Upcoming events in and around Hanmer Springs
Photo: FutureKiwi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
From a brand-new surf wave at the hot pools to Saturday markets, heritage open days and some serious endurance races, there’s a lot happening in and around Hanmer Springs. Here’s our pick of what’s coming up.
Last updated 2 November 2026. Dates and details can change, so please check with the organiser before you go.
November 2026
| All of November | The North Course A month-long celebration of North Canterbury food, wine and hospitality, now in its fourth year, with events at wineries, restaurants and producers across the region. |
| Saturdays, 9am–2pm | Hanmer Springs Village Market Local stalls, fresh produce, food and crafts in the village every Saturday from late October through to mid-April. It doesn’t run if the weather is wet. |
| Sundays, 10am–12pm | Soldiers Block open mornings Step inside the newly restored Soldiers Block at the historic Queen Mary Hospital, where servicemen from the Second World War came to recover in Hanmer’s thermal waters and alpine air. Entry is by donation. |
| Fri 6 – Sat 7 Nov | LDNZ Line Dancing Weekend Two days of line dancing at the Soldiers Block. Tickets are available through the organisers. |
| Fri 6 Nov | Waipara Fireworks Extravaganza An old-school community fireworks night at Waipara Domain, with food stalls, music and plenty for the kids. |
| Sat 7 Nov, 6pm | Cure Kids Quiz Night Test your trivia against Shaun “The Dark Destroyer” Wallace from TV’s The Chase, raising money for Cure Kids. Held at Edit Hanmer Springs, 1 Conical Hill Road. |
| Fri 20 Nov, 5–9:30pm | YourWave launch party The hot pools celebrate the opening of their new surf wave with a $10 evening for the whole family: a live DJ, pool toys, spot prizes, a gold-coin sausage sizzle, the first public surf demos and a short fireworks show to finish. |
| Sat 21 Nov | Molesworth Run An 84km endurance run from Molesworth Cob Cottage through New Zealand’s largest high-country station, finishing in Hanmer Springs. |
| Sun 22 Nov | Jack Johnson at Waipara Winehouse A return shuttle leaves from the Hanmer Springs pools bus stop, so you can enjoy the concert without worrying about the drive home. |
| Sat 28 Nov | Hanmer Howler A 6, 12 or 24-hour mountain-bike endurance race from Jollies Pass Road that runs from daylight through twilight and into the night. |
| Sat 28 Nov | St James Cycle Trail birthday The St James Cycle Trail turns 16, with a celebration at St James Homestead on Top House Road. |
December 2026
| Sat 12 Dec | Waikari Classic – Bruce Dawe Memorial A 100km heritage handicap road race on a 33km loop through North Canterbury, finishing with a sprint into Waikari. |
| Sat 12 Dec | Dylan Gossett at Waipara Winehouse The final show of his “Headed Back Out” tour, run as a full-day mini festival with a second stage and six support acts. |
Looking ahead to 2027
| Sat 13 Feb, 7am | The Graveler A 132km gravel bike race through the back country north of Hanmer, along the Clarence Valley and Molesworth roads. Riders start from the Hanmer Springs Domain. |
| Fri 5 Mar | Jampot Rally The annual gathering of the AJS & Matchless Motorcycle Club of NZ, based at Hanmer Springs Forest Camp. |
| From Wed 10 Mar | Underground Festival Two days in North Canterbury about soil, food and farming, with talks, hands-on workshops, field trips and local kai. |
| Sat 13 Mar | North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival Local wineries and food under the oaks at Glenmark Domain, Waipara. Shuttle-and-ticket bundles run from Hanmer Springs. |
| Mon 15 Mar | Simes & Bascand Cups and Minson Salver Hanmer Springs Golf Club’s annual tournament: a friendly club day that is still very competitive. |
| Sat 20 Mar | The Bandquet A one-day mix of food, drink and live music on Jacks Pass Road, Hanmer Springs. |
| Sat 3 Apr | Music on the Lawn An outdoor music day at Waipara Springs Winery, with a return bus available from Hanmer Springs. |
| Sat 1 May | Hanmer Half Marathon Choose the 21km Forest Trail, which climbs Conical Hill for the views, or the flatter 10.5km Heritage course. The race starts from the Hanmer Springs Memorial Hall. |
| May (date TBC) | Night for Flight A Hanmer Springs community event planned for May 2027. The date is still to be confirmed. |
Around the village
Photo: Mike Dickison, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Heritage Forest update: most of the Hanmer Heritage Forest is still closed while a local arborist clears leaning and hung-up trees for safety. The Forest Amble sculpture walk remains open. Logging crews are expected back before Christmas to finish the last block.
- Disc golf is open: a new disc golf course has opened on Tarndale Reserve, with the first tee off Tarndale Place.
- The markets are back: the Saturday village market has returned for the warmer months.
- Community Sharing Shed has moved: the shed where locals share surplus fruit, veges, seedlings and herbs now sits in town, down the supermarket alley. Take what you need and leave what you can.
- Community gym upgrade: the volunteer-run gym at the Soldiers Block has added an outdoor training space for the summer.
Hot pools updates
- Cascade Pools closed for maintenance: the Cascade Pools have been closed since 27 October for resurfacing and repairs, and are expected to reopen for summer. The rest of the complex is open as usual.
- Elemental is now open: the pools’ new adults-only contrast therapy experience, including New Zealand’s first snow room. Read more on our Things to Do page.
Finish the day at No.31. Our chef’s tasting menu changes every week and is served Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm, just along Amuri Avenue from the hot pools. Book a table or call 03 315 7031.