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Sunny Side Up Children's Film Festival
Thu
9 Jul
-
Thu
9 Jul
2026
Looking for a fun and unique school holiday activity for the kids? The Sunny Side Up Children’s Film Festival is returning to Tauranga for a magical day of animated short films, games, prizes, and family fun.
Created and hosted by young festival director Milli Banbury, the festival is designed especially for primary-aged children and features a carefully curated lineup of award-winning animated short films from around the world. Between screenings, kids can join in interactive games, win prizes, and enjoy a lively cinema experience that is anything but quiet and boring.
In the 5th year running, this festival is a staple of the Tauranga School Holidays.
The 2025 Sunny Side Up Children’s Film Festival will take place on Thursday 9th July at the Graham Young Youth Theatre, Tauranga Boys’ College. Two 90-minute sessions will run at 10am and 1pm.
Perfect for children aged 5–12 and their whānau, the festival combines storytelling, laughter, creativity, and audience participation in a warm and welcoming environment. All films are rated G or PG and have been selected to entertain, inspire, and spark imagination. This is a perfect way to introduce children to the magic of cinema.
Tickets are $8 per person or $28 for a family of four via Eventfinda. Door sales available for $10 if not sold out.
Come along and experience a joyful celebration of children’s cinema right here in Tauranga.
Event Dates
July 9, 2026
at
10:00 am
July 9, 2026
at
1:00 pm
Workshop
Join our hands-on Popping Boba workshop. You’ll learn the science behind these juicy flavour bursts and create your own colourful popping pearls from scratch. Experiment with flavours, get creative with colours, and discover how to turn simple ingredients into something seriously cool. Best of all, you’ll get to take your homemade boba home (if you don’t eat it first!). Registrations essential.
7 Jul
Workshop
Hawkins Community Open Day - Tauranga High and District Court Project Rā Tuwhera a Hapori - Te Koti Matua Me Te Koti A-Rohe O Tauranga The community is invited to a special open day at the Tauranga High and District Court construction site, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the region’s major public projects.
14 Aug
Talk / lecture
Inachord Singers Tauranga are proud to invite you to a warm, community‑minded afternoon with Southland soprano treasure Deborah Wai Kapohe. Deborah will share stories from her extensive and varied professional career — a life lived across opera, contemporary Māori music, musical theatre, songwriting, guitar performance, arts leadership, and law. Bring a cushion (though seats provided!) and your favourite mug to maximise feeling at home, and settle into a relaxed, family‑friendly atmosphere as she opens the door to her creative world with humour, insight, and generosity. Following an intensive workshop the day prior, the afternoon will also feature a small selection of songs from both Deborah Wai Kapohe and Inachord Singers Tauranga, offering a gentle touch of live music to complement the storytelling. With afternoon tea available, free tickets for children under twelve and a portion of proceeds supporting local charities, this gathering promises inspiration, wonder, beauty, and through fellowship, genuine community spirit. Come for the stories, stay for the songs, leave with connection.
23 Aug
