Bright blue skies, cicadas chirping, everyone out and about enjoying Upper Hutt’s local parks and green spaces. Let’s make this a summer of great stories – on and off the page.

Upper Hutt Libraries has reduced opening times over the holiday period, so plan ahead and stock up on your holiday and summer reading soon.

Our team has put together a wonderful selection of themed displays, with plenty of reading material to help you fill those long summer days.

A heartfelt merry Christmas, meri Kirihimete, and happy holidays to our customers and community. We can’t wait to bring you more exciting events, new services, and good books in 2026.

Holiday opening hours

View our special Christmas and New Year’s opening hours below.

Central Library

• Wednesday, 24 December (Christmas Eve): 9.30 am-1.00 pm
• Thursday, 25 December (Christmas Day): Sunday, 28 December: CLOSED
• Monday, 29 December: Tuesday 30 December: 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
• Wednesday, 31 December (New Year’s Eve): 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
• Thursday, 1st of January (New Year’s Day) – Sunday 4th of January: CLOSED
• Monday 5th of January – Standard opening hours resume

Pinehaven Library

Pinehaven Library is CLOSED from Thursday, 25 December (Christmas Day), and will re-open with its standard opening hours from Monday, 5 January 2026.

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Don’t forget: the Digital Library is open and available 24/7. Thousands of eBooks, countless hours of eAudio content, magazines, film streaming, and online courses await, just a click or tap away.

https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/Digital-Library

Take the library with you, on long road trips and walks along the river, or whenever you get a moment to sink into a fantastic story.

Regular programmes and services

Many of our regular groups and services pause over the holiday period. View our online calendar to check what’s on. https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/Events

The Skinny Jump service will be on hold from Monday, 22 December, and re-open for modem requests on Tuesday, 6 January. https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/Library-services/Skinny-Jump

Summer in Upper Hutt: things to do with the family

Explore, read – and win! The Little, Big, and Even Bigger Read is back and invites our young (and young-at-heart) readers to follow the call of adventure.

We’re running this summer reading adventure (1 December to 31 January) with our neighbours at Hutt City Libraries, so that means double the fun across the Hutt Valley.

It’s free, fun, and easy to take part. Pick up a booklet on your next visit, download a template, or simply email us about your books and activities. thebigread@uhcc.govt.nz

https://www.upperhuttlibrary.co.nz/Programmes/Summer-Reading-Challenge

And if you’re looking for recommendations to keep the tamariki (kids) busy and entertained over the summer, check out the U-PLAY timetable. https://www.upperhutt.govt.nz/Community/U-Play

We have Dungeons & Dragons, board game sessions, crafts and calligraphy, plus lots of outdoors fun waiting for you – see you there!

Source: Upper Hutt Libraries

09/12/25