Palmy’s Festival of Colours is back.

Join us for a vibrant Holi-inspired celebration filled with colour and community spirit as we wrap up our summer events series in style.

Event details

Date: Friday 19 March 2027
Time: 5–8pm
Venue: Te Marae o Hine

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Palmerston North will celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 – the Year of the Horse, symbolising energy and new beginnings – with a free, community-led event in Te Marae o Hine – The Square.

There will be plenty to see and do on the day, including:

• Traditional lion and dragon dances
• Performances from local groups, including the IPU Drum Team
• Community stallholders offering hands-on activities such as knot tying and calligraphy
• A wishing tree to share hopes for the year ahead
• A variety of traditional cuisines prepared by community groups

Keep an eye on the Council website and Facebook page for performance times and more details closer to the event.

Event details

Date: Saturday 13 February 2027
Time: 11am–2pm
Venue: Te Marae o Hine – The Square
Location: Palmerston North Central 4410
Cost: Free

Contact

Phone: 06 356 8199
Email: PNEvents@pncc.govt.nz

Notice of filming and photography

Attendees at this public event may be recorded by Palmerston North City Council or our contractors, including drone footage. Images and audio-visual recordings of the event may be published for promotional activities by the Council or one of our affiliated partners.

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Get prepared this Shake Month with free public talks, family activities and New Zealand’s nationwide ShakeOut earthquake drill.

Throughout October, hear from emergency experts and scientists about the hazards we face, what they could mean for Palmy and practical steps you can take to be better prepared.

Come along to one or more of our free Shake Month events, take part in ShakeOut, or do both.

Event details

Dates: 6 to 29 October 2026
Locations: Central Library and Palmy Conference + Function Centre
Cost: Free

Don’t wait for the woah! Natural hazards and your home

Learn more about the natural hazards that could affect your home and what you can do now to reduce the risks.

The Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake and Council’s Emergency Management team will talk about local risks, answer your questions and share practical tips to help you and your whānau prepare.

There’ll also be VR headsets, games and activities to explore before the talk begins.

Date: Tuesday 6 October 2026
Doors open: 6.30pm
Talk starts: 7pm
Venue: Central Library
Cost: Free

Catastrophic events

What happens when a major emergency affects an entire community?

Hear from the National Emergency Management Agency about catastrophic events and the impacts they can have on communities, organisations and the critical services we rely on.

Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Palmy Conference + Function Centre
Address: 354 Main Street, Palmerston North
Cost: Free

The science of emergencies

Explore the science behind emergencies, risk and resilience with Kate from Illuminate Science.

This free talk will look at emergencies through a scientific lens and share practical insights that can help individuals, workplaces and communities become more resilient.

Date: Thursday 29 October 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Palmy Conference + Function Centre
Address: 354 Main Street, Palmerston North
Cost: Free

Take part in ShakeOut

ShakeOut is New Zealand’s nationwide earthquake drill and a chance to practise what to do when an earthquake happens.

Taking part is a simple way to practise the right safety actions and check whether there are any gaps in your household, workplace or organisation’s emergency procedures.

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Get ready for an evening of comedy and hypnosis where audience members become part of the show.

The Comedy Hypnosis Show combines live hypnosis with plenty of laughs, putting willing audience members centre stage for an unpredictable night of entertainment.

This is an adults-only R18 event.

Event details

Date: Friday 30 October 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Palmy Conference + Function Centre
Address: 354 Main Street, Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North 4410
Age restriction: R18 – adults only

Book tickets

Book your tickets through Eventbrite.

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Youth Fest is a free event for rangatahi aged 12 to 24, with activities, workshops and experiences covering sport, creativity, culture, wellbeing and useful skills for everyday life.

What you can try

Get a fresh barber cut or have your nails done. Step into the ring for a boxing workshop, slow things down with yoga, learn barista skills or jump into a whole new world with VR.

You can also try acting and improv, writing, zine and sticker making, music, art therapy and more. There’ll be activities and workshops around mindfulness, relationships, budgeting, goal setting and other useful life skills too. 

Grab a Youth Fest passport

Pick up your Youth Fest passport when you arrive and collect stamps as you make your way around the festival. The more you try, the more freebies you can unlock.

Youth Fest is a chance to discover something you’re into, learn a new skill, meet new people and connect with local groups and services that can help you now or down the track.

Bring your mates, follow whatever catches your eye and see where the day takes you.

When

Saturday, 26 September 2026 | 01:00 PM – 04:00 PM

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We’re proud to partner with Ngāti Hineaute to bring everyone together.

This event is free, accessible and family friendly.

Bring your friends and whānau and join us as we welcome the Māori New Year together.

25 June

The Pit Lane, Arena

Save the dates and stay tuned – more details are coming soon!

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The city’s official services will take place in Te Marae o Hine – The Square, with the dawn service at 6am, followed by the civic service.

These services provide an opportunity for the community to unite in remembrance, reflect on the courage of those who served, and acknowledge the freedoms we enjoy today.

The Palmerston North City Council encourages all residents and visitors to take part in these significant national commemorations. More details will be available on the PNCC webpage.

Anzac Day services across the city

• Palmerston North Dawn Service – The War Memorial – Cenotaph at Te Marae o Hine – The Square
• Ashhurst Dawn Service – Post Office Corner Reserve
• Palmerston North Civic Service – The War Memorial – Cenotaph at Te Marae o Hine – The Square
• Bunnythorpe Service – Bunnythorpe War Memorial
• Ashhurst Civic Service – Post Office Corner Reserve

Save the dates and stay tuned – more details are coming soon!

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Celebrate Children’s Day at Explore Esplanade Day.

For one day only, the Victoria Esplanade will transform into a land before time. Alongside Palmy’s biggest playground and all the Esplanade’s much-loved attractions, step into a prehistoric world with roarsome fun for the whole whānau.

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates on parking, performance schedules, and any weather-related decisions.

Victoria Esplanade

Save the dates and stay tuned – more details are coming soon!

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World Fair 
26 February
Te Marae o Hine – The Square 

The iconic World Fair returns – a lively celebration of our community’s diversity through food, art, music, dance, games, and more! 

Come explore flavours from around the globe, enjoy a range of performances, and experience the energy that makes Palmy so multicultural. 

Teas and Coffees of the World 
27 February 
Caccia Birch House 

Round off the weekend in style with a relaxing afternoon at Caccia Birch House, sampling a variety of teas, coffees, and other hot drinks from around the world. 

This event invites you to explore global traditions and share stories over a warm cuppa. 

Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for any further updates.

Save the dates and stay tuned – more details are coming soon!

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Join us this Waitangi Day in Te Marae o Hine – The Square for a free, family-friendly celebration.

Save the dates and stay tuned – more details are coming soon!

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