Murals to Ozzy and time-machines to the 90s, cocoa sourced straight from Meso America, chess tourneys, croissants, a craft market at the bottom of a volcano and vintage Japanese kimonos in Puhoi of all places—never let anyone tell you living in Auckland is boring.

Yep, it's that time again. Here are 13 epic ways to have fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, this Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.

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Friday 3 October

Try Out Auckland's First Cacao Café

8am-2pm Friday, 8.30am-12.30pm Saturday | 2 Abbey Street | $

If you haven't heard the news, 2 Abbey Street in Auckland Central is now where you'll find some of the best and most authentic ceremonial-grade cacao in the world. The Button Factory has opened AKL's first-ever Cacao Café, which sources from the ancient cacao trail from South to Meso America, working with the holders of indigenous knowledge. Ethically sourced, sustainably produced and scientifically analysed to prove it to be the most medicinal and healing—this is the real deal.

Take A Rave Machine Back To The Naughties

8pm-1am | The Mothership, Auckland CBD | $

Image credit: DJ Grant Marshall | Instagram

Let's face it, previous generations just knew how to party better. Maybe it was the no phones, maybe it was the music, maybe it was something else that was a whole lot better.... I wonder what? Anyway, instead of sitting there reminiscing, why not head to The Mothership to try out her brand new time machine (AKA DJ Grant Marshall), who will take you on a nostalgia-laced trip to the better years. Bucket hats, bomber jackets, flannel shirts—fluffy and fluro, bright baggy and bold—these are all highly recommended items of time-travelling attire. Especially when one is expected to dance the night away once they land back in the 90s.

Now, tickets are all out on this one, but I'm still including it as a few people otherwise engaged are selling theirs on the Facebook event page.

Get All Latin With It At This Late-Night Rager

10pm-4am | Pointers Bar & Grill | $

Image credit: The Latin Club | Nazim Ould

Once again, La Latina is returning to where it all began with hours of energy, rhythm, community and, of course, as much reggaeton as you can shake that booty to. The Latin Club loves reliving the magic that started at Pointers all those years ago, so this Friday you can expect a night (and early morning) filled with pure Latin power—heavy perreo, salsa, dembow and all the classics and bangers you know and love. P.S. Online tix are only ten bucks, baby.

Saturday 4 October

Peruse An Artisanal Market At The Bottom Of A Volcano

9.30am-3pm | Mt Eden Village Centre | Free Entry

Even though your head's hurtin' from last night's partying, I'm sure you can make a Saturday marked, and I reckon this one's well worth rolling out of bed for: every Saturday morning from 9.30am, the cute wee Mt Eden Village Centre, in cute wee Mt Eden, puts on a cute wee craft market. How cute is that? Local artisans lay out an array of handmade products—intricate jewellery, quirky home decor, a treasure trove of locally made artistry... There's too much to detail here, so you're gonna have to get down there and check it out yaself.

Visit A Market In A Wine Bar

10am-1pm | Freida Margolis | Free To Peruse

Image credit: Freida Margolis | Facebook

Once again, Grey Lynn's cosiest wine bar is transforming into a treasure hunter's paradise. This Saturday (and the first Saturday of every month), Freida Margolis hosts its morning market, where vintage clothes mingle with handmade ceramics, jewellery chills with vinyl, and fresh blooms hang with homebaked treats. The vibe is pure community goodness, with records spinning in true Freida style. Grab a coffee, bring your most sophisticated tote bag, and prepare to casually mention, "Oh, this? I found it at this little market" for months to come.

Become The King Of The North

10am-2pm | 30 Kell Drive | Free

There's a community chess tourney going down in Albany this weekend, and it's open to anyone and everyone, all the way down to the wee age of five. There are three pools—beginner, intermediate and advanced—you just make sure you pick the right one when you register. So, reckon you have what it takes to be crowned champ? See ya there.

Morepork BBQ Presents: Oktoberfest 2025

4 October | Kumeu Showgrounds | $$

Image credit: Morepork BBQ | Supplied

Ah yes, October. The month renowned for lederhosen and frothy steins. If frothy images flood to mind when you think October, but you don't have the spare euros for a trip to Bavaria, why not cruise out to Kumeu instead? That's what Morepork BBQ advises, as they prepare to celebrate the famous beer-quenched festival in next-level fashion. So while they polish their glasses and get the smoker cranking, you should get over to their website to snag a ticket.

Sunday 5 October

Indulge In This Much-Loved Bakery Pop-Up

9am-3pm All Weekend | 240 Broadway, Newmarket | $

Image credit: Mibo | Instagram

If you’ve had your fair share of pastries from Mibo (hello black sesame croissant and char siu puff), you’ll know they make the good stuff—that will have you covered in pastry flakes and with no regrets. With spots at both O.G. Mount Eden and Wynyard, they’re opening a week-long pop-up on Broadway in Newmarket from Wednesday 1 October to Sunday 5 October. Check out their socials for more details and to drool over picks for that next pastry run. - Vicki Young

Take A Sunday Drive To This Monthly Market

9am-1pm | Puhoi Community Orchard & Field, Domain Road | Free Entry

Image credit: Puhoi Village Market | Facebook

Does Puhoi still count as Auckland? I don't really know. What I do know is that the Puhoi Village Market on the first Saturday of each month is worth driving to. Even if it is on the outskirts. Oh, and did someone say Japanese vintage threads?

Go Check Out This Mural In Honour Of A Great

Anytime | 74 Karangahape Road | Free

Image credit: Paul X Walsh | Instagram

Artist Paul X Walsh has thrown up a mural worthy of the legend that was Ozzy Osbourne. If you're in Uptown and want to check it out, wander by the Symonds Street Cemetery and down K'Road, and you'll find it on the wall of the block of buildings that's home to the Rockshop. Now excuse me while I go listen to Changes on loop.

All Weekend

Celebrating A Decade Of Excellence With Food, Comedy & Rugby Legends

3-4 October | Viaduct Events Centre | $$

Image credit: Winetopia | Supplied

Top-shelf wines without the pomp and elitism? I'm sick to death of bending down to the bottom shelves of the supermarket wine section for $11 worth of cat p*ss. It hurts my back, my taste buds and my pride. That's why I'm very much fizzed for this year's Winetopia, celebrating a decade of providing exactly what the first sentence asks for... but for a more in-depth preview, hear from our resident food-savant Vicki Young:

Fifty winery teams from across the motu and overseas are making their way to Tāmaki Makaurau this Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October for the 10th Winetopia at the Viaduct Events Centre. From renowned winemakers going head to head at the ‘Wine Battle’ arena (hosted by MC Ben Hurley), to exclusive wine masterclasses from wine writer Joelle Thomson (featuring aged wines from Winetopia’s first year of 2016). Culinary legend Josh Emmett (Gilt, Onslow, The Oyster Inn) and Sir John Kirwan (with his very own JK14 wine range) will also be on the main stage, sharing their favourite sips. Tāmaki’s very own Tacoteca, The Wine Room and Tempero will be running exclusive food pairing classes, and the incredibly talented chefs Kārena and Kasey Bird will also be running a kaimoana and Tohu wine masterclass. Food offerings from Spiga, Hazy Tiger, Nanam and Chef Kyle Street from Culprit are on the eats list—plus a boogie from Too Many Chiefs and Mischief The Band playing live jams so you can work it all off (and then do it all over again). Check out the full schedule and get your tickets here.

Play Some Giant Light-Up Chess (Amongst Other Epicness)

All Weekend | Aotea Square | Free

Image credit: We The Young | Supplied

Although We The Young wrapped up at the end of last week, one of the more epic installations is making an extended go at it 'til Sunday. Auckland Live's Checkmate, a colossal interactive chess-inspired installation created by internationally renowned artists Amigo & Amigo, has transformed Aotea Square into a larger-than-life game board. Visitors of all ages are invited to step inside a whimsical world where oversized Bauhaus-inspired chess pieces tower above the crowd—more than just a game, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in art, design, and movement, for the price of zero dollars.

Discover What Last Century's Beach Vibes Were Like

10am-5pm | New Zealand Maritime Museum | Free

Image credit: New Zealand Maritime Museum | Eventfinda

Ever wondered what beachgoers and beachgoing looked like for your grandparents? If they don't have an album lying around featuring them in colourful trunks and weird little hats (and why would they?), then you can instead dive into Auckland's water-loving heritage with a scavenger hunt at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. From Edwardian picnics and popular seaside resorts to the early days of surfing—a nice wee wander into the retro world of Sun, Sand and Swimsuits.

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

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Main image credit: Sulthan Auliya