Celebrate Matariki
The July school holidays coincide with a month-long celebration of Matariki with Matariki Te Tauranga o ngā Waka events happening across the region. Families can explore the digital matARiki Sculpture Trail in the city centre and Porotakataka Park in Mount Maunganui, or follow the interactive Matariki Star Trail, discovering the stories of the stars while exploring the city centre.
There are plenty of opportunities to come together through free community events, including Matariki Whānau Day at Tauranga Library, which will host a range of activities where kids can try weaving, create their own mini tukutuku panel, shape a clay taonga, join a history hunt, and learn the basics of poi. All with the beautiful sounds of traditional Maori instruments and uplifting waiata shared throughout the day.
On the national public holiday, Friday, 10 July, Matariki Maumaharatanga at Hopukiore, Mount Drury Reserve invites the community to gather before dawn in a special moment of reflection and connection, to remember and honour loved ones, and to welcome the rising of the Matariki stars together. The Little Big Markets – Matariki edition, presented in collaboration with Te Puna Rangiriri Trust, will feature a Star Dome Observatory, offering a 360-degree digital planetarium experience where attendees can explore the stars and stories of Matariki (registrations are required). Families can also take part in manu horewai (traditional kite) making workshops with Jack Thatcher.
Matariki: Light Up the Waterways returns to Pāpāmoa on Matariki evening. Photo supplied.
In Pāpāmoa, Light Up the Waterways returns for one night only, transforming local waterways into a magical winter display of light, to help make the experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone, entry will be through free ticketed time slots this year.
- matARiki Sculpture Trail: 3–18 July 2026, Across Tauranga city centre and Porotakataka Park, Mount Maunganui
- Matariki Star Trail: 3–10 July 2026, Tauranga city centre
- Matariki Whānau Day: Saturday, 4 July 2026, Te Ao Mārama, Tauranga Library
- Matariki Maumaharatanga: Friday, 10 July 2026, Hopukiore (Mount Drury Reserve), Mount Maunganui
- Matariki: Light Up the Waterways: Friday, 10 July 2026, Pāpāmoa Waterways
- The Little Big Markets Matariki Edition: Friday, 10 July 2026, Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui
Get creative and hands-on
If your child loves painting, crafting, or making something they can take home, there are plenty of workshops and holiday programmes to spark their imagination. Tauranga libraries are hosting dozens of free drop-in workshops for a range of ages right across the city in Greerton, Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui and the city centre.
Lights and live entertainment
Matariki: Sunny Side Up Children's Film Festival is a celebration of children’s cinema. Photo supplied.
Dreamer is an indoor light festival for all ages that will turn the Arena at Mercury Baypark into a vibrant world of immersive light installations and glowing experiences. The Sunny Side Up Children’s Film Festival, created and hosted by young festival director Milli Banbury, is designed especially for primary-aged children and features a curated lineup of award-winning animated short films from around the world. At The Historic Village, Juggler Jay’s Incredible Magic Show is a family-friendly show packed with magic, juggling, comedy and plenty of audience participation. Also at The Village, settle in for classic Kiwi films, Whale Rider and Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople – Matariki screening: Monday, 6 July 2026, Village Cinema, The Historic Village
- Whale Rider – Matariki screening: Wednesday, 8 July 2026, Village Cinema, The Historic Village
- Dreamer Indoor Light Festival: from 10-19 July 2026, Mercury Baypark Arena
- Sunny Side Up Children's Film Festival: x 2 90-minute sessions on Thursday, 9 July 2026, Graham Young Youth Theatre
- Juggler Jay's Incredible Magic Show: x 2 shows on Sunday, 12 July 2026, Creative Community Campus, The Historic Village
Explore and get active
If the weather cooperates (or even if it doesn’t), there are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. Head out to McLaren Falls Park for a self-guided Choose Your Own Adventure Day and enjoy the brand new StoryWalk® Trail along the waterfall track, where pages of a children’s picture book are displayed along the path for an interactive reading experience. The Downtown Tauranga Drop-in is a day of free family fun in Grey Street, with a pop-up skateboard ramp, games, creative activities, giveaways and more, then explore the city centre's shops, eateries, attractions and newest spaces. Families can also take part in an interactive hunt at The Historic Village or burn off some energy at Tumble Time sessions at Mercury Baypark and Haumaru, featuring gymnastics-inspired activities designed for active youngsters aged up to 13 years.
- Choose Your Own Adventure Day, Winter Magic at McLaren Falls Park: 4–19 July 2026, McLaren Falls Park. Includes the StoryWalk® Trail along the Waterfall Track
- Market & Main - Village Hunt: 4–19 July 2026, The Historic Village
- The Downtown Tauranga Drop-in: Monday 6 July 2026, Grey Street, Tauranga
- School Holiday Tumble Time: Mercury Baypark & Haumaru: various dates and times
- Horse Holiday Programme: 9am–3pm, 6–8 July and 13–17 July 2026, Tauranga Riding for Disabled, Ngapeke Road
- Friday Fun Night at Baywave: Friday nights, Baywave, Mount Maunganui
For a full list of July school holiday events and to find out more, head over to whatsontauranga.co.nz/school-holidays