Te Wāhi Toi/The Arts Place exists to connect the creative community of Queenstown and Wānaka with audiences, students, teachers, spaces and each other. We are a not-for-profit organisation powered by Three Lakes Cultural Trust and inspired by local arts and culture.
What's On August: Queenstown, Wānaka & surrounds
Don’t miss out—secure your spots early as events continue to sell...
Don’t miss out—secure your spots early as events continue to sell out. Here’s what’s on this August in Queenstown, Wānaka, and surrounds. Read on, and be sure to visit our What’s On page for even more events.
This month, sharpen your pencils, play with paint or try a new skill. These are only a few of the creative workshops happening this August. Time to try something new? The Te Wāhi Toi has plenty of options. Sign up, grab a mate and get creative!
Wānaka Life Drawing | Wānaka | ongoing
Sharpen your pencils and perception skills and get involved with a group of life drawing enthusiasts every month. This is an untutored 2-hour session that is facilitated with timed warm up sketches leading into longer poses.
Earring Making Workshops | Queenstown | Tuesdays in August
An earring-making workshop at Shotover Primary that is beginner friendly and we will make four types of earrings : Dangle, Articulated Dangle, Beaded Hoop, & Wire-wrapped Hoop.
Paint Club - An Exploration of Watercolour and Acrylic Paint | Wānaka | August and September
Paint Club is a night class aimed at allowing people to develop their facility with paint. It is perfect for those who have some drawing ability and have played around with paint previously.
Support your local and visiting artists, by checking out one of many local exhibitions this August. Explore work by Wakatipu High School students, check out the latest show at Te Atamira or head to a local gallery to discover more. Whether you’re browsing or buying, this is a great way to support local artists.
Showing Off Student Art Exhibition | Arrowtown | Now - 25 August
Showing Off is an exhibition that features a collection of Paintings, Designs and Photographic work from Wakatipu High School.
A Fire that blackened the Rocks | Queenstown | Now - 19 September
This exhibition considers how forms of knowledge reside between the land, the sea and lakes and the sky. Conor Clarke, Eleanor Cooper and Kate Te Ao seek out ways to articulate what is, at times, imperceptible and unknowable about these places and histories.
Marti Friendlander, Starting Point for a Complicated Story | Queenstown | Now - 7 Sept
Starkwhite Queenstown is delighted to present our first exhibition of Marti Friedlander’s work in partnership with the Marti Friedlander Estate. One of NZ’s most celebrated photographers of this land and its people, Marti Friedlander (1928-2016) had an almost sixty year career.
Learn how to ‘write good’ this month, or check out a circus disco extravaganza or how about a comedy. Be entertained this month in Queenstown, Wānaka and surrounds by checking out Te Wāhi Toi’s full Whats On guide.
Dominic Hoey Poetry Night | Queenstown | Fri 9 Aug
Join best-selling author and poet Dominic Hoey for a night of poetry and stories.
Dominic has performed all around the world, published four books of poetry, two novels and raised a very annoying small dog called Chilli. He'll be joined by local poets, Julian Noel and Bethany Rogers.
Learn to Write Good | Queenstown | Sat 10 Aug
Join best selling novelist, Dominic Hoey as he takes you through a creative writing workshop on character creation and writing dialogue.
The Lavender Lounge - A Cabaret and Circus Disco Extravaganza | Queenstown | Sat 24 Aug
Join us at The Lavender Lounge: a euphoric circus and cabaret show experience. Featuring dance, aerial circus, drag, burlesque, a rhinestone cowgirl and most definitely some roller skating.
Stand-Up Comedy Live at The Matrix Lounge | Queenstown | Fri 30 Aug
Join two of New Zealand's very best Stand Up Comedians, Justine Smith and Paul Douglas for a night of World class comedy at Queenstown's hottest new venue. The Matrix Lounge.
Ever been to a Whisky Waltz? Or bare your soul to a room full of strangers at an Open Mic night? Well this month is your chance! There is something for everyone this month across Queenstown, Wānaka and surrounds when it comes to live music.
Dominic Hazell & The DT's Do Dylan - Dominic Hazell | Arrowtown | 8 August
After bringing the musical sophistication of Paul Simon, and the eclectic freak show of Americana to the intimate surroundings of The Blue Door, Dom Hazell and The DT’s now turn their considerable musical prowess to the works of the Bard from Duluth.
Creative Juices - Spoken Word and Original Music I Wānaka I Wed 14 Aug
Welcome to Creative Juices Wānaka, an open mic night for spoken word and original song, kindly hosted and fuelled by Rhyme X Reason.
True Colors - Back To The Future - Charlotte Graf | Arrowtown | Thurs 15 Aug
Charlotte features the iconoclastic female vocalists who revolutionized the role of women in rock and roll… with a focus on role models that celebrated difference and encouraged playfulness in self-expression.
Twilight Tales at The Cargo Collective - Whisky Waltz: A Ceilidh Affair | Arthurs Point | Sat 31 Aug
Step into Scotland without leaving Arthurs Point at "Whisky Waltz: A Ceilidh Affair" at The Cargo Collective Brew Hall.
Queenstown, Wānaka and surrounds do events well. What’s On in August near you? Explore Te Wāhi Toi and find out all that is happening this month and beyond, head to our What’s On page to keep exploring.
Winter Pride Festival | Queenstown | 22 Aug to 1 Sept
Winter Pride is a festival in a small town with a bold heart. Each year, we come together to celebrate love, community, diversity, visibility, safety, and inclusion. It is a festival that not only encourages our rainbow community, but also invites the entire town to come together and celebrate diversity.
And that’s just a taste of what’s on in August in the arts and culture scene here in Queenstown, Wānaka and surrounds. Whether it’s live music, film festivals, open mics, events or art exhibitions, there’s no shortage of arts and culture for everyone. For more of what’s on in Wānaka, Queenstown and surrounds this July, head to our What’s On page to keep exploring.
PS. If you are a local creative or have an event you want to share, make sure sign up and create your free listing!
