20 February – 1 March 2026

The Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa will return in 2026 with an eclectic programme shaped by the theme of joy.

The Festival brings together international performers, Aotearoa favourites, an expanded literary weekend and an eclectic mix of theatre, music, dance, comedy and whaanau-friendly events.

Festival Director Geoff Turkington says the curation of the programme was informed by a theme of joy.

“We know that for many, life continues to be challenging, which is why the theme of joy feels more important than ever.

“It’s about creating moments that allow us to pause, smile, and rediscover what makes life beautiful.

“Our 2026 programme has been lovingly crafted to celebrate all that is (mostly) bright and positive within our community — a vibrant, uplifting reminder of the power of connection, creativity, and shared experience.

“It is also a programme that truly embraces our magical point of difference to any other event of its kind, our beloved Hamilton Gardens.”

With the iconic Surrealist Garden featuring on the programme cover, the Festival’s alignment with its primary venue Hamilton Gardens is front and centre in the programme. Audiences can expect to enjoy performances across an impressive array of unique garden venues, including intimate settings like the Indian Char Bagh Garden and Japanese Garden of Contemplation, festival favourite, the Italian Medici Court and the soon to be opened Medieval Garden.

CBD venues The Meteor and Riverlea Theatre will also host a selection of events.

Global Stories on Local Stages

A lively array of international artists will be gracing Kirikiriroa in the new year.

Described as a vibrant mix of jaw-dropping stunts, cheeky humour, and deep Fijian warmth, Fijian Flying Circus will get its premiere outside of the Islands on 27 and 28 February.

Having travelled to Fiji earlier in the year to experience the show first hand, Turkington says it’s a show he’s especially excited by.

“It has been many years since I sat with a stupid grin from ear to ear while sitting through a show.

“This company radiates unfiltered joy — perfectly aligning with this year’s theme. It is an absolute honour to be bringing these beautiful people to our city.”

In the children’s programme, Dr Hubble’s Brilliant Bubbles, touted as ‘Australia’s favourite bubbleman’, promises light-hearted fun with bubble artistry and a message of environmental sustainability.

On the more risqué end of the scale, having sold out seasons around the world, Australia’s world leading circus company Briefs Factory arrives with Dirty Laundry, a ‘fast-paced, cheeky cabaret’ set to fill The Pavilion on the first weekend of the Festival.

Flamencodanza rounds out the international offerings on 1 March, bringing a blend of Flamenco, Brazilian rhythm and jazz to the Medici Court.

Aotearoa Talent Centre Stage

The Festival also boasts a rich line-up of homegrown talent. Don McGlashan & The Others will close out the season on 1 March with a major outdoor concert on the Rhododendron Lawn, featuring special guest Hollie Smith. One of New Zealand’s most celebrated songwriters, McGlashan rose to fame with the groups Blam Blam Blam, The Front Lawn, and The Mutton Birds. His 2006 gospel anthem “Bathe in the River” — sung by Smith — earned him a second Silver Scroll and has become one of the biggest New Zealand singles of all time.

Earlier in the programme, Cheehoo 2 (which debuted in 2024) returns on 20 February with a lively celebration of Pasifika culture and musical theatre.

The much-loved Sunset Symphony also returns on 21 February with a programme that celebrates collaboration, community, music and dance and will feature special guests Laughton Kora (whose band Black Comet are also performing at the festival) and McGlashan for an evening that has become a Waikato favourite.

Theatre lovers can look forward to an eclectic line-up in 2026.

Miss Brontë, created by award-winning director Lyndee-Jane Rutherford and performer Mel Dodge — who earned standing ovations at the 2024 Festival for Prima Facie — explores ambition, forbidden love and the enduring pull of family (21 & 22 Feb).

Renowned entertainer Jackie Clarke leads the way in Songs for Nobodies (28 Feb), bringing ten
characters to life in a remarkable solo performance, and Figment Productions’ Captain Morrow
and the Sands of Time, a stripped-back comic adventure described as “The Mighty Boosh
meets Treasure Island.”

Opera aficionados will no doubt flock to the Ancient Egyptian Garden on 22 February as Emma Pearson and Kristin Darragh perform Opera by Candlelight, supported by Central Ensemble. The third in a run of classical music focussed concerts held in the Ancient Egyptian Garden, Festival Director Geoff Turkington says based on previous years, it is likely to sell out quickly.

Comedy fans can look forward to the return of Garden Giggles on 25 and 27 February, with a line-up including Tarun Mohanbhai, Keegan Govind, Liv McKenzie, Pax Assadi and Paul Ego.

Words in the Gardens

After its successful debut last year, ‘literary festival within a festival’ HamLit (Hamilton Literature) expands to include 11 events across the Festival’s opening weekend, hosted primarily in the Indian Char Bagh Garden.

According to HamLit co-curator Elisabeth Easther, audiences can expect to enjoy stimulating conversations and readings between literary luminaries and public figures.

“I’m so delighted that HamLit is back for a sequel in 2026.

“And together with my co-curator Bridget van der Zijpp, we’ve loved bringing together a scintillating programme with something for every taste,” says Easther.

There’s no shortage of familiar names and faces in the literary programme with highlights including Mike McRoberts, Lisette Reymer and Miriama Kamo discussing the state of the media; Dr Hinemoa Elder and Dr Marama Salsano on creativity and wellbeing; and Tusiata Avia with Victor Rodger discussing Avia’s deeply personal new book. Kirikiriroa’s own award-winning author Catherine Chidgey and the lauded Kate Camp will discuss their creative evolution.

Elsewhere, Dr Lucy O’Hagan will perform her extraordinary one-woman show Inside the GP Consultation; crime writers Steve Braunias, Jared Savage and Fiona Sussman explore writing about the criminal world; and Karyn Hay joins Suzanne Lynch for stories and song. The programme will also feature

For Whaanau and Curious Minds

The 2026 programme also invites younger audiences and their caregivers to take part.

All the Things I Wish I Could Be brings a lively musical adventure to the Gardens on 22 February, encouraging children to dream big.

A selection of immersive experiences encourage audiences to engage with the Hamilton Gardens in new ways.

He Piko He Taniwha invites visitors into an immersive storytelling journey shaped by the cultural narratives, waiata and ceremonial practices of the Waikato River.

Hidden Trails & Medieval Tales offers an unusual glimpse behind the scenes of Hamilton Gardens, including its newest additions.

Meanwhile, Movies at The Meteor sees the black box theatre host three family-friendly film
sessions.

Throughout the Festival, the Festival Hub (otherwise known as the Turtle Lake stage and surrounding areas) will host free performances, pop-up moments and roaming artists. Among the highlights are the Empress Stilt Walkers, who appear on the 2026 programme cover.

A Festival on the Rise

The 2026 programme builds on a landmark year in 2025, with the Festival welcoming a record 47,000 attendees, including a significant number travelling from outside the Waikato.

In an increasingly challenging climate for the arts, the Festival received a stamp of approval with recognition as a finalist in the NZEA New Zealand Event Awards’ Arts, Cultural or Heritage Event of the Year 2025 and sponsorship through Air New Zealand’s newly announced regional event sponsorship programme.

Festival Chair Chris Williams says these endorsements have been warmly welcomed.

“It’s been amazing to receive that outside encouragement that we’re on ‘the right track’.

“We’re really proud of how far we’ve come and how much our reputation has grown nationally, particularly over the last few years.”

The Festival is New Zealand’s largest regional arts festival, injecting an estimated $14 million into the Hamilton economy in 2025 with 49 ticketed events featuring more than 800 performers.

Tickets and Access

Tickets can be purchased at hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz. Free printed programmes are available from the Gallagher Visitor Centre at the Hamilton Gardens, from iSites across the Waikato and Waipaa regions, the Hamilton City Council building (located in Garden Place) and from cafés throughout Hamilton.

A ‘Multi-buy’ discount offering 15 percent off general admission tickets to three or more eligible shows makes it easy for audiences s to explore multiple events.

For the first time ever, the Festival has specially designed merchandise for sale, including t-shirts, caps and hoodies, perfect for gift-giving and available for purchase through the festival website from 1 December, 2026.