The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
It’s the last weekend of summer, and Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau is serving up love, culture and plenty of fun.
From free icecream and wine parties to vintage pop-ups and boat festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this weekend.
Here are the best things to do this weekend in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Jump to:
What's On Saturday
What's On Sunday
What's On All Weekend
What's On Saturday 28 January
09 Lot Party
Saturday 28 February | Garage Project, Kingsland
Kingsland’s getting loud again. Garage Project is bringing back its 09 Lot Party for round two, taking over the Kingsland Taproom & Cellar Door on Saturday 28 February for a free, R18+ block party from 2pm ‘til late.
Expect cold pours, sunshine (fingers crossed) and Detroit-style slices from Burnout Pizza to keep you fuelled between dance breaks. The soundtrack? A stacked lineup of local DJs—Cal.ske, Aunty El, Andwhan, Keighto, Chapters, Woodii, Lerm and Jack Glacier—curating the vibes from afternoon hangs to full send by night.
It’s casual, it’s high-energy, and it’s the kind of summer Saturday plan that only gets better as the hours roll on. Round up your crew, claim a sunny spot and settle in.
Where: Garage Project Kingsland Taproom & Cellar Door, 357 New North Road
When: Saturday 28 February, 2pm–late
Cost: Free entry (R18+)
More details here.
Moana Festival
28 February-15 March | Various Locations
Image Credit: Auckland Wooden Boat Festival | Supplied
Auckland’s Ocean Festival, Moana Auckland, is back from 28 February to 15 March 2026, transforming the waterfront into a full-scale celebration of our deep connection to the moana. Kicking things off is Shoreline Social Weekend (28 February–1 March) at the Eastern Viaduct, serving up live music, kai moana tastings, ocean storytelling and hands-on workshops by the water.
From there, things ramp up with the Z Manu World Championships (28 February–14 March) including Auckland qualifiers across 28 Feb–1 March and 7–8 March, before the Grand Final on 14 March.
Expect plenty of family-friendly action, waterfront eats and reasons to linger a little longer by the water. Consider this your sign to spend the next three weeks seaside.
Where: Various Locations
When: Saturday 28 February—Sunday 15 March
Cost: Free entry
To find out more here.
Into The Vines
Saturday 28 February | Sculptureum, Matakana
Image credit: Winetopia NZ | Instagram
A new boutique wine festival is landing in Matakana this summer, and it’s shaping up to be your perfect long-lunch-meets-live-music moment. Into The Vines debuts on Saturday 28 February 2026 at Sculptureum, blending curated NZ wineries, locally inspired cuisine, immersive art and a stacked soundtrack—all in one sun-soaked setting.
Wander Sculptureum’s gardens and sculpture galleries with a festival glass in hand, meet boutique producers from across the regions and settle in for thoughtfully paired bites along the way. The music builds as the day rolls on, from relaxed afternoon sets to full festival energy by evening, with Rocket Man v Piano Man duelling pianos, Love Square and a finale from Sola Rosa (live band).
For those keen to elevate things, the VIP experience includes the Rothko Matakana Food & Wine Experience curated by award-winning chef Neil Sapitula, plus access to a garden lounge marquee, welcome drink and dedicated bar.
Where: Sculptureum, Matakana
When: Saturday 28 February 12pm–7pm
Cost: $85 for general admission, with VIP at $285.
To find out more here.
Ring In Lunar New Year With This Six-Course Chinese-Inspired Culinary Feast
Park Hyatt Auckland 99 Halsey Street, Auckland CBD | Saturday 28 February
Image credit: Lee Kum Kee x Onemata at Park Hyatt Auckland | Supplied
For the month of February, Onemata at Park Hyatt Auckland in partnership with Lee Kum Kee will be serving a six-course Chinese-inspired culinary celebration each evening. With a tasting menu curated by Executive Chef Brent Martin, expect all the aromatic Cantonese flavours from Lee Kum Kee’s sauce range, alongside all the colours and textures found across Chinese cuisines.
From hoisin-dipped mantou (bao), braised paua with chilli crème on fry bread, a vibrant yee sang (prosperity salad) toss, to that Lee Kum Kee black pepper sauce on braised beef with wok-fried beans (a personal LKK condiment fave). Experience the last day of the menu for $128 per person on Saturday 28th February.
Where: Onemata, Park Hyatt Auckland
When: Until Saturday 28 February (evening service)
Cost: $128 per person
To book, head here.
What's On Sunday
Toitū: Visual Sovereignty
Sunday 1 March | The Capitol Cinema, Balmoral
Image credit: Toitū: Visual Sovereignty | Supplied
One of Aotearoa’s most powerful recent documentaries is returning to the big screen for a special community screening this Sunday. Toitū: Visual Sovereignty lands at The Capitol Cinema, hosted by Manawaka Ao, with a post-film kōrero exploring this year’s theme: being in relation.
Directed by Chelsea Winstanley ONZM, the film follows curator Nigel Borell as he brings together Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art—the largest Māori art exhibition in the country’s history—featuring over 300 works by 100 Māori artists. Across its five-year journey, the documentary captures both the celebration of toi Māori and the tensions that arise when Indigenous sovereignty meets institutional power.
Fresh from selection at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and backed by leading Māori artists rallying behind its global journey, this is a timely chance to experience the film in a community setting. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Nigel Borell, before the afternoon moves into open conversation and connection in the foyer.
Doors open from 10.30am, with karakia and opening words from Mana Wāhine Bianca Ranson before the film begins. Registrations are essential.
Where: The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Road, Balmoral
When: Sunday 1 March, 11am–3pm
Cost: $10
More details and tickets here.
What's On All Weekend
Continual Store x Fever Vintage Pop-Up
Now Open | 164 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Image credit: Continual Store | Instagram
Ponsonby, consider your vintage rotation sorted. Continual Store and Fever Vintage have teamed up for a three-month pop-up just a short stroll from Ponsonby Central, bringing racks of carefully curated ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s pieces to 164 Ponsonby Road.
The space is open daily (closed Tuesdays), making it dangerously easy to swing by “just for a look” and leave with something one-of-a-kind. With dates now extended through to mid-August, you’ve got a solid window to refresh your wardrobe the sustainable way.
Where: 164 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
When: Open weekdays 10am–5pm (closed Tuesday), Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm
Cost: Free entry
Find out more here.
Anchor Pour Patrol
Saturday 28 February–Sunday 1 March | Various Auckland Beaches
Image credit: Anchor Pour Patrol | Supplied
Your beach day is about to come with barista service. Anchor’s Pour Patrol is rolling onto Auckland shores this weekend, cruising in from the water before transforming into a working coffee station right on the sand—flat whites and iced lattes at the ready.
Catching one of its beach stops means front-row seats to the sea-to-sand transition, Rangitoto in the background and a genuinely unexpected caffeine fix mid-swim or sunbake. It’s a clever way to squeeze in one last summery ritual before autumn creeps in.
Find the Pour Patrol at Orewa Beach and Stanmore Bay on Saturday, then Takapuna Yacht Club, Mairangi Bay and Browns Bay on Sunday. Times vary across the day, so check before you head down and time your dip accordingly.
Where: Orewa Beach, Stanmore Bay, Takapuna Yacht Club, Mairangi Bay and Browns Bay
When: Saturday 28 February–Sunday 1 March (from 8.30am daily)
Cost: Free
To find out more, head here.
Barbie Dream Days Ice Cream Parlour
27 February–1 March | Britomart, Auckland
Image credit: Duck Island | Instagram
Barbie is all out in Britomart for three days only, teaming up with cult-fave scoop slingers Duck Island for a pastel-pink ice cream pop-up you’ll want to bookmark immediately. From 27 February to 1 March, 57 Tyler Street will transform into the Barbie Dream Days Ice Cream Parlour—serving complimentary, limited-edition scoops and plenty of photo ops.
At the centre of it all is Barbie Dream Days Delight: a blush-pink ice cream packed with frosted vanilla birthday cake, Barbie sprinkles and edible glitter, swirled with jammy strawberries. It’s nostalgic, playful and very on-theme. Scoops are first-come, first-served each day until sold out, so early arrival is your best bet.
The space itself will get the full pink treatment, complete with shareable moments and an interactive Dream Wall where visitors can pin up their own dreams. There’ll also be daily surprise scoops—60 each day—with hidden prizes including Barbie Deluxe Style dolls. And if that wasn't enough free loot, hundreds of additional giveaways will be up for grabs across the activation.
Where: 57 Tyler Street, Britomart, Auckland
When: Friday 27 February–Sunday 1 March, 10am–3pm
Cost: Free (ice cream and giveaways available while stocks last)
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Main image credit: Sulthan Auliya | Unsplash