Events and gatherings
Discover meetups, workshops, hikes, markets, working bees, festivals and community gatherings near you.
The Mussel Inn Gig guide
See Entertainment tab on our website and Facebook Events. Click on the artists underlined and with a bit of luck you'll be taken either to the artists own website or further information. If you don’t go where you were expecting - just ask Aunty Google - she knows everything. If tickets are available on line - you know what to do to avoid dissapointment - and save yourself enough for a cuppa.
Creative Garden Development - Ongoing Community-Focused Project
We're developing our 2.5 acre rural garden in North Canterbury as a creative and versatile play space for events, celebrations and as an inspirational learning space run by community for community. We are spray, chemical and drug free and our goal is to look after the health of ourselves and our land. There is no Wi-fi or smart meter technology, reasonable mobile signal for most. There are always many tasks needing to be done throughout the seasons and therefore many learning opportunities. We've welcomed people from all around the world and have plenty of space for a quality stay and experience - whether you want to "relax and pay" or "work to stay" just get in touch to find out what our current availability and projects are. All ages are welcome (pets are by negotiation) though please be aware we have a rural, terraced block alongside a seasonal riverbed. We are not fully fenced off and there is rough terrain. We enjoy working with and embracing all the seasons and elements of life!
Work exchange for rich community experience, food & accomm
We here at Soluna Farm are organising a small camp over the week beginning 28th of September to help us setup a permanent campsite. We are inviting people who are keen to give us a hand moving an outdoor kitchen (dismantling and rebuilding) and setting up a camp toilet, and planting etc. We envision fun collaborative working days and some beautiful community events like ecstatic dance, bonfires, music circle etc. People with building experience would be great, and anyone else who is keen to get involved. We also have a beautiful river to explore. Accommodation will be simple camp style. We can provide tents or byo tent/van, and we will have communal breakfasts and lunch feasts! Please note that we have outdoor showers and a simple composting toilet - please only reach out if you are comfortable with this setup. We’d love to hear from you if this is your vibe!
Extravaganza Fair, Nelson
The Extravaganza Fair rolls into town for the weekend. Free entry for children, gold coin entry for the grown ups. Market stalls, arts and craft, herbal remedies, jewellery, henna, hats and hair braiding, tarot and mermaid readings. Live music all day on two stages, a DJ booth in the chill zone, and the daily fire show. For the kids: sack races, tug of war, giant bubbles, face painting, a merry go round, a bouncy castle, mini golf and grass roots toys everywhere. Healthy and classic fairground food, from burgers and handmade chips to crepes, real fruit ice cream and fresh juice. We run a free rehydration station, so bring a refillable bottle. Buskers and street performers are welcome on our stage, just roll up on the day or email us first. Richmond Park Racecourse, Nelson. Open 9am to 5pm each day.
Herbal Infused Chocolate Workshop
A hands on two hour workshop on the connection between cacao, herbs and mushrooms, with Elena from The Purple Peony and Marion from Paheko. You take home the chocolate you make. Limited places. Book at gather.rsvp/x4bsemd The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Art Jam
An afternoon of groovy tunes, art materials and good vibes. Bring your own art or craft project, or jam on the communal supplies. Open to all ages, no art experience needed. Kids under 12 welcome with supervision. Book at gather.rsvp/nzkwxgc The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Writers Write : Actors Read
Well known actors read short stories by Aotearoa writers to a live audience. This month Donogh Rees reads The Long Way Home by Majella Cullinane, and Peter Tait reads John A Lee's classic Man's Inhumanity to Man. A monthly series curated by Bridget van der Zijpp for the podcast of the same name, supported by Creative New Zealand and The Women's Bookshop, who will have the books on the night. The last one sold out, so book early. Tickets at thebuttonfactory.co.nz/events/writers-write-actors-read The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Making Space: a harm reduction hub for Auckland
A community dialogue on what a harm reduction hub in central Tāmaki Makaurau could look like. Lived experience, community knowledge and professional perspectives in one room, to name what is missing and begin shaping something grounded in the needs of the people it would serve. Open floor, all curious minds welcome. Doors 5.30pm, 6pm start, light refreshments provided. Supported by CAYAD, Know Your Stuff NZ, Waitematā Local Board and The Button Factory. RSVP at thebuttonfactory.co.nz/events/harm-reduction The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Extravaganza Fair, Christchurch (October)
The Extravaganza Fair rolls into town for the weekend. Free entry for children, gold coin entry for the grown ups. Market stalls, arts and craft, herbal remedies, jewellery, henna, hats and hair braiding, tarot and mermaid readings. Live music all day on two stages, a DJ booth in the chill zone, and the daily fire show. For the kids: sack races, tug of war, giant bubbles, face painting, a merry go round, a bouncy castle, mini golf and grass roots toys everywhere. Healthy and classic fairground food, from burgers and handmade chips to crepes, real fruit ice cream and fresh juice. We run a free rehydration station, so bring a refillable bottle. Buskers and street performers are welcome on our stage, just roll up on the day or email us first. Red Zone Burwood, Christchurch. Open 9am to 5pm each day.
Yoga and Pancakes
Yoga, cacao and bottomless pancakes. How is that for a Saturday morning. Join Dani from Yoga Aotearoa for an all levels vinyasa flow, then settle in for bottomless pancakes and Purple Peony cacao, with vegan and gluten free options. Tickets at gather.rsvp/txyefe8 The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Neurographic Art: a creative journey
Neurographic Art is an intuitive drawing practice using flowing lines, shapes and colour to make space for reflection, self expression and exploration. We begin with gentle yoga and cacao, then move into guided Neurographic Art. Book at gather.rsvp/uxhqzca The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Green Drinks October
This month, Green Drinks welcomes Tarryn Ryan for a powerful kōrero on colonisation, environmental restoration, and the enduring connection between takata whenua and te taiao. This kōrero will journey through the history of Horomamae, one of the thirty-six tītī islands off the coast of Rakiura that generations of Rakiura Māori have harvested from. Around 1860, ship rats came ashore on the 110-acre island for the first time and, within a short period, decimated the flora and fauna — described by tipuna Wiremu Te Paro Spencer as leaving nothing alive. The devastation was so severe that a rāhui was placed on the island, and whānau did not return for seven consecutive seasons. Nearly 200 years on, the impact on bird life is still visible, though signs of recovery are now beginning to emerge. Through this history, the presentation will explore the environmental impacts of colonisation, the deep relationship takata whenua hold with te taiao, and the real, present-day benefits of tino rakatirataka and mana motuhake. Whether you're interested in te taiao, mātauranga Māori, colonial history, or Indigenous-led conservation, this promises to be a moving and thought-provoking evening. Event Details: 📅 Date: Thursday 15th October 🕕 Time:6:00pm - 8:00pm 📍 Location: Sugarhorse Bar & Eatery 🕕 6:00 – 6:30 PM: Mingling & networking 🗣️ 6:30 – 7:00 PM: Talk & kōrero 🍻 7:00 – 8:00 PM: More mingling 🎉 This is a FREE event! Green Drinks is a monthly environmental networking evening hosted by Christchurch Envirohub. We meet on the third Thursday of each month to share ideas, connect, and inspire.
Extravaganza Fair, Timaru
The Extravaganza Fair rolls into town for the weekend. Free entry for children, gold coin entry for the grown ups. Market stalls, arts and craft, herbal remedies, jewellery, henna, hats and hair braiding, tarot and mermaid readings. Live music all day on two stages, a DJ booth in the chill zone, and the daily fire show. For the kids: sack races, tug of war, giant bubbles, face painting, a merry go round, a bouncy castle, mini golf and grass roots toys everywhere. Healthy and classic fairground food, from burgers and handmade chips to crepes, real fruit ice cream and fresh juice. We run a free rehydration station, so bring a refillable bottle. Buskers and street performers are welcome on our stage, just roll up on the day or email us first. The Loop, Timaru. Open 9am to 5pm each day.
Manaakitanga in Motion
A fundraiser for Consent Club and Care Spaces. A night of chunky bass lines and rhythmic grooves, centring Queer, Trans, Takatāpui, MVPFAFF+, BIPOC and other communities, with DJs, a runway, a photoshoot and a silent auction. Tickets at gather.rsvp/aw8vt94 The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Coming Home to Your Body: somatic day retreat
A gentle all day somatic retreat by The Human Gallery, exploring body image beyond appearance. One continuous journey held by four facilitators, through movement, music, connection, creativity, reflection and portraiture. No expectation to love your body, no experience needed. Move, rest, connect, create, be photographed or not. Open to all genders. Book two tickets together for 10 percent off both. Tickets at thebuttonfactory.co.nz/events/coming-home-to-your-body-somatic-day-retreat The Button Factory is upstairs at 2 Abbey Street, off Karangahape Road. Access is up a flight of stairs and there is no lift.
Wānaka Lakefront Beach Clean Up
Join WAI Wānaka for a Community Clean-Up at the Lake Wānaka Lakefront this Recycling Week! Location: Lake Wānaka Lakefront (look for the WAI flags by Dinosaur Park) When: 22 October, 10:00am-11:30am What to Bring: Gloves Weather-appropriate clothing Sturdy footwear Water bottle Friends and whānau! Join us for a community clean-up at the beautiful Lake Wānaka lakefront as we celebrate Recycling Week together. We'll be removing rubbish from the shoreline and surrounding areas to help keep our lake healthy, beautiful, and thriving for future generations. This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, connect with the community, and make a positive impact on our local environment. Citizen science in action! All litter collected will be sorted, recorded, and uploaded to the Sustainable Coastlines Litter Intelligence database, contributing valuable data that helps identify sources of litter and supports long-term solutions for cleaner waterways. After the clean-up, stay and enjoy some delicious kai while celebrating the difference we've made together. Come connect with nature, do good, and help make Recycling Week count! For more information, visit www.waiwanaka.nz/events or email getinvolved@waiwanaka.nz.
Ōtepoti Dunedin Tour: Resourceful Craft Workshops
Discover traditional craft this Labour Weekend in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Join us for a hands-on weekend of workshops where you’ll learn resourceful skills using natural and repurposed materials, all designed to support the wellbeing of people and planet. Our talented craftspeople—Douglas Horrell, Gemma Stratton, and Mirabel Oliver—are bringing their skills and tools south to share traditional crafts with you all. With 10 workshops to choose from come along to one or to many-places are already selling quickly! Book now at www.rekindle.org.nz/collections/otepoti-dunedin This Ōtepoti tour is generously hosted by the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic Te Kura Matatini ki Otago. Ngā mihi nui to Creative New Zealand for their continued support of this programme.
Extravaganza Fair, Dunedin
The Extravaganza Fair rolls into town for the weekend. Free entry for children, gold coin entry for the grown ups. Market stalls, arts and craft, herbal remedies, jewellery, henna, hats and hair braiding, tarot and mermaid readings. Live music all day on two stages, a DJ booth in the chill zone, and the daily fire show. For the kids: sack races, tug of war, giant bubbles, face painting, a merry go round, a bouncy castle, mini golf and grass roots toys everywhere. Healthy and classic fairground food, from burgers and handmade chips to crepes, real fruit ice cream and fresh juice. We run a free rehydration station, so bring a refillable bottle. Buskers and street performers are welcome on our stage, just roll up on the day or email us first. Bayfield Park, Dunedin. Open 9am to 5pm each day. Three days over Labour Weekend.
Spring Market at Climate Action Campus
Our Spring Market is back. Saturday 24 October, 10am to 2pm, at the Climate Action Campus, 180 Avonside Drive. Around 100 stalls, food trucks, live music and activities for the kids. Heirloom seedlings and plants, crafts, student enterprise, local business and sustainable products. Shop local, support change. Take a wander while you are here. There are more than 60 murals on the campus walls from our A-MAZE-INK outdoor gallery, and our gardens, bees and chickens are all part of the place. Want to host your own stand? Email us at hello@climateaction.school.nz.
Spring Yoga and Sauna, 28 October
Join us at Manawa Retreat for a nourishing monthly yoga series designed to help you reconnect with your body, breath, and the natural beauty around us. If you are a seasoned yogi or just beginning your practice, these sessions offer a welcoming space to stretch, breathe, and embrace new beginnings and the vitality that Spring brings. Each gathering includes one hour of gentle, grounding yoga, suitable for all levels, then an hour and a half of sauna and herbal tea to relax, restore and connect. Led by Lisa Mills, an experienced and much loved local teacher from the community. Expect mindful yoga, sauna, and a calming start to your day, all set in the peaceful surrounds of Manawa. Spaces are very limited and bookings are essential. Book on our website: manawaretreat.co.nz/experiences