14 Epic Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend

If it isn't another fine-looking weekend in the big city.

I hope your stomach is empty and your calendar is free, cause here are 14 epic things to do and ways to have fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, this Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.

Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.

Friday 17 October

Witness These Legends At A Legendary Venue

 From 8pm | The Powerstation | $$$

Image credit: Shapeshifter | Facebook

Bangers and mash. Wine and cheese. Beer and salted nuts. Drum and bass. Shapeshifter and The Powerstation. Some pairings just work, and this gig is surely one of them. That's right, Shapeshifter is hitting The Powerstation for two massive nights of dnb pedigree this weekend. But ain't any old DJ set, no siree. This is a live show where the collective will blend their iconic catalogue with some of the biggest anthems in dance music history—mashed up, recontextualised, recombined and all performed live. And with the second night (Saturday) already sold old, you'd better get onto Friday's quick.

Saturday 18 October

Hunt For Some Retro Riches

10am-4pm | Ponsonby Central | $-$$$

Image Credit: Ponsonby Central Vintage Market | Instagram

For the vintage vultures—this Saturday is another chance to get your mitts on some serious finds at the latest iteration of Ponsonby Central's Vintage Market. Each month, you may unearth a treasure trove of pre-loved goodies, from retro threads and funky furniture to quirky homewares and handmade art, and this month is much the same arrangement: doors fling open at 10am, entry is free, and the rummaging goes 'til 4pm. Make a day of it and refuel at one of Ponsonby Central's many gorge-worthy eateries afterwards—’cause treasure hunting is hungry work.

Pop Down To A Midtown Midday Market Day

11am-3pm | The Strand Arcade, Atrium on Elliott, Elliott Street, Darby Street & Wellesley Street | Free Entry

Image credit: ourAuckland | Website

The ultimate Saturday morning is very much within striking distance. Why? Well, it's going down this Saturday, of course. Where? Elliott Street, no less. It's Midtown Market Day in the central city, where Elliott Street and the surrounding laneways transform into a vibrant celebration of local culture, cuisine, and community. From $3 coffees and half-price lunch deals to handmade crafts, free face painting, live music, and a Bananagrams tournament—wander through boutique pop-up stalls, grab samples from neighbourhood eateries, spin the wheel for vouchers worth thousands, or join a street art class. Free entry, whānau-friendly, and all-day parking capped at just $10. How. Bloody. Good.

Clean Out The Closet For Free

10am-4pm | | Across Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch | Free

Image credit: Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive | Supplied

This Saturday, Uber and New Zealand Red Cross are holding their annual clothing drive across all three major cities. What exactly does this entail? Well, for one day and one day only, Kiwis can book a FREE Courier pickup via the Uber or Uber Eats app and donate quality pre-loved clothes directly from their doorstep. Every good-quality item goes on to support the good folks at Red Cross who help people facing hardship and crisis across Aotearoa.

How: Book a free courier pickup through the Uber or Uber Eats app between 10am-4pm, and your clothes will be delivered directly to Red Cross.

Witness An Epic Art Battle

6-10pm | Eden Park, Mount Eden | $

Image credit: Parnell Auckland / Art Battle Auckland | Instagram

Now, if you haven’t witnessed an iteration of Art Battle, then let me politely remove that rock you're living under, and help you crawl out into the colourful here and now. The globe-trotting live painting showdown is collaborating with the opening of the Whau Community Art Expo this Saturday, when twelve electric artists will go brush-to-brush. The kicker? Your vote decides the champ.

Listen To The Best Ever Rendition Of Wonderwall Live

From 8pm | Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna | $$

Every house party has a guy, a guitar and an attempt at Wonderwall. And when the function reaches that moment, it's usually time to leave. Except, of course, when that function is at Bruch Mason Centre and that guy is the alt-country troubadour that is Ryan Adams. He's bringing his Heartbreaker '25 World Tour to Taka this weekend, and whether you're a longtime fan or just discovered him through that one song in that one movie, Adams' stripped-back acoustic performances will be a blessing to enjoy at the intimate Bruce Mason Theatre this Saturday night.

Come Together For A Very Wicked Rock Night

From 8pm | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre | $$$

Clear your calendar and dust off your best air guitar. The Come Together collective returns to deliver a full-throttle, note-for-note performance celebrating one of rock and roll's most iconic bands: Led Zeppelin. As NZ's most successful rock tribute series, this is more than just a concert—it's a masterclass in musical precision, where every guitar riff, soaring vocal, thunderous drumbeat, and intricate keyboard melody is delivered with the head-banging excellence worthy of these immense tunes.

Go To A Swamp Rave

From 9pm | Darby Street Station | $

Fairy tales, freaks and mud-slick beats. It’s… a… Shrek Rave? DJs playing Shrek hits and rave bangers, and you’re invited to the swamp. Green glow sticks, Shrek drinks (including Shreks On The Beach), giveaways and visuals. I guess it’s like when Pinocchio, the Three Little Pigs and The Gingerbread Man house sat for Shrek in the second movie. Is it weird that I can recall that? Maybe a Shrek Rave is for me after all.

Sunday 19 October

Try Movin’ In The Mornin’

9am-12pm | HUB MATAKANA (formerly Zen Den), Matakana | $-$$

Move. Chill. Connect. How’s that sound for a Sunday morning? Out at sunny Matakana, it’s just the way they do it, with MATAKANA MORNING MOVES, going down from 9am-12pm with the sonic assistance of DJ Deej Barclay.  He's offering a morning brew of groovy beats as you switch between a hot stone sauna, an ice-cold plunge, and coffee, coca, & smoothie stations. Amaranto has the post-boogie snacks on lock, and after three wholesome hours of shaking it, you’ll need it.

Head To This High Tea For Their Famous Dessert Trolley And Mozzarella Cheesecake

Various Booking Times | Esther's | $$

Image credit: Esther | Vicki Young

If you haven’t experienced Esther’s exquisite High Tea, this is your sign to do so. They roll over the sweet menu via a beautiful trolley of sweet treats piled high—complete with their signature chocolate choux swans and a big tableside scoop of Sean’s orange-scented tiramisu. Their savoury offerings are just as drool-worthy, with Mediterranean flavours (I’m here for all the pops of Ortiz anchovies on toast with salsa verde). Plus, you’d be rude not to go bottomless (with a free-flowing prosecco in each hand) for an extra $20. Book online and don’t miss out—their sweet creations are always executed with such technical skill and finesse (re last season’s lemon-shaped dessert, pictured, that had me fooled)—we hear there’s a buffalo mozz cheesecake on the latest menu that looks just like the real deal. High tea starts at $79 per person (or $99 for bottomless). - Vicki Young

Find Out If A Gin-Infused Sausage Sizzle Goes As Hard As It Sounds

4-10pm | Nami Record Bar | $

Cocktails and sausages? Who would've thunk it? Four Pillars Gin, apparently. They're partnering with three iconic NZ bars for charity sausage sizzles on steroids. On 19 October, Auckland's Nami Record Bar teams up with Grey Lynn Butcher for gin-infused German brats that'll make you rethink the humble sanger. All proceeds go to KiwiPAL (Kiwi Trust for Palestinian Children Relief), supporting educational projects in Gaza's marginalised areas.

Have The Girls' Day Out Of All Girls' Day Outs

9.30am-4.30pm | Pullman Hotel | $$

Image credit: IGNITE: Passion & Pleasure | Supplied

The girls' day out you didn't know you needed is landing smack bang in the middle of Auckland CBD come 19 October.  Designed by women, for women—IGNITE: Passion & Pleasure is a full-day immersion, everything fantastically feminine from business and mindset to body confidence, fertility, menopause, and yes—female pleasure. The amazing Kiki Kisses—aka the Duchess of NZ Burlesque—will MC the day, capping things off with a burlesque performance. In between? Inspiring talks, a gourmet buffet lunch, bubbles, canapés, and conversations that are equal parts empowering and thought-provoking.

All Weekend

Stand In Awe Of Nine Towering Waka On The Waterfront

Anytime | Daldy Street Linear Park | Free

Image credit: Auckland Council | Supplied

Nine six-metre waka-shaped sculptures now stand vertically along Daldy Street in Wynyard Quarter in all their beautiful glory. Created in partnership with mana whenua and designed by lead artist Graham Tipene in collaboration with master waka builder Hine Waitai Dye, lead designers LandLAB, and contributing artists, the striking hulls are arranged in a taratara-a-kae (zig-zag) formation with five representing waka hourua (ocean-going vessels) and four depicting waka tētē (localised vessels for transport and fishing). Each features intricate pūhoro motifs, tōtara timber ribs, and taonga inside referencing traditional punga anchor stones. A tribute to Auckland's maritime heritage and a fabulous reason to take a wander through Wynyard Quarter now that the weather's warmer. If you really even needed one, that is.

Pack The Tissues For These Live Love Stories

Various Show Times | The Civic | $$-$$$

Image credit: Love Stories | Supplied

Trent Dalton's critically acclaimed stage sensation and heart-expanding theatrical gem—Love Stories—is playing a limited five performances at The Civic this month. A bestselling author and one of Australia's preeminent journalists, Dalton spent two months in 2021 gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter, on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD. Speaking to Australians from all walks of life, he asked them one simple thing: "Can you please tell me a love story?" Inspired by a profound love and generosity, this is an unashamedly joyous collection of what I like to call Lovecdotes, taking the stage by storm.

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

Image credit: Andrew Blackstein | Facebook.

Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like, too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.