10 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend
Tāmaki Makaurau is stacked this weekend with a mix of major festivals, cultural celebrations and creative city-wide events lighting up everything from the CBD to South Auckland and the Shore.
Dive into the Auckland Festival of Photography as the city centre turns into an open-air gallery, catch the Auckland Photo Day challenge happening this weekend, or head to Takapuna Beach for the Live Ocean Winter Dip on Sunday morning. Over in Epsom, the Auckland Showgrounds will be buzzing with the huge Philippine Independence Day Commemoration, while MOTAT After Dark brings neon lights, music and food trucks to Western Springs after sunset.
Here are the best things to do in Auckland this weekend.
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What's On Saturday
Celebrate Filipino Culture And Community At Auckland’s Biggest Independence Day Event
The Philippine Independence Day Commemoration is returning to the Auckland Showgrounds for a full day celebrating Filipino heritage, culture and community. This is the biggest annual Filipino event in Aotearoa, bringing together families, friends and visitors for a lively, welcoming festival atmosphere.
Expect a packed programme of Southeast Asian street food stalls, cultural performances, fashion theatre, live entertainment and community business stands. A highlight of the day is the 9th Filipino-Kiwi Hero Awards, recognising outstanding contributions within the Filipino community in New Zealand.
The Details
Where: Auckland Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland
When: Saturday 6 June, 10am–6pm
Cost: Free entry
Who: All ages welcome
For more information, click here.
What's On Sunday
Celebrate Eid With Food, Performances And Community Spirit In New Lynn
Gather your whānau and head to New Lynn Community Centre this June for the Whau Eid Festival, a vibrant community celebration bringing together food, culture and connection.
Expect market stalls, cultural performances, workshops and family-friendly activities throughout the day, alongside delicious cuisine from across the community. There'll also be free henna and face painting, making it an easy outing for all ages. Whether you're celebrating Eid or simply keen to experience the diversity and warmth of the Whau community, everyone is welcome to join in the festivities.
The Details
Where: New Lynn Community Centre, New Lynn
When: Sunday 7 June, 11am–2pm
Cost: Free
For more information, visit here.
Brave Yourself For A Winter Dip At Takapuna Beach For A Good Cause
Brace yourself for one of Auckland’s most invigorating winter traditions as the Live Ocean Winter Dip returns to Takapuna Beach. This community ocean moment invites locals to jump into the moana in support of ocean health, bringing together swimmers, supporters, and ocean advocates for a shared splash on the eve of World Ocean Day.
Backed by Live Ocean and the Black Foils SailGP team, the event also highlights Jono Ridler’s extraordinary Swim4TheOcean journey and raises awareness around protecting our marine environment, including the call to end bottom trawling. Lifeguards from Mairangi Bay SLSC will be on hand to keep things safe, so you can focus on the experience rather than the chill. The team is hoping to make this year's dip their biggest one yet.
The Details
Where: Takapuna Beach, The Strand, Takapuna
When: Sunday 7 June, 9am–11:30am
Cost: Free entry
For more information, click here.
What's On All Weekend
Step Into Music And Museum Magic At MOTAT After Dark
MOTAT After Dark is transforming the museum into a glowing evening playground across three nights of food, music and hands-on discovery. Wander through illuminated exhibits, enjoy torchlight tours and soak up the atmosphere as Auckland’s transport and technology museum comes alive after sunset.
Alongside the exhibitions, expect live beats from Māori HiFi, neon performers, fairy-lit outdoor spaces and warming heaters throughout the grounds. Food trucks from Food Truck Collective will be on-site serving up dinner and drinks, making it an easy winter night out whether you’re going with friends, a date or the whole whānau.
The Details
Where: MOTAT, 805 Great North Road, Western Springs, Auckland
When: Thursday 4 June & Friday 5 June, 6pm–9pm; Saturday 6 June, 6pm–10pm
Cost: $10 adults, $5 kids (includes drink); MOTAT Mates free entry
For more information and bookings, click here.
Celebrate Pacific Dance And Storytelling At The Pacific Dance Festival
The Pacific Dance Festival returns this June with a powerful programme showcasing contemporary Pacific identity, storytelling and movement from across the Moana. Taking place across multiple venues in Auckland, it brings together artists, communities and cultural leaders in a dynamic celebration of heritage and innovation.
From South Auckland to the city centre, expect a rich mix of performances, youth showcases, workshops and contemporary dance works exploring identity, migration and ancestral memory. Highlights include CALL TO WALLIS by Justin Haiu, the MOANA Showcase, and a range of collaborative works featuring artists from Samoa, Kiribati, Rotuma, Wallis & Futuna and Aotearoa. It’s a festival that places Pacific voices at the centre of the stage, celebrating both tradition and evolution.
The Details
Where: Māngere Arts Centre and Toi Tū & Te Oro
When: Friday 5 June-Tuesday 16 June
Cost: Free-$35 (price varies)
For more information, click here.
Explore Auckland Through Photography At The Auckland Festival Of Photography
The Auckland Festival of Photography turns the city centre into a living gallery, with exhibitions, installations and public artworks spread across streets, galleries and public spaces. It’s a free, city-wide celebration of visual storytelling that encourages you to see Auckland in new ways through the lens of both emerging and established photographers.
A major highlight is this weekend with Auckland Photo Day on this Saturday, where anyone can spend 24 hours capturing life in the city and submit their images for exhibition. Alongside this are curated gallery shows, public screenings and talks that showcase powerful local and international photography across central Auckland venues.
The Details
Where: Various city centre locations, Auckland
When: 29 May-14 June
Cost: Free
For more information, click here.
Aotea Square Is Turning Into A Glowing Wonderland In June
Aotea Square is lighting up this winter with the arrival of Winter Light Cathedral, a free immersive installation from award-winning design studio Mandylights. Running from 30 May to 5 July, the walk-through tunnel features tens of thousands of twinkling LED lights inspired by the soaring arches of cathedral windows, creating a magical experience that's best enjoyed after dark.
Whether you're planning a family outing, date night or simply looking for an excuse to wander the city, this luminous installation is worth adding to your winter calendar. Hot tip: swing by on Friday or Saturday evenings between 6pm and 9pm to catch neon-lit dancers bringing an extra dose of magic to the experience. Free entry—just turn up and step inside.
The Details
When: 30 May–5 July 2026
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland CBD
Price: Free entry
Best Time To Visit: After dark (Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm–9pm for neon-lit dance performances)
For more information, visit here.
What's Coming Up
Swap, And Refresh Your Wardrobe On K Road At The Auckland Clothes Swap: Winter
The Auckland Clothes Swap is returning for its winter edition, taking over K Road as part of Crushes Social Club’s ongoing effort to bring energy, creativity and community back into one of Auckland’s most iconic streets. With K Road’s mix of independent shops, markets and emerging creative spaces, we think it's the perfect backdrop for a massive community swap built around sustainability and connection.
Hundreds of people come together to exchange pre-loved clothing, making it one of the most affordable and circular ways to refresh your wardrobe. Bring up to 10 quality pieces and swap them for up to 10 new items, with anything left over donated to Dress for Success. Go on, get around this fun event that reflects the collaborative, grassroots spirit K Road is known for.
The Details
Where: Pitt Street Methodist Church, Karangahape Road
When: Saturday 13 June, 11am–1pm (swapping starts 1pm)
Cost: $5.95 online or $15 at the door
What to bring: Up to 10 quality clothing items (no shoes, jewellery, bags or accessories)
For more information and tickets, click here.
Go Yellow For Harold And Support Life Education’s Biggest National Fundraiser
Schools, workplaces and communities across Aotearoa will turn yellow on Friday 19 June for Wear Yellow for Harold, a nationwide fundraising day supporting Life Education’s wellbeing and health programmes for tamariki and rangatahi. From costumes and dress-up days to bake sales and morning teas, it’s a simple way to get involved.
Held close to World Giraffe Day, the campaign encourages everyone to wear yellow or giraffe-themed outfits and donate a gold coin to help bring Life Education’s mobile classroom programmes into schools across the country. These programmes focus on confidence, resilience, relationships and positive decision-making, reaching hundreds of thousands of children each year with no direct government funding. We love that every contribution stays local, directly supporting the communities that raise it.
The Details
Where: Nationwide (schools, workplaces and communities across Aotearoa)
When: Friday 19 June
For more info on how to get involoved, click here.
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Main image credit: Sulthan Auliya | Unsplash
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