Waikato Food Show
11 & 12 July 2026
The Waikato Food Show is a premier culinary extravaganza that has delighted food enthusiasts for the past eleven years! Held at Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton, this event celebrates all things food and provides a unique platform for exhibitors to engage directly with their target audience in a dynamic sales environment.
Visitors can be inspired, learn new techniques, get up close and personal with award-winning chefs, take a cooking class, enjoy the atmosphere, and have a day out with a difference.
Check out waikatofoodshow.co.nz to learn more.
Equifest
16 - 18 October 2026, Claudelands Events Centre
Equifest is a three-day festival where lovers of all things equine can come together to connect and share their passion. Equifest is one of New Zealand’s largest equine events, and a place where professionals and enthusiasts of all disciplines, riding levels and ages, can connect, learn and together power the industry.
Find out more at www.equifest.co.nz
Waikato Festive Markets
28 March, 11 & 12 July and Nov dates tbc - Claudelands Events Centre
The first Waikato Christmas Market was held in 2020, created with a simple vision: to bring people together and celebrate the festive season in a welcoming, community-focused environment. Since then, the market has continued to grow, and in 2024, we proudly expanded with the introduction of the Mid-Winter Christmas Market, bringing festive cheer to the cooler months. In 2026, our family of events will grow again with the launch of the Waikato Easter Market.
Find out more at www.waikatofestivemarkets.co.nz
First Credit Union Christmas Parade Hamilton
2026 - Hamilton City
The annual First Credit Union Christmas Parade is a must do Christmas experience for the young and young at heart. Come and join us to see crazy characters, lively marching bands, dance group, ethnic groups, characters, amazing character balloons, and of course Santa Claus!
The Parade starts at the corner of Rostrevor and Anglesea Streets, travels down Anglesea Street, and ends at the corner of Anglesea and Knox Streets. The length of the route is 1.2km.
Find out more at www.hamiltonchristmas.co.nz
Hamilton Tree Lighting Concert
2026 - Garden Place Hamilton
New Zealand's biggest and most beautiful Christmas Tree. It’s 27 metres tall to the tip of the star. That’s over 6 stories high. It takes a team of 15 people to install the frame and the lighting, fluff the branches and hang the baubles. This tree is huge!
The tree will shine brightly in Garden Place once again in 2024 and will be a great focal point for the community to gather, watch, perform and celebrate the festive season.
Find out more at www.hamiltonchristmas.co.nz