10 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend

As the winter solstice nears, the desire for hibernation draws closer. But just because it’s cold outside, doesn’t mean we should stay home and miss out on everything this incredible city has to offer. This weekend is chock full of events to tempt you out from the comfort of your own duvet. 

Whether it’s a celebration of all things jazz at one of the city’s best venues, Whammy Bar, a stomach-hurting session at Basement Theatre with an Aussie comedian, a night at the theatre or a yoga class in the Auckland Art Gallery – yes, the Auckland Art Gallery – we’ve done the hard yards for you and curated your ultimate itinerary in Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend. 

Here are our picks of the best things to do this weekend in Auckland.  

What’s On Friday

Get Your Groove On At Whammy Bar Pocket Jazz Festival

Whammy Bar is a special venue. Deep down under Karangahape Road, it feels like a little bubble of magic; a haven of music. That will be especially true on Friday night when the Pocket Jazz Festival takes place. Love Square and Hopetoun Brown will bring their signature sounds for their sets, alongside a series of special guests – we couldn’t possibly say who, but it’s worth noting that both Aldous Harding and Marlon Williams feature on Hopetoun Brown’s newest album. It’s safe to say, you’ll want to bring your dancing shoes. 

The Details

Where: 183 Karangahape Road

When: Friday 19 June, doors open 7.30pm

Cost: $29

For more information, click here.

Raise Your Serotonin Levels At Greg Larsen’s Show Unrelenting Ultraviolence 

In the description of his show, Greg Larsen makes it clear that it is incredibly good value because he weighs ‘99% more’ than most other comedians so, if you think about it economically, you’re getting more bang for your buck ‘in terms of dollars spent per kilo’. That is, perhaps, the best insight into the kind of humour the comedian possesses and, when you’re already laughing before you’ve even bought the tickets, it’s safe to say that you better bring your tissues and empty your bladder before the show. 

The Details

Where: Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD

When: Friday 19 June and Saturday 20 June, 8pm-9.10pm

Cost: $30

For more information, click here.

What’s On Saturday

Al Fresco Fun At Fête De La Musique

Rug up and bring your joie de vivre to Parnell’s Fête de la Musique, a free community event celebrating good music and art in a joyous, energetic atmosphere. Dance under the stars, feast on fabulous French fare, and lean into the magic of this city. The evening will be soundtracked by local musicians so you might even find your new favourite artist. 

The Details

Where: 269 Parnell Road

When: Saturday 20 June, 12pm-4pm

Cost: Free entry

For more information, click here.

Plug In At The Disco Fair And Record Market

Is there anything better than spending a Saturday afternoon digging through a record shop? Well, how about if it was soundtracked by live DJ sets and the extra special release of SOULTI’s newest single? That’s the ticket at The Disco Fair + Record Market at Eyes on Fire Gallery this Saturday. From midday, prepare to nab some great vinyl from some of the city’s finest purveyors, including Apera Crates, Garage Records, Sperber Dan and more, with tunes from Dan Sabotage, japanjazzfusion, Leon Aoki, Dambuster, The Professor and Alex O.

The Details

Where: 15 Great North Road, Grey Lynn

When: Saturday 20 June, 5pm-10pm 

Cost: Free entry

For more information, click here.

Get Your Art Hat On At The DOKU The Creator Screening At Auckland Art Gallery

Blending the physical and the digital, the AI-generated and the human art, DOKU The Creator is the third chapter in Lu Yang’s DOKU series which takes the artist’s face and superimposes it onto an avatar who heads out on solitary adventures that touch on ideas of freedom and digital reincarnation. Merging Buddhist philosophies with gaming aesthetics and digital consciousness, the film is a fascinating insight into how the digital and artistic worlds merge in our modern world. The evening will finish off with a question and answer session with the artist, hosted by H E Wilco, curator of Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now. 

The Details

Where: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Corner of Wellesley Street East and Kitchener Street

When: Saturday 20 June, 2pm-4pm 

Cost: Free entry for members, $5 general admission

For more information, click here.

Cheer On Auckland As The Auckland Tuataras Take On The Hawkes Bay Hawks

Did the historic Knicks win fire up your love for basketball? Head to the Eventfinda Stadium on Saturday to catch the Auckland Tuataras take on the Hawkes Bay Hawks. While tickets to the high stakes final in San Antonio were going for the thousands, you can get all the same courtside buzz for a fraction of the price – and, for true fans, you can even meet the players on the court after the final buzzer. 

The Details

Where: Eventfinda Stadium, Argus Place, Wairau Valley

When: Saturday 20 June, 4pm-6pm 

Cost: From $20.40

For more information, click here.

What's On Sunday

Find Your Zen At A Yoga And Art Immersion Session At Auckland Art Gallery

There are many great things about yoga; its restorative properties, its rejuvenation for your mind, body and soul, the general feeling of calm it imbues. But perhaps one of the greatest things about yoga is you can practice anywhere – your local park, a stand up paddleboard, the studio around the corner or, apparently, an art gallery. Tick two strong Sunday virtue boxes in one with this culture-infused yoga class in the Gallery spaces at Auckland Art Gallery, hosted by an advanced yoga teacher trained instructor. It’s the perfect way to start any Sunday – once you’re all blissed out, why not head to one of the gallery’s exhibitions to truly put your hungover mates to shame? 

The Details

Where: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Corner of Wellesley Street East and Kitchener Street

When: Sunday 21 June, 9am-10am 

Cost: $20

For more information, click here.

Finesse Your Juggling Skills At The Free Circus In Myers Park

Just a short hop, skip and jump from the adult circus that is K Road, the kids will be entertained for hours at this circus in Myers Park. There are juggling balls, rings, hula hoops and many more circus props to test out, alongside professional circus tutors to help teach the best technique. While this will keep the little ones busy, the training is open to everyone, so you can finally fulfil your childhood dream of running away to the circus. Two birds, one stone. 

The Details

Where: Myers Park

When: Sunday 21 June, 2pm-4pm

Cost: Free

For more information, click here.

What’s On All Weekend

Head To The Theatre For Sons Of Vao

The captivating Anapela Polata’ivao ONZM who you may recognise from playing the titular character in the 2024 film Tinā returns behind the scenes to direct gripping production Sons of Vao which premieres this weekend at the ASB Waterfront Theatre. Written by Vela Manusaute, the autobiographical story sits across four decades, travelling from a village in Niue to the villas of Ponsonby, telling the story of three brothers, Seki, To and Sau, and their complicated relationship with their violent father. A searing, gripping portrait of family dynamics and the way our parents shape us as adults, this show is stacked with an immensely talented team both on and off stage. 

The Details

Where: ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey Street, Auckland CBD

When: 18 Jun-5 Jul

Cost: From $30

For more information, click here.

Warm Up Your Vocal Chords At Last Night Of The Proms

Calling all orchestra and classical music fans – you’ll want to head over the bridge to The Bruce Mason Centre this weekend for Last Night of the Proms. Celebrating the 25th Jubilee of the event, the celebratory occasion will be filled with more energy than ever – with beautiful performances from more than 100 musicians and artists, balloons, flags, and, of course, singalongs. Celebrating this classic British tradition with a healthy dose of Kiwi fun, the evening will completely subvert any ideas that classical music can’t be a riot, too. 

The Details

Where: Bruce Mason Centre, The Promenade, Takapuna

When: 20-21 Jun

Cost: From $50

For more information, click here.