School Holiday Fun
Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October
Create. Explore. Learn. Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre has a range of free activities and ticketed concerts, movies, workshops created especially for children.
School Holiday Fun Programme
Tamariki Book Festival
Saturday 26 September Great Hall
Enter the world of books, with games, challenges, crafts, and readings. Come in costume. Make a Magic Wand. Meet an author. And much more! Find out more
Decorate a Lollipop
Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October First floor, Boys’ High
In this free activity, you get to make the world's most wild and wacky cardboard lollipop, then trade it for the real thing. Find out more
Mischievous Muses
Daily during school holidays, Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October Chemistry
This fun-filled mini-figure hunt is perfect for a spare half hour, or a wet day. It's free and the UC Teece Museum is itself an extraordinary hidden gem. Find out more
Illustration Paste Ups with Meike
Saturdays 26 September, 3 & 10 October School of Art
Join illustrator Mieke for a fun drawing workshop where you'll design and develop your very own original character. Find out more
Junk Band Jam
Sunday 27 September North Quad
Join in this free, hands-on musical adventure featuring quirky homemade instruments made from everyday objects. Let's jam! Find out more
Games Day
Sunday 27 & Tuesday 29 September, Sunday 11 October North Quad
Dorothy, a five-time teapot toss champion from Ranfurly, will be leading the fun at this free drop-in event. Give it a go! Find out more
Embroider Spider Webs
Monday 28 September First floor, Boys’ High
Learn stitching the creative way, with artist Maxine Burney. Find out more
Circo Arts: One Day School
Monday 28 September The Gym
Altiora’s One Day School is a Circo Arts programme for ages 6–12, combining circus skills, creativity, and exploration into one fun day. Find out more
Lumiere Movie: Arco
Mon 28 & Wed 30 Sep, Thu 1, Mon 5, Tue 6 & Wed 7 Oct West Lecture
Two children from different times and places must overcome danger and decipher a mystical puzzle. Find out more
Fudge Shape Decorating
Tue 29 Sep, Thu 1, Mon 5, Wed 7 & Fri 9 Oct Ground floor, Boys’ High
Decorate your own fudge shape, using fudge, chocolate, and confectionery items. What could be more yummy? Find out more
Lumiere Movie: Alice in Wonderland (1951) – 75th Anniversary
Tuesday 29 September, Friday 2 & Thursday 8 October West Lecture
The White Rabbit is still late for a terribly important date, and Alice in Wonderland remains an animation classic even after 75 years. Find out more
Creative Afternoon Out
Tuesday 29 September & Tuesday 6 October School of Art
Looking for a fun, inclusive afternoon for your creative child? Paint & Sip Studio and Lumiere Cinemas have it sorted with this all-inclusive experience. Find out more
Spring Holiday Drama Workshops
Tuesday 29 September to Thursday 1 October Cloisters Studio
Join us this spring school holiday for three days of joy-filled drama adventure inspired by the rich world of classic literature but being flung into the modern world. Find out more
Kotahitanga | Together as One - National Secondary Schools Brass Band Outdoor Concert
Friday 2 October South Quad
Free outdoor concert by the National Secondary Schools Brass Band, showcasing incredible talent. Find out more
Circus Kids
Friday 2 October The Gym
This super fun intro-session is designed for kids to step inside the wonderful world of circus: try aerials, acrobatics, juggling, and more! Find out more
Backyard Skiffle Concert
Sunday 4 October Great Hall
Step back in time for an interactive family show celebrating skiffle music - a style that uses unexpected objects like washboards and jugs. It's how The Beatles got started. Find out more
Paper Craft Workshop
Wednesday 7 October Chemistry
Make books that tell unique stories through their creative shapes, like a flower fold book and a book with cascading shaped pages. Find out more
SOLD OUT: Putiputi Weaving
Wednesday 7 October Common Room
A relaxed wānanga weaving putiputi (flowers) using harakeke. No previous experience needed. Find out more
Embroider a Wall Hanging
Thursday 8 October First floor, Boys’ High
Experiment with different stitches and threads on hessian, creating your own design that you finish with a simple hanging system. Find out more
Stitching for Beginners
Thursday 8 October First floor, Boys’ High
Learn and have fun using needle and coloured threads to make basic stitches (the backbone of The Art of Embroidery) on hessian. Find out more
Wâpikwaniy: Wild Rose Pin Wānanga I A Creative Continuation
Thursday 8 October Common Room
Create a handcrafted wâpikwaniy (wild rose) pin using felting and beading techniques in this continuation wānanga, inspired by the practice of Indigenous artist Heather Shillinglaw. Find out more
Homemade Instruments Workshop
Friday 9 October School of Art
DIY musical instrument and discover how ordinary objects can be transformed into extraordinary sounds. So good! Find out more
Sculpture Detectives
Saturday 10 - Monday 26 October North Quad
Find the sculptures hiding at The Arts Centre Sculpture Festival. Design your own sculpture. Complete the tasks to get a mini sculpting pack! Find out more
