Community Events
The Dunedin Centre and Forsyth Barr Stadium are available for use by not-for-profits and community organisations throughout the year. From festivals and events to school shows and Galas – Dunedin Venues has a space for the community.
Our team can work with you to bring your community event to life.
These spaces have hosted generations of Dunedinites at concerts, graduations, balls, kapa haka, school productions, fundraisers and civic gatherings. With the Town Hall alone able to seat over 2,200 people, no other venue in the city offers this scale of grandeur paired with modern functionality. That is precisely why community access matters.
Community Access GrantCommunity organisations can also apply for the Community Access Grant (CAG), a grant that is available to help organisations access our facilities, equipment and resources at Forsyth Barr Stadium and The Dunedin Centre.
Without targeted support, the cost of hiring world-class facilities like these would put them out of reach for the not-for-profits, cultural groups, schools and grassroots organisations who give Dunedin so much of its character.
Through Dunedin Venues' community hire pathway and the Dunedin City Council–funded Community Access Grant, these civic assets are returned to the people they were built for — ensuring that a primary school gala, a cultural festival, a local sports awards night or a charity fundraiser can share the same iconic stage as international performers. Keeping the Town Hall and Glenroy genuinely accessible isn't just a nice-to-have; it's how a heritage building continues to earn its place at the heart of the city, strengthening community connection, celebrating local talent, and ensuring Dunedin's most treasured spaces remain spaces for Dunedin.
How to apply
Applications are open twice per year.
- March: For events held July – December
- September: For events held January – June
Applications are currently closed but open again on 2nd March 2026 for events in July–Dec 2026.
- Ensure your event meets the criteria set out in our guidelines. (See below)
- Prepare your event details, including proof of charitable status or an incorporated society, preferred event dates, and information about your event including the positive impact it will have on our community.
- Submit your online application (once opened).