Summer is here and chances are you’re itching for a change of scenery. There’s no need to jet off to Europe for a culture fix. Instead, set your sights on Auckland (aka Tāmaki Makaurau) just a short plane ride away. New Zealand’s largest city turns it on over the summer months with a vibrant event lineup encompassing music, art, culture, and all things inspiring.
To help you plan your summer vacay, we’ve teamed up with Discover Auckland to round up some of the best events and festivals. Stay tuned, we have a bonus list of our picks of where to stay and eat while you're over the ditch.
Guo Pei: Fashion, Art, Fantasy
Until 5 May
The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is a visitor’s must-do. This summer, the famed gallery exhibits the breathtaking fashions of internationally renowned designer Guo Pei. The exhibition includes Guo Pei’s Yellow Queen gown worn by Rihanna to the 2015 Met Gala—the iconic cape weighs a staggering 25kg with more than 50,000 hours worth of hand embroidery. See the detailing up-close and personal, as well as 60 additional designs of extravagant clothing, shoes, and jewellery.
Collective Title. Elysium Collection, Spring/Summer 2020 © Guo Pei. Courtesy of Guo Pei.
Auckland Gin Festival
2-4 February
Summer and gin go hand in hand. And what better way to explore the exquisite botanicals than at the Auckland Gin Festival? Held across the first weekend of February, the festival showcases more than 150 gins from local craft distillers as well as familiar faces from Australian home soil. The event is held at Auckland’s famed The Cloud venue located on Queens Wharf in the heart of the CBD. Sip, savour, and discover your favourite while getting to know the passionate distillers and upping your knowledge on all things gin. Cheers to that.
Laneway Festival
6 February
Take your love of Laneway global. The music festival finds its home at Auckland’s Western Springs Stadium on February 6. Groove underneath the sun to festival headliners Stormzy, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Steve Lacy, and Dominic Fike. It’s also an opportunity to expand your musical horizons with an array of artists and genres providing sweet, sweet tunes from morning to night. Music aside, the festival is also known and loved for its delicious eats, summer vibes, and all-around good times.
Synthony In The Domain
10 February
If music runs through your veins, put Synthony top of your hit list. The immersive experience sees a live 60-piece orchestra joining musical forces with DJs and vocalists as they reimagine the biggest dance tracks from the past 30 years. This February’s event is set to be the largest festival yet with an international line-up including Rudimental, Fat Freddy’s Drop, and Australia’s own John Butler. Held in Auckland’s lush Domain, this is one truly unique dance party not to be missed.
Moana Auckland
February-March
Auckland is a city surrounded by water so it’s no wonder the love of the ocean runs deep (pun intended). Moana Auckland is a festival celebrating this passion with a series of on and off-water events. The month-long programme is set against the backdrop of Auckland’s glistening Hauraki Gulf, the waterfront, and surrounding coastal gems. There’s the iconic Auckland Cruising Regatta, Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf, and the Z Manu World Champs—if you’re not familiar, it’s an iconic Kiwi diving technique to create the most impressive splash. Summer in Auckland doesn’t get better than this.
Auckland Arts Festival
7-24 March
Held over 18 days, the Auckland Arts Festival encourages punters to “laugh, weep, dance, and reflect'' as the city buzzes with creative expression. The globally recognised festival celebrates arts and culture with a jam-packed programme featuring 200 dynamic experiences. We’re talking theatre, music, dance, cabaret, kōrero (speeches and conversation) from New Zealand and beyond. Explore the schedule here to start planning your festival experience.
Luxury Stays For Max Relax
Cordis Auckland
You'll get the ultimate dose of luxury with a stay at the Cordis Auckland hotel. Elegant and elevated, this place oozes sophistication. When it comes to relaxation, take a dip in the heated rooftop pool and jacuzzi or unwind at the in-house day spa. Come night, enjoy a Kiwi-inspired cocktail at Our Land is Alive—al fresco of course—before gorging on international flavours at interactive restaurant Eight. If you want a lighter affair, try high tea at Chandelier Lounge. With 244 new rooms open in the Pinnacle Tower, you can bring all of your friends with you.
Mövenpick Hotel
Eat your heart out, the Mövenpick Hotel has launched this sweet 207-room spot in downtown Auckland—a prime spot for all the action and events in the city. It comes complete with a 24-hour in-room Sundae Service and a daily 'Chocolate Hour' where you can watch experts craft cupcakes, chocolate truffles and other treats. Talk about indulgence.
Hilton Auckland
Located on Princes Wharf, we're talking Sky Tower to Rangitoto to Harbour Bridge views from the Hilton Auckland. Step into the sparkling waters of the glass bottom outdoor pool and float five floors above the wharf, exactly what you need to unwind in our opinion. No vacay is complete without cocktails, and Bellini boasts a string of incredible classics. Our recommendation? Talk to the talented mixologists and ask them to whip up a personalised concoction with Kiwi spirits, tailored to your liking.
Uncover Your Local Fave
Metita At The Grand By SkyCity
Chef Michael Meredith has brought his reimagined Pacific cuisine to the heart of SkyCity. Family is at the heart of Metita, so the menu is designed to share with those closest to you. Just like the space, the high-quality menu is also a masterpiece filled with delectable delights, made from fresh, flavoursome ingredients showcasing Pacific cuisine at its finest. Explore the vibrant sights and sounds of Auckland’s city centre from your doorstep or view it all from unparalleled heights 186m up in the Sky Tower.
Kingi At The Hotel Britomart
A celebration of New Zealand ingredients, kingi at The Hotel Britomart brings the ocean to your plate. Independent producers use sustainable fishing methods to fill this sleek restaurant with local and organic produce. Housed in the heritage Masonic House Building, the restaurant is as gorgeous as the food is delicious. Catering to all diets, anyone can treat themselves. Our pick is the four-course Taste of kingi menu—you’re on holiday after all, right?!
Rooftop At QT
If you’re looking to elevate your next day or night out, look no further than the stunning Rooftop At QT. Perched six storeys above the Viaduct at QT Auckland, this expansive new space will have you living out your boujee dreams in style. Order up from the on-site restaurant which offers tastes from Esther’s Mediterranean-inspired menu or go all out with their next-level mezze plate. One thing’s for sure, you won’t leave hungry.
Auckland is calling your name for a culture-filled summer getaway. Check out our picks on where to stay, eat, and must-do experiences. Start building your summer itinerary with the expert help of Discover Auckland.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image: Synthony, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Urban List