What’s On In Auckland This Week, This Month And This Year 2025

8th Oct 2025

Written by:

Lachlan Woods-Davidson
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ

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Well, well, well. It's you again.

Here's what's on in stunning Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this week, as well as what's just around the corner.

And check out what’s on this weekend with my professionally curated list of the best things to do Friday to Sunday.

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

Don’t Miss

Free And Budget-Friendly Events

Waka Moana

Now Open | Daldy Street Linear Park | Free

Image credit: Auckland Council | Supplied

Nine six-metre waka-shaped sculptures now stand 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 even need one...

Food And Drink Events

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

21-25 October | Auckland Irish Club | $$$

Image credit: Dani Katy | Eventfinda

Anyone who grew up watching Fawlty Towers, raise your hand. You'll all be amped to see the famous John Cleese-led series brought to life through this one-of-a-kind, comedy-meets-cuisine experience. Following on from a hugely successful season in 2024, audiences can expect a side-splitting, fully immersive improv show complete with '70s-style dinner. How spiffing.

Atelier’s Champagne Month Dinner Series

22 & 29 October | Atelier | $$$

Image credit: Atelier | Supplied

Four big champagne houses will grace Atelier this month for their Champagne Month dinner series. We’re talking bubbles for every palate with Louis Roederer (8th October), Veuve Clicquot (16th October), Billecart-Salmon (22nd October) and Laurent Perrier (29th October). Each dinner will showcase four different varieties to pair with a different menu each night. Dishes across the menus include their wagyu bavette steak, dreamy mashed potatoes (Robuchon style), new season asparagus and Atelier’s signature mille-feuille (hello, salted butter caramel). One lucky customer from each dinner will also get to take a precious bottle home. Get your tickets to this four-course champagne dream for $195 per person here. - Vicki Young

Late & Local

'Til 31 October | Newmarket Eateries | $

Image credit: Sip’n Chill/Newmarket Business Association | Supplied

Newmarket Business Association's brand spankin' new and delicious Late & Local campaign is here to solve your daily dinner dilemma: eat well, spend less and feel damn good about it. Sounds too good to be true? Well, throughout October, a curated lineup of Newmarket eateries are slinging their signature dishes for a mere $25. That's right—proper restaurant food that won't blow out the monthly budget spreadsheet and all while supporting ya local.

SERVED at SkyCity

October | SkyCity Auckland | $$-$$$

Image Credit: SERVED | Supplied

Auckland’s ultimate culinary playground is officially back in action, bringing with it global-inspired menus, exclusive events, and a chance to taste the world without leaving town.

SERVED is returning to SkyCity this season, with Pacific flavours at Michael Meredith’s Metita, Diwali feasts at Sid Sahrawat’s Cassia, the best of Aotearoa at The Grill, Japanese artistry at MASU by Nic Watt, and traditional Chinese done right at Huami. Pair that all with a cheeky cocktail at SkyBar before rounding out the night with an NYC-styled Chopped Cheese Sando at Al Brown’s infamous Fed Deli. Get set to chase bold flavours, one-night-only experiences, and the simple joy of dining your way. - Maisie Gray

Arts And Culture

Gigs & Live Music

Dani Josie SUCKERPUNCH

25 October | Tuning Fork | $

Image credit: Dani Josie | Supplied

It's about time we had a punk icon make waves on these shores.

Embodying every ounce of moxie and misfit madness that modern times so desperately miss, Wellingtonian Dani Josie is embarking on her bona fide antidote of a first-ever headline tour. SUCKERPUNCH will be rocking a city near you over the next month, delivering Josie's energetic, articulate performance with a healthy dose of chaos, connection, community, and, most certainly, damn good live music.

Coming Soon

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

30 October-9 November | Spark Arena | $$$

Image credit: Cirque du Soleil | Aldo Arguello

Cirque du Soleil is returning to Aotearoa this October, with the Auckland debut of Corteo. Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is a festive parade imagined from a clown’s perspective, set on a double-sided stage. Expect grace, power, and comedy played out in a liminal space between heaven and earth. Tickets are live.

FAM — Food. Art. Music.

1 November & 6 December | Karangahape Road | Free

Image credit: Karangahape Road | Website

Every first Saturday of the month, the mythical and gorgeous K' Road transforms into a full-sensory extravaganza with FAM—a bold celebration of Aotearoa's finest food, art, and music. From noon till 6pm, this pulsing street party will showcase local talent across multiple disciplines, shifting one of Auckland's most iconic streets into its very top gear.

TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING

4-23 November | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Closing out the 2025 season is TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING, a groundbreaking adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale. For the very first time, the play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori. Directed by Katie Wolfe and starring Miriama McDowell, this two-part production follows Tiri Mahana, a 185-year-old matriarch, from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to modern-day Aotearoa.

Bill Bailey—Vaudevillean

14 & 15 November | The Civic | $$$

Image credit: WellingtonNZ | Website

Laughs, music and multifarious skills. Ever heard of Vaudeville? Before streaming, TV, cinema, and radio, there was Vaudeville and the bona fide comedic legend that is Bill Bailey is returning to the Chur with a show that celebrates this great tradition. A versatile multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of humour and musical prowess—old Billy Boy could lay claim to being, quite possibly, the foremost practitioner of this tradition. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.

Tool

22 & 23 November | Spark Arena | $$$

Image credit: Spark Arena | Scott Moran

The way Tool fans operate, I'm sure most of ya'll have already locked your tickets. But seeing as a second night has been added to the schedule, and with the first already sold out, I thought I'd better plug this PSA: tickets to Tool's headline visit to NZ in November are available. For now...

RÜFÜS DU SOL

29 November | The Outer Fields, Western Springs | $$$

Image credit: RÜFÜS DU SOL | Instagram

The most mind-bending, dimension-transcending electro experience known to humankind—RÜFÜS DU SOL—will light up the expansive Outer Fields of Western Springs this November. The Australian purveyors of electronic music-meets-legendary-lights-extravaganza-times-unholy-soundscapes are just too good not to feature. So here's a very, very early heads up that they're coming to town.

Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest

Entries Open December, Grand Final 11 July 2026

New Zealand's premier classical singing competition is entering a new era with a fitting rebrand: from 2026, it'll be known as the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest. The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has taken on principal naming rights for the 69-year-old competition, which has launched the careers of some of Aotearoa's brightest operatic stars, including Dame Kiri herself. It's a full-circle moment. Entries open December 2025, with the Grand Final Gala set for 11 July 2026.

Laneway

6 February | Western Springs | $$$

Image credit: Laneway | Chontalle Musson

Heard the news? The big one is back.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival will once again be packing the grass of Western Springs for what some consider the flagship of Aotearoa's gig calendar. The lineup has been dropped to much fizz—Chappell Roan headlining—and look at that, tickets are already selling like hotcakes.

ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland

14 & 15 February | Online | $$$

Image credit: Sail GP | Supplied

With 2025's Grand Prix blowing fans out of the water, I feel it's very prudent that I inform you all that ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland tickets are on sale this week. Keen? Jump onto Sail GP to score a ticket, and hopefully get so close you can feel the salt spray from these boat cowboys. Yeeeehaw.

Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown this year.

Main image credit: Vihan Dalal.

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.

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