And just like that, we're back into another five full days of reality.

But don't let the post-long weekend blues keep you on the sideline; there's a whole bunch of cool and cozy thangs to keep you busy this wintery week, and well beyond.

And if, like myself, you’re a deadset weekend warrior, then check out what’s on Friday to Sunday with my carefully crafted blueprint on how not to waste your three weekly days of freedom.

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Jump to: 

• Don't Miss
• Free And Budget-Friendly Events
• Food And Drink Events
• Arts And Culture 
• Rainy Day Activities 
• Uniquely Auckland Experiences
• Coming Soon

Don’t Miss

Dracula's

26-28 June | The Civic | $$$

Image credit: Dracula's | supplied

There comes a time when you realise your soul is yearning for a vampire pulling off gravity-defying contortions in silks. And fortunately, this week, the universe is delivering. Yep, cult-favourite cabaret Dracula's is coming to Tāmaki this month.

Free & Budget-Friendly Events

Enamoured Events

Multiple Events | Enamoured Books | Free/$

Image credit Isabella Spinosa | supplied

If you’ve been keeping up with these weekly drops, then you’ll be well aware that Enamoured Books is currently dominating the world of cozy things to do in winter. And if you need a refresher: Tuesday is for their Quiet Nights curl up and read sessions (with a special Magnolia & Soul collab on 1 & 4 July), Thursday is for Late-night Book Club (a $10 host your own sitch), this Saturday a permanent jewellery pop-up from The Welder’s Daughter kicks off (book a slot), and next Friday is the first instakment in their 'For The Vibes' series, with a unique Charm Necklace Workshop from Made By Holly. Oh, and Wednesdays are when we wear pink (I think).

NZBS National Blood Donor Week: ‘Blood Bangers' & ‘Plasma Playlists’ Submissions

Entries Close 1 August | NZBS Instagram & Facebook | Free

I donate blood occasionally. Not as much as I should. But one of my problems is that even though I'm a twenty-something man with hairs on my chest (a few) and a hearty mo' (kind of), I still need a bit of a gee up to get me through those five draining minutes on the chair. Cue, quite literally, New Zealand Blood Society's 'Blood Bangers' & 'Plasma Playlists' initiative, which lets you suggest (here or here) the song you would choose to power you through a lifesaving donation. The end result is a super playlist for the superhero donors among us.

Ponsonby Central x Kindness Collective: 100,000 Dots of Positivity

For The Month Of June | Ponsonby Central | Free/Donation

When it comes to feel-good things that are put on by good humans for the sake of, well, humans, then I never hesitate to show some love. In the newest case of joy to come across my desk, Ponsonby Central has partnered with Kindness Collective and dedicated an entire wall to positivity. Grab a coloured dot, write one word that makes you smile, stick it on the wall, and donate to families in need. They hope for a vibrant, growing canvas that reflects the community's spirit in real time, offering a moment of brightness to everyone who passes by.

Food And Drink Events

Viaduct Harbour Unveils ‘Maruata Rikoriko’ for Matariki

‘Til 13 July | Marloet Square, Viaduct Harbour | Free/$$

Image credit: Viaduct Harbour | supplied

Culture, kai and damn good food. 'Maruata Rikoriko' has just been unveiled down on our lovely Viaduct, and it’s not just nice to look at—it’s a powerful new community installation that embodies the spirit of whakawhanaungatanga (connection) and kotahitanga (unity) through kai and kōrero. The kai in question? Special Matariki dishes from top neighbouring restaurants.

Brew of Islands 2025

28 June | Bay of Islands | $$

Image credit: Brew of Islands | supplied

Craft beer bros have been copping some heat in recent times. Almost as much heat as I cop for obsessing over what I like to call 'craft tap water'. It's my private hunt for the best tasteting household tap water in all the land and isn't really relevant right now, but to answer all the allegations and throw one heck of a partying in doing so, Brew of Islands 2025 is commandeering the Bay of Islands for one last, crafty, tasty, sing-songy hurrah before dry July.

Arts And Culture

Auckland Philharmonia Six-Thirty Session: Beethoven 5 

25 June | Auckland Town Hall | $$-$$$

Image credit: Auckland Phil | supplied

Maybe you’re like me and kinda hate hump day. Maybe you’re also like me, and often try to schedule something a bit groovy to get through the mid-week blues. I call it ‘Faux Friday Night’, and it acts as half-time oranges for the soul, of sorts. And what better oranges to suck on than Auckland Phil’s new Six-thirty compact Sessions. As the name says, strings are plucked at half six on the dot and come to a crescendoing end 75 minutes later with no interval in between. Dinner at eight, anyone?

Doc Edge Film Festival

25 June-25 August | Various locations | $-$$$

If documentaries are your schtick, you’ll want to deep dive into Doc Edge Festival, which, this year, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Always packed with high-calibre films from Aotearoa and around the world, plus immersive exhibitions, industry events, and a schools programme, Doc Edge is essential viewing.

Taniwha

26 June-13 July | Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre | $$

The mighty Taniwha has slithered and swum all the way up the Waikato just to make its theatrical debut. Taniwha is a whānau-friendly adventure inspired by the magic of Miyazaki films and old school classics like The Goonies, following young Mereana and friends as they protect a taniwha from urban development. Showing at Herald Theatre in Aotea Centre, the performance is a magical multimedia experience (peep the main image for this article) with a cast of narrators that's a good time for anyone aged five and up.

DIVA at Auckland Museum

28 June-19 October | Auckland War Memorial Museum | $/$$

Image credit: Auckland War Memorial Museum | supplied

My favourite building in all of the land is getting her slay on at the end of the month. Developed by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, DIVA opens 28 June at Auckland War Memorial Museum to celebrate icons of eras who challenged norms and changed the world through the power of performance. Over 280 objects, including fashion, photography, costumes, music, and design, featuring trailblazing performers, theatrical staging, and an immersive musical soundtrack experience. It's all I could ever have asked of an exhibition and more, more, more.

Reuben Paterson’s Guide Kaiārahi

Now Showing | Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland Central | Free

Image credit: Reuben Paterson, Guide Kaiārahi, 2021. Edmiston Trust Collection, commissioned by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2021. Courtesy of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2021.

In between brunching, lunching, and hot girl walks, why don’t you wander over to Auckland Art Gallery and have a geeze at Reuben Paterson’s downright dazzling sculpture Guide Kaiārahi. Its return to the gallery's forecourt this Friday happens to coincide with Brett Graham’s Wastelands, 2024, alongside a programme of free events at the Gallery for Matariki.

Roger Hall’s End of Summer Time (Auckland Theatre Company)

'Til 5 Jul | ASB Waterfront Theatre | $$

Image credit: Auckland Live | supplied

New Zealand’s favourite playwright, Sir Roger Hall, is bringing back his loveable grump, who’s here to steal the show again. Directed by Alison Quigan and starring Andrew Grainger, End of Summer Time is a hilarious solo play following retired cow cocky Dickie Hat, as he moves to the big smoke to be closer to his grandkids. Packed with Hall’s signature wit and heart, it opened last week and is set to be a laugh-out-loud exploration of family, aging, and the chaos of life.

A Century of Modern Art

Now Showing | Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | Free

Image credit: Vincent van Gogh, Wheat Fields with Reaper, Auvers, 1890, Toledo Museum of Art, Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey.

Manet, Monet, Picasso, van Gogh… Cezzanne, Gauguin, Pissarro, Renoir… if these names have resolutely roused the art aficionado living in that one-bedroom, mattress on the floor, easel at the window, Parisian studio-attic-apartment somewhere in the back of your head, then check this: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki’s ‘A Century of Modern Art’ is now showing. I would say more, but I think those names speak for themselves.

SUMER: Concrete (Ruth Cleland)

'Til 12 July, Opening 14 June | Free

Image credit: SUMER | Instagram

I don’t typically spend my week staring at footpaths and floors, but I’ll make an exception for the hyper-talented Ruth Cleland and her hyperrealistic works. She has gone to painstaking effort to depict the seemingly mundane—the concrete of footpaths, supermarket floors and even the gallery itself—and it’s as fascinating as it's original. ‘Concrete’ is now exhibiting at Sumer—one of Tamaki’s standout galleries down on Beach Road.

Turua Gallery’s ‘Lock, Stock & Barrel’

'Til 13 July | Turua Gallery | Free

It’s the awaited return of everyone’s favourite art slanger's annual stockroom exhibition. Running from 13 June for precisely a month, Turua Gallery is back with ‘Lock, Stock & Barrel,’ showcasing everything canvasly orgasmic, including hidden gems and revisited collections from emerging to established artists. What’s more, the good framing folks at Sgraffito Framers have partnered up with TG for a deal on any artworks purchased during the exhibition period. How good? Super good.

Rainy Day Activities

KŌKĀ Launches in Over 100 Cinemas Nationwide

Now Showing | Nationwide | $-$$

I must say, there are almost too many epic ways to celebrate Matariki this year—we've all stepped up our game quite significantly. Although, I wouldnt say too many, too soon, as I have another stunning recommendation for ya: KŌKĀ, the debut feature by director Kath Akuhata-Brown, has launched at over 100 cinemas across Aoatearo and is more than just a film; it is a celebration of te ao Māori, a tribute to the resilience of indigenous storytelling, and a reminder that healing often begins with looking to the stars.

Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out LIVE!

28 & 29 June | Sky City | $$

Image credit: Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out LIVE! | Luke Gallagher

My two nephews', and just about every human two feet and below's favourite lil piggy will be filling SkyCity with songs, dance, muddy puddles, and all manner of wholesome delights. That's right, Peppa, her family, and her friends go to the zoo and the beach for a special party this weekend in Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out LIVE! And if you're out of town, you'll be stoked to know she's on tour with additional shows in Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton throughout July. Tickets live.

Upcycled Necklace Making Workshop

29 June | Lost and Led Astray | $$

Image credit: DIY Daisy | supplied

Self-care, slow fashion and sustainable fun? Yes, yes and yes. DIY Daisy is on a wee tour across Aotearoa, spreading her feel-good crafts to conscious consumers. She’s popping into Lost and Led Astray this Sunday and will be running a two-hour upcycled necklace-making workshop, where guests can rummage through a lovely little stash of second-hand beads to design their own bespoke statement necklace—all while sipping tea, snacking, and soaking up the vibes. Sign. Me. Up.

Imagine The Magic

Through Winter | Westfields Across Aotearoa | Free

Rainy days and shopping malls go together just about as well as Disney and ice. And it just so happens that the latter is coming to the former across Aotearoa this winter, as Westfields from Newmarket to Riccarton put on a few Frozen-themed shows. Yup, Frozen. I can almost hear the shrills of excitement from little Elsas and Olafs across the land.

Auckland Council Libraries: Board Game Lending

For The Next Year | Council Libraries Across Auckland | Free

Image credit: Auckland Council Libraries | supplied

Auckland Council Libraries are now trialling board game lending, in the hope that they’ll ruin family dynamics and long-term relationships across the city. No late fees, no worries about the occasional missing piece, and the trial runs for a year. So show your support, and it could be rolled out to more libraries and with more board games in the future.

Unique Auckland Experiences

Night at Auckland Museum: Superstars

Winter & Spring School Holidays | Auckland War Memorial Museum | $$

Image credit: Auckland War Memorial Museum | supplied

My childhood dreams just came true. Yup, this dumb dumb is getting some gum gum (and my ever-trusty flashlight)  and heading down to Auckland War Memorial Museum for their returning Night at Auckland Museum series. This time around, the theme is Superstars, and it’s the perfect solution to quell the impending household rebellion these school holidays. P.S. Your ticket also secures your entry to DIVA too.

Coming Soon 

Celebrate Dry July with Elta Ego

1-6 July | 10 Te Ara Tahuhu, Britomart | Free/$$

Image credit: Elta Ego | supplied

Ah, excuse me… you, yeah you—I saw that espresso martini story of yours on Friday and Saturday…. And Sun- anyway, Dry July is just around the corner (as in next Tuesday) and the good folks at Elta Ego are getting behind those who are typically quite thirsty with six days of celebration down at Britomart. 100 free drinks daily, plus prizes on offer and a cheeky tote in exchange for a bit of spending. Yessireee.

The Art of Banksy

7 July-3 August | Hunua Rooms, Aotea Centre | $$

Image credit: The Art of Banksy | supplied

In my younger and more vulnerable years, forever fighting acne, teenage angst and rumours of ‘The Man’, I would've given up my whole $13.75/hour paycheck to catch an exhibition from this street-art titan. Better yet, I’m now a bit older and wiser and can enjoy the celebrated, definitive works of one of the greatest guerrilla artists to ever pick up a paint can even more. And although most of his work appears without prior consultation, The Art of Banksy is scheduled to wow the Hunua Rooms of Tāmaki Makaurau's Aotea Centre from 7 to 3 August. It’s the world’s largest collection of original and authenticated Banksy art, showcasing more than 150 pieces and including the global exclusive of the first-ever Flower Thrower—now a symbol of Palestinian solidarity and resistance, but initially conceived in '97 as a Valentine’s Day gift for his then-girlfriend.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

15 Jul-9 Aug | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

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 star as the star-crossed lovers in a world of Missoni prints and Pucci glamour. With a powerhouse cast including Miriama McDowell and Bronwyn Bradley, this electrifying reimagining celebrates love’s triumph over hate, but at a devastating cost. 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’.

MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein

19 August-7 September | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Step into the dark, drug-fueled world of MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein, a gripping reimagining of the night Mary Shelley penned her iconic novel. Unsettling, lust-drenched, and utterly captivating.

Ethel & Bethel’s Comedy Bingo Night—Fundraiser For The Kidney Society

12 September | Freemans Bay Community Hall | $$

Image credit: Ethel And Bethel | Instagram

Something about 'R18 Bingo Night' just gets me hyped. Maybe it's my competitive side, or maybe I just love taking seemingly innocuous events to the extreme—like that one mishap I had with Pin the Tail at my nephew's fifth birthday. Anyway... Ethel & Bethel's Comedy Bingo Night in September has me genuinely intrigued. It's a night with a mission—raising $30,000 to support people with kidney disease, with every ticket making a real difference. Beyond their sharp wit and chaotic energy, prizes, drinks, snacks, and a fair bit of community-inspired chaos await. No door sales, so grab your tickets now.

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

30 Oct-2 November | Spark Arena | $$$

Image credit: Cirque du Soleil | Maja Prgomet

Cirque du Soleil is returning to Aotearoa this October, with the Auckland debut of Corteo. Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is a festive parade imagined from a clown’s perspective, set on a double-sided stage. Expect grace, power, and comedy played out in a liminal space between heaven and earth. Tickets are live.

TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING

4-23 Nov | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Closing out the 2025 season is TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING, a groundbreaking adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale. For the first time, the play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori, celebrating the enduring spirit of Te Ao Māori. Directed by Katie Wolfe and starring Miriama McDowell, this two-part production follows Tiri Mahana, a 185-year-old matriarch, from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to modern-day Aotearoa. A powerful, history-making theatrical expert.

Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown this year.

Main image credit: Auckland Live | Website.

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