Did you know that British monarchs who are not born in summer get to celebrate twice? 

That's worth celebrating in itself, only I can't quite decide what the royal fella would want to get up to for the first of his special days.

For one, there's that knitting club I've been meaning to get down to, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind a bit of that too. Then there's this bingo night that he'd be up for, only it's got a bit of a boozy, musical twist. Oh yeah, and there's some painting and pottery and art and music and so so soooo much else to fit in. I don't know if we'll have the time.

So without further ado, here's the lowdown on what Charles and I are thinking for the week, and a little bit beyond.

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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

Art Battle Auckland Regional Grand Final 2025

30 May | Eden Park | $

Image credit: Parnell Auckland / Art Battle Auckland | Instagram

Now, if you haven’t witnessed an iteration of Art Battle, then let me politely remove that rock you're living under, and help you crawl out into the colourful here and now. The globe-trotting live painting showdown has reached the Grand Final stage, and this Friday, at none other than Eden Park, twelve electric artists will go brush-to-brush. The kicker? Your vote decides the champ. In addition to the main spectacle, there will be pop-ups, performances, tastings, and a chance to be painted. Every single artwork will go up for auction afterwards, so you could score something like this for a seriously sweet deal.

Lucky Tiles - Social Mahjong in the Alley

30 May | Bar Beluga | $

Image credit: Lucky Tiles Social Club | Instagram

If you're Nana spent many a tedious arvo teaching you the ins and outs of the lucky game, then please raise your hand... anyone?

If you're Nana spent many a tedious arvo teaching you the ins and outs of the lucky game, then please raise your hand... anyone? If you didn't have quite as patient a Nana as I did, you can always join the Lucky Tiles Social Club community for mahjong and making friends. It's a recurring kinda thang that looks to spread the beloved pastime, offer a chance to reconnect with community and culture and provide a space for a bit of good ‘ol-fashioned hanging out. $15 scores you a seat at a table, a non-alcoholic drink and two hours of getting lucky (not in that way!). Running 7-9pm at Bar Beluga.

CRUSHES SOCIAL CLUB MEET: Knitting Club

31 May | Crushes, 25 Karangahape Road | Free

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. Part of Crushes Social Club, a seasonal event programme built to create community and creativity on Karangahape Road, Knitting Club is free, but make sure you register online so the gals have an idea of numbers. Be sure to peruse their Karangahape Road shop for some ethically sourced and NZ-made goods while you’re there.

PieceHouse Speed Puzzle Competition 

‘Til 31 May | Online | Free 

Image credit: PieceHouse | supplied 

For the dissectologists among us (there’s a word you might want to add to your arsenal), PieceHouse has teamed up with the NZ Jigsaw Puzzle Association for a thrilling speed competition featuring their new Feast & Fizz 500-piece puzzle. Simply grab a copy, time yourself completing it, and submit your time by 31 May for a chance to win. There’s a $100 gift card for the fastest puzzler and spot prizes up for grabs, and you can find out all about it here.

Checks K’Road Pop-Up

‘Til Mid June | 235 Karangahape Road | $-$$

Image credit: Checks | Instagram 

Like a uni student coming home for summer, your fave steeze-lords, Checks, are hanging around their old stomping ground for a month, so you should go say hey. They’ve popped up at 235 K’Road and are clearing out some recent season and archive drip, discounted samples, and a few unproduced items for the heads. Prices from 20 bucks. Nothing over a hundy. Runs Wed—Sun, 11am-5pm.

Enamoured Events: Quiet Nights

3 June Weekly Thereafter | Enamoured Books | Free

Image credit: Enamoured Books | Instagram 

Auckland’s first romance-only bookstore, Enamoured Books, is a wordy haven in Remuera where owner Ruby Wallace has curated every trope your heart desires. Following that special opening day in April (iykyk), Ruby is now introducing ‘Enamoured Events’. Starting 3 June, come swoon collectively in their cozy reading nooks with ‘Quiet Nights’—a series that lets you curl up with fellow romance enthusiasts every Tuesday evening. Worthy of a bookmark—no dog-earing required.

Kindness Collective's PJ Project

‘Til 31 July, Drop-Offs ‘Til 24 June | Any The Warehouse Store, Nationwide | $, Free

Image credit: Kindness Collective | supplied

While some of us cosy up by the fire in our waffle duvets and quadruple oversized hoodies, a staggering 156,000 Kiwi kids are facing bedtime without basic warmth—that's 10,000 more children than last year shivering through the night. But check this—The Kindness Collective's PJ Project is bringing the heat with their fifth annual pyjama drive. Donate just 10 bucks to sponsor a new pair of jammies, or call by any wuddy-fuddy to drop off a new pair yaself.

Food And Drink Events

Breakfast at Lebanese Grocer

Daily | Lebanese Grocer | $

Image credit: Lebanese Grocer | Instagram

Everyone’s favourite Lebanese Grocers is now waking up for breakfast. Visit the Uptown institution from 10am-12pm daily for a pick of a few tasty new offerings, including the tasty Jam Jibneh Toastie, AKA Your New Morning Obsession, featuring house-made Lebanese quince jam, a signature three-cheese blend, and Yola’s za’atar—GOODBYE cornflakes.

PonsonBurger Festival

26 May-8 June | Ponsonby | $$

Image credit: PonsonBurger | Babiche Martens

I reckon burgers are one of an Urban Lister's favourite foods... and in any event, they're most certainly mine, and that's why the upcoming PonsonBurger festival is an absolutely essential addition to your calendar. This two-week annual event, running from 26 May to 8 June, will see more than 30 bars and eateries from around Ponsonby putting their very best burger creations on show. Amongst this year's entries are a flaming fondue burger from Longroom (pictured), featuring a cheese-topped bun that's literally on fire, as well as a cheese-stuffed, cornflake-crusted fried chicken burger from Hoppers Garden Bar. Oof. For more food news, follow your tastebuds here.

Arderg Smokiverse: Limited-Edition Whisky Launch For Ardbeg Day

31 May | Franklins Bar & Eatery | $$-$$$

Multiple cities, multiple venues, one legendary day of smoky, whisky-fueled fun. I, for one, am pretty keen to take my taste buds to outer space. Brought to you by the cult Islay distillery and now globally celebrated, ‘Ardbeg Day’, is about to go down, and with it, the release of their new limited-edition Smokiverse whisky. It's basically smoked bubblegum meets tropical paradise (yes, as wild as it sounds), and on 31 May we can all hit up Franklins Bar & Eatery in Pukekohe for the full intergalactic experience—seven special drams, cocktails, and burgers. If you're elsewhere, no worries—tastings happening on the same day from Auckland to Christchurch.

Arts And Culture

‘Heatwave’ And ‘Rituals’ Open At RM Gallery

28 May | RM Gallery | Free

Image credit: Raisa Mclean | Instagram

Fancy a rectangular-shaped, canvas-looking double-whammy only a stone’s throw from the Double Whammy we all know and love? Raisa Mclean’s exploration of the lingering intensity of ‘Heatwave’—a solid, spectral collection of works offering a lament of the contradiction of memory—graces the wide, clean walls of RM Gallery this week. Fantastically enough,  Tūī Diprose’s deep dive into contemporary ceremonial practices ‘Rituals’ is opening the same day, where you can follow intuitive rivers through realms beyond this reality. All the info you could ever know or want is found right about here.

OneRepublic ‘The Sweet Escape Tour’ Ticket Drop

Tickets On Sale 30 May | Online | $$$

Image credit: OneRepublic | Instagram

Not a drill—OneRepublic tickets drop THIS FRIDAY at 2pm, with some presales a touch earlier, and I'm counting stars until then (aka setting seventeen alarms). Ryan Tedder and the crew are bringing The Sweet Escape Tour to Australia and New Zealand in February 2026, with Swedish supergal Zara Larsson as stellar support and they sold out everywhere in 2023, so if you don’t hop on it straight away, it will be, well, too late to apologise... to the crew.

Mayhem Portals

30 May | Trusts Arena | $$$

Image credit: Mayhem Festival | Instagram

Fancy a bit of mayhem? We know you do. Come 30 May, a bit of a blowout will be taking place at Trusts Arena as Mayhem, NZ’s premier drum and bass arena show, is back for its fifth iteration. ‘Portals’ showcases heavy hitters and local dons alike, with A.M.C, Koven, The Upbeats, Skantia & Circadia (plus more TBA) absolutely shelling it all night long. It's set to be an all-timer for the head-banging, two-stepping front-lefters among us, so pack your earplugs, your pump bottle and get ready to skank. Tickets are already two-thirds gone.

Manawa Ecstatic Dance

31 May | The Button Factory | $$

Image credit: The Button Factory | website

“As the golden leaves fall and the air cools, we gather to honour the closing of the autumn season — a time of slowing down, letting go, and turning inward…” Sheeesh, couldn’t have said it better if I tried, so I won’t. Manawa’s Ecstatic Dance mini fest is just around the corner, and it happens to be just around the corner from our beloved K’Road (Abbey Street). A way to dance through the last whispers of autumn—move, reflect, release, and reconnect before winter calls—will feature a guided meditation, gentle yoga, a dance journey guided by DJ Mathias and an after-party captained by DJ Morpho. Limited tickets will keep the dancefloor spacious, and a two-tiered system keeps it affordable for students, retirees, and those without work. Plus, a warming chai is offered on entry. Yep, that’s all a bit of me.

Rival Consoles - Landscape From Memory Tour

31 May | Neck Of The Woods | $$

Image credit: Rival Consoles | Instagram

If you’ve been following these weekly event updates for a wee minute, then you probably know I froth a bit of Neck action.. This week’s no different, as I direct your ears towards Rival Consoles’ return this Saturday night that will, in typical fashion of the greatest basement in Tamaki, rock well into the early hours of Sunday. A true soundscaping don all the way from the UK, RC is back with a brand new album and live A/V show with Landscape From Memory, “marking an ongoing quest for refinement and evolution”. See ya front left.

Armageddon Expo: Auckland Winter 

31 May-2 June | Auckland Showgrounds | $$

Image credit: Armageddon Expo NZ | Instagram

King's Birthday weekend just got exponentially quirkier, and with a lineup like this, I reckon Charlie Boy might swap out whatever plans he has on and get down to Auckland Showgrounds himself. Armageddon Expo is once again rolling into Auckland, with their Wintergeddon edition sprawling across Auckland Showgrounds for three super days. Yup, I’m talking actual superheroes—headed by Mr Fantastic Ian Gruffud—cosplay royalty, the world's first CARmageddon, a Stranger Things exhibit, and esports tournaments galore.

In Focus – The Unseen Journey of Compassion, Commitment and Care

‘Til 1 June | Mataira Gallery, Waiheke Island | Free

Image credit: Orna McGinn | Instagram

Now, if that Armageddon Expo I mentioned is the chance to see the capes and undies type of superheroes galavant around, then Rachel Mataira’s stunning new exhibition ‘In Focus’ is where you witness the real deals. Through her award-winning lens, Mataira reveals intimate portraits and stories of islanders who’ve had their lives transformed by local healthcare heroes, and brings them beautifully in focus for all to see. Featuring impactful imagery and personal kōrero from patients and staff receiving and delivering care on beautiful Waiheke, it’s a bit of a must-visit if you plan on taking the ferry over this weekend.

Ngā Hau e Whā | Tāmaki Makaurau

Now Exhibiting | The Pavilions & Föenander Gallery | Free

Image credit: Sam Harnett | supplied

Four boundary-pushing artists have joined creative forces in a must-see exhibition celebrating the winds that draw us all to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland—a place where people, ideas and energies from far and wide converge. Ngā hau e whā (the four winds) is a powerful showcase that explores movement, memory, resistance and Auckland's enduring vibrancy as a cultural melting pot, now exhibiting at Parnell's lovely Föenander Galleries.

Rainy Day Activities

Build a Bowl—Pottery Workshop For Beginners By Falcon Grey Ceramics

 31 May | Onehunga Community House | $$

Image credit: Falcon Grey Ceramics | Instagram

Get your hands dirty in the best way at a Saturday pottery workshop with Falcon Grey Ceramics. They’re hosting another round of their beginner-friendly sessions, and this one’s a BYO x BYOB (Build Your Own Bowl). All materials and firing are included, and your finished piece will be ready for pickup at a later time. An excellent option for beginners and ages 8+ (drinking responsibly is a must), so grab a friend, a sprog or just yourself a tipple of vino and head to Onehunga Community Hall to find your inner wizard potter.

Sip & Paint Sat—Bob Ross Mountain & Lake

31 May | Auckland City Hotel | $$

Image Credit: Paint & Chill | Instagram

Unleash your inner artist with a glass of wine in hand. Another Paint n Chill session is going down at Auckland City Hotel's Vie Lounge & Eatery on Saturday, and it’s all about channelling your inner peace with good old Bobby Ross—that’s right, you’ll be recreating those timeless lakes in phthalo blue and fan-brushing those evergreens. And just like his classic vids, no experience is needed—just bring your best painting outfit and get ready to relax. Tickets include a complimentary drink (wine, beer, or non-alcoholic), all painting materials, and your masterpiece to take home and hang above the fireplace... or maybe just on the fridge. Doors at 3.00pm.

Unique Auckland Experiences

YIN-NER with Strangers - A Stretchy x Everyday Solitude experience 

28 May | Beau Bar | $$

Image credit: Stretchy Yoga | website

If you love stretching out your jaw muscles as much as every other limb and ligament, then this just might be the evening for you. Come 28 May, ten lucky strangers will come together at Beau Bar for an embodied yin flow experience from Stretchy, followed by a set menu ‘Dinner with Strangers’ by Everyday Solitude, where their trademark conversation cards will set the foundations for the evening and help the fresh connections flourish. Very mysterious, very demure and 100% a bitta you. But hurry, there’s only one spot left.

DARKFIELD

'Til 8 June | Aotea Square | $20-25

Image credit: DARKFIELD | Instagram

“The darkness surrounds you. You are completely alone, together, as a strange new world unfolds around you. Welcome to DARKFIELD…” Sound like fun?

A boundary-pushing, sensory expedition—DARKFIELD has landed in Aotea Square a couple weeks back and I reckon you'll be pretty keen. Set inside custom-built, pitch-black shipping containers utilising 360-degree binaural sound with special effects, SÉANCE and FLIGHT are two mind-bending, immersive experiences that will challenge your senses, exploring the depths of human psychology and perception. Each trip lasts 20-25 minutes. There’ll be staggered starts. And you can move between the two while experiencing a delightful evening in our city’s arts quarter. Sweeeet.

Coming Soon

Auckland Live Cabaret Festival

3-15 June | The Civic, $$

Image credit: Auckland Live | supplied

Winter may be coming, but it's set to be bedazzled. And hella steamy. The hugely anticipated return of the Auckland Live Cabaret Festival is finally here, once again filling The Civic with a packed lineup that's sure to enchant. From a sexy-dangerous global cabaret/circus sensation, La Clique, to the supernatural pop concert-meets-dungeon nightclub Monster Songs, an interactive Disco Inferno and a whole lot more (including the much-frothed Piano Bar), be ready to snag tickets when they drop on 17 April.

Sir Dave Dobbyn: Selected Songs

4 June | Auckland Town Hall | $$

Image credit: Live Nation | supplied

Call me loyal, but I simply cannot look past a chance to catch Sir Dave live—so for him to perform at Auckland Town Hall—for the first time ever—is very much at the tippity top of my must-attends for 2025. Part of the Auckland Winter Series, Dobbyn will blast out all the bangers on 4 June, taking us on a journey through 45 years of Kiwi music history. Slice of Heaven? You bet.

HAU [te Hī me te Hā] FESTIVAL

17-18 June | Basement Theatre | Free-$$

Image credit: Hau [te Hī me te Hā] Festival | supplied

Two weeks. Five shows. One iconic venue. Hau [te Hī me te Hā] Festival takes over Basement Theatre mid-June, and I feel it's a bit of a no-brainer. From George Henare's powerhouse performance in TĀNE RORE to an all-woman, all-queer Matariki GARAGE PARTY, this festival delivers an extravaganza of fresh, authentic indigenous LGBTQiA2+ stories, single-handedly shifting the forecast for this winter to gale-force winds of change.

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

17 Jun–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’s a laugh-out-loud exploration of family, aging, and the chaos of life.

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’.

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 June, the universe is delivering. Yep, cult-favourite cabaret, Dracula's, is coming to Tāmaki. With two shows already sold out, they're releasing a third on Friday, 28 February. Ninja skills at the ready.

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 June 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.

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.

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

Main image credit: Manawa Ecstatic | Eventbrite.

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