What’s On In Auckland This Week, This Month And This Year 2025
Lachlan Woods-Davidson
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ
Yes yes, another week and with it all the fabulous and fun things that five days in this city affords.
And that's not even taking into account all the wicked stuff happening this weekend.
It's another humdinger in the City of Sails, and it's our civic duty to be here for it. Here's what's on this week in Auckland, as well as what's just around the corner.
Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.
Jump to:
- Don't Miss
- Free And Budget-Friendly Events
- Food And Drink Events
- Arts And Culture
- Gigs & Live Music
- Coming Soon
Don’t Miss
Uptown Bites
3-16 November | Uptown | $-$$$
Image credit: Uptown Bites | Supplied (Blink @blinkboys)
Uptown in Tāmaki Makaurau is debuting their first food festival, Uptown Bites. Restaurants, cafes and bars at the top of Grafton, Newtown and Eden Terrace are coming together with food deals, free tastings and workshops for two weeks (Monday 3 November to Sunday 16 November). Learn how to make chicken larb (meat salad) and Luang Prabang salad (a.k.a. Laos salad) at Puen Eatery & Bar, and serve it in your very own ceramic plate made at Eden Ceramics’ workshop. Say cheers with a champagne tasting at Normanby Fine Wines, followed by crayfish from Lillius (served with beautiful greens from local community garden O.M.G. Organic Market Garden). Master the art of coffee with Altezano Brothers and De’Longhi, then watch the team at Sabato demo risotto and paella at their free tasting. Don’t forget to get tickets to A Taste of Dalmatia, where the Dalmatian Cultural Society are putting up an epic buffet spread for two nights—complete with octopus salad, sarma (Croatian cabbage rolls), pršule (fried doughnuts) and palačinke (crepes), to name a few. Check out the full line-up here. - Vicki Young
The Maison Ruinart Suite by JW Marriott
Until 30 November | JW Marriott | $$$
Image Credit: Ava Wardecki | Supplied
A full sh’bang caviar service (bathrobe and slipper-clad) is yours to tuck into—bottle of bubbles, blinis, whippy creme fresh, shaved egg, et. al.—in Auckland's most indulgent staycation: The Maison Ruinart Suite at JW Marriott.
Except it doesn't stop there. Your Ruinart bottle is wheeled into your plush suite, accompanied by pillowy oysters and a few little treats. Bumps, sips, and oyster slurps later, the suite is yours to swan around in, basking in your post-omega feast glow. Breakfast is a hoot too: included in your stay, there’s a huge buffet to tuck into the following morning. Thank goodness there’s a leisurely 1pm check-out to settle that full belly with.
The room’s a treat too: it’s kitted out with bold springtime florals, and a few little treats that we won’t give away. You’ll need to book yourself in—before the end of November—to snag this slice of indulgence. Hop to it.
Free And Budget-Friendly Events
Japanese Film Festival 2025
6-9 November | Academy Cinemas | Free
Six fantastic movies showcasing Japanese big-screen brilliance. It's the Japanese Film Festival at Academy Cinemas, and it's absolutely free.
Sitting Room Only! Open Mic Comedy
Wednesdays | Cardboard Comedy Club | Free
Every hump day, the new kids on the block, Cardboard Comedy Club, put on some free stand-up comedy in Kingsland. They get their name from the showroom, which is entirely made out of cardboard, but when it comes to the comedy itself. It's as sharp as Damascus steel. Open mic, blend of all levels, kick off 7.30pm for a short and sharp expose, meaning you can get to bed early. It's a school night after all! Their comedy calendar can be found here.
Food And Drink Events
Woolworths Christmas Table
6, 7 & 8 November | Space on Crummer | $
Image credit: Woolworths NZ | Supplied
Woolworths NZ Annual Christmas Table is back—three nights of good food, great banter and giving back for a good cause at Space on Crummer in Tāmaki Makaurau this year (Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 November). For those looking for some Xmas inspo, get your tickets to a fun night hosted by Woolworths NZ and with multi-talented Kiwi celeb journalist (plus podcast host, producer, author and speaker) Brodie Kane and mama Jo Kane. Along with Chef Rob Hooper, they’ll be dishing up locally-sourced Kiwi feasts, plus chef will be teaching the art of pav decorating and carving that glazed Xmas ham tableside. Bring your Christmas cheer early for this table of laughs, festive cocktails and mocktails, and three-course feasting with cracking sides like the Kane family’s winner potato salad. Book your seat at the Thursday table, stat (Friday and Saturday are sold out already). All ticket sales support The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. - Vicki Young
La Zeppa Ladies Lunch
Thursday-Saturday | La Zeppa Kitchen and Bar | Free
At La Zeppa, laidback afternoons call for long lunches on their gorgeous deck. And at $49 pp, why not? Think Mediterranean flavours and spritzes made for sunny catch-ups—a three-course menu with a welcome cocktail on arrival. Thursday to Saturday, from 12pm.
Arts And Culture
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
'Til 9 November | Spark Arena | $$$
Image credit: Cirque du Soleil | Aldo Arguello
Cirque du Soleil has returned to Aotearoa, with the Auckland debut of Corteo. Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is a festive parade imagined from a clown’s perspective, set on a double-sided stage. Expect grace, power, and comedy played out in a liminal space between heaven and earth.
Captain Morrow—Sands of Time
'Til 8 November | Q Theatre | $$
Think The Mighty Boosh meets Treasure Island in this Edinburgh Fringe Bobby Award-winning comedy about a pirate crew racing the British Navy to find the treasured Sands of Time. Directed by local legend Barnie Duncan for its Aotearoa premiere, over the sweet and sharp course of 60 minutes, two actors and one musician will bring over 40 characters to life in gloriously absurd chaos in Captain Morrow—Sands of Time. Only, here's the kicker: not a single set piece, prop, or costume change whatsoever. 100% bonkers and 100% a must-see.
Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
8 November-15 March | Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | $
A landmark presentation of 52 compelling works from the world-renowned Virginia Museum of Fine Arts opens at Auckland Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki this weekend. Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Rosalyn Drexler and many more make for a major cultural event for Aotearoa New Zealand, including high-quality examples of art born from a variety of styles, movements and mediums. Tickets required.
Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking
'Til 23 November | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$
Image credit: Auckland Theatre Company/Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking | Website
Closing out ASB Waterfront Theatre's 2025 season is Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking, a groundbreaking adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale. Directed by Katie Wolfe and starring Miriama McDowell, this two-part production follows Tiri Mahana, a 185-year-old matriarch, from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to modern-day Aotearoa, and for the very first time, the play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori.
Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh and Children
'Til 19 July 2026 | Te Aka Matua, The Creative Learning Centre | Free
Image credit: Artland/Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | Website
Internationally acclaimed artist Do Ho Suh has teamed up with two standout young artists... his young daughters! Instead of crayon stick men stuck to the fridge, they've created Artland, a collaborative hands-on installation that's basically a dream come true for anyone who's ever wanted to sculpt weird and wonderful creatures. This evolving sculptural environment is made entirely from children's modelling clay and features imaginative landscapes populated by Noodlegrass, Blobbugs, Spocky Trees, and Slimes—and here's the best bit: visitors of all ages are invited to add their own creations to the ever-growing world. Free to visit and a perfect excuse to get creating.
Gigs & Live Music
Jelly Roll—The Down Under Tour
8 November | The Outer Fields at Western Springs | $$$
Image credit: Jelly Roll | Instagram
Jelly Roll. Shaboozey. Western Springs? I call that a trifecta. If you recognise those names—and frankly, if you've turned the radio on in the last six months, then how could you not?—then you'll wanna get onto tickets before Saturday's monumental gig showcasing these two superstars from the U S of A.
Echoes of Pink Floyd: Celebrating 60 years of Pink Floyd
8 November | SKYCITY Theatre | $$
2025 marks the diamond anniversary of Pink Floyd's inception, and what better way to honour this milestone than by blasting out every delicious era of Pink Floyd's catalogue in concert style? Six decades, one journey—from psychedelia to progressive rock—and all from the grandeur of SKYCITY Theatre. One for the oldies, youngies and everyone in between.
Coming Soon
Life on a Loop
11-16 November | Q Theatre | $$
NZ theatre darling Ellie Smith is back home with an uplifting and poignant new one-woman show—Life on a Loop. This heartfelt exploration of dementia comes straight off the back of a return London season during World Alzheimer's Month at Golden Goose Theatre, and marked Smith's first Aotearoa stage performance in over 15 years. Playing at the one and only Q Theatre, 11-16 November.
NO CIGAR: ‘Under The Surface’ Album Release Tour
14 November | The Powerstation | $$
Image credit: NO CIGAR | Facebook
One of the best five-piece rock outfits to emerge from NZ in the last wee while is these guys. They also happen to have one of the best band names, too. NO CIGAR deliver what I like to call a distortion-pedalled blend of early Arctic Monkeys and something entirely of their own, rolling indie, surf and alt all into one big leaf of their own. They occupy a versatile space in grass-roots NZ rock that a few breakout bands here are quickly making a niche of. And they're so good they've already sold out their only upcoming AKL show at The Powerstation. Maybe they'll add another one? They are playing Christchurch too...
Diljit Dosanjh: AURA 2025
13 November | Venue TBC | $$$
Image credit: Diljit Dosanjh | Facebook
Having recently crossed India on a motorbike almost identical to the one pictured (although mine was all black, like Batman's), one of the many fabulous and colourful aspects of the nation's culture I hadn't expected to appreciate as much as I did was the music. That's why global superstar Diljit Dosanjh heading our way perked up my taringas something serious. After smashing records across North America, Europe, the UK, and India, the Punjabi music icon is bringing his AURA 2025 tour to Spark Arena for one night only. Bridging Bollywood, bhangra, and hip-hop into stadium-sized spectacles that transcend language barriers—Diljit is a deadset cultural phenomenon, and this is a rare chance to catch a performer of such magnitude on home soil.
Stimmung Choir—A Decade of Noise
14 November | Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall | $$-$$$
Auckland's coolest choir is celebrating 10 years of shaking up what choral music can sound like, and they've called in the big guns. Stimmung Choir's anniversary bash brings all 90 members together with a star-studded lineup including Julia Deans, Troy Kingi, Dianne Swann, Jazmine Mary, Paul McLaney, Mikey Havoc, and more surprise guests still to be announced. What started in 2015 with 30 singers has exploded into a 200-strong community of ex-Team NZ sailors, psychologists, jewellery designers, firefighters, and everyone in between (ages spanning early 20s to mid-80s, no auditions required), who've spent the past decade performing rock anthems and choral harmonies across self-produced shows, Comedy Festival collabs, and stages with Ria Hall, Laughton Kora, and Milan Borich. 14 November, Town Hall
Bill Bailey—Vaudevillean
14 & 15 November | The Civic | $$$
Image credit: WellingtonNZ | Website
Laughs, music and multifarious skills. Ever heard of Vaudeville? Before streaming, TV, cinema, and radio, there was Vaudeville and the bona fide comedic legend that is Bill Bailey is returning to the Chur with a show that celebrates this great tradition. A versatile multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of humour and musical prowess—old Billy Boy could lay claim to being, quite possibly, the foremost practitioner of this tradition. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.
Parklands Festival 2025
15 November | Albert Park | $$$
Image credit: Parklands Festival | Instagram
A multi-stage city centre day fest in this economy? Memories of the good old days—old Laneway and the like—in Albert Park? Parklands Festival is delivering the absolute goods, kicking off the summer calendar in mighty fine fashion on 15 November. Luude, Camo & Krooked, Goddard, Songer, Danny Byrd and more, all throwing it down amongst the palm trees and sprawling lawns of our city's most storied outdoor venues.
NZTrio: Hypnotique
16 November | Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall | $$
Image credit: NZTrio | Supplied
NZTrio closes out their 2025 programme of string and key wizardry with Hypnotique, a whirlwind of chamber music that challenges everything traditional about the revered genre. Violinist Amalia Hall and pianist Somi Kim, joined by a guest cellist (TBA), tear through works from Lyell Cresswell's virtuosic Moto Perpetuo to Pascal Le Boeuf's jazz-adjacent electronics, Fauré's lush Romanticism, and Schönberg's deeply transcendent Verklärte Nacht. Boundary-breaking, utterly beautiful, and coming to a hall near you this November.
An Evening With Priscilla Presley: Life After Elvis
20 November | Bruce Mason Centre | $$$
Priscilla Presley is coming to Auckland for an intimate evening unpacking her extraordinary life beyond the King of Rock 'n' Roll. More than just a former wife, Priscilla carved out her own legacy as an actress, businesswoman, and the driving force behind preserving Graceland and the Presley estate. 20 November at Bruce Mason Centre is your chance to hear firsthand stories from someone who lived through one of the most iconic eras in music history—and western culture in general—and navigated the spotlight with grace, building her own empire in the process. One night, and one night only.
Open Studios Waitākere
22 & 23 November | Artist Studios Across Waitākere | Free
Image credit: Open Studios Waitākere | Website
One of West Auckland’s most beloved creative events, Open Studios Waitākere, is back with a bang this November. In its illustrious 11th year, the event will see more than 80 artists across 50+ studios open their doors to the public for a weekend of creativity, connection, and community spirit. A self-guided, whanau-friendly, free art trail—step inside the workspaces of painters, sculptors, ceramicists, jewellers, photographers, and designers—meeting the makers and seeing art in action. Hell yeah.
Tool
22 & 23 November | Spark Arena | $$$
Image credit: Spark Arena | Scott Moran
The way Tool fans operate, I'm sure most of ya'll have already locked your tickets. But seeing as a second night has been added to the schedule, and with the first already sold out, I thought I'd better plug this PSA: tickets to Tool's headline visit to NZ in November are available. For now...
Pixies: Bossanova/Trompe Le Monde Night + Classic Set
23 & 24 November | Auckland Town Hall | $$$
Image credit: Liam Maxwell | Facebook
Pioneers of pre-millennium alt and indie rock and still absolutely rinsed throughout my playlists to this day, the wicked and cool Pixies are back in the antipodes for four nights, including back-to-back shows at Auckland Town Hall. Sunday 23 November heralds a Bossanova/Trompe Le Monde set, diving deep into those early '90s albums that cemented their status as alternative rock royalty, while Monday will deliver a Classic Pixies Set, pulling from the genre-defining late '80s releases that invented indie rock as we know it.
RÜFÜS DU SOL
29 November | The Outer Fields, Western Springs | $$$
Image credit: RÜFÜS DU SOL | Instagram
The most mind-bending, dimension-transcending electro experience known to humankind—RÜFÜS DU SOL—will light up the expansive Outer Fields of Western Springs this November. The Australian purveyors of electronic music-meets-legendary-lights-extravaganza-times-unholy-soundscapes are just too good not to feature. So here's a very, very early heads up that they're coming to town.
Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest
Entries Open December, Grand Final 11 July 2026
New Zealand's premier classical singing competition is entering a new era with a fitting rebrand: from 2026, it'll be known as the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest. The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has taken on principal naming rights for the 69-year-old competition, which has launched the careers of some of Aotearoa's brightest operatic stars, including Dame Kiri herself. It's a full-circle moment. Entries open December 2025, with the Grand Final Gala set for 11 July 2026.
A Christmas Carol
3–7 December | The Civic | $$-$$$
Bah humbug, it's nigh Christmas Carol season! And accordingly, Auckland Live is bringing Shake & Stir Theatre Co.'s award-winning adaptation of Dickens' classic to The Civic for a strictly limited run that's basically become Australia's festive tradition (127,000 people can't be wrong). Follow miserable ol' Scrooge through his famous, ghostly tribulations and expect live music, lavish costumes, innovative video design—genuine snow—and enough festive joy to melt even the coldest heart – perfect for the whole whanau or anyone who has a few cobwebs behind their ribcage that need dusting out. What's more, Auckland Live is partnering with Auckland City Mission, so your ticket helps spread actual Christmas cheer beyond the theatre—taking a lesson from the cantankerous man himself.
The Nutcracker
'Til 4-13 December | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre | $$
An eagerly anticipated new production of the world’s most beloved ballet classic, The Nutcracker. It's a Christmas staple that's captivated generations of audiences, and it's just in time for summer. Of course, we do Christmas a bit different down here, so it's quite fitting this production should feature "a uniquely Kiwi touch, transporting audiences to the nostalgia of childhood holidays at the beach in Act I, before being carried in Act II to the snowy Southern Alps, where we encounter a fairytale Kingdom of the Sweets—ome of which may look quite familiar…" Courtesy of RNZB Artistic Director Ty King-Wall and driven by Tchaikovsky.
FAM — Food. Art. Music.
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.
Manuka Phuel Chasing the Fox
12 December | Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club | $$$
Image credit: Chasing the Fox | Facebook
Our nation's greatest golfer is back with the ultimate golf showdown. This year he's bringing a mate from the international tour to help him fend off New Zealand's finest athletes and media personalities in a six-hole, ambros-styled battle royale at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club—it's Fox & Friend—versus teams of three from across NZ's upper echelon – and if there's a tie, it all comes down to a sudden-death playoff on the final party hole. The whole thing airs live and free on TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+, and the best bit? Each team plays for prize money going straight to their chosen charity. Some of the more exclusive packages are still available, but fairway side GA has a waitlist.
Matt Rife: Stay Golden World Tour
1 January | Spark Arena | $$
Image credit: @nerdgangceas | Instagram
Global sensation and Instagram-reel-clap-back-clip sensation Matt Rife is gracing us with his talented presence and chiselled jawline at the very start of next year. On New Year's Day of all days, he'll be packing out and amusing Spark Arena for his only Auckland show on the Stay Golden World Tour. Love his stuff? GA is just $99, so make sure you grab a ticket before it's too late.
ASB Classic
5-17 January | Manuka Doctor Arena | $$
Image credit: ASB Classic | Supplied
What is summer for Auckland? Beaches, sailing, roadies, rock pools, fish and chips and world-class tennis—just to name a few. Yep, I can't believe I'm saying this, but in a short while, one of the hottest fixtures in the 09 summer calendar—the ASB Classic—will be back to rock the Manuka Doctor Arena, serving another stellar lineup of global stars including Naomi Osaka, Gael Monfils, and hometown hero Lulu Sun. Epic rallies, summertime vibes and bubbling champs, all to be expected. Unforgettable moments, on and off the court, guaranteed.
Arthur Hill: Stella Aus NZ Tour
17 & 19 January | The Tuning Fork | $$-$$$
Image credit: Arthur Hill/Secret Sounds | Supplied
The twenty-twenties are the age of TikTok stars touring to The Tuning Fork. Who woulda thunk it. Well, for one, Arthur Hill, who's gone from internet phenom to bona fide artist touring all the way to the antipodes. You can catch him at the aforementioned Fork in all his melodical glory, come Monday, 19 January—his first Saturday show has already sold out.
Laneway
6 February | Western Springs | $$$
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 | $$$
Image credit: Sail GP | Supplied
With 2025's Grand Prix blowing fans out of the water, I feel it's very prudent that I inform you all that ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland tickets are on sale this week. Keen? Jump onto Sail GP to score a ticket, and hopefully get so close you can feel the salt spray from these boat cowboys. Yeeeehaw.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
19, 20 & 21 February | Eden Park | $$
Image credit: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | Supplied
For the first time in its 75-year history, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is marching all the way to Auckland, and lock-step with them will be over 1,100 performers from more than 12 countries. Talk about a show. Fresh from selling out Edinburgh Castle throughout August (230,000 people can vouch for the spectacle), this world-class lineup includes UK Military Bands from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, the New Zealand Defence Force, Australian Defence Force, His Majesty's Royal Marines, Norway's King's Guard Band and Drill Team, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force, Tonga's Royal Corps of Musicians, and fan-favourite Top Secret Drum Corps. Scottish actor Terence Rae brings the storytelling, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei delivers the welcome, and local bands, including Auckland Police Pipes and Drums, join the mix. Stirring music, military precision, cultural displays, cutting-edge lighting, immersive sound, and stunning visuals all under the stars at Eden Park for three nights of pageantry that blends timeless British Armed Forces tradition with modern performance. It's the Tattoo's most ambitious international stadium production to date.
Soweto Gospel Choir
29 March | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre | $$
Image credit: Soweto Gospel Choir | Stefan Meekers Concertphotography
The three-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir is bringing their globally acclaimed show to Christchurch's Town Hall, and if you missed their two sold-out nights earlier this year, now's your second chance to nail down tickets. If you aren't familiar with these incredible performers, they celebrate Nelson Mandela's Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights era with South African liberation songs, gospel classics, and contemporary hits from legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Sam Cooke. Dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music—it's an all-ages affair.
5 Seconds of Summer: Everyone's A Star! World Tour
24 October 2026 | Spark Arena | $$$
Image credit: 5 Seconds of Summer | Facebook
PSA: Aussie pop-rock juggernauts 5SOS are bringing their Everyone's A Star! World Tour to Spark Arena next year. What started as four mates making noise in a Sydney garage has evolved into one of the biggest live acts on the planet, delivering arena-shaking anthems and sing-along moments that hit right in the feels. So here's a heads up—it's an all-ages show and tickets are live.
Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown this year.
Main image credit: Sulthan Auliya
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.