Seeking Expressions of Interest

Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa is arguably Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and most magical regional arts festival. 

Set predominantly within the internationally acclaimed Hamilton Gardens, alongside selected inner-city venues, the festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity, storytelling and shared experiences. Each year it brings together an inspiring mix of theatre, music, dance, circus and more, creating memorable arts experiences for audiences of all ages.

www.hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz

Expressions of Interest Now Open

Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa 2027

19–28 February 2027

Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa is delighted to invite expressions of interest from artists and creatives keen to be part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most magical festival of the arts.

Returning from 19–28 February 2027, the festival transforms the internationally acclaimed Hamilton Gardens into a vibrant celebration of creativity, storytelling and shared experiences. With performances and installations nestled throughout the Gardens’ extraordinary spaces - and the magic extending into selected venues across Kirikiriroa Hamilton as required - the festival offers artists a truly distinctive opportunity to connect with audiences in unforgettable ways.

At its heart, Hamilton Arts Festival is a celebration of the performing arts - bringing together theatre, music, dance, circus, cabaret, spoken word and immersive experiences that surprise, delight and inspire. Each year, the festival presents a carefully curated mix of local, national and international artists, creating memorable shared experiences and celebrating our stories.

We are now seeking expressions of interest from artists, creatives and companies interested in being part of the 2027 programme.

Whether your work is bold and contemporary, intimate and immersive, family-focused, site-responsive or joyfully genre-defying, we would love to hear from you.

Expressions of interest are open now and close on Friday 21 August 2026, with the full festival programme to be announced in late November.

Join us in helping shape ten magical days and nights of arts and culture in one of Aotearoa’s most extraordinary festival settings.

Expressions of Interest close: Friday 21 August 2026
Festival dates: 19–28 February 2027
Programme launch: Late November 2026

We can’t wait to discover what you might bring to the magic.

Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa
19–28 February 2027