Tauranga's July School Holidays Bursting With Creativity, Colour, And Fun
Tauranga is the place to be these July school holidays, with a jam-packed programme of events and activities for tamariki (children), rangatahi (youth), and whānau to enjoy. Whether your little one loves building robots, dancing under disco lights, baking, acting, crafting or chilling out with a good movie - there's something for everyone.
Tauranga City Centre
Waterfront winter movie night
Rug up and enjoy a magical evening under the stars with a free family film screening right on the waterfront.
Fri 11 Jul, 5pm-7:30pm | Tauranga Waterfront
Glow kids silent disco
Dance like nobody's watching (and nobody can hear!) at this high-energy silent disco for kids in the heart of our city. Expect fun tunes, flashing lights, and good vibes only.
Two sessions | 4-5 Jul, 5pm-8pm | The Strand, Tauranga
Family fun at the libraries
Robot rumble
Calling all budding engineers! Battle bots, bowl with Spheros, tinker with Ozobots, and train your brain with coding games. A hands-on tech adventure for curious kids who love to build, play, and problem-solve.
Wed 2 Jul, 10am-12pm | Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library
Mystery & mayhem: Teen library party
Dare to enter the library after dark? Step into a night of spooky fun at the Tauranga Library! Solve a haunted maze, race in mummy relays, create eerie art, and enjoy chilling tales and tunes. Ages 11–17.
Sat 5 Jul, 5pm–7.30pm | Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library
Toi Tāniko
Design a colourful wall hanging inspired by traditional tāniko patterns and Māori storytelling. Perfect for 7–10-year-olds who love to create and explore culture through art.
Thu 3 Jul, 10:30am-11:30am | Te Ao Mārama - Mount Maunganui Library
Mon 7 Jul, 10.30am–11:30am | Te Ao Mārama - Greerton Library
Coastal keepsakes
Get creative with driftwood, shells, and string to craft your own beachy photo hanger. This fun, hands-on workshop is perfect for tweens and teens keen to bring a bit of the coast indoors.
Mon 30 Jun, 1pm–2pm | Te Ao Mārama - Pāpāmoa Library
At The Historic Village
Village Cinema movies
Stroll through boutique shops, grab a bite to eat, and settle in for a family-friendly movie at the Village Cinema. Catch favourites like:
The Garfield Movie – Wed 2 Jul
Wall-E – Thu 3 Jul
Sing 2 – Wed 9 Jul
The Incredibles – Thu 10 Jul
The Incubator creative workshops
Make it, sew it, paint it, or stitch it! Choose from an exciting range of hands-on workshops including:
Why the face? Youth portrait drawing series – Mon 30 Jun & Mon 7 Jul
Decorate Your Own Bedroom Sign – Tue 1 Jul
Selfcare Sewing: Slippers – Wed 2 Jul
Decorate a Treasure Box – Thu 3 Jul
Mixed Media Cats & Dogs – Fri 4 Jul
Circular Blooms – Fri 4 Jul
Stitch Your Own Winter Mitts – Wed 9 Jul
Mindful Mountains – Thu 10 Jul
Autumn Leaves – Thu 10 Jul
Campus Art Class – Thu 10 Jul
Village Hunt with Market & Main
From Monday, 30 June, tamariki can take part in a fun-filled Village Hunt! Pick up a clue sheet from Market & Main - the new café at The Historic Village - explore the Village to find the answers, then return your completed sheet for a free fluffy or kids' hot chocolate.
Baycourt Community & Arts Centre
Illusionist Anthony Street
From the creator of Celtic Illusion comes a spectacular magic show for all ages. Packed with mind-blowing illusions, surprises, and interactive moments, this family-friendly show will leave you wondering what's real.
Two shows | Tue 8 July, 2pm & 7pm | Baycourt Community & Arts Centre
Matariki Glow Show
The magical Matariki Glow Show is lighting up Baycourt these school holidays! This dazzling puppet show brings the stars of Matariki to life in a vibrant mix of te reo Māori and English. Filled with fun, friendship, and beautiful storytelling, it's an inspiring experience for tamariki and whānau alike.
Two sessions | Wed 9 Jul, 10am & 11:30am | Baycourt Community & Arts Centre
More action & performance in the city
Revolution Skate Centre
Roll into the school holidays with indoor skating fun at Revolution Skate Centre, the new rink at Mercury Baypark! Open to all ages, sessions run across both weeks.
Mon 30 Jun & Mon 7 Jul 1pm-3pm, Wed 2 & Wed 9 Jul 1pm-3pm, Fri 4 & Fri 11 Jul 5pm-8pm, Sun 13 Jul 1-3pm
Mega inflatable fun at Baywave
Bounce, splash, and slide your way through the ultimate inflatable adventure! Enjoy four action-packed daily sessions.
Mon 30 Jun – Fri 11 Jul, 11am-3pm | Baywave
Sunny Side Up Children's Film Festival
A delightful selection of animated and live-action short films curated just for kids.
Two sessions | Thu 10 Jul, 10am-11:30am & 1pm-2:30pm | Graham Young Youth Theatre
BOPAS screen acting workshop
Learn from the pros in this exciting hands-on screen acting workshop for aspiring young performers.
Teens session | Fri 4 July, 10am-2pm | Bay of Plenty Actors Studio
8-12 yrs session | Tue 8 Jul, 10am-2pm | Bay of Plenty Actors Studio
School Holidays Tumble Time
Get the wriggles out with fun active play sessions at three great locations across Tauranga.
Mon 30 June | Pāpāmoa Sports & Rec Centre
4 sessions | 30 June, 2, 7 & 9 July | Haumaru Sport & Rec Centre
2 sessions | 1 & 4 July | Mercury Baypark
Online fun
School holiday baking challenge
Whip up some fun these holidays with three free, family-friendly bake-alongs led by baking mentor Heather Kalisch. Watch live or catch the replay anytime in the Facebook group. Perfect for kids to take the lead in the kitchen - no experience needed.
Three sessions | 7,8 & 9 Jul, 11am-12:30pm | Online
With a packed line-up of events and activities happening across the city, there's no shortage of ways to keep the kids entertained these school holidays. For a full list of school holiday events and booking details, visit What's On Tauranga.
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Tauranga's July School Holidays Bursting With Creativity, Colour, And Fun
Tauranga is the place to be these July school holidays, with a jam-packed programme of events and activities for tamariki (children), rangatahi (youth), and whānau to enjoy. Whether your little one loves building robots, dancing under disco lights, baking, acting, crafting or chilling out with a good movie - there's something for everyone. Tauranga City Centre Waterfront winter movie night Rug up and enjoy a magical evening under the stars with a free family film screening right on the waterfront. Fri 11 Jul, 5pm-7:30pm | Tauranga Waterfront Glow kids silent disco Dance like nobody's watching (and nobody can hear!) at this high-energy silent disco for kids in the heart of our city. Expect fun tunes, flashing lights, and good vibes only. Two sessions | 4-5 Jul, 5pm-8pm | The Strand, Tauranga Family fun at the libraries Robot rumble Calling all budding engineers! Battle bots, bowl with Spheros, tinker with Ozobots, and train your brain with coding games. A hands-on tech adventure for curious kids who love to build, play, and problem-solve. Wed 2 Jul, 10am-12pm | Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library Mystery & mayhem: Teen library party Dare to enter the library after dark? Step into a night of spooky fun at the Tauranga Library! Solve a haunted maze, race in mummy relays, create eerie art, and enjoy chilling tales and tunes. Ages 11–17. Sat 5 Jul, 5pm–7.30pm | Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga Library Toi Tāniko Design a colourful wall hanging inspired by traditional tāniko patterns and Māori storytelling. Perfect for 7–10-year-olds who love to create and explore culture through art. Thu 3 Jul, 10:30am-11:30am | Te Ao Mārama - Mount Maunganui Library Mon 7 Jul, 10.30am–11:30am | Te Ao Mārama - Greerton Library Coastal keepsakes Get creative with driftwood, shells, and string to craft your own beachy photo hanger. This fun, hands-on workshop is perfect for tweens and teens keen to bring a bit of the coast indoors. Mon 30 Jun, 1pm–2pm | Te Ao Mārama - Pāpāmoa Library At The Historic Village Village Cinema movies Stroll through boutique shops, grab a bite to eat, and settle in for a family-friendly movie at the Village Cinema. Catch favourites like: The Garfield Movie – Wed 2 Jul Wall-E – Thu 3 Jul Sing 2 – Wed 9 Jul The Incredibles – Thu 10 Jul The Incubator creative workshops Make it, sew it, paint it, or stitch it! Choose from an exciting range of hands-on workshops including: Why the face? Youth portrait drawing series – Mon 30 Jun & Mon 7 Jul Decorate Your Own Bedroom Sign – Tue 1 Jul Selfcare Sewing: Slippers – Wed 2 Jul Decorate a Treasure Box – Thu 3 Jul Mixed Media Cats & Dogs – Fri 4 Jul Circular Blooms – Fri 4 Jul Stitch Your Own Winter Mitts – Wed 9 Jul Mindful Mountains – Thu 10 Jul Autumn Leaves – Thu 10 Jul Campus Art Class – Thu 10 Jul Village Hunt with Market & Main From Monday, 30 June, tamariki can take part in a fun-filled Village Hunt! Pick up a clue sheet from Market & Main - the new café at The Historic Village - explore the Village to find the answers, then return your completed sheet for a free fluffy or kids' hot chocolate. Baycourt Community & Arts Centre Illusionist Anthony Street From the creator of Celtic Illusion comes a spectacular magic show for all ages. Packed with mind-blowing illusions, surprises, and interactive moments, this family-friendly show will leave you wondering what's real. Two shows | Tue 8 July, 2pm & 7pm | Baycourt Community & Arts Centre Matariki Glow Show The magical Matariki Glow Show is lighting up Baycourt these school holidays! This dazzling puppet show brings the stars of Matariki to life in a vibrant mix of te reo Māori and English. Filled with fun, friendship, and beautiful storytelling, it's an inspiring experience for tamariki and whānau alike. Two sessions | Wed 9 Jul, 10am & 11:30am | Baycourt Community & Arts Centre More action & performance in the city Revolution Skate Centre Roll into the school holidays with indoor skating fun at Revolution Skate Centre, the new rink at Mercury Baypark! Open to all ages, sessions run across both weeks. Mon 30 Jun & Mon 7 Jul 1pm-3pm, Wed 2 & Wed 9 Jul 1pm-3pm, Fri 4 & Fri 11 Jul 5pm-8pm, Sun 13 Jul 1-3pm Mega inflatable fun at Baywave Bounce, splash, and slide your way through the ultimate inflatable adventure! Enjoy four action-packed daily sessions. Mon 30 Jun – Fri 11 Jul, 11am-3pm | Baywave Sunny Side Up Children's Film Festival A delightful selection of animated and live-action short films curated just for kids. Two sessions | Thu 10 Jul, 10am-11:30am & 1pm-2:30pm | Graham Young Youth Theatre BOPAS screen acting workshop Learn from the pros in this exciting hands-on screen acting workshop for aspiring young performers. Teens session | Fri 4 July, 10am-2pm | Bay of Plenty Actors Studio 8-12 yrs session | Tue 8 Jul, 10am-2pm | Bay of Plenty Actors Studio School Holidays Tumble Time Get the wriggles out with fun active play sessions at three great locations across Tauranga. Mon 30 June | Pāpāmoa Sports & Rec Centre 4 sessions | 30 June, 2, 7 & 9 July | Haumaru Sport & Rec Centre 2 sessions | 1 & 4 July | Mercury Baypark Online fun School holiday baking challenge Whip up some fun these holidays with three free, family-friendly bake-alongs led by baking mentor Heather Kalisch. Watch live or catch the replay anytime in the Facebook group. Perfect for kids to take the lead in the kitchen - no experience needed. Three sessions | 7,8 & 9 Jul, 11am-12:30pm | Online With a packed line-up of events and activities happening across the city, there's no shortage of ways to keep the kids entertained these school holidays. For a full list of school holiday events and booking details, visit What's On Tauranga.
