Arca Arcade: Round One creator Preston McNeil guides participants in building their own arcade-style joystick controller. Each plug-and-play kit includes all components needed to assemble a PC-compatible controller. After building, participants are introduced to DIY arcade software, test their controller, and take it home. No technical experience is required, and teams of two are welcome. Adult supervision is required for participants under 14.
Booking essential – limited to 15 kits ONLY.
This exhibition is supported by the Creative New Zealand; International Presenters Fund.
The International Rose Garden Festival Morwell continues to grow in strength and popularity.
Held in mid-November to showcase the roses and garden in season and in full bloom, the festival program has evolved to deliver family-friendly activities and entertainment across multiple days.
Showcasing the international award-winning Rose Garden in the heart of Morwell and celebrating the work of the Friends of the Rose Garden Volunteers, the 2026 Festival promises to be a blooming spectacle of colour and light for all ages.
Visitors can explore the roses, take part in a range of free activities, treat their taste buds to a traditional Devonshire Tea at the CWA marquee or partake in retail therapy at the garden and market stalls.
The festival kick’s off on Friday night with food trucks, roving performers and a kid’s disco with DJ Nige from 6.30pm. On Saturday, parents and kids are in for a treat with Costa the Gnome, dirtgirl and scrapboy from dirtgirlworld, performing their grubby bucket live stage show and hosting a Storytime! Novice gardeners are invited to participate in the cut rose competition for the chance to win great prizes.
Festival partner AGL Loy Yang, presents the Night Light Installation during the evenings. Explore the garden at night when the roses are transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour from hundreds of fairy lights, festoons and LED lights. The popular roving insect puppets return and visitors are encouraged to find the giant animal and insect lanterns scattered throughout the garden.
Rug up, enjoy a picnic amongst the roses with food from the festival food trucks and chill out to the tunes from local musicians.
This event has free entry and the full program can be found on the event website.
