This month, there's lots to get amongst like an epic drum and bass gig, theatre shows, and heaps of epic, star-studded concerts and looking ahead, the triumphant return of Architects Of Air with their epic new sculpture Arborialis Luminarium, Burgers For Better and FISHER. 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
SZA
Spark Arena | Monday 15 & 16 April
Hot off performing at this year’s GRAMMYS, RnB powerhouse SZA has landed on New Zealand soil to shake up Spark Arena, in three showstopping performances. Expect a slew of hits like Snooze, Kill Bill, The Weekend, and plenty of other bangers. It’s about to go down.
Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day
Various locations | Tuesday 16 April
Ice cream lovers rejoice! Score yourself a free scoop this Tuesday 16 April as Ben & Jerry’s are dishing out free ice cream to all to celebrate the best day on earth—Free Cone Day.
Whatever your flavour, there’s something for everyone. Choose from the classic Choc Chip Cookie Dough, the iconic Half Baked or the heaps of dairy-free options available. Head to your local Ben & Jerry’s today between 12-8pm to score your free scoop, after all, it would be rude not to.
Greening The City
Takutai Square, Britomart | Tuesday 16-18 April
Head to Takutai Square this week to score yourself a free native tree to take home and plant in your garden.
Greening The City is an initiative that is giving people the opportunity to help tackle climate change by planting their own native tree. Once you've collected a tree or two, learn how to look after your new baby in this free planting workshop. Be a good sort and don't forget to donate to the Native Forest Restoration Trust to support the incredible work they do in the Hauraki Gulf.
Essence
Basement Theatre | Tuesday 9-13 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 Essence, a hip-hop dance theatre show that weaves stories of soul-sisterhood, cultural identity, artist mental health, and dance as a universal language.
Brought to you by Triple Violet Arts, a creative social enterprise on a mission to normalize creative expression as a vital part of human wellbeing and existence.
Burgers For Better
Ponsonby Social Club | All April
Image credit: Burgers For Better | Supplied
One of our fave burger joints, Jo Bro’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, Sir John Kirwan, Burgers For Better support his mission of educating Kiwi youth on mastering mental health. 100% of food sales profit will be donated to the Sir John Kirwan Foundation.
Aotearoa Art Fair
Viaduct Events Centre | Thursday 18-21 April
Image credit: Aotearoa Art Fair | Supplied
Unleash your inner art critic at the Aotearoa Art Fair—a unique art exhibition, where you can discover over 180 of the best contemporary artists exhibited by over 40 galleries all under one roof.
Cast your eyes on original paintings, sculptures, photography, and prints and meet the talented artists behind the masterpieces. So, whether you're interested in painting, photography, sculpture, moving images, ceramics, drawing, or performance, the Aotearoa Art Fair has something for everyone.
The Viaduct Events Centre will literally be transformed into a work of art in the magical four-day fair where you can engage with NZ art like never before.
Arborialis Luminarium
Aotea Square | 13-28 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.
That's So Last Century—What We Wore 1950s-1990s
Central City Library | Until 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.
What's On In Auckland In April 2024
Niall Horan
Spark Arena | 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 In May 2024
MOTAT Food Truck Round Up
MOTAT | 2-4 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 | 3-26 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 | 14-19 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 In 2024
Coldplay
Eden Park | 13 & 15 November 2024
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.
What’s On In Auckland In January 2024
FISHER
Hagley Park, Christchurch January 10 & Victoria Park Auckland January 11 2025
Image credit: FISHER | Supplied
Pro surfer turned music producer FISHER has just announced two New Zealand shows and we’re officially losing it. It’s been six years since the Australian house and techno producer has been in Aotearoa so the shows at Auckland’s Victoria Park on 11 Jan and Christchurch’s Hagley Park on Jan 10 are guaranteed to be massive.
Known for his epic IG presence, wild humour and energetic sets, FISHER reached stratospheric heights when his breakout track ‘Losing It’ amassed over half a billion streams and earned him his first Grammy nomination.
FISHER has sure been busy this year with a weekly residency at Hi Ibiza, a TAO Vegas residency and he’s already announced headline appearances in New York, San Francisco, London, Mumbai and Cardiff and that’s just for starters. Tickets are due to go on sale on Wednesday, April 17 at 7.00 pm right here.
Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown this year.
Main image credit: Aotearoa Art Fair | Supplied
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