12 Epic Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend

It's another stellar weekend in good old Tāmaki Makaurau, and with December already here, it is well and truly feeling a little Christmasy (IMO).

Here are 12 epic things to do this Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.

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Friday 12 December

Go Chase This Golf Ledge

1-9.30pm | Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club | $$$

Image credit: Chasing the Fox | Facebook

Our nation's greatest golfer is back with the ultimate golf showdown. This year he's bringing a mate from the international tour to help him fend off New Zealand's finest athletes and media personalities in a six-hole, ambros-styled battle royale at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club—it's Fox & Friend—versus teams of three from across NZ's upper echelon – and if there's a tie, it all comes down to a sudden-death playoff on the final party hole. The whole thing airs live and free on TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+, and the best bit? Each team plays for prize money going straight to their chosen charity. Final release still available.

Head South For This Returning Christmas Lights Scene

From 7.30pm | Ōtara | Free

Image credit: Ōtara Block Christmas Lights | Supplied

If you're South Auckland born and bred and don't fancy a trek to Franklin Road for Xmas lights, then this year, you're in luck. After a two-year hiatus, the Ōtara Block lights are back on, baby. Shining nightly from 7:30pm, with the original block around Clayton Avenue is now joined by a second display on Hamill Road. Live entertainment, street kai, sausage sizzles, and genuine manaakitanga.

Saturday 13 December

Make Your Way To This Garden Oasis For A Christmas Brunch Buffet

13 December | Eden Garden | $$

Image credit: Eden Garden | Supplied

Eden Garden is hosting their Christmas brunch this Saturday, with all the Christmas classics—buffet-style. From fresh pancakes to pastries, artisan breads and cheese, to eggs your way with all the roasted potato, crispy potato and Christmas ham trimmings. Tickets are $40 and include entrance to their beautiful five and a half acre garden filled with native bush, birds and butterflies (you can walk off your feast via a hilly Hillary Heights to stunning views of Tāmaki Makaurau). Book your spot online. - Vicki Young

Visit This Xmas Market Double-Header (And Geeze The Giant Tree)

13 December | Te Komititanga & Takutai Square, CBD | Free

Downtown Christmas Market is a festive fusion of the much-loved General Collective and Britomart Saturday Market, uniting for one spectacular Christmas shopping experience in the heart of the city. Wander through Te Komititanga and Takutai Square where you’ll find beautifully curated stalls brimming with handcrafted gifts, summer fashion, homewares, art, and gourmet treats—all made with love by talented local creators. Soak up the atmosphere beneath the giant Te Manaaki Christmas tree, enjoy delicious bites, and the joyful buzz of the season. Britomart Market (Takutai Square): 8-3pm &  General Collective (Te Komititanga): 10-3pm. Plus, just a short stroll away on Queens Wharf, there's a Kids Christmas DIY activation, perfect for little makers to get creative.

Get Your Hands On Some Groovy Wax

13 December | Riverhead Citizens Hall, Riverhead | Free

The huge Retro Records vinyl record sale returns to Riverhead this Saturday. Thousands of good stuff on wax. Free entry.

Head To This Absolute Kiwi Christmas Classic

13 December | Auckland Domain | Free

Image credit: Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park | Website

Gather your whānau for New Zealand’s biggest, happiest, and FREEist Christmas party at the Auckland Domain. A true classic of the silly season calendar, featuring world-class entertainment from some of the country's most talented performers, musicians, and dancers, culminating in a fantastic fireworks finale. It's Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park.

Sunday 14 December

Go To A Market By The Beach

Sundays | Orewa Square | Free

Image credit: Orewa Beach Farmers' Market | Website

Fresh veggies, pastries, hot coffee, and all the good bits, right near the beach. Grab your goods, then make a morning of it on the sand. Every Sunday 8am–1pm through summer runs the Orewa Beach Farmers' Market.

Sort Your Prezzies The Sustainable Way

10am-11pm | Noughty Wasters Makerspace, 27 Lake Road | Free

Just because it's the season of giving, doesn't mean it has to be the season of trash piles and bins full of junk. The Noughty Wasters Makerspace invites you to get crafty and eco-conscious at their Zero Waste Christmas Gift Making session this Sunday. This free, all-ages workshop lets you create unique gifts for friends and family using materials otherwise destined for landfill. Bookings are essential, but you can drop off kids (ages 4+) or stay and create alongside them.

Explore A Travelling Gypsy Fair

13 & 14 December | Bledisloe Park, Pukekohe | Free

The travelling Gypsy Fair is pulling into Pukekohe this weekend. Two full days of fun, handcrafted goods and live music. Free entry, too.

Check Out Christmas Dessert Night At This Festive Pop-Up

5-9pm | Mint Bakery | $

Image credit: In Rhi’s Pantry | Supplied

From Christmas brunch to Christmas dessert—head to Mint Cakery for Rhiannon Baldock (from In Rhi’s Pantry) and Mint Cakery Michelle Morfett's third annual Christmas dessert collab this Sunday. From 5pm-9pm (or until sold out), get your treats sorted for the festive season with their range of packaged sweets—then stay for all scorched almond lamingtons, gingerbread trifle, limoncello tiramisu and classic pavs (to name a few in the festive Christmas dessert line-up). - Vicki Young

All Weekend

Hunt An Elf At This Shopping Hot-Spot

'Til 22 December | Ponsonby Central | Free

Image credit: Ponsonby Central | Website

Pons Central is putting on the cheer this Xmas. And here's one of a few merry events they have going down...

Eleven cheeky elves. Eleven secret letters. One mystery phrase, and five $100 Ponsonby Central vouchers up for grabs. Grab the kids (or just your competitive mates) and hunt your way through Ponsonby Central to crack the code. Start in the back lane by the lifts; finish with lunch, a cool beverage, and a smug sense of victory.

Get Lost In An Enchanted Precinct

'Til 24 December | Teed Street, Newmarket | $$

Image credit: Enchanted Christmas/NBA | Supplied

Newmarket's gone full North Pole—and we're not just talking a tree and some tinsel. Enchanted Christmas is a two-hour, fully immersive walk-through wonderland featuring 200 themed trees, 150,000 twinkling lights, a kilometre-long garland path, and photo ops with both Santa and The Grinch (choose your fighter). There's a European Christmas market with 20+ artisan stalls, crafting workshops for the kids, and dedicated pet sessions so your furry mate can have their moment with the big man. Tickets from $40 for one adult and one child.

What's more, the Chrissy magic spills across the whole precinct. Six towering Nutcracker statues stand guard with QR codes for a $1,000 shopping spree draw, there's a scavenger hunt running daily prizes 'til December 20, and an 11-metre walk-through tree with a Santa mailbox bound express for the North Pole. And over at Westfield, Santa himself is ready for photos (including Sensitive Santa sessions).

All that weekend planning left you hangry? Check out The Feed.

Main image credit: Coca Cola Christmas in the Park | Website

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