Whānau Day 2026
27 June 2026
Bring your whānau and spend the day exploring creativity, discovering the world of dance, and celebrating the joy of being uniquely you at St James.
Join us for a vibrant and inspiring Whānau Day at St. James, a special event designed to bring families together through dance, storytelling, and creativity. For the first time, this much-loved day will take over Theatre’s multiple spaces across Levels 1 and 2, the stage, and the Hospitality Suite, offering a wide range of interactive experiences for all ages.
This year’s event is inspired by the beautiful children’s ballet The Bomb, creating a day full of imagination, movement, and self-expression.
About The Bomb
Based on the award-winning book by Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan, The Bomb tells a powerful and uplifting story about finding your own voice. It follows a young boy determined to master the perfect “bomb” dive. With the help of his Nan, a former champion, and through learning to trust himself, he discovers that true success comes from embracing what makes him unique.
This meaningful story has captured the hearts of readers across New Zealand and has received multiple prestigious awards in 2019, including the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year.
A Day for the Whole Whānau
With most activities completely free and something to engage every age group, Whānau Day is a welcoming and inclusive event for the whole community. Whether your child is trying dance for the first time, getting creative with crafts, or watching live rehearsals, there is something to inspire everyone.
Behind the scenes
What’s Happening on the Day
Dance Workshops
Our dance workshops offer an exciting opportunity for children to get moving and experience the joy of dance firsthand. Led by experienced dance educators, these sessions introduce basic ballet techniques in a fun, supportive environment. Students will explore movement inspired by The Bomb, helping them connect storytelling with physical expression.
Cost: $5 per student, registration required, max. 40 participants.
First Steps
First Steps is a gentle introduction to movement and dance for young children. Through simple, guided activities, participants will explore basic ballet movement inspired by the themes of The Bomb. This session is perfect for building confidence, coordination, and a love of movement in a supportive environment.
Storytime
Designed especially for younger audiences, Storytime brings the award-winning book The Bomb by Sacha Cotter to life through engaging and interactive storytelling. Children will be guided through the story of the young boy learning to find his own voice, encouraging imagination, listening, and participation in a fun and accessible way.
Arts and Crafts
Let creativity run wild at our arts and crafts stations. Children can create their own artwork inspired by the themes of The Bomb, whether that’s designing water splashes, characters, or imaginative scenes. This hands-on activity encourages self-expression and gives children something special to take home.
Face Painting
Our face painting station transforms children into colourful characters, dancers, or imaginative creations. Whether they want to sparkle like a performer or become part of the story, this is a fun and creative way for kids to fully immerse themselves in the day.
Photo Booth
Capture the memories of the day at our lively photo booth. With fun props and themed backgrounds, families and friends can take photos together to remember their Whānau Day experience. It’s a great way to celebrate creativity and take home a lasting keepsake.
Pointe Shoe Table
Discover the artistry and technique behind ballet at the pointe shoe table. Visitors can get an up-close look at real pointe shoes, learn how they are made and prepared, and understand how dancers use them in performance. This is a fascinating insight into the dedication and craftsmanship behind ballet.
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Experiences
Company Class Viewing
Watch our professional dancers as they take part in their daily company class. This is a rare opportunity to see the discipline, strength, and focus that goes into maintaining a dancer’s technique and performance readiness.
Open Rehearsals
Enjoy a sneak peek into rehearsals for the upcoming Winter Season. See how choreography comes together, how dancers collaborate, and how a production develops from practice to performance. It’s an inspiring look behind the curtain.
Dancers in Costume
Throughout the day, dancers will be moving through the venue in full costume. This creates a magical atmosphere and gives visitors the chance to see the beauty and detail of performance attire up close, and even interact with performers.
Whānau Day Schedule
Dance Workshops
5 to 7 Years: 10.15am – 11.00am
5 to 7 Years: 11.45am – 12:30pm
8 to 12 Years: 1.15pm – 2:00pm
First Steps
Under 5s: 10.30am – 11.00am
Under 5s: 12.00pm – 12.30pm
Dance Storytime
Session 1: 11.15am – 11.45am
Session 2: 12.45pm – 1.15pm
Company Class
10.15am – 11.30am
Open Rehearsals
11.45am – 1.15pm
Arts and Crafts
All day, 10am – 2pm
Face Painting
All day, 10am – 2pm
Photo Booth
All day, 10am – 2pm
Pointe Shoe Table
All day, 10am – 2pm
Tutu Table
All day, 10am – 2pm
Whānau Day Gallery
