The ZURU Nightglow 2025 Guide

The ZURU Nightglow, returns to Claudelands Oval on Saturday, 22 March 2025.

The Balloons Over Waikato team have hours of live entertainment on the One NZ stage, carnival rides and games, delicious food trucks & vendors and the highlight of the night – the glorious orchestrated hot air balloon glow, that will light up the night sky… culminating in the SkyCity Hamilton Fireworks extravaganza. 

We recommend you plan ahead and leave plenty of time to get to the venue and through the gates. 

SHOW TIMES

4.00pm - Main gates open

8.00pm - The Glow Show

8.15pm - SkyCity Hamilton Fireworks Extravaganza

9.00pm - Event finishes

 *Please note times are subject to change.

Due to the demand for tickets to the ZURU Nightglow, we ask that if you are not going to be using all of the tickets you have redeemed that you return any unneeded tickets through the Tickitek app so that other can have the opportunity to attend.

The Ticketek app can be downloaded from all app stores.

Please ensure you log into the app with the same Ticketek account you used to redeem your tickets.

View instructions on how to return your ticket

Getting to & from Claudelands Oval

Pedestrian entry to the venue can be accessed from Claudelands Gate 2 off Heaphy Terrace or Claudelands Gate 3 off Brooklyn Road (Bus users only).

Please note there are no pass outs for the show. Once you are inside the venue you can’t exit and re-enter.

We  have allocated all of the tickets to attend the ZURU Nightglow and as such we are expecting a large number of people to this event. It is important you plan your journey as road closures and traffic management will be in place.

Taxis and e-rideshares will be busy, ensure you have an alternative plan.

LIMITED, paid parking will be available in Claudelands Park from 3pm. Access will be via the Settlement Centre Waikato car park located at 46G Boundary Road. Please be aware that when leaving Claudelands Park there may be delayed wait times while pedestrian crowds are cleared. If this is a concern for you, we recommend you consider the FREE Park and Ride bus services running for this event.

Each vehicle can park for $5. Please note, this parking is on grass which may be bumpy or unstable. Take care when walking and suitable shoes are advised. While some lighting is provided, we recommend bringing a torch for yourself to aid in the return to your car when it is dark.

Car park will close at 8pm or once full.

Some free limited parking may be available on the surrounding streets but on-street restrictions may apply. To avoid being towed and to enjoy a hassle free event, we suggest using one of the free public transport options below:

Free Park and Ride Bus Services

Take the hassle out of finding a park or stressing about the traffic – use Waikato Regional Council and Kinetic’s FREE Park and Ride services.

Five routes will run between key Hamilton locations and Claudelands Oval for The ZURU Nightglow on Saturday, 22 March 2025. This year buses will be running from Hamilton Gardens,  Melville High School, Frankton Primary School, Rotokauri Hub and Grosvenor Park in Rototuna. More buses will be running on the routes, so plan ahead and let Busit do the driving.

FREE buses will run between 5.00pm and 7.00pm from the Park and Ride sites and special event bus stops along the routes. After The ZURU Nightglow has finished, buses will run on a continuous as-available basis until all passengers have boarded for their return journey.

Park and Ride Locations:

— Hamilton Gardens – Roadside parking along route

— Melville High School – Roadside parking Collins Road

— Frankton Primary School – Roadside parking Rifle Range Road

—  Rotokauri Hub Express – Rotokauri Hub Platform 3

— Grosvenor Park, Rototuna – Roadside parking Thomas Road

Please note: Your FREE ZURU Nightglow ticket will get you onto the buses and all buses are wheelchair friendly.

Take away the parking hassles, reduce congestion and travel with Busit!

View Busit map 

Mobility Parking:
Limited mobility parking is available ($5) via the Settlement Centre off Boundary Road. This is strictly available for patrons who hold a valid mobility parking permit on a first in, first served basis. You will be required to present your mobility permit to traffic control staff on the day for access - no permit, no entry.

Road Closures:
The following road closures will be in place on the event day to assist with the smooth running of the event, alleviate congestion on the surrounding roads, and support safe pedestrian movement and public transport operations.

Road closures will be in place as follows:

• Brooklyn Road from Heaphy Terrace to Five Crossroads from approximately 2pm until 11pm.
• Boundary Road from Heaphy Terrace to Five Crossroads from approximately 4pm until 11pm.
• Heaphy Terrace from Boundary Road to Brooklyn Road from approximately 2pm until 11pm.
• Thames Street from Kitchener Street to Heaphy Terrace from approximately 2pm until 11pm.
• Stanley Street from Oakley Street to Heaphy Terrace from approximately 2pm until 11pm.
• Piako Road from Kitchener Street to Heaphy Terrace from approximately 2pm until 11pm.
• Claudelands Bridge from Victoria Street to Grey Street from approximately 2pm until 11pm. 
• Boundary Road from Victoria Street to Heaphy Terrace from approximately 2pm until 11pm.

To accomodate the Park and Ride bus parking and pick up/drop off zones controlled no parking areas will be put in place on event day (22 March 2025) from 2pm in the following areas:

Please note that the GLOBOX Arena & Events Centre, Claudelands Gate 2 Carpark will be closed on Saturday, 22 March for Magical Bridge Playground users. Pedestrian access will still be available via Gate 2 all day.

CBD Walking Route
A safe walking route will be available down O’Neill street post event.

Claudelands Oval Map

Click here to download a copy of the Claudelands Oval Map.

Your Tickets

All tickets are general admission.

Please ensure you have printed your EzyTickets tbefore heading to the show and have these ready to scan at the gate. Please note your ezyTicket may not work on your mobile phone.

Ticketek is the only authorised ticket supplier for this event. We strongly advise against purchasing tickets from any unauthorised ticket resellers as the tickets may not be genuine or may be cancelled by the event organiser. 

At the Event

Please note there are no pass outs for the show. Once you are in the venue you can’t exit and re-enter 

Please collect or pre-print your ticket in advance and have ready to scan at the entry gate

You and your possessions will be subject to a safety and security search, so give yourself plenty of time to get inside the venue and leave any non-essentials at home.

There is no bag check available at this event.

You can bring home-made food for personal consumption, such as sandwiches, fruit, biscuits or cake that is not in commercial packaging into the event but no commercially produced food, glass, or alcohol will be permitted. Domino's pizza is permitted as they are a partner of the event.

You can bring in an empty clear plastic water bottle (up to 750ml). Once inside, bottles can be filled from water coolers around the venue.

Professional cameras or audio recording devices are not permitted, including selfie sticks, GoPros, tablets or drones. Mobile phones are permitted.

We thank you in advance for your patience at entry.

Conditions of Entry

Click here to view Balloon's Over Waikato/s Conditions of entry

Dress Code
For safety reasons, footwear is to be worn at all times.
We do not permit gang patches or gang paraphernalia to be displayed.

Security
Security and its representatives reserve the right to request patrons to present any clothing, bags and other carried items for searching, including being subject to a pat down and/or a scanner search before entry. If you refuse to present any of the requested items for searching, you will be denied entry.

Entry will be refused if a patron is intoxicated or under the influence of illicit substances.

Please note that this is vape/smoke free event.

Search On Entry
You and/or your possessions will be subject to a safety and security search upon entry. Below is a list of prohibited items. Confiscated items will not be returned, replaced or reimbursed. Management and the promoter take no responsibility for confiscated items.

Prohibited Items

• Alcohol - any alcohol found at the Event Site will be confiscated and will not be returned and the offending patron(s) ejected from Event Site for the remainder of the Event.
• Commercial takeaway food, other than products from event partner Domino’s. Domino’s products are allowed into the venue.
• Glass (including jars, bottles, containers, mirrors and perfumes).
• Weapons or explosives of any kind (including potential missiles).
• Illegal substances.
• Animals (excluding service dogs such as guide dogs and police or emergency service dogs).
• Nitrous oxide bulbs and canisters.
• Flares, fireworks, sparklers explosives, or any fire twirling equipment.
• Flammable liquids.
• Musical Instruments – bongos, guitars, flutes, horns and any other type of musical instrument or noise maker.
• Advanced personal vapourizers (or modified APVs) or liquid refills for E-Cigs.
• Air horns, Sound systems, portable speakers or boom boxes.
• Portable laser equipment and pens.
• Sharpies, markers, paint cans or paint pens.
• Drones, kites, sky lanterns or other remote control devices.
• Camping chairs, couches, tables and beach umbrellas
• Umbrellas, parasols, pop up tents, sun shades, marquees or any structures over 1.2m high.
• Anything studded (ie belts, wristbands etc).
• Toy guns, water guns, pocketknives, slingshots or any other toy resembling a weapon.
• Monopods, tripods or attachment sticks (selfie-sticks).
• Torches, lasers and pen lights.
• Skateboards, scooters, wagons, carts, rollerblades, roller skates, bicycles, quad-bikes, segways, hoverboards, self-balancing scooters or any personal motorised vehicles.
• Unauthorised solicitation materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, give-aways, samples, or other promotional items.
• Any other item deemed by Event staff (in their discretion) to be dangerous or offensive or potentially dangerous by Event organisers
• Umbrellas

Please note that prohibited items will be confiscated and will not be returned. If in doubt, leave it at home. Management and the promoter take no responsibility for confiscated items.

Permitted Items

• Empty plastic or metal water bottle (max. 750ml)
• Home made (non-commercial) snacks, food or picnic items, and any Domino’s commercial food products.
• Prams and Strollers
• Small personal cameras and camera phones are allowed.
• Small hand sanitizer and baby wipes
• Mobile phone and charger
• Sunblock and sunglasses
• Blanket, picnic blanket or cushion and small shade structures up to 1.2m high
• Sealed cigarettes and lighters (not for use in the venue)
•  E-Cig and vape pens (single use only - not for use in the venue)
• Ear plugs
• Bum bags
• Gum
• Hats
• Certified Service dogs

Drug & Alcohol Policy
• Alcohol will not be sold at this event.
• There will be zero tolerance for intoxication.
• Those who arrive at the gates intoxicated will be refused entry into the event, and patrons who become intoxicated will be escorted from the venue.
• Intoxicated or under-aged persons who are apprehended with alcohol will be escorted from the premises.
• Persons supplying alcohol to underage patrons will be evicted from the premises.
• This event maintains a strict ‘no drugs’ policy.
• Illicit drugs and alcohol are prohibited and will be confiscated at the gate. Patrons who are caught in possession of any prohibited substance will be denied entry into the venue.
• Any persons apprehended with drugs in their possession will be escorted from the premises.
• Incidents involving alcohol or drugs will be referred to the NZ Police where the situation requires it.

Behaviour 
In extreme cases, a patron who exhibits unacceptable or disruptive behaviour will be asked to leave the venue. Dangerous activities such as aggressive moshing, stage diving, crowd surfing and climbing are not permitted and may result in the removal of patrons from the event. Failure to comply with a direction from staff, security staff or the NZ Police to leave the event venue after having being warned to leave may render the ticket holder liable to arrest and prosecution for the offence of trespass under section 4 of the Trespass Act 1980 which is punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months.

Click here to view Balloons Over Waikato's ZURU Nightglow FAQs

Food and Drink

Water stations - providing free filtered water for drink bottles and water fountains - are situated around the venue.

There will be food vendors available at the venue.

EFTPOS will be available at the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

To view the frequently asked questions, click here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our event hotline on 07 929 3000 or email info@claudelands.co.nz