Labour Weekend 2025
Pride in Arts Festival Cambridge Town Hall
Pride in Arts Festival events are for everyone to attend!
The Pride in Arts Festival is a weekend celebrating artistic expression and the enduring contributions of queer creatives.
Experience captivating events, exclusive private art collections, and a specially curated film series at the Tivoli Cinema–including Andy Warhol: The American Dream and lively sing-along screenings. From cabaret and interactive creative workshops, there is something for everyone.
Opening Event: Drinks at Tivoli Cinema
Friday 25 October, 7pm
Tivoli Cinema Cambridge is a proud partner of the Pride in Arts Festival and the second home of the festival.
Join us for welcome drinks before the first film of the festival which will screen at 8pm - newly released: Andy Warhol: American Dream
Tivoli Cinema is running a series of films over the weekend dedicated to the queer community. Tivoli is also the official cafe and drop-in hub for the weekend.
Friday 24 October 8pm - Andy Wahol: American Dream
Saturday 25 October - Love Simon - A comedy Drama Romance Coming of Age
Sunday 26 October - Kinky Boots - The Musical
All tickets for festival films above only $10.
GALA BALL
Black Tie meets Met Gala meets You
Saturday 25th October
Signature event: The Pride in Arts Festival this Labour Weekend will celebrate artistic expression and the enduring contributions of queer creatives. Our signature event is the Pride Gala Ball!
It’s the glamorous night everyone’s been asking for — a chance to dress up, shine, and enjoy an exquisite evening.
With entertainment from New Zealand's very own comedian/actor Chris Parker who we are lucky to have as MC for the evening, as well as live music from the outstanding covers band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band.
Canapés will be served throughout the night.
Proceeds from the evening go to the Cambridge Town Hall Community Trust, and everyone over 18 (queer or not) is welcome!
Secure your tickets now for the most unforgettable Ball and stay for the long weekend with more events to be announced soon!
This Wasn't the Plan: A Musical Theatre Cabaret
Sunday 26 October, 5pm
Cabaret at the Cambridge Town Hall
Please take your seats in this cabaret classroom as lecturer, Glenn Horsfall, takes you through the twists and turns of a life imagined versus a reality lived. With beautiful songs and hilarious, heartfelt, often humbling stories, this show looks at what it means when the script of life gets rewritten.
Private Art Collection Tour
Saturday,3pm 25th October
Join an exclusive house tour with local collectors at their private residence.
Step inside a grand estate and gardens filled with an impressive private collection, featuring works by some of New Zealand’s leading artists.
Limited to just 20 guests, this intimate afternoon tour includes refreshments and the chance to enjoy a unique setting surrounded by significant artworks gathered over many years.
Hamilton (location provided to ticket holders)
Saturday 25th October
10:00am-3:00pm
Not Just Any Piano Tour
Nathan Smith & Kevin Hanna aka Hamilton Piano Company are opening their doors of their private home high in the hills of picturesque Pirongia to let us in on their impressive piano collection which includes the piano used in Jane Campion's film 'Power of the Dog'.
The couple also house one of the only two Wurlitzer K photoplayers left in the world. Brought to New Zealand in 1915 to accompany the silent movies at the Strand Theatre in Auckland's Queen Street.
Pirongia location will be provided to ticket holders privately, closer to the time.
Hanrad Bespoke Rugs
Saturday 25and Sunday
Rug Collections
Inspired design is the foundation of all the HANRAD Rug Collections. Whether working with Artists on their original artwork to translate them into unique rug designs that convey the energy and passion of the original work to being inspired to create our own designs through our love of diverse cultures and other influences we experience through our daily lives. Rugs are our passion and we are constantly developing new and exciting designs to add to our collections. The fundamental ethos of HANRAD Bespoke Rugs is to create unique designs that are made of the finest materials to the highest standards achievable.
Stop in at the shop, look around and be inspired - it is worth the visit!
137a Alexandra Street, Hamilton
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Below are our confirmed events or recommended self directed attractions to visit. Cambridge and the Waikato have some stunning attractions to enjoy when not at one of our events. Plan your Labour Weekend in Cambridge!
Self-directed attractions to visit anytime
Hamilton Gardens - not to be missed attraction!
Hanrad Rugs - a gallery of amazing bespoke rugs www.hanrad.com
Ampersand Retro - great collectables in the heart of Cambridge
Tivoli Cinema - stop by for a movie anytime, or enjoy a coffee in the Art Deco surrounds.
Friday 24 October – Opening Night: Icons & Introspections
Tivoli Cinema
7:00pm – Festival launch at the Tivoli Café, drinks and mingling in a cosy festival hub
8:00pm – Tivoli Cinema, Film - Andy Warhol: American Dream premiere
Saturday 25 October – Art, Gardens and a Ball
10am-3pm - Not Just Any Piano Tour
3:00pm - Art & Object Exhibits, Sue & Margaret’s Private Art Collection showcasing NZ finest artists
3:30pm - Love Simon - A comedy drama romance coming of age Film at Tivoli Cinema
7:00pm - Pride Gala Ball - Black Tie meets Met Gala meets You!
Various Times - Regular film screenings continue at Tivoli Cinema https://www.tivolicinema.co.nz/
Sunday 26 October – Casual, Camp & Creative
9:00am - 4:00pm - Recommended: Self-Guided visit to Hamilton Gardens, a peaceful pause to enjoy and chill
10:30am – Stitch & Bitch (Tivoli Café) Yarn, coffee, and connection in a relaxed, inclusive space
1:00pm - Life Drawing in the Victorian Room at the Cambridge Town Hall
3:00pm - Kinky Boots The Musical Film at Tivoli Cinema
Cambridge Town Hall – Main Hall
5:00pm – This Wasn’t the Plan: A Musical Theatre Cabaret Glenn Horsfall’s laugh-out-loud, bittersweet show about life’s unexpected turns, featuring live vocals & music
Monday 27 October – Slow Art & Sweet Endings
All day
Craft Market at the White Church
General films at Tivoli will run with Cafe open
Recommended: Self-Guided Visit to Hamilton Gardens , a perfect peaceful pause to close out the long weekend
Festival Hub: Tivoli Cinema Café
Open all weekend for drop-ins, coffee, chats, and casual hangouts. A warm welcome for everyone
Accommodation
The Clements Hotel - Cambridge's piece of updated nostalgia. This Cambridge historic hotel has been reimagined to take its place amongst New Zealand's finest provincial hotels. https://clements.co.nz/
