10 Epic Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend
It’s the third weekend of February, and Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau is serving up love, culture and plenty of fun.
From food truck nights and pop-up carnivals to rainbow parades, outdoor movies and immersive festival experiences, 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 Friday
What's On Saturday
What's On All Weekend
What's On Thursday 19 February
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Image Credit: Royal Military Tattoo | Supplied
For the first time in its 75-year history, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo comes to Auckland, bringing over 1,100 performers from more than 12 countries to Eden Park. Expect world-class military bands, precision drill teams, cultural performances, local pipe bands, immersive sound, cutting-edge lighting, and stunning visuals for three nights of pageantry that blend tradition, storytelling and modern spectacle under the stars.
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: Wednesday 19–Friday 21 February 2026
Cost: Tickets available, pricing varies
Find out more here.
What's On Friday 20 February
Howick Food Truck Night
Kick off your weekend with a Friday evening at Howick Food Truck Night at Lloyd Elsmore Park, where the Food Truck Collective is bringing a lineup of street eats, sweet treats, and chilled community vibes to East Auckland. Grab a bite from a variety of food trucks, sip on beers, wines or bevs from the pop-up bar, and customise your meal at Culley’s Sauce Station for a truly flavour-packed night out.
Where: Lloyd Elsmore Park, Cascades Road, Pakuranga
When: Friday 20 February 2026, 5pm-9pm
Cost: Free entry, all ages welcome
Find out more here.
Lunar New Year Street Food Markets At SkyCity
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a weekend feast at SkyCity’s Street Food Markets. Sample everything from Chinese egg wraps, BBQ noodles, and teppanyaki squid to Korean fried chicken, Japanese curry, and tanghulu fruit candy skewers, all while enjoying traditional dance, live music, and DJs keeping the vibes alive. Pop by the Summer Garden Bar for themed cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks and settle in for a seriously delicious feast with your crew.
Where: SkyCity Auckland, Main Plaza
When: Friday 20 February & Saturday 21 February, from 4pm-10pm
Cost: Free entry, all ages welcome
Find out more here.
SUBSONIC Frequences Tour
Subsonic returns to New Zealand with his Frequences NZ Tour, bringing high-energy beats, insane production and rave vibes to Studio The Venue in Auckland. Fans can expect an unforgettable night of pulsating electronic music and festival-style energy for one of the most requested tours of the year.
Where: Studio The Venue, Auckland
When: Friday 20 February 2026, 10pm-3am
Cost: Very limtited final release tickets from $49, 18+ only
Find out more here.
What's On Saturday 21 January
Auckland Rainbow Parade 2026
Auckland’s spectacular rainbow celebration is back, with the Auckland Rainbow Parade returning to Ponsonby Road for an evening of colour, community and Pride-filled energy. Expect vibrant floats, rainbow crowds and plenty of feel-good vibes as the city comes together to celebrate diversity, unity and love. This is the kind of event that’ll have you grinning the whole way down the street.
Where: Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
When: Saturday 21 February 2026, 7:30pm–9:30pm
Cost: Free entry, all ages welcome
Find out more here.
2026 Albany Asian New Year Festival
Albany is welcoming the Lunar New Year with a full-day community celebration at Albany Domain, bringing together the traditions of East and Southeast Asia (think Lunar New Year, Seollal and Tết) for a vibrant festival of food, performances and family fun.
Expect lion dances, martial arts, K-Pop, cultural showcases, plus hands-on activities like calligraphy, lantern making, dumpling and kimchi workshops, crafts and face painting. With market stalls, festive eats and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment (including pony photo ops for the Year of the Horse), this is an easy weekend outing for the whole crew.
Where: Albany Domain, 575 Albany Highway, Albany
When: Saturday 21 February 2026, 11am-5pm
Cost: Free entry, all ages welcome
Find out more here.
Movies in Parks: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Round up the whānau and head to Potters Park for a free outdoor screening of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Expect a fun-filled evening with pre-show entertainment before Mario and Luigi warp into the Mushroom Kingdom for a classic adventure featuring Princess Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong—and a whole lot of Bowser chaos. Bring a picnic blanket and don't forget the snacks.
Where: Potters Park, 173 Balmoral Road, Balmoral
When: Saturday 21 February 2026 (pre-show entertainment from 4:30pm, movie starts 6:30pm)
Cost: Free entry, all ages welcome
Find out more here.
New Zealand International Convention Centre Public Open Day
After ten years in the making, Auckland’s brand-new New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) is finally opening its doors to the public for a one-day-only sneak peek.
Take a self-guided wander through this landmark venue, check out the artwork, scope out the country’s largest seated theatre, and soak up the sweeping views across the Waitākere Ranges and Waitematā Harbour. There’ll also be speaker sessions with the architects, artists and team behind the build—plus limited guided tour spots for anyone curious about hosting an event.
Where: Ariki Hall, New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD
When: Saturday 21 February 2026, 10:00am–3:00pm
Cost: Free entry (registration required)
Find out more here.
What's On All Weekend
Splore Festival 2026
Image Credit: Splore Festival | Supplied
New Zealand’s beloved bespoke festival returns for 2026 at Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Auckland, from 20–22 February. Spanning six stages, this immersive three-day celebration of music, art, community and wellbeing features international and local acts including Röyksopp (DJ set), Nightmares on Wax, Tami Neilson, Sister Nancy meets Legal Shot, and more.
With curated experiences, fresh programming, new creative spaces, pre-set camping options and a welcoming pōwhiri supported by Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Whanāuga, we're very pumped for Splore 2026.
Where: Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Deerys Road, Orere, Auckland
When: Friday 20 February–Sunday 22 February 2026, all-day event
Cost: Tickets available, all ages welcome
Find out more here.
Western Springs Pop Up Carnival
The carnival is rolling back into Western Springs for one weekend only, bringing all the classic fun you know and love—bright lights, adrenaline rides, old-school games and plenty of carnival eats. Expect crowd-favourite rides like the Golden Wheel, Sizzler and Scream Machine, plus the all-new Electric Speedway lighting up the Outer Fields for Summer 2026. Round up the crew and get ready for a nostalgia-fuelled night out (or full-day mission).
Where: The Outer Fields at Western Springs, Stadium Road, Western Springs
When: Thursday 19 February–Sunday 22 February 2026 (Thu–Fri 6pm–10pm, Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–4pm)
Cost: Free entry, all ages welcome (door sales for rides)
Find out more here.
Vector Lights Celebrates Auckland Pride With Harbour Bridge Show
Auckland Pride Festival is lighting up the city—literally. Vector Lights returns to the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge with a dazzling light and sound display, guided by artist Mars Cook. The show celebrates Takatāpui and Rainbow communities while reflecting on 40 years since Homosexual Law Reform, weaving queer stories into a breathtaking visual experience.
The display runs nightly from 9pm–midnight, Friday 13 February to Saturday 21 February (note: Thursday 19 February ends at 10.30pm for maintenance). Watch in person from Maungawhau Mt Eden, Silo Park, Westhaven Marina or Little Shoal Bay, or tune in online.
Where: Auckland Harbour Bridge
When: Friday 13 February to Saturday 21 Feb 2026, 9pm–midnight (10.30pm finish on only Thu 19 Feb)
Cost: Free
Find out more here
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Main image credit: Sulthan Auliya | Unsplash