Te Papa Whānau Day
Whānau Day Schedule
Saturday 20 September 2025 - 10am-2pm
RNZB Whanau Day at Te Papa, 30 September 2023. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
Join us at Te Papa!
The RNZB comes to Te Papa for our annual day of fun for all ages. You’ll have the chance to peek behind the scenes of our exciting production of The Nutcracker and enjoy an action-packed day of activities with your national ballet company.
Bring your friends and whānau and enjoy dance workshops for children (including sessions for pre-schoolers), experience the magic of story-time, get colourful with face paint and crafty with ballet-themed activities. There will be something for everyone – see you there!
Scroll down for the full schedule.
Schedule
Company Class
Watch the dancers of the Royal New Zealand Ballet in their daily warm-up, from stretches at the barre to complex jumps, turns and combinations.
Soundings Theatre
Level 2
10.30-11am
The Nutcracker - Rehearsals
Get a taste of the RNZB’s production of The Nutcracker, with this rare opportunity to watch the dancers in rehearsal with Artistic Staff.
Soundings Theatre
Level 2
11.45am-12.45pm
1-2pm
First Steps (for the under 5s)
Especially for little ones, thirty minutes of movement and fun.
No registration required.
Icon Function Venue
Level 2
10.30-11am
11.30-12pm
Dance Workshops
Explore characters, steps and scenes based on The Nutcracker, and some simple ballet steps and positions. Pre-registration is required and there is a limit of 30 children per session.
Registration required – book your slot here
Te Marae
Level 4
10.15–11am: 5–7yrs
11.15am–12pm: 5–7yrs
12.30–1.15pm: 8–10yrs
Dance Storytime
Be immersed in the fairytale of The Nutcracker, through our interactive and dance based storytime. Explore characters, choreography and all while learning the story of the ballet. No registration required.
Icon Function Venue
Level 2
12.30-1pm
1.20-1.50pm
Face Painting and Photobooth
Get into the spirit of things with face painting and fun photobooth.
Icon Function Venue
Level 2
10am-2pm
Crafting and Colouring
Love to craft?! Join us on Level 2 for some Nutcracker crafts and colouring.
Hinetitama
Level 4
10am-2pm