10 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend

Take a sneak peek at your weekend, Tāmaki Makaurau.

From the art of silent sips, to Japanese florals, a collaging flex and the highly-anticipated return of the lushest event of the year (which might just begin with wine, and end with topia). If you love a market, there’s a giant one to while away the hours at, plus mystery ink, a chance to score a first look at CRL after a casual ten year wait, and a music performance in the most unexpected of places. Dig in.

Here are 10 of the best things to do in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this weekend. 

Jump to: 

• What’s On This Friday
• What’s On This Saturday
• What’s On This Sunday
• Things To Do All Weekend

What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Friday

Seek Silence And Be Rewarded With An Ice Cold Super Dry 

Multi-tasking is hella overrated but, let’s be real, being able to devote your attention to just one thing is a luxury. Or, it was. Asahi has put the call out for lovers of all things frothed and hoppy to pause the daily grind and settle into a sound-proofed chamber and do nothing but enjoy an Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki. And afterwards? Bites next door at Azabu. Tickets are selling fast. 

The Details

Where: Studio 230, 230 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
When: Friday 7 & 8 August 2026
Cost: $20
Find out more. 

Get Your Junk Journal On 

Tāmaki Makaurau’s most sultry bookstore is hosting a junk journaling workshop this Friday so gather all your treasured ticket stubs, polaroids and old magazines and spend an evening unwinding over arts and crafts. And if this couldn’t get more gorgeous, it’s BYO, with wine glasses provided. Don’t leave without a cheeky peruse of the bookshelves. You’re sure to find your next hot read. 

The Details

Where: Enamoured Books, 346 Remuera Road, Remuera
When: Friday 7 August 2026
Cost: $30
Find out more. 

Dive Into A Creative Wonderland With A Side Of Sick Beats 

It’s Young Gallery Night at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and that means immersing in art by some of the city’s most talented rangitahi. Drop by for freshly spun vinyl beats by DJ Empress Naima, live figure drawing, a dance performance by the University of Auckland Waiapapa Taumata Rau, a scratch film and printing workshop, a live video soundscape performance and a fashion showcase from the final year students at Whitecliffe.  

The Details

Where: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1 Kitchener Street, Auckland CBD
When: Friday 7 August 2026
Cost: Free
Find out more here.

What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Saturday

Sip Your Way Around The World

If a cheeky vino (or three) goes down a treat, you’ll be stoked to hear the much-loved Winetopia is returning for an eighth season, with the smashing theme of Taste World-Class (so you know it’s going to be extra epic). The two-day wine celebration will feature 50+ prestigious wineries from all over Aotearoa showcasing everything from Albarino to Syrah and plenty of Pinot too. So, round up your lush pals, raise a glass, and get ready to taste all of the best drops in the motu. 

The Details

Where: Viaduct Events Centre, 161 Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter
When: Friday 7 & Saturday 8 August 2026
Cost: From $55
Find out more here.

Snag A First Look At City Rail Link 

In case you missed it, City Rail Link is poised to open. Ten years in the making, the hype is real. And you can get a first look at the Maungawhau, Karanga-a-Hape and Te Waihorotiu stations before they go public, at a series of First Look events over the coming weekends. Each one-hour guided tour will walk you through the station, the stories behind the designs and get you up to speed with how the stations will work once they’re open. Plus, there’ll be busking, community performances and activations in and around the stations too. First up, Maungawhau. 

The Details

Where: Maungawhau Station, 32 Nikau Street, Auckland
When: Saturday 8 August 2026
Cost: Free, but RSVP is essential. 
Find out more here. 

Learn The Japanese Art Of Ikebana 

A tonic to a fraught week, taking some time out to arrange flowers with intention, balance, and harmony is as calming and restorative as it sounds. Ikebana is a centuries old Japanese tradition, where each stem is placed with purpose as you drop into a flow state. This guided workshop includes a handmade ikebana vase by Richie from Eden Ceramics, $50 flower credit and a freshly-made matcha by Jacquie from House of Berry. 

The Details

Where: And Flowers, 19 Mt Eden Road, Grafton
When: Saturday 8 August 2026
Cost: $144
Find out more here.

What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Sunday

Shopping Muscles At The Ready

A giant market is coming to Auckland Showgrounds this weekend, from none other than the folks behind General Collective. The winter edit of the hugely popular Lifestyle & Design Market, expect stunning handmade pieces, contemporary homewares, fashion, jewellery, ceramics, skincare, artisan kai, original art, and that’s not even scratching the surface. And, as always, street food and coffee will be on hand to keep energy levels high. 

The Details

Where: Auckland Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom
When: Sunday 9 August 2026
Cost: $5, kids under 12 are free
Find out more here.

Climb Aboard A Music Box On A Bus 

A curious music performance is taking place this Sunday in perhaps the most unexpected location: a bus. Yep, audience members will meet at Audio Foundation at 2pm to board the 106 where they’ll be treated to a bus loop with a live soundtrack as Dutch artists Mario van Horrik and Petra Dubach perform Music Box for the 106, a score inspired by local public transport timetables. Tickets are extremely limited. 

The Details

Where: Audio Foundation, 4 Poynton Terrace, Auckland CBD
When: Sunday 9 August 2026
Cost: Unknown
Find out more here. 

The Best Things To Do This Weekend

Take A Chance On A Mystery Ink Box

Tattoo artist, Carlotta Verduci, is offering discounted day rates to the illustrated among us (or aspiring) who are game to dabble in a mystery ink box. Slide into her DMs, specify black and white or colour, and location, and she’ll whip up a stunning design, drawing on her moodboard of references, travel, photography and aesthetic obsessions collected over time, shaped to fit your body. This month’s themes are sphinx, grotesque, art nouveau and flowers. Sound like a bit of you? Tap the link below. 

The Details

Where: Iron Dragon Tattoo, 109 College Hill Road
When: All of August, by appointment 
Cost: Varies
Find out more here.

Devour Some Seriously Good Kai Without Breaking The Bank  

You might mentally still be in May (I know I sure am) but August means the return of Restaurant Month and this year’s edit brings over 20 dining events and 100 special menus to the table. So drag yourself off the couch, wrap up warm and head out because these $30, $45, $55+ and bars & bites menus from the likes of Cafe Hanoi, Ghost Street, Mr Morris, Kingi, and more, aren’t to be missed. 

The Details

Where: Various locations
When: August 
Cost: $30, $45 and $55+ per person 
Find out more here.

Want more? Check out: 

• All The Essential Food News (So You Can Be In The Know And Eat It Too)
• What's On In Auckland This Month And This Year
• The Best Ways To Celebrate Matariki In 2026