10 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | Urban List NZ
And just like that, NZFW is done. But there’s plenty to fill the void. Namely: opening night of Cirque du Soleil’s new gig where the fits will be only one of many elements that'll dazzle you (and that’s saying something because that costume department is goated).
As for the rest of the agenda, you’ve got how to pen a sweet nothing that just hits different, carving, a club night with a political twist, a choose-your-own-adventure horror series, and possibly the holiest pairing ever dreamed up: tacos and tattoos.
Here are 10 of the best things to do in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this weekend.
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What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Friday
Get Amongst Creative Yaps And Kai
Start the weekend with some inspiration (and free eats) from CreativeMornings/Auckland. Part of a global monthly breakfast and lecture series, this month’s talk features creative place facilitator and urban space practitioner, Barbara Holloway whose work you've likely already experienced just by wandering around Onehunga, Karangahape Road, Panmure or central city.
The Details
Where: Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn
When: Friday 28 August 2026
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
Fall Down The Rabbit Hole
Now I might be biased (check my byline if that doesn’t hit) but the Cirque du Soleil edit of Alice in Wonderland might just be the best show they’ve ever put together. It’s certainly the best-named gig. So snap up some tickets, plan to meet early for a bit of a tea party (Cassette Nine, surely), then be awe-inspired by music, magic, dance, and gravity-defying acrobatics.
The Details
When: 28 August-6 September 2026
Where: The Civic, Cnr Queen Street & 269-287 Wellesley Street West
Cost: $55-119
Find out more here.
Level Up Your Romance
When the pinnacle of romance is “you up?”, something needs to change. Restore your faith in romance, and raise the bar for yourself (or drop the hint to your situationship) at Love At First Line, a romance poetry workshop guided by @loredana_poetry at Tāmaki Makaurau’s spiciest bookshop, Enamoured Books. Tickets include a notebook, pen, and guided poetry booklet.
The Details
Where: Enamoured Books, 364 Remuera Road
When: Friday 28 August 2026
Cost: $38
Find out more here.
Steal A Moment For Yourself
The School of Modern Meditation has announced its imminent closure, but not before several gorgeous events have taken place, one of which is a Yin & Cacao evening this Friday, in partnership with LSKD. So if you’re in need of a bit of an unwind this weekend, grab yourself a ticket. Plus, all attendees go into the draw to win a ‘fit from LSKD.
The Details
Where: The School of Modern Meditation, 1 Howe Street, Freeman’s Bay
When: Friday 28 August 2026
Cost: $35
Find out more here.
What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Saturday
Experience A Psychedelic Reimagining Of Singer-Songwriter
If you happened to catch a certain Mum I’m Alien Pregnant at the recent NZIFF, or if you’re a regular listening of 95bPM, you’ll already know Hun Lynch well. The multidisciplinary artist is releasing her first full-length album, Sycophant, at Kāhui St David’s, backed by Navakatoa Tekela-Pule (Leao) on guitar, Tiare Kelly (Erny Belle) on synths, SP404, De Stevens (Marlin’s Dreaming) on bass, and Hamish Morgan (Marlin’s Dreaming) on the drums.
The Details
Where: Kāhui St David’s, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton
When: Saturday 29 August 2026
Cost: $25-50
Find out more here.
Carve A Rakau Korero
Now, if you’re keen for a productive Saturday, this six-hour carving workshop could be just the thing. The session is led by artist Tui Hobson, whose work includes carved seats for the Quesnoy commemorative gardens in Northern France and a pou for the gardens of a Tāmaki Makaurau rehab centre. Set in Te Ana o Hine, the gallery’s wāhine-led carving space, you’ll learn how to use a mallet and chisel to carve a stunning rakau korero (talking stick) shaped by your lived experience.
The Details
Where: Te Tuhi, 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga
When: Saturday 29 August 2026
Cost: $40 (byo safety gloves)
Find out more here.
Dive Into The Green Machine
If you’ve been playing along at home, you know Neck of the Woods narrowly avoided permanent closure. So, The Green Machine is, in part, a vote for protection of live music venues but it’s also a fundraiser for the Green party’s efforts in the upcoming election. In the lineup? None other than Jim Nothing, Ariel Wose, Frank Booker, Dick Move and Lucy Gray.
The Details
Where: Double Whammy, 183 Karangahape Road
When: Saturday 29 August 2026
Cost: $40 (or 4 tickets for the price of 3)
Find out more here.
What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Sunday
Score A Tattoo With Your Taco
You could be walking out of Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina this Sunday with more than just a belly full of Mexican kai. In an ongoing collab series, every last Sunday of the month is for getting inked, taco in hand. And while tattoos are strictly for those of us over the age of 18, there’ll be plenty of Rosie’s-themed temporary tattoos for little ones to ply themselves with. Ink sessions start at 2pm and run ‘til 6pm, and are flash only, first come first served.
The Details
Where: Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina, 204 Quay Street, Viaduct and The Strand, Takapuna
When: Sunday 30 August 2026
Cost: $40 cash
Find out more here.
Put A Lil' Sheer Terror In Your Sunday
The long-anticipated return of NZ-made interactive horror series, Shadow Peak, is about to drop the first episode of season two online this Sunday at 9pm. Created by, and starring, Sarah Dawes and Jordan Rivers, season one was released on Instagram some years back as six one-minute episodes. At the end of each episode, there were two choices, and the viewers got to vote on which choice should be made.
This time around, there are 12 three to five-minute episodes set to be released 48 hours apart, with viewers voting to shape the story as it unfolds. Maaaaaybe horror is slightly less terrifying if you’re somewhat in control? Only one way to find out.
The Details
Where: Instagram, Youtube & Tiktok
When: Sunday 30 August 2026
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
The Best Things To Do This Weekend
Check Out Karigar Lane
In case you missed it, a craft cafe opened in Parnell earlier this year, where you order arts and craft instead of food. Described as a third space for creatives, pull up a pew, select an activity, then get crafting, sipping on chai, hot chocolate or coffee while you do so. Currently on the menu are roll on perfumes, soy candles, tote bag block printing, and terracotta pot, fridge magnet or trinket tray-painting.
The Details
When: All weekend
Where: Karigar Lane, 165 Parnell Road
Cost: $45-$65 (less the $10 reservation fee)
Find out more here.
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