If there was a recipe for a banging summer in Tāmaki Makaurau, it’d absolutely involve the sea, some good food, a bit of music and a boogie.
Luckily for you, summer '25 is bringing all of the above in ample doses, and we've got the lowdown on where to find it.
So what's on the calendar for summer:
- ASB Classic Tennis Tournament
- SailGP Auckland
- Moana Auckland
- Auckland Pride Festival
- Luke Combs
- Synthony In The Domain
ASB Classic Tennis Tournament
30 Dec - 11 January | ASB Tennis Centre, Parnell
Get your most chic (and breathable) outfit sorted, practise your dainty clap and get a jolly good hat, because Auckland’s greatest tennis—rather, sporting event, is here across two weeks. The ASB Classic Tennis Tournament is returning to its king post on our summer schedule.
The thrill of tennis’ very best duelling it out on Aotearoa’s turf is a given, but our secondary joy is that it’s so darn close to two best nooks of our city, Parnell and the CBD, and our favourite places to unwind either side of the matches.
Smack-bang in the middle of your route from the hotel is a pit stop you’ll want to bookmark—Olafur Elisson is bringing his otherworldly exhibition to Auckland Art Gallery this summer. It's the perfect air-conditioned spot to catch a break and immerse yourself in over 30 years of the Icelandic-Danish artist's futuristic and colourful installations.
What To Eat
After a sun-soaked day in the stadium, a little sea breeze to cool down is in order. For casual post-tournament feasting, pick a perch at one of North Wharf Restaurants' front row marina spots.
If classic pub-grub and fresh surf and turf are your craving, The Conservatory and Good George are front row and ready to book.
Looking for somewhere close to home base? Sky-City Restaurants offer a slick ambience paired with whatever you’re hankering or looking to spend. Hit up Huami for refreshingly punchy cocktails and Chinese classics, or Metita’s chic island-style cuisine all under one roof.
Where To Stay
Staying at SkyCity Hotels—be it The Grand by SkyCity or swanky newcomer Horizon by SkyCity Hotel—is always a good option because you’re a direct line to ASB Tennis Centre. Yep, you barely need Google Maps (but definitely some good shades) to trek between the two.
SailGP Auckland
18 - 19 January | Waitematā Harbour
Auckland and sailing—name a better pair since tomato sauce and mustard, or fish and chips. It’s only fitting that the globe’s most thrilling water race, SailGP is in our backyard for two whole days. Whether you’re looking to pack onto your own boat to watch among the action or secure a grandstand seat, you’ve got two days of hull-to-hull adrenaline to get in on.
Now, if you’re itching to fully lean in to SailGP excitement, Auckland Sea Kayaks offer tours from Okahu Bay around Auckland’s gorgeous coastline. Pretty nooks and (if you time it right) a slightly closer look of SailGP await.
Speaking of a closer look, Fullers360 ferries will take you right out to Waiheke, past the sailing action, and maybe some dolphins, for a perfect little 45 minutes at sea. Once there, thrilling Ecozip adventures are yours to larrikin about in over Aotearoa’s unique bush scapes.
On-turf adventure more your style? Power To The Pedal do electric bike tours through Auckland—for a little peruse and pump of adrenaline—between regattas.
What To Eat
Keep the maritime theme alive (and catch a decent glimpse of race) with a visit to Hilton’s FISH restaurant or the smooth Bellini Bar lounge one floor beneath. Views smack dab in the middle of the action await, alongside some sleek kaimoana and cocktails.
Another harbour-side must-visit is Onemata—not just for their slick land and sea menu, but for their expertly crafted wine list and dessert menu (thank you award-winning pastry chef Callum Liddicoat and Sommelier Suraj GC).
Where To Stay
Take the views up a notch and keep close to the excitement with a stay at SkyCity Hotels. With central access to the race stadium and SkyTower, you’ll have eyes on the action throughout the weekend.
Moana Auckland, New Zealand Ocean Festival
27 January - 9 March | Auckland
Our love affair with the sea remains in full bloom this summer with Moana Auckland, NZ’s first festival celebrating the ocean.
Running through to March, Moana Auckland is showcasing the best of our country. Expect SIX60 (NZ’s other great love) putting on a live performance at Wynyard Quarter, Auckland Boat Shows sailing through, an Auckland Anniversary Regatta, Manu Championships, and even a swim to Rangitoto Island.
What To Eat
A nifty view of the city awaits at 16-floor cocktail den, HI-SO Rooftop Bar. And if you love kaimoana, regale in their weekday $99 Bottle of Champagne Ayala and dozen oysters deal between 3-6pm.
With appetisers sorted, settle in for a fully sustainable seafood feast at Hotel Britomart’s Kingi across the road or walk a few more blocks for more seafood feasting at Hilton’s FISH restaurant.
Where To Stay
While you can’t stay on the sea, M Social Auckland and Hilton Auckland offer the next best thing—stellar sea views and a very walkable locale to the festival action. QT Auckland is also closeby and literally 20 meters away from a marina’s edge.
Auckland Pride Festival
1 - 28 February | Auckland
Auckland Pride returns this February for a month-long extravaganza of events and performances ready to sink your teeth into.
Alongside Valentine’s Day staple—Big Gay Out, our treasured parts of the program have to be the variety of stand-up comedy shows, theatre performances, workshops, parties and of course the Rainbow Parade. It’s a quality and quantity situation, we rate it.
If you’ve got time, a Waiheke visit is a must between pride gigs. Leave it to the experts with Waiheke Wine Tours to take you between vineyards seamlessly (and store your liquid scores).
What To Eat
You’ll want to double down on the puff bread at QT’s Esther Restaurant (oh, and order all of the Greek and mezze sides).
A few blocks up, rooftop Bar Albert at Voco proves it’s more than a watering hole with Euro small bites that add up to a hefty meal (hello flammkuchen and rillettes).
A few more blocks up, Karangahape Road holds the key. Our tip? Small-plate-hop between the wine and bites style restaurants (Tempero, Otto and Gemmyaze Street) for a filling adventure.
Where To Stay
The programmes are pretty central, so staying at Mövenpick Hotel Auckland, SO/Auckland, QT Auckland are a good idea. They’re all in downtown Auckland, and the latter two are known for stylish, bold rooms, harbour views, and a sophisticated rooftop bar to lap it all up in.
Luke Combs
17 - 18 January | Eden Park, Auckland
Taking to Eden Park’s swooping stadium for two nights, Luke Combs is the night out for seasoned and newbie country-lovers. Dust off that cowboy hat you haven’t seen since Harry Styles and T-Swift last swept through and secure a seat for the 17th or 18th—we don’t reckon these tickets will be available for long.
What To Eat
For a pre or post-concert feed, wander up to Kingsand at Umu Pizzeria and hidden gem Taiko Japanese Bar. Or trust the train to deliver you straight to the CBD’s Perch or Cafe Hanoi (restorative Asian fusion and cocktails await) via Britomart station.
Where To Stay
M-Social and Cordis Auckland have your post-boot scootin’ recovery under control—with the latter’s steam room ready to steam and restore your aching body after a night in GA, and the former’s guaranteed Harbour views to soothe your soul.
Synthony In The Domain
29 March | Auckland Domain
Farewell summer in style when Synthony in the Domain returns to electrify Auckland this March. Stellar DJs paired with a live symphony orchestra—there’s nothing you can’t love about this huge night out, which is now a firm favourite among Auckland’s party-goers.
Spanning two stages, the lineup is stacked with local artists and a few international guests including Basement Jaxx, Example and Darude. Plus, with gourmet food and bevvie trucks available on the grounds, fuel up before moshing hard to the live symphony version of Sandstorm. Get your old clubbing crew together ASAP for a blast from the past of a few reimagined club classics.
What To Eat
When the hunger pangs hit head to Cordis’ Eight Cuisine, for eight live stations of grabbingly good buffet. We're talking fresh seafood, curries, sashimi, intriguing meats, moreish Italian and loaded chocolate fountains.
Or perch up at Bar Albert in Voco Auckland City Centre—you just might see the Synthony in action from the towering top floor.
Where To Stay
Tuck yourself in to The Cordis or Pullman Auckland post-gig. Both a quick jaunt to the Domain and equipped with sprawling pool and wellness facilities—you could spend a whole day at either before moshing the night away.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Discover Auckland and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.
Images: Supplied.