This weekend I'm entering my yoga at sunrise, pottery, painting and crystal necklace making by sundown, run club by day, heavy metal head banging by night, era.

Yep. I said what I said.

Here are 17 eclectic ways to have fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.

Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.

Friday 4 July

Get Stretched Before Breakfast

6.15-7.45am | Bayfield School Hall & Honey Sundays, Herne Bay | $

Image credit: Stretchy Yoga | Instagram

I don't know about you, but I'm starting my weekend the right way—a 6.15am juicy morning flow with Maryam Al-Roubaiai, followed by coffee and a yarn at Honey Sundays—one of our picks for the top spots in AKL to get caffeinated at. It's basically the perfect combo of stretching my body and my social circle, all around the same time I've usually hit my second or third snooze button, and it's all thanks to Stretchy Yoga and their Stretchy Mornings. Early bird gets the zen.

Level Up Storytime

11am-12pm | Blockhouse Bay Library, Blockhouse Bay | Free

Image credit: OurAuckland | website

It's the school holidays. Yessireee. If you have kids, may I kindly ask, how everything is going?... Never mind, forget I said anything. All I want you to know is this: Author Hydie Hande-Balle will be at Blockhouse Bay Library on Friday morning reading the exciting adventure of Andy and the little rimu tree and if that doesn't get the sprogs all fizzed then this will: they can meet the real dog, Archer, and make their own magic rimu tree.

Craft A Couple Hours Of Peace

6.30-8.30pm | Cha Bliss, Parnell | $$

Image credit: ChaBliss | Eventbrite

Picture this: It’s Friday evening, the sun has just set. In your wing mirror: work and all the worries of the week. Ahead of you: two hours of an intentful, crystal-tea-warmth-energy-infused night of calmly lit quiet connection. Yup, ChaBliss is hosting a crystal bracelet workshop and I’m already feeling blissed out.

Cure Those Office Blues

Every Friday From 10pm | The Classic—Main Venue/Ground Floor, Auckland Central | $

Bossman got ya down? How about a wee Friday night fix of funny? The Classic, an Aotearoan institution of live comedy for the past quarter century, has you covered with their weekly L8 SHOW, kicking off at 10pm this Friday (and every other Friday, for that matter). A chance to peep eight of the hottest up-and-coming comedians on the local pro circuit before they blow up, plus gorge on their bar snack menu while they’re at it. Door sales are usually from 7pm; booking is recommended for groups who might also want to visit neighbours Tanuki Sake Bar 7 Restaurant for a pre-gig feast.

Saturday 5 July

Eat As Much Chocolate As Humanly Possible At This Indulgent Buffet

Saturday-Sunday, 12-2.30pm | La Marée, Sofitel Auckland | $$

Image credit: La Marée | supplied

World Chocolate Day is coming up next week (7 July to be exact) and to celebrate the good folks at La Marée are pulling out all the stops with an absolutely hectic all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet. You'll see me there, stuffing my face with all the fancy handcrafted patisserie, rich ganache, and velvety mousse between chocolate fountain intervals. Entry is $99 per adult and $55 for kids and, really, that's a pretty paltry sum for extreme happiness. 

Come Flex Your Collection… Again

9am-5pm | Mount Eden War Memorial Hall, Mount Eden | Free-$

Cards on the table—if you've been itching to flex your collection or expand that prized deck, this is where you need to be. Auckland HobbyCon Card Show is swooping into Mount Eden War Memorial Hall again, bringing together 30+ vendors selling everything from Pokémon and One Piece to Lorcana and sports cards. Whether you're hunting shiny rares, completing your manga-inspired deck, or just wanting to geek out with fellow collectors, this is heaven, and in heaven, there’s free parking.

Buy Sew That Perfect Top

10am-12pm | Studio One Toi Tu, Grey Lynn | $$

Image credit: Made For You | Humanitix

I’ve always fancied myself as a fashion designer. I can't sew. Not even a stitch. But this weekend, that's all about to change with Made For You Studio’s pop-up sustainable garment sessions... Well, maybe I'll just start with this massive split in my pants and see how I get on from there.

Get Potting For A Pawsitive Cause

1.30-3.30pm | Clay Studios, Takapuna | $$

Image credit: Clay Studios | Eventbrite

Pottery and Pooches. Need I say more? Here’s the deets anyway: When? 1.30-3.30 pm Where? Clay Studios, Takapuna. What? Hand-making a mug from scratch. Why? All proceeds go to The Dog Rescue Project. You? There. Me? With bells on.

Say A Very, VERY Belated Goodbye

Friday 8pm, Saturday 2pm & 8pm | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell | $$

Image credit: Auckland Live | supplied

It’s the very last few days for you to help Dickie say goodbye. Yep, if you hadn’t heard, New Zealand’s favourite playwright, Sir Roger Hall, brought back his loveable grump Dickie Hart for End of Summer Time, but it wraps up this weekend.

Get Your Soul Stroked

From 8pm (Doors @ 7.30pm) | Whammy Bar, Karangahape Road (St Kevins Arcade) | $

Image credit: Soul Stroke | Instagram

If single-note riffs and commercialised TikTok brainrot pop leave you a bit bemused, then these guys could be your remedy: West Auckland’s Soul Stroke are slaying Whammy Bar this Saturday with the meanest metal riffs known to humankind. 10 bucks to have your face melted? Thassa bargain.

Let Loose To Ladi6

From 8pm | The Hollywood Avondale, Avondale | $$

Aotearoa’s resident queen of soul is back on the beat, bringing her nationwide 'Le Vā' Album Release tour to The Hollywood Avondale this Saturday naiteee. Dedicated to her late mother Fuarosa and featuring a bunch of new material plus all those classics we know and love, it’s set to be a deeply personal foray coloured by her signature sound. PS, there is a very alluring Ragland gig on the Friday and a lucious Waiheke Island gig on 11 July.

Sunday 6 July

Learn How To Hand Out A Can Of (Much Deserved) Whoop Ass

Saturday 10am-Sunday 4.30 PM | Te Pae o Kura, Sunnyvale | $

Image credit: Mindset | Instagram

Need to brush up on your dust up? Mindset’s women’s self-defence workshops are probably the most intense, comprehensive, hands-on and enjoyable self-defence courses in New Zealand and Australia. Two whole days of learning vital techniques and skills in Sunnyvale at just $20. Although if life gets in the way (as it so often does), then Sunday is the day to get there.

Piss Off Your Parents, Paint Your Clothes

1-4pm | Fort Takapuna—The Barracks, Takapuna | $$

Image credit: Jenny Ann Sweatman | Instagram

No matter how old you are, I’m sure your parents will still shake their heads if you dare make some kind of new age, newfangled modification to your perfectly good clothes. Mine did anyway, when I was fifteen and took the kitchen scissors to the knees of my jeans. But turning an old t-shirt or second-hand jacket into a unique hand-painted piece? Now that’s something else entirely, I promise Mum!

Join A Run Club, Appease A Lake Spirit

4-7pm | Little Creatures Brewing, Hobsonville | Free

Image credit: Early Bird Run Crew | supplied

Another delightful wee run club to add to your calendar—the Little Loop meets outside Little Creatures every Sunday to enjoy a scenic trot around Catalina Bay. And although it’s hosted by the Early Bird Run Crew, it’s not a get up at the crack of God Knows type of sitch. It’s actually a very lovely 4-7pm arrangement wth LC vouchers, merch and some wine up for grabs… but only if the omniscient lake spirit that possesses the Wheel of Fortune decides you're worthy. P.S. post-run nutrition includes $10 Catalina Lager on tap, with kids eating for free from 4pm… Supernatural entities and beer? That’s my typa run club.

All Weekend

Get Dry With The Help Of Your Elta Ego

Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-4pm 1-6 July | 10 Te Ara Tahuhu, Britomart | Free/$$

Image credit: Elta Ego | supplied

Ah, excuse me… you, yeah you—I saw that espresso martini story of yours last Friday… and Saturday…. annnd Sun- anyway, Dry July kicked off on Tuesday, and the good folks at Elta Ego are getting behind those who are typically quite thirsty with six days of celebration down at Britomart. 100 free drinks daily, plus prizes on offer and a cheeky tote in exchange for a bit of spending. Yessireee.

Dust Off Those Skates

Fridays & Saturdays 10am-11pm, Sundays 10am–10pm | Aotea Square, Auckland CBD | $-$$

Image credit: Auckland Live | Instagram

It’s not winter until Aotea Square has her ice rink out. That’s right, the time has come again for you to get red in the palms and face as you Bambi your way through a first date. Although with beats from a live DJ on Groovy Fridays, your attempt at skating may just about pass for some kind of interpretative dance…

Gift Your Kids A Core Memory

5-8.30pm | Auckland Zoo, Western Springs | $

Image credit: OurAuckland | website

Pick two things that make a kid’s head explode. I’ll go first: dinosaurs & the zoo. Combine both and you’ve got the greatest core memory of a 10-year-old’s life happening every night (bar 28 June & 8 July) for the next few weeks at Auckland Zoo. P.S. A ‘Silent Dino Disco’ at the Dinosaur Tent is on offer for those wanting to get their dino groove on.

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

Main image credit: @hannahjanewhybird for @the2xstudio | Instagram.

Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.