What do you get when you cross the nude human form, a really steezy citrus, a few bathtubs of ice, one dragon with blue eyes and the heiress to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu dynasty?...

This. Weekend.

Here's 16 epic ways to have fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.

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Friday 8 August

Say Seeya To Lunchtime Doom Scrolling

12-1pm | Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | Free

Image credit: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | website

Say seeya to the scroll and instead drop into a BYO drawing session every Friday at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Find a stool and gander at the life model, with artist and observational drawing tutor, Heyes Johnson, ready to lend a hand. Open to everyone of all skill levels, but don't be late—spaces are fairly sought after.

Enamoured Books x Turua Gallery: Between the Lines

This Friday From 6pm + Event 14 August | Enamoured Books, Remuera | $-$$$

Image credit: Enamoured Books | Instagram 

Enamoured Books are seriously killing the events game this year, and the next couple of weeks are no different, with a double-header of events embracing the nude form. First up is a collection of ink figurative works from Dominique Marriot, opening this Friday and showing 'til 18 August, with works also for sale on Turua Gallery's website. Next is a life drawing class with Dominique on 14 August, with limited spaces available and all materials provided.

Witness The One Man Band Of All One Man Bands

Doors @ 7pm, Gig From 8pm | Leigh Sawmill, Leigh | $$

Image credit: Tiki Taane | Instagram

Tiki Taane is the GOAT. No two ways about it. Leigh Sawmill is an all-time venue. No two ways about that. Tiki Taane is playing at Leigh Sawmill this Friday night, and if you prefer not to be a plane figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles, then you'd better be there.

Experience The Steeziest Citrus Around

From 7.30pm | Auckland Town Hall, Auckland Central | $$-$$$

Image credit: Rob Tennent

Adding to your dose of grooves this Friday, it's the Angus half of Angus & Julia Stone now in the lyrically magical form of Dope Lemon. He's playing at an equally magical venue—Auckland Town Hall—and if you don't wanna miss it, click here.

Saturday 9 August

Get Iced Out

7.45-11am | End of Brett Ave, Takapuna | $

Image credit: ICEMUNITY | Instagram

If you HAVEN'T heard of ice therapy/ice baths/cold plunges, then you more than likely HAVE been living under a rock the size of Rangitoto. But seeing as that's rather unlikely (unless you happen to be a slimy character written by Maurice Gee), and what's more than likely is that you want to get amongst some coldness this weekend, then check this: ICEMUNITY offers three 60-minute slots on a Saturday morning at the end of Brett Ave in Takapuna. Book a slot, arrive on time, and get ready to seriously chill with views of, you guessed it, Rangitoto.

Dust Off Your Blue-Eyes White Dragon

9am -7pm | Auckland Showgrounds, Epsom | $$

Image credit: Jovan Vasiljević

This one might be a bit niche, but if you grew up on VCR tapes and buying packs of cards from 123 Dollar stores, like a lot of us 90s babies/kids did, then your heart-rate probably increased after reading the title. It's the Yu-Gi-Oh! New Zealand Open 2025 this Saturday, and if you're keen on a day of duelling with prizes and a very epic trophy up for grabs, then you'd better lock in a ticket.

Get Funky With It

10pm-Late | Jacuzzi Ponsonby | Free Entry

Saturday nights mean boogying like you mean it at Jacuzzi Ponsonby. From 10pm 'til late, go on a sonic voyage through the soulful sounds of Paul Larsen and Thrown Shade Saturday, as they pull their very best funk, disco and house tracks from the very top shelf. Good music, good people and good times at one of the city's grooviest venues.

Sunday 9 August

Head East To Beat The Receipt

From 7am | Auckland Netball Centre, St Johns | $-$$

Image credit: Auckland East Market | Eventfinda

It will be news to no one when I suggest the weekly grocery bill is getting a bit out of hand. The solution? Auckland Eastern Market, where the very best—and reasonably priced—fruit and veg in all of East Auckland (and perhaps the world?) is sprawled out every Sunday morning. And there are the usual food vendors, bric-a-bracs, household goods, plant friends, threads and other bargains galore... and free parking.

Go To A Grand Opening

7am-2pm | 9 Kitchener Road, Waiuku | $-$$

But if you happen to be a bit further south and not in the mood to cross the city for the East Market, then how about this? The Grand Opening of the Waiuku Sunday Market-weekly. "Designed to bring together the best of the local community in a fun, relaxed, and family-friendly environment," South Auckland's latest bazaar has everything from fresh food stalls and seasonal produce to arts and crafts, live entertainment and even services from local tradies. And once you're done with all that goodness, pop over to Kariaotahi Beach to soak in some afternoon sun and waves.

Scratch The Itch By Heading To The Fleas

8am-1pm | 164-170 Balmoral Road, Mount Eden | $-$$

Image credit: Central Flea | Instagram

To round off our triplet of Sunday markets: Central Flea is a celebration of Balmoral’s urban diversity and a link to flea markets the world over. And if you’re on the hunt for knick-knacks, last-minute birthday gifts, anniversary trinkets, or just in the mood to rummage, you should definitely make a flealine for this market (it’s in the old Warehouse car park opposite Potters Park).

Learn Self-Defence From A Martial Arts Dynasty

10-11.30am | Devonport Community House | $$

If you know anything about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and perhaps martial arts as a whole, then you'll know about the much-regarded Gracie Family. And if you know of them, then you'll know how big of a deal a female self-defence class instructed by Kauan Gracie is. If you don't, then give her a quick Google and snag a ticket to one of the best-priced events I've come across in quite some time.

Level Up Your Sunday Roast

12-5pm | Bracu Estate, Bombay | $$

If you're household loves a Sunday roast but it's about time Mum or Dad had a bit of a break, then hop on SH1 and head down south for a refined twist on the week-ending classic. Bracu Estate have cooked up something a bit more boujee for Sunday arvos, with a "modern, fine dining experience that celebrates the essence of a Sunday well spent". Two courses or three, their à la carte menu is also available, but reservations for all of the above are absolutely essential.

Cap Off Your Weekend With Some Comedy

7-9pm | Cardboard Comedy Club, Kingsland | $

Image credit: Carboard Comedy Club | Instagram

Cardboard Comedy Club is Tāmaki's latest and greatest dedicated standup venue, and they're rolling out the laughs from the heart of Kingsland. In fact, they're so new, they don't even have a sign, and yep, the showroom is made from cardboard. Regardless of the clandestine arrangement, every Sunday they throw a free gig featuring comedy pros, a few fresh faces and a bunch of new material for you, the esteemed guinea pig. Kicks off at seven sharp, and runs no later than 9pm so you can get your beauty sleep before the week ahead.

All Weekend

Disney On Ice Presents Find Your Hero

7-10 August | Spark Arena | $$-$$$

Image credit: Disney On Ice | supplied

The F word is sacrosanct to anyone who has the pleasure of rearing a few rugrats in today's world. Yep *whispers out of earshot*, Frozen. The much-adored wintery princess—plus a host of other Disney heroes, for that matter—are coming to Spark Arena this week as Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Mirabel, Moana, Aerial, Rapunzel, Belle.... I can already hear the tiny cries of joy.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

'Til 9 Aug | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Image credit: Andi Crown

Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love and tragedy gets a bold, 1960s makeover in this atomic production of Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, Theo Dāvid and Phoebe McKellar shine as star-crossed lovers in a world of Missoni prints and Pucci glamour. A fresh, stylish take on a classic that’s as relevant today as it was back when they were all into their frilly clothes and the word ‘doth.

Take A Dose Of Razzle Dazzle

Various Showtimes | Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna | $$-$$$

Image credit: Chicago the Musical/AucklandLive I website

A scintillating tale of fame, fortune and jazz-age glamour—the award-winning, globally adored Chicago The Musical has made its way to little ‘ol Auckland. Directed by Kiwi creative institution Michael Hurst, this brand-new production boasts a professional cast of international and New Zealand singers, plus all the razzle-dazzle you can handle. And you can enjoy them, that and more, from the cushy seats of Bruce Mason Centre this weekend.

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

Main image credit: ICEMUNITY | Instagram.

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