All Events
Upcoming events.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Annual Arts and Garden Trail
Join us on the 23rd and 24th of November for a jaunt to visit the Arts, Crafts-people and Gardens of the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
OPEN ENTRIES - MMCA
Get planning what you want to enter for the MMCA 2025!
Plenty of time - we are open for entries until October 27th 2024.
Across the Great Divide - Arts on Tour
Prepare your dancing feet, vocal cords and heart! Here come Across the Great Divide, featuring traditional, contemporary and original songs and tunes from Celtic and Americana roots.
Te Pō Whakangahau - A Night of Entertainment
In collaboration with: The Sound King and WAV’s Audio Visual
The Sound Project Presents: Te Pō Whakangahau - A Night of Entertainment
Trust Horizon, Light up Whakatāne 2024
Light activations and digital displays, by local and regional artists, are installed throughout Whakatāne CBD and illuminated for ten nights, bringing light and joy to the darkness of winter.
The Goblin - Te Tupua, Arts on Tour
1800, a 10 year old Scottish lad is driven into slavery aboard His Majesty’s Ships. After 15 years at sea, he is cast onto the shoreline of Aotearoa. The fight for survival begins.
Blackadder Goes Forth
Coming to the stage in April 2024 - Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth series of the immensely popular BBC show written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. The show won the British Academy Television Award for Best Comedy and now it’s being brought to the stage in Whakatane.
Youth Sculpture Workshop
Youth Sculpture Workshop for the School Holiday Programme in Whakatāne.
Youth Sculpture Workshop
Youth Sculpture Workshop for the School Holiday Programme in Whakatāne.
'OF THE SEA' - Collaborative Exhibition
A Collaborative Popup Exhibition. Curated by The West End Wiggle, in conjunction with Arts Whakatāne, as part of the Summer Arts Festival.
Works from around Aotearoa that showcase the essence of Te Moana (the ocean) for four days at the iconic Wharfside in Ōhope.
Positively Patchwork Exhibition
Positively Patchwork is the biennial exhibition of Eastbay Quilters. All quilts on display are locally made by local hands.
IYKYK - (If You Know You Know)
Footnote New Zealand Dance returns with electrifying production IYKYK (If You Know You Know), a double-bill of contemporary dance works by choreographers Holly Newsome and Forest Kapo. These two works present a game-like lens of viewing the human condition - How do you win at the game of life? What are the rules of the end of the world?
Open Studios \\ TE ARA TOI
Join us for the upcoming Open Studio Weekend | Te Ara Toi on March 2nd - 3rd, 2024. This event is a celebration of creativity and artistry in the Eastern Bay area. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a creative at heart, or someone who appreciates the beauty of artistic expression, this is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a vibrant display of art across various mediums.
Molly Morpeth Canaday Award
Presented by Arts Whakatāne and exhibition partner Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi - Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre, this annual non-acquisitive award is dedicated to excellence across contemporary and traditional painting and drawing and 3D genres. The award has developed over 30 years and sits credibly within the New Zealand arts community.
A high standard of work is selected to form the exhibition from nationwide entries by three independent pre-selection judges.
For participants, the MMCA offers professional development opportunities to artists by showcasing their practice to peers, collectors, critics, museum curators, the media and the community at large.
Positive Vibrations - Summer Arts Festival
HANIDREAD & FRIENDs, THA BAHHZ, THE ALLSORTS. Plus DJs Yanadub & others
Kai, kids activities, info stalls, fun in the shade
Dance Carnival - Summer Arts Festival
With plenty of variety, this event will get you moving, showcasing all the diverse ethnic and indigenous groups in our local community.
AOT India Meets Ireland
India Meets Ireland is a unique fusion of Indian classical music with contemporary and traditional Irish music. This joyful collaboration will feature Indian ragas with tabla master Basant Madhur and his daughter Sargam, and music from the Irish tradition with internationally acclaimed musician Jon Sanders and his daughter Jenny Os.
O’Hagan Home Loans and Insurance Jazz in the Park
Arts Whakatāne, O’hagan Home Loans and Insurance Jazz in the Park aims to bring this summer alive with music, entertainment and food. Three Jazz bands, Local and national, set to play under the sun for 5 hours from 3pm - 8pm on Saturday the 27th January
Art in the Park - Summer Arts Festival
Join renowned artists Joanne Black, Kerry Limmer, Tania Lakehurst, and Poppy Janaskuul as they bring their creative expertise to this incredible festival. One of the highlights of the festival is the Free Children's Art Workshop, where young art enthusiasts can explore their imagination under the guidance of experienced artists. Location: Sullivan Lake Park.
Local Artists
Your chance to hear local adult and senior student musicians is all go on the new date of Saturday 16 December at 7.30pm at the Church of St George & St John. Enjoy this pre-Christmas musical treat.
Carols by Candlelight
Come along and get in the holiday spirit!
Carols by Candlelight will be at the Riverbank Amphitheatre, next to the Rose Gardens.
Entry is free and you can get a candle for a gold coin/koha.
Tāwharautia Mataatua
Tame Iti with the NZSO in association with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi present, Tāwharautia Mataatua. An interdisciplinary performance bringing together the classical and the traditional.
Summer Brass & Jazz
Come along for a joint concert between EBOP Brass and the EBOPERS Jazz Band. It will be held at the Salvation Army Hall on the corner of King St and Goulstone Rd.
Entry is by Koha/Donation.
Eve Kelly Live - IN WHAKATĀNE
Eve Kelly is super excited to finally be bringing her original music to her home town and is blessed to be backed by some of NZ's best musicians!
Trust Horizon, Light up Whakatāne
Light activations and digital displays, by local and regional artists, are installed throughout Whakatāne CBD and illuminated for ten nights, bringing light and joy to the darkness of winter.
Nikau Harp Trio
Nikau Harp Trio brings to life the glittering magical world of harp and strings.
Become A Volunteer
We are always on the search for volunteers and helpers with our events and community projects. You can either join the committee or simply be involved with the hands on aspect of the events.