Welcome to the 2026 Hamilton Competitions



In June/July 2026, our 84th festival will host the
following art forms: dance, vocal, speech & drama,
Instrumental and special needs.



Performers will come from a range of communities throughout the upper North Island and from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They will range in age from little pre-schoolers to adults completing tertiary study and vying for the big prizes in the Vocal and Piano competitions. The main prize money from the Norah Howell Awards will be used to fund further study and launch performance careers. You can enjoy the Norah Howell Awards at the Vocal and Instrumental competitions during the festival.



FIND OUT MORE...



The competitions are held over two weeks at a

range of venues in Hamilton. Find your discipline(s) below to find out when and where they will be taking place during the June/July 2065 festival.



01



Dance



The Dance competitions will be held from the 4th July to 11th July 2026 at Southwell School.


Download the 2026 Dance Syllabus here.

​

Enter via WE Development Registration


Troupes - 03 March at 3pm

Ballet - 03 March at 4pm

Tap - 03 March at 5pm

Jazz/Modern - 03 March at 6pm



Follow our Facebook page for all updates


App for Comp -

https://hamilton-dance.glide.page




02



Instrumental



The Pianoforte and Strings disciplines have merged to one as Instrumental and will be held on the 6th July to 8th July at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 91 Tuhikaramea Road Hamilton.


TBC Download the 2026 Syllabus here.


TBC 2025 Instrumental Programme




03


Vocal


The Vocal competitions will be held on the 8th to 11th July 2025 at Whitiroa Bible Church, 24 Abbotsford Street, Whitiora, Hamilton

.

TBC Download the 2025 Vocal Syallabus here.


TBC Registrations Open 11/4/25 via WE Developments.


App for comp -

https://hamilton-vocal.glide.page/







04



Speech & Drama



The Speech & Drama discipline will be held on the 27th June to 28th June 2026, at

Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts

Knighton Road University of Waikato, Hamilton


TBC Download the 2026 Speech & Drama Syllabus here.


Entry via WE Developments


App for comp -

https://hamilton-speech.glide.page



05



Special Needs



The competition for Children and Young Adults with Special Needs will be held at Hillcrest High School, Morrison Memorial Theatre on the 2nd July 2028.


TBC Download the updated 2026 Syllabus here.


Entries close TBC