This month, there's lots to get among like an epic drum and bass gig, theatre shows, and heaps of star-studded concerts and looking ahead. Everything from Puppy Pilates and the triumphant return of Architects Of Air with their new sculpture Arborialis Luminarium, to Burgers For Better and Coldplay.
If you're looking for more fun-fuelled events, check out what's on this weekend in our fabulous Tāmaki Makaurau. Here’s what’s on in Auckland this week, this month, and this year.
What’s On In Auckland This Week
Paint & Wine Night
Rosanna's Garden Bar & Eatery | Wednesday 24 April
Get ready for your creative juices to flow at this paint and wine night. Paintvine is giving you the opportunity to learn how to paint your own masterpiece with step-by-step instructions and a bit of Dutch courage. Leave the art supplies and clean up to them, and simply bring a can-do attitude for a night full of tipsy creativity and conversation at Rosanna's Garden Bar & Eatery.
Puppy Pilates
SO Fitness | Thursday 25 April
Just when you thought pilates couldn't get better, SO Fitness has teamed up with ethical corgi breeder, Korgi Kennels New Zealand, to make your Puppy Pilates dreams come true. Yep, you can now stretch, strengthen, and lengthen surrounded by peppy pups—this is not a drill.
The one-hour event is taking place at midday on Anzac Day and if you don't manage to snag yourself a ticket keep your eye on their socials for last minute cancellations. BYO pilates mat and get ready for the cutest workout of all time.
Honeypot
Various Locations | Thursday 25 April
Don’t sweat the small stuff at this electric dance class that promotes body confidence and self-love. If you’re looking to ignite your inner flame then head to Honeypot this Thursday to shake your tail feather to some fierce choreography, where hip-hop meets sexy.
Embrace your inner seductress and unleash your inner diva as you twerk it out to some sick beats. The best part is, you don’t need any previous dance experience to take part—it’s all about embracing the new and celebrating your newfound confidence.
ANZAC Day Dawn Service
Auckland War Memorial Museum | Thursday 25 April
Attending a commemorative service is a great way to pay your respects on ANZAC Day. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is holding a dawn service open for anyone and everyone to attend. The dawn service is held at 6am in the Court of Honour.
The Museum will open after the dawn service where you can visit the commemorative galleries to discover and learn more about New Zealand’s history and involvement in WWl and WWll.
Vector Lights ANZAC Display
Auckland Harbour Bridge | Thursday 25 April
The Auckland Harbour Bridge will be getting its glow on this ANZAC day thanks to the legends at Vector. Watch the sunrise with this special light show which will repeat every 15 minutes between 5am and 7am and again between 6pm to midnight.
Get Starry-Eyed
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium | All Week
A ravaging by thieves last year rendered the Stardome Observatory & Planetarium’s EWB Zeiss telescope out of action, until now. $680,000 of restoration later and the powerful ‘scope—which is one of about 25 worldwide—is back in working order. It costs just twenty bucks to gaze into the cosmos and you can snag yourself a front row ticket to the action over here.
No Time To Dry
Basement Theatre | Tuesday 23 April – Saturday 27 April
If you've been craving some live theatre then book yourself in for a night at Basement Theatre this week. Cast your eyes on No Time To Dry, a brand new play following the story of three friends with self-diagnosed imposter syndrome who get accidentally caught up in the high-stakes world of espionage.
There will be disguises, there will be henchmen, there will be invisible laser traps, there will be seduction, and there will be plenty of laughs. So, prepare to be dragged down the rabbit hole into the sexy, dangerous terrain of undercover spies.
Burgers For Better
Ponsonby Social Club | All April
Image credit: Burgers For Better | Supplied
Our fave burger joint, Jo's Burgers has teamed up with some of Auckland's best chefs to bring you better burgers in support of better mental health.
Each week they collaborate with a different renowned chef to showcase their specific style and flavour on the menu, with sides and drinks to match. The epic line-up includes Ben Bayly, Lucas Parkinson, Michael Meredith, and Sean Connolly.
In partnership with the legendary former All Black, John Kirwan, Burgers For Better supports his missions in educating Kiwi youth on mastering mental health. 100% of food sales profit will be donated to the Sir John Kirwan Foundation.
Arborialis Luminarium
Aotea Square | Now Until Saturday 28 April
Image credit: Architects Of Air, John Owens | Supplied
After its sell-out success here back in 2015, the Architects of Air is returning to Auckland this April with its newest inflatable multisensory experience.
Arborialis Luminarium is an astounding walk-in, colourful inflatable labyrinth created by Alan Parkinson of Architects of Air, which echoes aspects of being lost in a forest with canopies of leaves that stretch overhead and vibrant tree trunks rising from the ground. As you wander the twists and turns highlighted by dazzling lights, you'll be accompanied by an immersive music score by Irish composer Dr Michael Morris. It's like forest bathing on steroids.
For all ages and fully accessible, now it's Tamaki's turn to see what all the fuss is about after it wowed global audiences from the Guggenheim in Spain to Australia's Sydney Opera House. Get your tickets here.
What's On In Auckland This Month: April 2024
That's So Last Century
Central City Library | Until Saturday 13 July
Image credit: The Picasso Coffee Lounge, Greys Avenue 1961 | Auckland Libraries
Whether you're into art, history, fashion or all three, you need to check out the rad new exhibition That's So Last Century currently on at Auckland's Central City Library. Delving into the library's seriously impressive back catalogue of magazines, photos and various ephemera (everyday items such as ticket stubs, tags, newspapers, leaflets etc not designed to be kept but that have been collected nonetheless) to take you on a journey through Auckland's sartorial past. From the days when people would dress up to walk down Queen Street to the old shops and hangouts that are long gone, you won't want to miss this trip down memory lane. What's more, it's completely free. A treasure.
Niall Horan
Spark Arena | Friday 26 April
Girls love him and guys want to be him, pop-legend Niall Horan is coming to Auckland on Friday 26 April (cue screams). Get ready to shake ya tailfeather as the Irish sensation is set to shake up Spark Arena, in a showstopping one-night performance. Expect a slew of hits like Slow Hands, Heaven, Meltdown, and plenty of other bangers. It’s about to go down.
What's On In Auckland This Month: May 2024
MOTAT Food Truck Round Up
MOTAT | Thursday 2 May – Saturday 4 May
Image credit: Food Truck Round Up At MOTAT | Supplied
The always popular Food Truck Round Up is back again at MOTAT this May. With free entry, explore all the tasty treats and delicious eats thanks to the Food Truck Collective. Enjoy live music, cosy vibes and an array of delectable flavours from 6-9pm. With Brooklyn Dogs, Double Dutch Fries, Miso Ra, Hash N Smash, K Pork, Karaage Boy, Lalele Organic Gelato and Waffles, Roti Bros, Cajun Mobile Kitchen, Churrolicious, The Tea Ship Ltd and more on the menu between the three nights there'll definitely be something delicious for you to dig into. Bring the whole whānau.
NZ International Comedy Festival
Various Locations | Friday 3 May – Sunday 26 May
2024 is the year of laughter. After all, we all know how good it feels to have a good laugh, and what better way to get that much-desired jaw-aching laughter than going to a comedy festival filled with some of the most hilarious comics?
The NZ International Comedy Festival kicks off in May and we can't contain our excitement. The program is jam-packed with much-loved favourites and some new faces that are guaranteed to leave you howling. With over 100 shows at your doorstep, you're truly spoilt for choice. Get planning now!
Auckland Writers Festival
Various locations | Tuesday 14 May – Sunday 19 May
Image credit: Auckland Writers Festival | Supplied
Calling all bookworms and aspiring writers... Auckland Writers Festival is back with a bang. With over 200 events hosted by over 40 of the world’s best writers, you’re in for a real treat.
The Festival brings the very best local and international writers of contemporary fiction and non-fiction, scientists, economists, poets, journalists, and public intellectuals together with audiences to explore ideas, share stories, and experience brilliant conversations.
This year, Bonnie Garmus comes to NZ for the first time to discuss her six million-copy-selling debut novel Lessons in Chemistry, Sam Neill joins fellow actor Robyn Malcolm to discuss his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? in his first New Zealand book appearance, celebrated US Author Ann Patchett (Bel Canto, Tom Lake) chats with fellow bestselling author Meg Mason (Sorrow and Bliss) and the latest Booker Prize winner, Paul Lynch, sits down with Kim Hill to discuss winning the literary world’s most prestigious award for his novel Prophet Song—to name just a few.
So, get your nose out of a book and tune into live readings, talks, and much more this month. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday March 15.
What's On In Auckland This Year
Coldplay
Eden Park | Wednesday 13 Novemver & Friday 15 November
Image credit: Coldplay | Anna Lee Media
Coldplay has just confirmed stadium shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland for their record-breaking world tour which has electrified audiences in their sell-out shows in Perth, Tokyo, Kaohsiung and Jakarta.
The band will be performing in Auckland for the first time since 2016 at Eden Park on Wednesday, November 13 and on the newly added dates of November 15 and 16, 2024.
Since the first Music Of The Spheres World Tour date in March 2022, the band have sold over 9 million tickets—the most for any tour over the last two years. The tour has also received rave reviews from fans and critics alike, picking up accolades including Favourite Touring Artist at the 2022 AMAs and Tour of The Year at the 2023 iHeartRadio Awards. Sound like a bitta you? Register for presale tickets from 10am on Wednesday, 29 November here.
Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown this year.
Main image credit: Food Truck Round Up At MOTAT | Supplied
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