Bill Bailey NZ Tour 2025: Full Dates, Tickets & Venues

If you’ve ever watched Bill Bailey on QI and wondered how one person can juggle music, comedy, and languages, you’re not alone. His upcoming Vaudevillean tour across New Zealand gives fans a chance to see his polymath talents live. With 13 shows from Queenstown to Hamilton, here’s what you need to know about dates, tickets, and the man behind the show.

Tour Name: Vaudevillean ·
Number of NZ Shows: 13 centres ·
Previous Tour: Thoughtifier (sold out) ·
Artist: Bill Bailey

Six key facts about Bill Bailey and his upcoming tour are drawn from official sources and local listings.

What are the Bill Bailey NZ tour dates for 2025?

Bill Bailey’s Vaudevillean tour stops in 13 venues across New Zealand between late October and mid-November 2025. The complete list, confirmed by Elephant Publicity (official tour promoter), includes:

• Queenstown – Wednesday 29 October 2025
• Invercargill – Friday 31 October 2025
• Dunedin – Saturday 1 November 2025
• Oamaru – Monday 3 November 2025
• Christchurch – Tuesday 4 November 2025
• Nelson – Thursday 6 November 2025 (Trafalgar Centre, 8pm)
• Hawke’s Bay – date TBC
• Wellington – Tuesday 11 November 2025
• Auckland – Friday 14 November 2025
• Palmerston North – date TBC
• New Plymouth – date TBC
• Rotorua – date TBC
• Hamilton – date TBC

The Nelson show has a specific start time of 8pm and an approximate finish of 10:30pm, according to Nelson Pulse (local events listing).

What cities are included?

As listed above, the tour covers both North and South Islands, from Queenstown in the south to Auckland in the north. The only major centre missing is Tauranga.

The implication: With 13 stops, this is Bailey’s most extensive New Zealand tour yet, offering fans in smaller centres like Oamaru and Invercargill a rare chance to see a world-class comedian live.

How can I buy tickets for Bill Bailey’s NZ tour?

Ticket sales follow a two-phase approach: a pre-sale and a general public sale. For the Nelson show, Nelson Pulse reports that the pre-sale opened at 10am on Wednesday 25 June 2025, and general release began at 10am on Friday 27 June 2025. Tickets are available through Ticketek (official ticketing platform).

Where are tickets sold?

Each venue uses its own ticketing partner. For Invercargill, the Invercargill City Council (municipal venue) lists prices between $89.90 and $109.90. For other centres, check the official tour page on Scoop News (independent news agency) for direct links.

Are there pre-sale options?

Yes. The Nelson pre-sale ran two days before general release. It’s likely that other venues offered similar pre-sales, though times vary. Check with each venue’s box office.

The catch: Pre-sale access often requires a code or subscription. Fans should monitor local event pages or the promoter’s announcements for early-bird opportunities.

Is Bill Bailey a polymath?

Yes—the term “polymath” is frequently used to describe Bill Bailey. He combines stand-up comedy with musical virtuosity (he plays piano, guitar, and theremin), speaks multiple languages, and studied English literature at university. His Wikipedia entry (free encyclopedia) notes his “eclectic style” that blends music, comedy, and intellectual humour.

What are examples of his polymath skills?

• Musical parody: rewriting classical pieces with comic lyrics
• Language play: using German, French, and Latin in routines
• Instrumental mastery: playing accordion, ukulele, and even a “guitar-banjo”

Why this matters: Bailey’s polymath reputation is a major draw for his live shows. Fans don’t just get jokes—they get a performance that stretches across art forms, making each tour a unique cultural event.

Does Bill Bailey have a partner?

Yes. Bill Bailey is married to Kristin, a woman he met in the 1990s. According to Wikipedia, they have one son together. Bailey keeps his family life relatively private, rarely discussing them in interviews.

Is Bill Bailey still married?

Yes, he is still married to Kristin. There is no public record of separation or divorce.

Is Bill Bailey a smoker?

There is no evidence that Bill Bailey smokes. He has been involved in anti-smoking campaigns in the past, suggesting he is a non-smoker or former smoker.

The trade-off: Bailey’s privacy means fans often speculate about personal habits, but the lack of public smoking photos or statements suggests he does not smoke regularly.

Are Alan Davies and Bill Bailey friends?

Yes. Alan Davies and Bill Bailey have been friends for decades, cemented by their long-running collaboration on the BBC panel show QI. Davies, as a regular panellist, and Bailey, as a frequent guest and occasional host, share a warm on-screen chemistry. Wikipedia (free encyclopedia) notes that Bailey has appeared on the show over 40 times.

Who is Bill Bailey’s best friend?

While Bailey has not publicly named a single “best friend,” Alan Davies is often considered his closest friend in the comedy world. The two have performed together in live shows and share a mutual admiration.

The pattern: Durable friendships in comedy are rare, and the Bailey-Davies bond is a reminder of shared history on one of the UK’s most enduring shows.

Why has Bill Bailey cut his hair off?

In 2024, Bill Bailey appeared with a significantly shorter hairstyle than his trademark long locks. He has not given an official reason. Speculation on social media ranges from a new role to personal preference. Without a statement from Bailey or his representatives, the exact reason remains unclear.

What this means: For fans who associate Bailey with his flowing hair, the change is a minor curiosity that doesn’t affect his performance.

Steps to Purchase Tickets for Bill Bailey’s NZ Tour

1. Check your city’s date from the list above. Note that some dates are still TBC.
2. Go to the official ticketing site for your venue. For Nelson, use Ticketek; for Invercargill, use the Invercargill City Council box office.
3. Look for pre-sale opportunities by signing up to venue newsletters or following the promoter’s updates.
4. Buy on the general sale date – 27 June 2025 at 10am for most shows.
5. Choose your seats and complete payment. Prices range from $89.90 to $109.90.

For more detailed guidance, see our How to Buy Bill Bailey Tickets in New Zealand guide.

Timeline of Bill Bailey’s Recent Tours

• 2023–2024: Thoughtifier tour – sold-out performances in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK.
• June 2025: Vaudevillean tour announced for New Zealand, 13 dates.
• 25 June 2025: Pre-sale for Nelson show.
• 27 June 2025: General ticket sale opens.
• 29 October – 14 November 2025: Tour dates across NZ.

The pattern: Bailey’s tours have grown in ambition. The 2025 run is double the size of his 2023 New Zealand effort, indicating strong demand and a growing fanbase.

Confirmed Facts and What Remains Unclear

Most key facts are confirmed, giving fans a solid foundation for planning their attendance. The few unknowns are personal trivia that don’t affect the tour experience.

What People Are Saying About the Tour

Bill Bailey is a true polymath of the comedy world.

— Google snippet (People Also Ask)

Bill Bailey returns with a show that celebrates this great tradition.

— Eventfinda description

It’s official! Bill Bailey is in NZ.

— Facebook post from Claudelands

These quotes reflect the excitement around the tour. The mix of official promotion and fan enthusiasm suggests strong ticket demand.

The Takeaway for NZ Fans

Bill Bailey’s Vaudevillean tour is a rare opportunity to see one of the UK’s most versatile comedians in an intimate theatre setting. With 13 dates across the country, most fans will have a show within a few hours’ drive. For Kiwis who missed the sold-out Thoughtifier run, the choice is clear: book early, or risk missing out again.

Frequently asked questions

For the full tour breakdown, visit our Bill Bailey NZ Tour 2025 – Full Details page.