What’s On in Rotorua

Your weekly guide to the best events, gigs and markets in Rotorua

This week · 11–17 October 2026
🎵 Live Music & Nightlife
Che Fu & The Kratez: 25 Years of Navigator

Sat 17 Oct · Sir Howard Morrison Centre

Che Fu marks 25 years since Navigator with its songs and his other hits, backed by his band.

Bjorn Again: ABBA Forever Tour

Wed 14 Oct · Sir Howard Morrison Centre

An ABBA tribute show with hits, costumes and comedy.

Live Music Friday Nights

Fri 16 Oct · Pig & Whistle Historic Pub

Live music from 8:30pm until late at the Tutanekai Street pub.

💪 Sports, Fitness & Wellness
Giant Legends Enduro Series, Race 1

Sun 11 Oct · Whakarewarewa Forest

Opening round of a three-race enduro mountain bike series, with long and short courses plus food and music.

Aramex Walk Run Series: Trek the Forest

Sat 17 Oct · Lake Tikitapu

A walking and running event through lakeside, native forest and Whakarewarewa Forest trails.

4 Course Thermal Open

Mon 12–Fri 16 Oct · Rotorua golf courses

A golf event running weekdays from 8am to 5pm.

👪 Family & Kids
The Caretaker’s Guide to the Orchestra

Sun 11 Oct · Sir Howard Morrison Centre

Opus Orchestra’s family-friendly concert introducing audiences to how an orchestra works.

🍴 Food, Drink & Markets
Kuirau Park Market

Sat 17 Oct · Kuirau Park

The weekly Saturday market runs from 7am to 1pm.

🤝 Community & Social
Thursday Quiz Night

Thu 15 Oct · Pig & Whistle Historic Pub

Quiz night from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Tutanekai Street pub.

Rotorua UkeBox Open Mic and Strum/Singalong

This week · Te Rūnanga Tea House, Government Gardens

An open mic and singalong session from 3pm to 4:30pm.

Coming up later this month
Whaka100 MTB

Fri 23–Sun 25 Oct · Whakarewarewa Forest

A weekend of mountain biking with routes from 10km to 175km.

Rotorua Gypsy Fair 2026

Sat 24–Mon 26 Oct · Rotorua

A three-day fair running from 9am to 5pm daily.

Te Makete Kōanga o Tarawera: Lake Tarawera Spring Fair

Sun 25 Oct · Lake Tarawera

A spring fair running from 10am to 3pm.

Werewolf

Thu 29 Oct · Sir Howard Morrison Centre

An immersive, darkly funny theatre show where audience members must work together and decide who to trust.

Stage Fright Disco

Sat 31 Oct · Rotorua

A Halloween-weekend disco running from 5pm to 6:30pm.

Sources: Eventfinda and RotoruaNZ. Always check the venue or organiser for the latest details.

Keep exploring Rotorua

Two more ways to make the most of your time in Rotorua. Tap through below.

Frequently asked questions

What’s on in Rotorua this week?

The What’s On calendar lists concerts, markets, sport, theatre, exhibitions and community events happening across Rotorua this week, each with its date and venue.

What events are coming up in Rotorua?

Upcoming events in Rotorua, from gigs and festivals to markets and sport, are listed in date order on the calendar, so you can see what’s ahead at a glance.

Are there free events in Rotorua?

Plenty. Markets, exhibitions and community days in Rotorua are often free, and they appear alongside ticketed events in the calendar so free options are easy to spot.

Where can I find live music and gigs in Rotorua?

Live music, gigs and club nights across Rotorua are grouped in the calendar under their own heading, with the venue and date for each so you can plan a night out.

How do I find family-friendly events in Rotorua?

Markets, festivals and daytime community events in Rotorua are generally suitable for all ages, so look for these in the calendar for family-friendly outings.

How often is the Rotorua events calendar updated?

Regularly. We refresh the Rotorua What’s On calendar as new events are announced, so it stays current from week to week.