Chinese-New Zealand pianist Tony Chen Lin share a deep musical rapport rooted in diverse cultural traditions.
A chance meeting in Italy in 2021 sparked a duo between Hungarian cellist Balázs Dolfin and Chinese-New Zealand pianist Tony Chen Lin. Trained in Hungary and Germany, they bring dynamic energy and deep rapport, drawing on global influences while still calling Budapest their enduring musical home.
Aroha String Quartet
Classical Expressions 2026
Thursday 8 October | 7.30pm
Around the World in 90 Minutes; buckle up and travel around the globe with the Aroha String Quartet, with stopovers to sample the music of seven different countries on five continents - Europe, Asia, South America, North America and Zealandia.
Acclaimed as demonstrating "accomplished brilliance, soulfulness and sublime intensity in perfect balance and tonal unity" (The Dominion Post), the Aroha String Quartet is firmly established as one of New Zealands finest chamber music ensembles.
The above descriptions of presentations are supplied by the individual promoters of events. The promoters reserve the right to alter the artists and content of these programmes.