Things to do
Friday 17 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.
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.
Enabling Love & Friendship Coffee Club. Free. 1–2:30pm, Perc Plaza Cafe.
Otago Harbour's Secret Sea Life Scavenger Hunt. Free. 10am–1pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
Groovy Science Day. Enjoy a full day of fun with a science show, a scavenger hunt, and hands-on activities designed to entertain and inspire the next generation of scientists. Free, some ticketed events. 10am-3pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
LEGO Robotics Workshop: FIRST LEGO League Future Edition. Explore LEGO's new Computer Science and AI robotics kit with Harrison and Adam, members of the award-winning US robotics team Wolfpack Machina. Free, bookings essential. 10:30am–3pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
The Bubble Spectacular. Enter the bubbly-brilliant world of Dr Hubble, as he presents The Bubble Spectacular – a fun-filled, out of this world, bubble-riffic show! 11am–12pm, Regent Theatre.
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon Planetarium Experience. Premium session – includes drink on arrival and an antipasto selection from Precinct Food. 6pm, Tūhura Planetarium.
Gigs, comedy & shows
Rhythm and Brews. 7pm, Brew Bar.
Bowie. A Rock Tribute. Performed by two of New Zealand’s most accomplished voices: Greg MacLeod and Ben Hayward, backed by Dunedin’s finest musicians. 7:30pm, Knox Church.
Afrikaans Comedy – Mel die Storieverteller. 7:30pm, Mayfair Theatre.
Re-O Week Rager ... Lipstick Cherry, Ammonita, And FÜBAR. 9pm, The Crown Hotel.
Oscar Dowling Album Release Tour. 9pm, Pearl Diver. (Alt)
Saturday 18 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.
School Holidays – Touch Tank Tours. Guided harbour cruise and tour of the Marine Studies Centre touch tanks. $30 children, $55 adults. 9:05–10:20am or 10:35–11:50am, Port Chalmers Park, 39 Peninsula Beach Road.
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.
Otago Harbour's Secret Sea Life Scavenger Hunt. Free. 10am–1pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
The Vintage Roundup. Clothing & craft market. $2 entry fee. 11am–3pm, Port Chalmers Town Hall.
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.
Te Oraka Preloved Clothing Market. Nothing over $20. Featuring a linocut printing station set-up with local artist Rj Johnstone. 11am, Yours Cafe.
High School Robotics Workshop: FIRST Tech Challenge. Work with Harrison and Adam, members of an award-winning FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team from the US, to build, and then drive, an FTC robot chassis. Free, bookings essential. Participants must be 13+. 10am-3pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
Dunedin Rock Choir Performance. Joyful daytime celebration to mark the choir's 10th anniversary. Free – donations to food bank welcomed. 1pm, Tūhura Otago Museum.
Happy Feet. $10. 3:30pm, Tūhura Planetarium.
Gigs, comedy & shows
Bowie. A Rock Tribute. Performed by two of New Zealand’s most accomplished voices: Greg MacLeod and Ben Hayward, backed by Dunedin’s finest musicians. 5pm and 8pm, Knox Church.
Logan Edwards 'Belong To Someone Else' Tour. With Emily Esplin. 9pm, Pearl Diver. (Alt, pop, rock)
The Mindtakers, Serial Crush, and Plague County. 8pm, The Crown Hotel.
Sunday 19 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.
Mid Winter Market: Otago Potters Group. 10am–2pm, 6 Neville Street.
Record & Pop Culture Fair Vol.8. Free entry. 1–4pm, Moons.
Forest & Bird Youth Regional Hui 2026. Join our Regional Youth Hui, a day of crazy learning, engagement, and nature connection for young nature lovers aged 14–25 years. Free, register online. 10am–3:30pm, Ayu Community Space, Dunedin.
Afternoon: Moore’s Bush Reserve, Leith Valley (travel bus provided).
Ōtepoti Green Party Campaign Launch. Featuring Turtle Hearts, Cleos, and Flying Man. 5pm, Auahi Ora.
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
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