What's On

18 Epic Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend

Written by:
– Contributor | Urban List NZ
A traditional set of Māori atrium lit up in traditional designs for the Takapuna Lights Show.

New brews, moves and dancing crews. It's but a few fleeting days that we all have, and your mission now, if you should choose to accept it, is to decide exactly what vintage of fun you'd like to select from this weekend's cellar.

And yes
, the shelves are most certainly stocked.

Here are 18 epic ways to have fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this FridaySaturdaySunday, and all weekend.

Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.

Friday 25 July

Try The Newest Morning Brew On The Block

 During Opening Hours Or Anytime Online | Any Daily Bread | $/$$

A freshly brewed coffee of Daily Roast in a special white Daily Bread-branded cup.Image credit: Daily Bread | supplied

This one's a collab between coffee slayers, Coffee Supreme, and the makers of the best damn pain au chocolat in town, Daily Bread. Yes, I'm frothing more than the milk in your barista's jug about this bespoke coffee blend that's been 18 months in the making and is fittingly named Daily Roast. Find it in your next cup of coffee from any one of Daily Bread's stores, or buy a bag of whole beans, filter grind or espresso grind (along with a cute stacker mug designed especially for the occasion), right here. Oh, and for other excellent food-related news, follow me here.

Find Broadway In Your Own Backyard

Friday & Saturday, 7-8pm | Covert Theatre, Ponsonby | $

Fancy a bitta Broadway but don't have the spare dosh for a flight to the Big Apple? London's Soho then? No? Me neither. Thankfully, Covert Theatre's Instant Broadway is where every night is opening night, and you'll only have to get yourself to Ponsonby to see it. The catch? You name the musical, then the cast takes it from there. Yup. Songs, music, characters, stories... It's all improvised.

Relive The Good Ol' Days (And Nights)

From 9pm | The Cellar Bar, Viaduct

A vintage-90s-looking grainy photo of ravers in a dark venue, someone takes a photo with a point-and-shoot film camera.Image credit: Kira

Just when you thought clubbing was officially deceased, Samsung is here to give the scene some desperately-needed CPR. Yessireee, they’re celebrating the launch of their most iconic foldable phone range yet, by flipping us all back to the flip phone era with the help of club legend DJ Grant Marshall. This Friday it's only bangers, only vibes and only one night back at one of Auckland’s most iconic venues: Spy Bar.

Saturday 26 July

Try Something Oh So Offal-y Good

10am-3pm | ParkCity, St Johns | Free Entry

There's something about winter that has me filling my tummy to the brim. Maybe it's the warm food on a cold day, maybe it's the hearty seasonal ingredients. Maybe it's all the food-oriented feasts that seem to pop up every weekend, and so maybe it could also be the inaugural Offal-y Good Festival this Saturday in St Johns, where over 40 stalls of bold, adventurous, often overlooked offal dishes are ready to be tucked into. There are even a few sweet treats to be tried... somehow.

Flex Your Knitting Skills (Or Lack Thereof)

10.30am-12.30pm | Crushes, Karangahape Road | Free

Some gals sit around a table, enjoying knitting club as part of Crushes Social Club.Image credit: Crushes | website

For those with a bit of a knack for needles and hooks who are keen to make a few new friends (along with whatever cosy little thang you’re working on), Crushes Knitting Club is returning for another last Saturday of the month instalment. It's free, but make sure you register online so the gals have an idea of numbers.

Find Out If Slinky Malinki Really Is That Scary

11am-12pm | Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna | $$

Hercules Morse as big as a horse, Bottomley Potts covered in spots, Muffin McLay like a bundle of hay and Jackie Clarke backed by a 29-piece orchestra. Is that how it goes? Auckland Phil are bringing Lynley Dodd’s loveable scuffs to life with the greatest children's concert, like, ever—Hairy Maclary’s Greatest Hits. For one morning only at Bruce Mason Centre, it’s an interactive show celebrating New Zealand’s beloved canine icon, and you can find tickets here and your yearly dose of cuteness here.

Learn Bollywood From The Best

11am-1.30pm | Kinetic Dance Studio, Auckland Central | $

Catherine Jessee poses in traditional wear for a glamorous, grainy shot in yellow lighting.Image credit: Catherine Jessie Chittilappally/Anni Karani Instagram

There's no two ways around it; we've all seen a bit of Bollywood dancing in our time, and we've all wished we could do it. The shaking, the rhythm, the hip-feuled femininity. Luckily for all the greenhorns wanting to get into it, Kinetic Dance Studio are coming in clutch with their Saturday morning workshop, and your soon-to-be instructor, Catherine Jesse, is an absolute pro. When and where, you ask? 11am-1.30pm, Lorne Street.

Geeze The Greatest Photos In The World

26 July-24 August, 10am-6/6.30pm  | 131 Queen Street, Auckland CBD | $/$$

New venue, same dates, same jaw-dropping imagery. The prestigious World Press Photo Exhibition is returning to Queen Street this week, showcasing photojournalism from 42 international photographers. Featured stories include conflict, climate, and community, and proceeds support Rotary youth charities and the PHAB disability charity. Tickets are available online via Eventfinda or at the door. And take it from me: it's well worth the price of admission, and then some.

Take A Very Deep Breath

12.30-3.30pm | The Yoga Ground, Grey Lynn | $$$

2025 might go down as one of the most batshit crazy years in history. Well, I already know it will and it's only July. An antidote to the insanity? The Yoga Ground's three-hour breakthrough ceremony, where Loren Honey harnesses rebirthing breathwork, a sprinkle of humour and a lot of fun to help you activate creativity and reduce stress, anxiety and grief.

Spike Up Grandad's Hair

From 6pm | Spark Arena, Parnell | $$-$$$

A live orchestra belts out metal anthems on stage.Image credit: Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra | supplied

Black Sabbath meets the Double Bass? Metallica by Maestros? Mānuka Phuel Full Metal Orchestra is about the most fantastical thing I've ever heard of—a high-octane collision of metal and classical music with a 29-piece orchestra belting out all your favourite head-banging anthems this Saturday. From the teams behind Symphony and Come Together, there’s only one venue that could harness so much classical carnage and that’s Spark Arena. They did say Mozart was the rockstar of his age…

Get Down To Groove Street

From 10pm | Il Brutto, Auckland CBD | $

The Collekt crew DJ down in a red-lit venue; the crowd surrounds them.Image credit: Collekt House Group | Instagram

Hear the news? The club-filling soiree masters are back in town again. Yessireee, Collekt House Group are the country's number one purveyors of damn good times, and after a lesson in curated selection a month and a half back, they're joining forces with the one club that seems to always have something kinda cool on. Il Brutto is hosting the latest of the fabled Collekt Sessions, and it's set to be a midwinter kick of sultry, sensual, selected sonics, phonics and super good tracks. So get out of bed, get on your groovin' shoes and get down there baby.

Sunday 27 July

Split The Cheapest G Around

12pm-2am | Jacuzzi Ponsonby, Ponsonby | $

Someone in a white t-shirt holds up a freshly-poured Guinness.Image credit: Jacuzzi Ponsonby Instagram

Jacuzzi Ponsonby's happy hours have to be some of the best in the city. Not only are they every weekday from 4-6pm, but also ALL DAY Sunday. And that's not where the incredible news ends. No sirree, this is not some stingy dollar-off affair; Jacuzzi Time is $8 across all tap beers—including Guinness—and house wines, plus $15 cocktails. Yep, you read that right... Eight smackaroonies for a delicious pint of the Irish answer to the end of the working day—or week. Could it be the cheapest in the 09? Would anyone fancy a Sunday session?

Become The Pasta Master

2.30-5.30pm | Bar Albert, Auckland CBD | $$$

Pasta Masterclass attendees are ready to take boxes of their fresh pasta home.Image credit: voco/Bar Albert | supplied

If you've got a shepherd's pie type of nana, but always wondered what a lasagne type of Nonna might be like, then you're in luck. Bar Albert's exclusive Pasta Making Masterclass, led by Executive Chef Daniel Mueller, is back on for a few special Sundays. It's a three-hour, hands-on kinda deal, and if the prospect of becoming your household’s pasta master isn’t enticing enough by itself, then check out where you’ll be doing it: soaking in the stunning backdrop of Auckland Harbour from the 38th floor of Voco. Spaces are even more scarce this time—seven per session—and for good reason; there will be champagne on arrival, a gourmet antipasto platter throughout, and a pasta machine to take home. Whatttt?

All Weekend

Roll On Down To The Yummiest Show In Town

10am-4/5pm (Including Thursday) | Auckland Showgrounds, Epsom | $$

Masterchef Australia 2024 winner Nat Thaipun chows down a fresh bowl of noodles with chopsticks.Image credit: The Auckland Food Show | Instagram

She's here, she's big, she's beautiful, she's tasty, yummy, scrumptious and devourable. And, most importantly, she's finally arrived: Yes yes, The Food Show is back in Auckland for another binge-worthy year of fresh recipes, celebrity chefs, insider tips, and all the food and beverages you could ever ask for. Oh, and all the free taste-testers of course.

Test Your Best Pucker Face

2-9pm & 12-6/9pm | GarageProject Kingsland Taproom & Cellar Door, Kingsland | Free Entry

I straight up love anything yuzu. I think it taps into that inner kid who never let go of his adoration for sour-sweets. But seeing as it's not exactly 'socially acceptable' to roll round with $2 bags of lollies everywhere you go, as a 28-year-old man, and seeing as they're no longer $1 bags anyway (are they even $2 still?) I guess Garage Project's Yuzu Fest is the next best thing. In fact, it's probably even better.

Hang Out With The Naughty Kids

10am-6pm | Spacefor Britomart, Auckland CBD | $-$$

Two people hold up Nothing Naughty protein bars in the brightly coloured Nothing Naughty store.Image credit: Nothing Naughty | Instagram

Nothing Naughty were just told they’ve been very, very good. Go figure? Yep, Aotearoa’s hottest (and goodest) dealers in everything clean nutrition were named Highly Commended in the Functional Sports Bars category at the 2025 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards, and, firmly aboard my winter gainz-train, I reckon it's well worth getting the word out. Disagree? Pop down to their pop-up from this weekend at Britomart’s Spacefor to try a scoop of humble pie flavoured protein, or check out their new first flagship in Tirau if you’re down those ways.

Trip Out In Taka

5pm-10pm | Takapuna Central, Takapuna | Free

Obelisks of Takapuna Winter Lights show light up in blue electrical bolts.Image credit: Takapuna Winter Lights | supplied

Central Taka is getting her glow on again with a wonderful, wintery lights fest. This weekend, Hurstmere Green, Potters Park and Waiwharariki Anzac Square will be bright and beautiful, and what's more, tech giants Spark and Spotify have collaborated for a multi-sensory silent disco. And what's more x2 is that it’s all freeeee.

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

Main image credit: Morning People | Website.

Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Subscribe

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Subscribe