Spring into fun these September school holidays in Tauranga

From outdoor adventures and treasure hunts to a kids rave, DJ workshop, live theatre, creative activities and chances to meet sporting stars, there’s plenty happening across the city to keep tamariki entertained and the whole whānau exploring. 

Meet your sporting heroes 

The Tauranga Waterfront will be a hub of sporting action these holidays. Hoops on the Waterfront with Whai Tauihi Women’s Stars on Sunday, 27 September, gives young basketball fans the chance to hit the court alongside the Whai stars, alongside a live DJ and MC, face painting, giveaways and more.
Then on Saturday, 3 October, come and meet the Bay of Plenty Steamers at the Waterfront. Bring the whānau along to meet the players, grab a photo or autograph and enjoy free face painting, ticket giveaways and an exclusive player Q&A.  

The XP Gymnastics Nationals are landing at Mercury Baypark Arena from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October. Experience the excitement, cheer on the gymnasts and enjoy one, or all five days, of high-energy competition showcasing the very best of New Zealand gymnastics.

Shows, music and live entertainment 

Be transported to the magical world of Oz as Wicked takes over Baycourt. Tauranga Musical Theatre’s production tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda through a story packed with music, humour and unexpected twists. Performances run from Wednesday, 23 September to Saturday, 3 October.

For younger music fans, Baycourt is turning up the volume with Kids Rave on Saturday, 26 September. With two sessions to choose from, it’s a chance for kids and their grown-ups to hit the dance floor and kick off the school holidays together.  
Young creatives can also colour their way to the stars with Baycourt’s The Valentina colouring competition. Pick up a colouring sheet from Baycourt or local libraries or download a copy and be in to win one of three family passes to The Valentina, a magical space adventure at the Tauranga Arts Festival designed for 8 to 12-year-olds.

 There are plenty more opportunities to discover music and live entertainment throughout the holidays: 

• School’d DJ Academy with Dylan Parker: Three sessions give young aspiring DJs the chance to get behind the decks. Monday, 28 September, The Jam Factory, The Historic Village.  
• Musical School Holiday Programme: Four days of music, creativity and hands-on opportunities to explore different instruments. Monday, 28 September to Thursday, 1 October, Totara Street.  
• Abracadabra: A fast-paced family magic show featuring illusions, audience interaction and plenty of laughs. Friday, 9 October, Baycourt Community and Arts Centre. 
• The Caretaker’s Guide to the Orchestra: Introduce the whānau to the world of orchestral music. Saturday, 10 October, Baycourt Community and Arts Centre. 

Explore, discover and get adventurous

At Classic Flyers, aviation-themed activities run throughout the holidays, with kids able to tackle a Nerf shooting gallery, crack a mystery code using the phonetic alphabet, build paper planes and gliders, launch rockets and more. School Holiday Activities at Classic Flyers run from Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 11 October.

Then bring the whānau together for Eats ’n’ Beats: The Debut at Jordan Field, Memorial Park on Friday, 2 October. The first Eats ’n’ Beats community dinner brings together food, music and community, with prospective resident DJs taking to the decks from 5pm to 9pm. Entry is free.

 To round out the holidays, young anglers can cast a line at Junior Fish Frenzy on the Waterfront on Saturday, 10 October, with more than $5,000 in prizes available across competition categories and spot prizes. 

Other adventures include: 

• Choose Your Own Adventure Day - Spring Discovery at McLaren Falls Park: Head outdoors and make the most of spring with a self-guided family adventure at McLaren Falls Park, running everyday throughout the school holidays. 
• The Great Tauranga Treasure Hunt: Kick off the holidays with The Great Tauranga Treasure Hunt, a city-wide treasure hunt taking place on Saturday, 26 September. 
• AutoFest: Car lovers can head to Mercury Baypark Arena for AutoFest, bringing automotive action to Tauranga on Saturday, 26 September. 
• Market & Main Village Hunt: Explore The Historic Village and put your detective skills to the test with the Market & Main Village Hunt, running everyday throughout the school holidays. 

Get creative and hands on

For tamariki who love making, experimenting and learning something new, there are plenty of creative activities to fill the holidays. 

• Kids Composting Workshop: A hands-on workshop for ages 5 to 12 exploring worms, soil life and composting. Tuesday, 29 September, Te Ao Mārama, Pāpāmoa Library and Community Hub.  
• Underwater Creature Crafts: Get creative with an underwater-inspired craft session. Tuesday, 6 October, Creative Community Campus, The Historic Village. 
• Bell Makers Studio: Young artists can explore different creative techniques while making their own working bell. Tuesday, 6 to Friday, 9 October, Toi Tauranga Art Gallery. 
• Spring Spotting Scavenger Hunt: Follow the clues and uncover spring-themed surprises hidden among the books. Saturday, 26 September to Sunday, 11 October, Greerton, Mount Maunganui or Pāpāmoa libraries.  
  
  For the full line-up of school holiday events and activities, head to What’s On Tauranga.