The #1 Ladies Night Out, Breaking Records Worldwide Magic Men Australia is taking over the world, breaking attendance records across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, U.S South America and Canada, including over 6,500 screaming ladies at a single Ladies Night.

This is global entertainment at its peak. And for the first time, the show presents TikTok and world-famous Instagram superstar Will Parfitt, with a combined following of over 20 million.

He’s one of the most recognised male entertainers on social media… and he’s live on stage.

Get ready for a night you’ll never forget.
Magic Men delivers Australia’s most talented performers, high-energy choreography, jaw-dropping acrobatics, and cheeky crowd interaction, all packaged into a world-class touring production.

This isn’t just a show. It’s an experience. Expect:
• Record-breaking performances across the globe
• Featuring Will Parfitt (20M+ followers)
• World-class dance routines
• High-energy group numbers + unforgettable solos
• Charisma, comedy & crowd interaction
• A safe, inclusive, feel-good atmosphere
• VIP meet & greet + photo opportunities

Whether it’s a hen's night, birthday, girls’ night, or a chance to escape reality, Magic Men delivers a night that’s classy, powerful, and completely unforgettable.
Magic Men Australia
Where entertainment meets energy and where records keep getting broken.

Find out more here.

Saturday 18 April see’s the return of Whānau Day at Toitoi for Lift Off Festival! Based in the Municipal Buildings section of Toitoi,

Enter a completely transformed Toitoi where exploration, discovery, and creativity overflow!

Whānau day has everything that will ignite little imaginations, with theatre shows, interactive backstage tours, roaming characters, immersive experiences, playmaking spaces, storytelling, and even a Club Kids with a DJ! Find a surprise around every corner, have a go at something new, and get your free Creativity Passport stamped!

Most activities are free to just pop in and have a go, with only a handful of events you’ll need to book and pay for.

TICKETED EVENTS
The Ice Cream is Melting, 10.30am & 2.30pm (50mins), $25 per person, Opera House
Siblings Bonnie and Nikau have been promised a special treat, ice creams! But it’s a hot day and on the way home the ice creams begin to melt...
Their journey home becomes an epic adventure that transforms important issues around environmental change into a double scoop of delight. Sprinkled with aerial acrobatics, contortion, ice cream juggling and more, the siblings work their way through environmental issues to get the ice cream safely home for the whānau.
Children and families delight in this silly, fun and sweet story told through the wonders of circus. Book Now

FREE EVENTS
Little Wonders, 12pm – 2pm, starting every 10 minutes Opera House Old Foyer
Little Wonders is a progressive theatre experience that transforms usually unseen parts of the Opera House into playful, living performance spaces. Witness the auditorium, backstage, scene dock, alley way and hidden nooks and crannies become the stage for vibrant performances, secret installations, pop-up poetry, and unexpected encounters. Tours last are 30mins. Limited spaces for each session. Bookings essential. No cost

The Re-cycled Rainforest 10am – 3pm, Cushing Foyer
Step into a world where imagination grows wild! Recycled Rainforest invites children to help build a vibrant rainforest using everyday recycled materials. From cardboard tree trunks and bottle cap beetles to paper bag birds and fabric scrap vines, tamariki will work together to create a living, colourful ecosystem, crafted entirely from items that might otherwise end up in the bin.

Along the way, kids will explore themes of sustainability, teamwork and creativity, learning how small actions can make a big difference for our planet. Guided by friendly facilitators, they’ll build, paint, invent creatures, and watch their rainforest transform as everyone adds their own creations.

Perfect for curious hands and imaginative minds, Recycled Rainforest is an unforgettable, eco-friendly arts adventure where creativity takes root and the jungle comes to life, one recycled treasure at a time.

Creation Station
Join our artists in residence to design, create, and make cool stuff! It’s all about You! Create your own magazine cover, learn how to make a poetry collage, develop your own costumes and participate in other fun interactive activities.

Storyfort, 10am - 2pm, every half hour, 2nd floor Opera House foyer
Join us in the all-kids-designed story-fort. We will have an array of local multi-language storytellers, from vibrant artists to champion bookreaders, ready to share stories, legends, fairy tales, and yarns from around the world. An inclusive and welcoming space that celebrates our diverse voices and cultures throughout Aotearoa.

Sound Lab, 11am – 1.30pm, Laneway
Step into the Sound Lab and let tamariki become instant composers! Using a special electronic drum pad to create beautiful melodies with no experience needed, all supported by a live ambient soundtrack that makes every note fit perfectly. Playful and empowering, it’s a chance for kids to explore sound, build confidence, and discover the music inside them.

Creative Play with Loose Enz, 10am – 3pm, Tama Tūranga Huata room
We let kids go loose with a playground of loose parts and junk play resources, letting their imaginations soar as they build and create a world of their own.

Find out more here.

‘A story about the goddess and the dark side of the moon.
A young girl is watching the moon landings on repeat, entranced by those astronaut’s weightlessness.
A bunch of teenagers are swimming under a lunar eclipse, lost in what might happen next.
A mis-matched couple are watching a horror film at a drive in cinema, about to step into all the next stuff.

SELENE is a radical explosion of an ancient myth.
It’s about how we grow up defined by our bodies. It’s about the light sides of us and the dark sides of us.
And it’s about the stuff inside us. All the wild stuff inside of us.

A new sibling show to the hugely acclaimed HELIOS, the UK’s “masters of storytelling (ThreeWeeks) Wright&Grainger return to Aotearoa with SELENE – an intimate theatre experience with cinematic score and striking storytelling. Told by and made with Megan Drury.

The performance will be in the Opera House stage, with audience in the round.

Presented by Wright&Grainger with Theatre@41 Monkgate. NZ tour produced by A Mulled Whine Productions.

Find out more here.

Join us for an evening of celebration and recognition at the 2026 Napier Port Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards Dinner, honouring the people, businesses, and leaders who make an outstanding contribution to Hawke’s Bay’s food and fibre sector.

The Primary Sector Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and growth across rural Hawke’s Bay, recognising those shaping the future of our primary industries.

The Awards Dinner brings together finalists, sponsors, industry leaders, and supporters for a professionally delivered evening of awards, dining, and connection.

Date: Thursday 2 April 2026
Venue: Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, Hastings

Event timings:
5.15pm - Networking
6.00pm - Formalities commence

Dress: Smart business attire

Your ticket includes drinks on arrival, drinks served throughout the evening, wine to table, and a three-course dinner designed and delivered by Dish Catering.

Tickets are limited and subject to venue capacity.

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening celebrating the strength, success, and future of Hawke’s Bay’s primary sector.

Event Image Credit: https://blog.steelandtube.co.nz/heb-construct-napier-ports-6-wharf

Fresh off a completely sold-out 2025 New Zealand tour, Avalanche City returns with a renewed creative spark and a live show that highlights the heart of Dave Baxter’s songwriting. Since breaking through with the global hit Love Love Love, followed by another #1 hit Inside Out, Baxter has become known for his warm, cinematic indie-folk.

His performances are intimate, engaging, and full of the storytelling that has earned Avalanche City a devoted following.

Joining the tour is Mountain Boy, an NZ Folk-Rock artist who has made waves internationally with their EP From The Dust and self-produced debut album The Days. Mountain Boy has toured with The Paper Kites, Ziggy Alberts and Boy & Bear and sold out headline shows locally. If you were lucky enough to attend a show in the Avalanche City 2025 sold out NZ tour, you may have caught a glimpse of his multi-instrumental genius, on this tour he will be returning with a full set.

Audiences can expect a powerful blend of fan favourites and new material, an evening shaped by honesty, connection, and the unmistakable charm of Avalanche City + Mountain Boy.

Find out more and secure tickets here.

New Zealand's Premier Elton John Tribute Show Takes Centre Stage!

Toitoi Opera House, Hastings - Saturday 14th March 2026

Prepare for a dazzling night of entertainment as "The Elton John Experience - starring Michael Stodart" continues its reign as New Zealand's No. 1 Elton John tribute show! This spectacular showcase captures the very essence of Elton John's extravagance and musical genius.

Backed by an exceptional band, Stodart delivers an unforgettable powerhouse performance that has recently graced prestigious events including the 2022 NZ Event Awards, New Year's Eve Napier Soundshell, and Zuru Night Glow, Balloons Over Waikato.

Michael Stodart, is an internationally seasoned musician, singer/songwriter. His impressive career includes sharing stages with musical giants such as Van Morrison, Ian Dury, and Joe Cocker, along with collaborating in the studio with legendary Elton John producer Gus Dudgeon. After spending 25 years performing, writing, and recording in London, Stodart returned to New Zealand in 2015.

In 2020, Stodart took the Kiwi music scene by storm, establishing New Zealand's first and only Elton John tribute show. The production quickly became a nationwide sensation, winning over teams of fans across the country with its authentic tribute to Elton John.

Don't miss the chance to experience the magic of Elton John through the unparalleled talents of Michael Stodart – a musical experience that promises to be nothing short of wonderful!

Find out more here.

Rolling back into town for 2026, the award-winning Hastings Meatball Festival serves up all things saucy, spicy, crumbed and delicious. Crowned Best Food, Drink or Lifestyle Event at the New Zealand Event Association Awards last year, the festival returns bigger and bolder.

Feast your way through creative takes on the classic meatball as Hawke’s Bay bakers, butchers, chefs and cooks compete for the coveted One NZ People’s Choice title. Add live music, beverage pop-ups, lawn games and a high-energy atmosphere, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a family-friendly night out.

In-person ticket purchases can be made at Hastings or Havelock North isite Visitor Information Centres.

Don’t drop the ball — tickets are in hot demand after last year’s success.

Find out more here.

Step into a world of forbidden glamour and vintage rebellion at Bootlegs & Burlesque - where cocktails flow, boas swirl through the air, and the spirit of Deco-Glam reigns supreme.

This immersive cabaret experience invites you to a night of sultry jazz, dazzling circus and elegant burlesque performances, all wrapped in a speakeasy setting.
Cash bar (with featured cocktails) available.

Find out more here.

Looking for the perfect way to end your week? Head to Al Fresco Fridays in Hastings City!

Book into a local eatery, get some takeout, or sample the food trucks - plus live music, outdoor games and plenty of space to sit in a car-free zone on Heretaunga Street East Block.

It’s the perfect evening to catch up with friends or unwind with great food and fun.

Join us Friday 30 January for Al Fresco Friday and eat on the street!

Eateries line-up:
Long Island Delicatessen
Cellar 495
Craft & Social
Decibel Wines
Hastings Distillers
Common Room
OTT In The City
Sazio
Rush Munro’s
Brave Brewing Co.
Funbuns
Rosie O’Grady’s
Kippers East Takeaways
Bambina Pizzeria
Cranky Chicken
Spooky's Pizzeria

Free admission - we’ll see you there!

BOHM PRESENTS:

Jimmy Carr
Laughs Funny

If you like fast-paced, edgy one-liners then get ready to be happy. Jimmy Carr is going back on tour with his brand-new show ‘Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny’.

Jimmy tells jokes, and jokes are like magnets.
Jokes attract people, but they can also repel.
Some people are repelled by Jimmy's dark brand of comedy. This show is not for them.
But if it's the kind of thing you like, then this is the kind of thing you’ll like.

Hurry, this will definitely sell out!

“A comedy hero for our times” The Guardian

“Jimmy Carr is a world-class comedian” The Independent

Find out more and get tickets here.

A taste of the festival. Six short acts from - music to poetry to comedy to drag - paired with a generous splash of fine local wine from the cellar of our hosts. Sample the variety of delights Fringe in the 'Stings and Decibel have to offer.

Missy Coulée aka FitS MVP Wild and Rising Star, Eru Heke, is a lip synching, high kicking drag diva who oozes sass and attitude. Raw talent combines with effervescent energy to create a fierce and fabulous feast for the eyes!

Finding life after fifty has taken a turn for the surreal, Karen Leslie - self styled Queen of Uncool, has discovered that the best way to juggle the weirdness of reality is put it on stage and poke it with a sharp wit. And she might even dance, which is always worth a laugh!

Sorceress of Sound and Soul, Mon Shelford is a spokesperson of spirit who possesses the ability to speak fluently and directly to the soul via song. She skillfully crafts her songs eloquently, to tell stories worth listening to.

Bizarre and Charming, George Fenn is a genre bending comedy theatre maker, specialising in audience interaction. He plays with expectations, pushing the joke as far as it will go…then a little further - all without saying a word.

Hometown Heroine, Christina Gunson's gutsy original songs evoke the CHB heartland. Raw and authentic, she gives voice to her experience in a way that gives goosebumps to all those with the privilege to witness her performance.

Our artistic director and former regional Slam Poetry Champion, Rosheen FitzGerald lives art, weaves words and makes magic. Her spoken word poetry chinks splinters in the brains of devotees opening hearts, minds and legs!

Find out more here.

Get ready for Hastings’ street party of epic proportions! Taste Hastings is back for another great evening of wine, food, and live music right in the central city.

Over 25 Hawke’s Bay wineries will be popping up along Heretaunga Street East, serving a huge variety of wines to taste and enjoy. Add in food trucks, live music, a DJ, and the laid-back vibes, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect night out.

We’re taking over the East Block – closed to traffic so you can wander, sip, and snack your way down the street.

Entry is FREE
Pre-purchase a tasting pass on Eventfinda and get 4 tokens + a glass to keep or choose a package for additional tokens. (Tokens and glasses also available on the night.) One taste token is one 35ml taste and three taste tokens is a 105ml glass. Additional tokens may be required for premium wines.

Make a night of it – step inside one of the local restaurants or bars to round out your evening with dinner and drinks.

Location: Heretaunga Street East, between Warren Street and Karamu Road

Find out more and purchase tickets here.

The Fine Print
Entry is free and everyone is welcome. Alcohol sales are R18 only – ID will be required to purchase or redeem tokens. One taste token is one 35ml taste and three taste tokens is a 105ml glass. Additional tokens may be required for premium wines.

ICompete Natural NZ (ICN) and Nutrition Warehouse NZ present the 2025 Hawke's Bay Muscle and Model Championships.

Support your friends and family as they showcase their hard work on the best natural bodybuilding stage in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Children under 5 years of age can enter for free with the expectation they will sit on a caregiver's knee.

Tickets here.