Events Calendar

Location

Discovery World Tropical Forest (Dunedin)

Jan 1 2009 - Jan 1 2010

Experience Dunedin’s hot new attraction – Discovery World Tropical Forest. Enter a lush, living, tropical environment and come face to face with some of nature’s most beautiful butterflies. Hundreds of these enchanting creatures roam free all around you – some even stopping (on you) to say hello! For a truly uplifting experience, head to Discovery World Tropical Forest today! Admission charges apply.

Josephine (Dunedin)

Jan 1 2009 - Jun 1 2009

New Zealand's oldest surviving locomotive The northern end of the Otago Settlers Museum is home to Otago's most celebrated steam train, Josephine. Josephine was designed in England by Robert Fairlie and built by the Vulcan Foundry in Lancashire, arrived by ship in August 1872 and was assembled at Port Chalmers. A load of beer was hauled from Burkes Brewery in September and passengers were carried for the first time in October 1872.

A and P Show - Otago/Taieri (Other)

Jan 23 2009 - Jan 25 2009

The Agricultural and Pastoral Shows offer a wide range of activities to keep the whole family entertained! A Kiwi tradition, the shows have something for everyone including: live stock competitions, agricultural demonstrations and displays, amusements, side shows and a range stalls selling everything from Tractors to Candyfloss. Supported by The Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, visit their website to find out more about the A and P show in your region. Venue: A and P Showgrounds, Ranfurly

For Auld Lang Syne: 250 years of Robert Burns (Dunedin)

Jan 25 2009 - Feb 28 2009

This display marks the 250th birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet.! His poems and songs are uniquely Scottish and one of the great treasures of world literature. Scots the world over have idolised Burns for over two centuries.

Dunedin Chinese Garden Open evening. (Dunedin)

Jan 26 2009

The Dunedin Chinese Garden welcomes in the Year of the Ox with a free open evening. Take the opportunity to visit the garden in the twilight and then enjoy the spectacular fireworks dispaly from the P'ai Lau.

Chinese New Year Fireworks (Dunedin)

Jan 26 2009

Welcome the Year of the Ox by watching spectacular fireworks in front of the Chinese Garden. Best viewing spots include Customhouse Quay and the Chinese Garden P'ai Lau.

Billy Connolly (Dunedin)

Feb 4 2009

International comedian Billy Connolly is bringing his whacky show back to New Zealand in February and March. The outrageous Scotsman with a penchant for lycra, trikes and nude bungy jumping will unleash his wit at shows around the country. Connolly's reputation as a ribald and personable funny-man is unchallenged in the world of comedy. His show is never the same, and he delves deeply in to his day-to-day experiences to produce a whacky, unique and highly entertaining performance.

A.R.E.A 9 (Wanaka)

Feb 6 2009 - Aug 8 2009

A.R.E.A 9 will be displaying some of New Zealand's best extreme activities with some of New Zealand's best live bands. The Aotearoa Rock Extreme Adventure is a massive 48 hour party with the best Kiwi music and entertainment. Funky sounds for the whole weekend; extreme activities to keep the adventure going; and limited ticket sales to keep the good times memorable.

Chinese Dragon Parade (Dunedin)

Feb 7 2009

The Chinese Dragon will depart the Lower Octagon at 4pm and head to the Chinses Garden via Princes and Lower Rattray Streets. You'll hear it before you see it. Follow the dragon, join in along the way or meet it at the Chinese Garden. Firecrackers from the P'ai Lau will greet the dragon when it arrives at 4.30pm.

Crusty Demons: The Unleash Hell Tour (Dunedin)

Feb 7 2009

The Crusty Demons Unleash Hell Tour will be the biggest and most extravagant youth sporting event ever to come to NZ. The Crusty Demons shows are globally acclaimed. Each show will be a huge entertainment extravaganza and will be a rare chance for New Zealand fans to see the world's top Freestyle Motocross riders in action. If you want to see the biggest, craziest tricks in the world, come to a Crusty show.

Thieves Alley Market Day (Dunedin)

Feb 14 2009

Valentines Day 2009 is the day the Diamond Princess cruise ship will visit our shores and Dunedin will hold its biggest market day of the year. Over 250 stallholders spill out into the Octagon and nearby streets touting their wares to the passersby. Look over the interesting, creative and colourful stalls, hunt for gifts and goodies, sniff and sample the treats in the sunshine Be one of thousands of customers drawn to this event. Bargains, food and fun galore.

Relay For Life (Dunedin)

Feb 21 2009 - Feb 22 2009

This is a 24 hour relay/walk event fundraiser for the Cancer Society for the Otago/Southland Division. All funds raised are used in our area by the Cancer Society who provide free services to patients and families and provide a wide variety of resources, free of charge to our community.

DOCNZ Festival (Dunedin)

Feb 24 2009

The 2009 DOCNZ Festival will bring world-class documentaries to Dunedin, March 26h - April 5th 2009. From rare footage of the Saffron revolution, to the plight of being gay in Islam, to the discovery of a dreadlocked comedy sensation the line-up this year looks set to continue the tradition of putting the best of reality onto our screens. DOCNZ is the annual international competitive documentary film festival held in New Zealand that showcases the very best in documentary film from New Zealand and around the World. While the final programme of 40 plus films will be released in January, five documentaries have already been confirmed.

Brant Bjork and The Bro's (Dunedin)

Feb 26 2009

RW Entertainment present American psychedelic rock band Brant Bjork and The Bro's, live at the Arc Cafe in Dunedin. With support from Soulseller.

Queenstown Auto Extravaganza (Queenstown)

Feb 27 2009 - Mar 1 2009

Queenstowns premier three-day car enthusiasts weekend. Some very special vehicles will be on display including Ford GT40s, Mustangs,Corvettes and Jaguars. Concours vehicles such as a 1937 Mercedes Cabrio B, 1930 V16 Cadillac, 1932 V12 Packard and 1933 V12 Lincoin. New Zealands first V8 hydrogen powered hotrod is being brought from the USA and will race on Sundays 1/8th Mile sprint.. This will be a great day for young and old to see their favourite automoblies.

The Edge SummerJam 2009 (Dunedin)

Mar 7 2009

The Frontier Touring Company is pleased to confirm the arrival of The Veronicas to NZ for The Edge SummerJam 2009. Special guests at all shows will be US superstars Metro Station and NZ’s own P Money and Midnight Youth. Australia’s favourite twins, The Veronicas will play to NZ fans for the very first time in a string of shows in February ’09 as part of The Edge SummerJam 2009.

Michael Hill NZ Open (Arrowtown)

Mar 12 2009 - Mar 15 2009

Rated as one of the best golf courses ever built in New Zealand, The Hills will offer spectacular scenery and a challenging test of golf for the world's best players. New Zealand's richest sporting event with prize money on offer of $1,500,000NZD will ensure a world class field. The event is co-sanctioned by The PGA European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia.

World Cinema Showcase (Dunedin)

Mar 12 2009 - Mar 25 2009

The World Cinema Showcase, the mini-festival presented every autumn by the organisers of the mammoth mid-winter International Film Festival, celebrated its first decade in 2008 with an acclaimed programme and record attendances. For two weeks each autumn, filmgoers in Dunedin can feast on a menu of quality films from around the world.

Letter to Blanchy: Stir Crazy (Dunedin)

Mar 21 2009

conic New Zealand comedians David McPhail and Jon Gadsby adapt their award-winning television show, Letter to Blanchy for a nationwide tour of their stage play Letter to Blanchy: Stir Crazy. This hilarious play has something to amuse and entertain everyone, be it through recognition of the foibles of the characters, sympathy for the plight of the unwilling bedfellows, or simply relief that it isn't them.

Dunedin Fringe Festival 2009 (Dunedin)

Mar 26 2009 - Apl 5 2009

The Dunedin Fringe Festival 2009 is Dunedin's premier showcase of innovative contemporary art and the largest Fringe Festival event in the South Island of New Zealand. The 2009 Dunedin Fringe Festival runs for 11 days and features artists from throughout New Zealand as well as international guests. The Festival incorporates comedy, dance, music, street performance, installations, theatre, visual art, film and many cross media events.

Arrowtown Autumn Festival (Arrowtown)

Apl 17 2009 - Apl 26 2009

The Arrowtown Autumn Festival celebrates 25 years of community events in 09 with a huge array of amazing entertainment. The Main Festival day on Saturday 18th April includes market day, old fashion festival parade, plus entertainment for all ages on a variety of stages. During the 10 days we have over 75 events to keep you busy with bridal shows, variety concerts, workshops for adults and children plus loads of free holiday fun.

Dulux BeST Design Awards Exhibition Dunedin (Dunedin)

May 23 2009 - Jun 1 2009

Forget Milan, New York, Paris or London. New Zealand design is where it’s at. Get an up-close and personal view of New Zealand’s best graphic, product and interior designs at the country’s largest touring design exhibition, which goes on show in Dunedin this May. From the weird and wonderful (such as a wind-driven gumboot dryer and a stovetop that’s straight out of the Jetsons) to the sublimely beautiful, more than 133 of New Zealand’s top designs will be on show in the exhibition, which showcases the winners and standout finalists of the 2008 national BeST Design Awards – the Oscar’s of the New Zealand design world. Want to know what goes into making an award-winning design? Come and listen to Mike Jensen, an award-winning product designer at Fisher & Paykel Appliances, who will speak at the Dulux BeST Design Awards Exhibition official opening function (Monday, November 3 at 6.00pm) about the company’s winning designs. The official opening function, which is free to attend, will be held on Friday, May 22 at the Otago Polytechnic Art School Gallery, Riego Street, Dunedin.

Mid Winter Carnival (Dunedin)

Jun 20 2009

Join us in the Octagon for one of our most original and poignant celebrations. The Midwinter Solstice or Shortest Day of the Year is steeped in myth and mystery. The Carnival itself is a time honoured event and parades hundreds of beautiful handmade lanterns through the centre of the city under a starry sky. The effect is quite eerie and well worth leaving your fire for!

American Express Queenstown Winterfestival (Queenstown)

Jun 26 2009 - Jul 5 2009

Icons don’t just happen overnight, and American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2009 will be 35 years in the making. Icons don’t just happen overnight, and American Express Queenstown Winter Festival 2009 will be 35 years in the making.

Women's Lifestyle Expo Dunedin (Dunedin)

Oct 10 2009 - Oct 11 2009

A great day out for women! The Women's Lifestyle Expos have been well anticipated weekends in New Zealand since 1996. Held as annual events in nine cities around New Zealand, the Expos bring together an extensive variety of services and products aimed at today's women. Most expos have more than 160 exhibitors featuring everything from jewellery and health products to business products and information, crafts, fitness and beauty products, food and wine sampling, home wares, education providers and much more!

Otago Art Society - City of Dunedin Art Awards (Dunedin)

Oct 31 2009 - Nov 29 2009

City of Dunedin Art Awards, nationwide art exhibition. Significant prizes. Entries close 10 October. See website for details.

Lastword - Otago Polytechnic Communication Design Graduate Exhibition (Dunedin)

Nov 17 2009 - Nov 22 2009

What does it mean to be a communication designer? Over the past three years the graduating students of 2009 have formed their own individual design style and beliefs. This exhibition is a professionally presented collaboration of creative expression, insight and storytelling, showing we are ready to leap into the real world. Works include design from a wide array of media including graphic design, illustration, web, interaction design and digital film-making. During this exhibition, we have the opportunity to let you in on our secrets, desires and skills. Then the curtain falls and we start a new beginning. Our celebration. Our finale. Our lastword. For more information about ‘lastword’ visit: http://www.lastwordexhibition.com ‘lastword’ is open from: 17th – 20th November, 12pm – 4pm 21st – 22nd November 10am – 4pm