Things to do
Friday 10 July
Matariki Ahuka Nui – Dawn Ceremony. Join us on the Tūhura Otago Museum Reserve for a karakia to farewell the past year and welcome the new one. 7:15–10am, Museum Reserve and Precinct Café.
Kids Go Free* & School Holiday Adventures at Larnach Castle. Alice's winter wonderland quiz, children’s high tea, colouring competition and teddy bear hunt. *Up to 3 children free with 1 accompanying paying adult. See website for full details. Available Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 July 2026. 9am–5pm, Larnach Castle.
Art Making Table. Free, runs daily until 19 July. 10am–5pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Puaka Matariki – Community Fun Day. Discover the Māori martial art mau rākau, or the sounds of traditional instruments in a taoka pūoro session. Make something beautiful at one of our drop-in craft stations, or come along to a workshop on the taoka art of manu aute (traditional Māori kite making). Plus screenings of Mārama ā Whetū, Waka Whetū, and Night Sky Live in the planetarium. Free. 10am–3pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
I Spy at Toitū – Read All About It! Toitū’s latest gallery trail is all about posters, newspapers, postcards, and advertisements! Pick up your free trail from reception. Runs daily until 25 September. 10am-5pm, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
Enabling Love & Friendship Coffee Club. Free. 1–2:30pm, Perc Plaza Cafe.
Science Academy Showcase. Science show honouring Matariki and the wonders of space followed by science communication talks and short films. Free. 3–5:45pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
Matariki mā Puaka. Live music headlined by Tiki Taane, a food truck village, kapa haka and cultural experiences including hands-on workshops, stalls and storytelling. As night falls, two drone performances bring stories of Matariki and Puaka to life in the southern sky. 5:30–9pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium. Drone show, University Oval Fields 4 & 5, 6pm & 8:45pm.
Gigs, comedy & shows
Fun And Games! Variety Show. Featuring Phil Plant, Lola Joint, Meg Hartigan, Theodore Kidd, and Nicola Brown. 7:30pm, Inch Bar.
Saturday 11 July
Otago Farmers Market. Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs, baked goods, milk, cheese, nuts, honey and artisan products + freshly roasted coffee and delicious breakfast and lunch items. 8am–12:30pm, Dunedin Railway Station.
Kids Go Free* & School Holiday Adventures at Larnach Castle. Alice's winter wonderland quiz, children’s high tea, colouring competition and teddy bear hunt. *Up to 3 children free with 1 accompanying paying adult. See website for full details. Available Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 July 2026. 9am–5pm, Larnach Castle.
Art Making Table. Free, runs daily until 19 July. 10am–5pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
I Spy at Toitū – Read All About It! Toitū’s latest gallery trail is all about posters, newspapers, postcards, and advertisements! Pick up your free trail from reception. Runs daily until 25 September. 10am-5pm, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
Tūhuratia a Matariki mā Puaka. Celebrate Matariki in the planetarium with showings of Night Sky Live, Waka Whetū, and Mārama ā Whetū. General admission $20. 5:30–7pm, Tūhura Planetarium.
Gigs, comedy & shows
The Drag-ulous Fictional Fundraiser! Featuring David Bones, Emmanuelle Douche, Lola Joint, Tessa Motion, Tempest Wilde, Sam In Colour, with music from Paul S. Allen. 6:30pm, Yours Cafe.
Mea Culpa. 7:30pm, Inch Bar.
The Biscuits, Cuticles, Stef Animal. 9pm, The Crown Hotel. (Alternative, punk, rock)
Taku Kati Taramea. Featuring Tali Joy, Te Kahui, Ryechi, Kahu, and Shoba. 7:30pm, Pearl Diver.
The Andy Sugg Group. 7:30pm, Hanover Hall.
Sunday 12 July
Kids Go Free* & School Holiday Adventures at Larnach Castle. Alice's winter wonderland quiz, children’s high tea, colouring competition and teddy bear hunt. *Up to 3 children free with 1 accompanying paying adult. See website for full details. Available Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 July 2026. 9am–5pm, Larnach Castle.
I Spy at Toitū – Read All About It! Toitū’s latest gallery trail is all about posters, newspapers, postcards, and advertisements! Pick up your free trail from reception. Runs daily until 25 September. 10am-5pm, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum.
Art Making Table. Free, runs daily until 19 July. 10am–5pm, Dunedin Public Art Gallery.
Guinea Pig Show. Watch pet & purebred guinea pigs being judged, raffle, kids colouring table. Gold coin entry. 10am–2pm, Carisbrook School.
Tūhuratia a Matariki mā Puaka. Celebrate Matariki in the planetarium with showings of Night Sky Live, Waka Whetū, and Mārama ā Whetū. General admission $20. 5:30–7pm, Tūhura Planetarium.
Gigs, comedy & shows
Western Haikus Te Waipounamu Tour. 8pm, Yours. (Alternative, punk, rock)
Big Jazz Apple. 4:30pm, Inch Bar.
And that’s your weekend round-up. Got an event you’d like to feature? Drop me a line here → [email protected]
Thanks for reading,
Emma
Share the Dunedin Dispatch today
Know someone who’d love to find out what’s happening around the city? Share us with your friends and family