Fleeting red flares dance above thunderstorms, invisible to the naked eye and dismissed as pilots’ tales for a century — until 1989. Join Canadian artist Peter McLeish as he shares two decades spent turning this rare atmospheric phenomenon into art, in collaboration with NASA-linked scientists. Fire in the sky, too Read more
Wednesday 2 September | Central Stories, AlexandraDoors 7pm | Show 7:30–9:30pm | $30 General Admission | Family friendly Alexandra singer-songwriter and local schoolteacher Liz Conway brings her new album Perspectives home for its Central Stories launch. Written over the past ten years, the album traces different seasons of life — Read more
Mānawatia a Matariki! Happy Matariki, Alexandra! Celebrate the Māori New Year these school holidays with our Night Sky Whetū Explorer Challenge — a fun, hands-on activity programme for tamariki and whānau exploring the wonders of the night sky. Running throughout the school holidays until Sunday 19 July, the challenge is Read more
NEW NIGHT ADDED- Thursday 16 July 2026 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm Tuesday 14 July 2026 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm — BOOKED OUT Early in the morning of 14 July 1906, the sleeping town of Alexandra was awakened by the furious ringing of the fire-bell in Skird Street. Four miners were Read more
Central Otago’s extraordinary skies take centre stage on Saturday 4 July, when the Winterstellar Charitable Trust brings a full day of activities to Central Stories Museum and Gallery, celebrating Matariki and the unique night skies of our region. The afternoon session (12:00–4:00 pm) is free and open to everyone. There Read more
Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery is planning for the future — and we want to hear from you. Our draft 20 Year Strategic Plan (2026–2045) is now out for community consultation. This plan sets out our vision and aspirations for the next two decades, covering everything from how we Read more
Henderson Gallery | 1 June – 30 July 2026. We delighted to present Russell Clark: The City Hotel Gold Rush Murals — a rare opportunity to experience one of New Zealand’s most captivating works of public art in its entirety. In 1962, acclaimed New Zealand artist Russell Clark (1905–1966) was Read more
The inside story of New Zealand’s Special Air Service in Afghanistan, told by the historian who earned their trust — plus the remarkable chain of events that led Ron Crosby to a second major book in 2026. Author Talk: Ron Crosby — Unforeseen Consequences Friday 19 June 2026, 7pm Entry Read more
20–27 May 2026 | 10am–4pm Daily | Free Entry We are proud to host the NZQA Top Art Exhibition 2026, brought to Central Otago by Central Otago Arts. Top Art is New Zealand’s premier annual showcase of secondary school visual arts achievement — a touring exhibition featuring a curated selection Read more
Now showing in the Heafey Gallery 25 April – 20 July 2026 | Free admission Meet Aotearoa New Zealand’s most famous crustaceans in this hands-on touring exhibition from Te Papa Tongarewa, created in partnership with NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi. Te Papa Crustaceans can change their shape, circle the globe, and may Read more