What's On in Rotorua
Rotorua hosts world-class events year round
Events bring communities together, help our city grow, showcase creativity, and often they celebrate our unique treasures such as geothermal wonders, Māori heritage, and gold-level mountain biking trails.
Following overwhelming demand, Tērā te Auahi - An Interpretation of the Tarawera Eruption returns for a special summer season from 15 January to 14 February 2027.
Created by performing arts collective Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa, the contemporary production combines theatre, music, movement and kapa haka to tell the story of the 1886 Tarawera eruption, bringing one of Aotearoa's most significant historical events vividly to life through the experiences of those who lived through it.
Tērā Te Auahi - An Interpretation of the Tarawera Eruption
15 January – 14 February 2027
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa presents Tērā te Auahi - a contemporary retelling of the 1886 Tarawera eruption, one of New Zealand’s most devastating natural disasters. Through a powerful blend of theatre, music, movement, and kapa haka, the production shares the stories of the people of Te Wairoa and surrounding villages, while honouring the resilience and enduring spirit of the land itself.
NZ Entertainer of the Year
10 October
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
New Zealand Country Music Association presents NZ Entertainer of the Year.
Giant Legends Enduro Series – Race 1
11 October 2026
Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua
Cruise up, race down and ride your pace at the opening race of the three-round Giant Legends Enduro Series. Set among the world-class trails of Whakarewarewa Forest, Race 1 is all about great riding, good mates and competition that’s serious (but not too serious). Choose a long or short course, tackle the stages in your preferred order and enjoy food, music and plenty of good times along the way.
The Caretaker’s Guide to the Orchestra
11 October
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Opus Orchestra invites audiences of all ages into the colourful world of the orchestra with Jeremy Holland-Smith’s The Caretaker’s Guide to the Orchestra.
Bjorn Again - ABBA Forever Tour
14 Oct 2026
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
The only ABBA-endorsed tribute show hits the stage for the ABBA Forever Tour — a Super Trouper celebration of ABBA’s legacy, uniting past, present, and future generations in the magic of music. This show brings glitter, glam, and greatest hits with dazzling energy, spot-on vocals, and outrageous costumes. Expect Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo & more, performed with cheeky humour and that signature Björn Again magic.
Home Brew presents Last Week
16 October
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Aotearoa hip-hop favourites, Home Brew kick off their Last Week Tour in Rotorua, the first stop of a highly anticipated national tour.
Home Brew are one of Aotearoa’s most beloved hip-hop groups, rising to equal parts greatness and infamy through their extensive run of EPs through the early 2010s and culminating in their now-classic #1 self-titled debut.
Che Fu & The Kratez 25 years of the Navigator
17 October
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
One of Aotearoa’s most influential artists, Che Fu celebrates the 25th anniversary of his landmark album Navigator with a special nationwide tour this October.
An Evening with Che Fu & The Kratez will see the pioneering artist perform songs from Navigator, alongside favourites from across his celebrated career, backed by his powerhouse live band, The Kratez.
Aramex Walk Run Series: Trek the Forest
17 October
Lake Tikitapu
Trek the Forest showcases Rotorua at its best, taking walkers and runners through the stunning surrounds of Lake Tikitapu and into the iconic Whakarewarewa Forest. With beautiful lake views, native forest, and world-class trails right on the city’s doorstep, it’s the perfect way to experience Rotorua’s natural playground.
Whaka100 MTB
23 – 25 October
Whakarewarewa Forest
Ride world-class singletrack through Rotorua’s iconic Whakarewarewa Forest, with distances from 10km to 175km to suit every level.
Join more than 3,000 riders for one of the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest MTB events, and soak up a full weekend of riding, atmosphere, and everything Rotorua has to offer.
Werewolf
29 October
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Three ill-equipped wardens keep watch over a makeshift community (that’s you, the audience) who must learn to work together. When night falls — who do you trust?
Returning from a sold-out season in Edinburgh, their most entertaining creation yet pulls you into a world of suspicion, survival and uneasy laughter. With heart pounding sound design, razor-sharp performances and a daring, darkly funny style.
Beatlemania On Tour
3 November
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
The world’s best live Beatles tribute is coming to Rotorua for the very first time. Experience the songs that changed pop music forever, performed live and in original key, including Hey Jude, Let It Be, Come Together and more!
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience
3 November
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
They’re back!
Basil, Manuel and Sybil are in town – and they’re bringing a healthy dose of mayhem to your door. Fully immersive, highly interactive and completely original, this is the show where anything can happen and usually does—and with 70% of the show improvised, it’s never the same twice. With two hours of comedy, three courses of food, and universal acclaim the world over, expect chaos, laughs, and a brilliant night out.
Legend of the Peaks
6 – 7 November
Whakarewarewa Forest
Based in Rotorua, the Geothermal, Cultural and Adventure mecca of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Legend of the Peaks festival provides running and walking events for all levels of fitness with distances starting from 2kms for kids to the New Zealand Forest Marathon covering 42kms of off-road trail running and the pinnacle event, the Whaka Ultra 50K.
Legend of the Peaks is an epic combination of amazing trails, with a festival vibe that includes expo, music, food and good times.
The Coombes Johnston BMW New Zealand Aria Finals Night
7 November
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Experience one of Rotorua's longstanding performing-arts events as the New Zealand Aria Finals Night returns to the Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Ten outstanding singers will compete for a share of a $41,000 prize pool, performing live with the Auckland Philharmonia in a rare local appearance by the full professional orchestra.
The evening celebrates 80 years since the New Zealand Aria competition began in 1946 and marks the 79th Festival of Song. Join local music lovers for a night of exceptional voices, orchestral performance and the excitement of a prestigious national final.
Hoani Hotene – It’s Getting Hot-ene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes
14 November
Sir Howard Morrison Centre
Hoani Hotene (Ngāti Hauā) brings his Billy T Award winning show to Rotorua - It’s getting Hot-ene, so tell me all your jokes. The world's heating up, going wild, and Hoani Hotene is trying to get through it all with what…? Jokes? Yep. Asking big questions about politics, religion, and breakfast. Growing up in a kura kaupapa Hoani comes a different lens of Aotearoa and everything that’s going on.
8TH WONDER – A Festival of Sound & Culture
23 January 2027
Te Papa Rēhia | Village Green
LOOP presents 8th Wonder, a one-day festival of Sound & Culture, is set to take over Rotorua for the first time this January. Featuring an eclectic mix of artists combining to create an unmissable day of music including - L.A.B, Te Wehi, Sir Dave Dobbyn, Aaradhna, Betty-Anne (Voice of Ardjiah), Che Fu & The Krates, Corrella, The Elovaters (USA), Ladi6, Son & Water.
Tarawera Ultra Trail
13 – 14 February 2027
Rotorua
Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB brings the world to Rotorua, showcasing the region’s spectacular trails, lakes, waterfalls, native forest, and deep connection to whenua. From the event hub on the Rotorua lakefront to courses that journey through some of the district’s most iconic landscapes, it captures Rotorua’s spirit of adventure, manaakitanga, and unforgettable outdoor experiences.
Legends of the Lake
27 February 2027
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
Legend of the Lake is a uniquely Rotorua open-water swim experience, set in the clear waters of Lake Tikitapu, one of the region’s most loved natural landmarks. From family-friendly OceanKids swims to longer lake challenges and the magical Swim The Night experience, the event celebrates Rotorua’s deep connection to lakes, outdoor adventure, and unforgettable natural settings.
Crankworx Rotorua
10 – 14 March 2027
Rotorua
Crankworx Rotorua is a world-class mountain bike festival, bringing five action-packed days of elite competition, community racing and family-friendly experiences to the city’s renowned trails. From thrilling downhill and slopestyle events to Kidsworx racing and opportunities for riders of all ages, the festival celebrates Rotorua’s deep connection to mountain biking, outdoor adventure and its passionate riding community.
Volcanic Epic
17 – 21 March 2027
Taupō, Tokoroa, and Rotorua
Ride from the edge of Lake Taupō’s super volcano to Rotorua’s geothermal mountain bike playground, across five unforgettable days of world-famous volcanic singletrack.
Red Stag Rotorua Marathon
1 May 2027
Lake Rotorua and Lakefront Reserve
The Rotorua Marathon is woven into the city’s identity, with runners and walkers taking on the iconic lap around Lake Rotorua since 1965. The event which includes a Half Marathon, 10km, 5km and Kids Mini Marathon, celebrates Rotorua's community spirit and status as one of New Zealand’s great outdoor event destinations.
For Sir Howard Morrison Centre events, please note the following policies:
Conditions of entry: Our team is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment. Please follow all reasonable directions from venue staff. Anyone behaving in an unsafe, disruptive or inappropriate manner may be refused entry or asked to leave.
Bags and prohibited items: To help make entry quick and easy, please bring only essential items. All bags may be inspected on arrival. Large bags and other prohibited items may not be permitted inside the venue.
Food and drinks: Food and drinks purchased outside the venue may not be brought inside. Our foyer bar will be open before the show but will close when the performance begins. Bar reopens for shows with intervals.
Smoke-free and Vape-free venue: To support a comfortable environment for everyone, the Sir Howard Morrison Centre is a smoke-free and vape-free venue. Please refrain from smoking or vaping anywhere inside the building or within the venue grounds.
