Welcome to the What's On Invers Weekender — your weekend, sorted.
October kicks off under the lights on Friday night: the SBS Bank Southland Stags play their final home game against Northland at Rugby Park, with the ILT Fireworks Spectacular going up after full time.
Saturday is stacked — AMplify at Invercargill Central, Spring Muscle Mania at Lorneville, Eco-Fest, the RC Indoor Champs, and Steve Williams headlining a Hospice Southland fundraiser. Sunday, St John runs a free drop-in CPR session in town.
Those are our highlights. For everything else, head to our What's On section.
Planning a night out in Invercargill? From live bands to cocktails, our Weekend Gig Guide has Friday and Saturday sorted — with DJ Phil at The Shack the pick of Saturday night.
Friday 2 October
SBS Bank Southland Stags v Northland — Battle of the Mainland
One last home game, one last chance to back the Stags in 2026. The SBS Bank Southland Stags return to Rugby Park for their final game of the Hilux NPC season, taking on Northland in Round 10 with the Hetaraka "Peter" Tetai Trophy on the line.
Once the final whistle blows, the ILT Fireworks Spectacular lights up the sky over Rugby Park, making it a big night out in Invercargill. Bring the family, bring your mates and bring the noise.
📅 Friday 2 October 🕖 Kick-off 7.10pm, with the ILT Fireworks Spectacular after full time 📍 Rugby Park, Invercargill
Southland RC Indoor Champs
Multi NZ title champion David Beck has organised the Southland RC Indoor Champs again, this time at a new home: the Southland Indoor Bowls Centre. Competitors are travelling from around the South Island to race, and spectators get in free with plenty of room and seating.
Friday night is offroad buggies, with qualifying from about 5.15pm and running till late. Saturday morning wraps up the offroad finals, then the onroad cars take over from about 12.30pm across touring, mini and endurance classes. That includes the reboot of the Tamiya TT-02 World Endurance Championship class under a new 21.5 brushless rule set.
If high-speed radio-controlled racing is your thing, or you just want to see something a bit different, head along Friday evening or Saturday.
📅 Friday 2 – Saturday 3 October 🕔 Fri: offroad from approx. 5.15pm till late | Sat: offroad finals in the morning, onroad from approx. 12.30pm 📍 Southland Indoor Bowls Centre, 50 Onslow Street, Invercargill 🎫 Free entry for spectators
Saturday 3 October
AMplify 2026 — Arts Expo
Arts Murihiku is taking over Invercargill Central for a day, filling the place with local artists, makers and performers. Wander through, meet the people behind the work, watch creativity in action and maybe take something original home.
There's a real mix on show. You'll find real framed insects, one-off wearable art made from rescued clothing, Oamaru stone sculpture, life casting and photography. There are also paintings, illustration and resin art inspired by Southland and the natural world, plus interactive graphite frottage where you can have a go yourself. It's free, family-friendly and right in the heart of the city.
Brought to you by Arts Murihiku in partnership with Invercargill Central, Great South and Invercargill City Council.
📅 Saturday 3 October 🕙 10am – 4.30pm 📍 Invercargill Central, 39 Esk Street, Invercargill 🎫 Free 📞 021 027 37315 📧 [email protected]
Spring Muscle Mania Car & Bike Show
Street Machines Southland and Betta Inspect It are filling Wools of NZ at Lorneville with polished chrome and plenty of horsepower for the Spring Muscle Mania Car & Bike Show. It's open to all makes and models, so whether you're bringing your pride and joy or just coming for a look, there'll be plenty to see. Funds raised support Hospice Southland.
📅 Saturday 3 October 🕙 Public entry from 10am 📍 Wools of NZ, North Road, Lorneville 🎫 $5 per person / $10 family
Eco-Fest Southland 2026
Southland's Best Kept Secrets: The Power of Community
Eco-Fest is a day to meet the people, groups and ideas that make Southland special. That means the growers, menders, tinkerers, volunteers and small businesses quietly getting on with good things, often without much fuss.
Community groups, social enterprises, local businesses and small initiatives will have stalls, displays and hands-on demonstrations, ready to share what they do and swap ideas. There are no pitch decks and no pressure, just a relaxed look around, plenty to discover and a chance to chat with the people behind it all.
Local electoral candidates will also be there for a relaxed chat. It's a good chance to ask questions and hear where they stand on the issues that matter to Southland, without the formality of a public meeting.
Whether you're curious about a local cause, keen to try something hands-on or just want to see what's been happening right under your nose, everyone's welcome. Kids and family welcome too.
📅 Saturday 3 October 🕙 10am – 2pm 📍 Invercargill Working Men's Club, 154 Esk Street, Invercargill 🎫 Gold coin koha 📞 027 351 0180 📧 [email protected] 🌐 eco-fest2026.netlify.app
A Night Out for Hospice Southland with Steve Williams
New Zealand's caddie legend Steve Williams is the special guest speaker at this fundraiser for Hospice Southland. He's best known for his years on the bag at the top of world golf, and he also won two New Zealand speedway championships. Expect an inspiring address, personal stories, insights from the game's biggest stages and a Q&A session.
It's billed as a premium night of connection and entertainment, with hospitality and a live auction of exclusive items and experiences.
📅 Saturday 3 October 🕠 5.30pm 📍 Ascot Park Hotel, Tay Street, Invercargill 🎫 Tickets via the QR code on the event poster
Sunday 4 October
Hato Hone St John Shocktober — Public Drop-in CPR Session
This October, Hato Hone St John is getting as many people as possible CPR and AED ready. Pop into Invercargill Central and one of their educators will take you through the simple 3 Steps for Life: calling 111, starting CPR and using an AED. It only takes a few minutes, and it'll give you the confidence to act if someone suffers a cardiac arrest. Free and family-friendly.
📅 Sunday 4 October 🕦 11.30am – 12.30pm 📍 Invercargill Central, 39 Esk Street, Invercargill 🎫 Free 📞 027 441 4123
Got an event happening around Invercargill & Southland? 📩 For pricing options, email [email protected] and get in front of the largest audience in Invercargill & Southland 🎉