10 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend

If you're reading this, the weekend has arrived, or it's just around the corner. How good. 

And given the weekend is always a reason in and of itself to celebrate in every way imaginable, this week's lineup is packed with everything from night markets and a massive light festival to daytime clubbing, a pilates passport and big moon energy. Have at. 

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

Score Free Breakfast, Coffee And A Solid Dose Of Inspiration 

CreativeMornings is a free breakfast and lecture series that's part of a global movement to bring people together over laid-back chats and kai. This month, Andrea Edwards, who is the Head of Standards at Eco Choice Aotearoa, will be riffing on the theme ‘competencia’ (competition), and walking the fine line between ambition and burnout. This community is so warm, smart and creative, it's right up there on my list as one of the best ways to start a Friday. 

The Details

When: Friday 31 August 2026
Where: Studio One - Toi Tū, 1 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn
Cost: Free
Find out more here.

Eat All The Things 

If your Friday night plans don’t involve jumping on a plane and darting off to some gorgeous tropical destination to escape the Hell-has-frozen-over biting cold we’ve been experiencing lately, I commiserate. But the next best thing is surely to hightail it to the Luna Bites Night Market and eat your way around the world instead. If past lineups are anything to go by, you could be chowing down on everything from tacos and dumplings to Thai BBQ. 

The Details

When: Friday 31 July 2026
Where: Te Pai Centre, 31-35 Te Pai Place, Lincoln Road, Henderson 
Cost: Entry is free
Find out more here.

What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Saturday

Get A Little Cosmic 

The moon is moving into Pisces and if you’d like to know what that means for you, Ostara Gatherings is the place to dive in deep. Hosted by Jess Pearson and Michelle Wannan, you’ll be guided through journaling, reiki-infused meditation, intuitive drawing and a sound bath, setting the scene for what’s on the horizon. These inclusive, welcoming gatherings are a way of reclaiming a calming moment for yourself, whether tarot is part of your daily ritual, or you’re completely new to astrological energy. 

The Details

When: Saturday 1 August 2026
Where: Kenkō Studio, 40 St Benedict’s Street, Auckland 
Cost: $55
Find out more here. 

Get Stronger, One Stamp At A Time

It feels like every pilates studio has got the winter challenge memo but Filipino-owned studio, Hiraya, might have just put together the freshest edit. Dubbed ‘Journey To Strength’ gives you a passport which gets stamped every time you attend a class and earns you free pilates classes, Yeti rambler bottles, grip socks, and more as your passport fills. There’s even Lululemon and LSKD fits, and float sessions for the first lot of people to fill their passports. 

The Details

When: 1-31 August 2026
Where: Hiraya Studio, 51 New North Road, Eden Terrace
Cost: Varies 
Find out more here.

Cut Shapes On The Dancefloor By Day 

In your 20s, all you had to do to start the party was walk into the room but now you’re in your thirties and leaving the house after 10pm seems wild. Enter: Daytime Clubbing with Beyond 30. Kicking off at the very reasonable hour of 4pm, you’ll get your fix of 80s, 90s and 00s bangers without having to trade your beauty sleep, which, let’s be real–is now very, very necessary. 

The Details

When: 1-31 August 2026
Where: Citizen Park, 1/424 New North Road, Kingsland 
Cost: $24.75-$30.25
Find out more here. 

 

What’s On In Tāmaki Makaurau This Sunday

Seize The Day 

Sundays are for sleep-ins… Or cheeky pre-dawn roadies up to Matakana to run yourself happily ragged. If the latter speaks to you, that’s exactly what The Local Run Club has in store at Fuel & Recovery. Plus, thanks to a collab with Art of Recovery and The Farmers Daughter, you can revel in the post-dash endorphins while being guided through a contrast session, followed by a restorative breakfast. 

The Details

When: Sunday 2 August 2026
Where: The Farmers Daughter, 
Cost: $60
Find out more here.

Shop Vinyls And Slam Burgers

If you’re anything like me, you’re always looking for an excuse to head to Urbanaut. I’m not even a beer girlie but their smashburgers, loaded fries and impressive handle on dietaries in an industrial vibe setting is everything. And now, they’re hosting a Mini Record Fair. Head on over and flick through records to your heart’s content. You can even bring your pup. Like, how cute–and yes, I would like some fries with that. 

The Details

When: Sunday 2 August 2026
Where: Urbanaut Brewing Co, 597 New North Road, Kingsland
Cost: Entry is free
Find out more here. 

Waitlist And Manifest

An adults-only holiday baking programme has popped up at Chelsea Sugar Factory. If you manage to snag a ticket, Daniel Rankin (a.k.a. @mancancooknz) will teach you how to bake a banana buttermilk cake with vanilla bean buttercream and black cherry rum compote–just for you. Now, heart-breaking, this one’s already sold out but there’s nothing stopping you from jumping on the waitlist and manifesting–hard. You never know when something magical might happen… 

The Details

When: Sunday 2 August 2026
Where: Chelsea Sugar Factory, 100 Colonial Road, Birkenhead 
Cost: $99
Find out more here.

The Best Things To Do This Weekend

Get Lit At Takapuna Winter Lights

The Takapuna Winter Lights festival has returned, brightening up even the coldest winter nights. Every year the festival pops off, drawing huge numbers of people (so much so it’s now essential to register beforehand). So gather your friends and whānau, RSVP and get amongst, just don’t forget to scan your ticket at the Prize Entry Booth because you just might score $1000 to spend in Takapuna. 

The Details

When: Thursday 30 July - Sunday 2 August 2026
Cost: Free entry, registration essential 
Find out more here. 

Devour All The NZIFF Goodness

While you absolutely could hibernate at home with Netflix, seeing a film on the big screen with a box of cinema popcorn just hits different. Cue the NZ International Film Festival in all its glory. The cosy indoor festival, set in stunning venues across the city, is a tonic to the winter blues. 

The Details

When: 29 July-9 September 2026
Where: Multiple
Cost: Varies
Find out more here.

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