Sheesh September is showing up.

It's always like this though—the weather gets warmer, the days longer, and the weekend fills faster than a submarine with its hatch left ajar. In fact, there are so many events worthy of your calendars that I thought I'd give you all a lil bonus Thursday. Don't say I never treat ya.

Here are 18 epic ways to have fun in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.

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Thursday 18 September

Celebrate Fiestas Patrias With Two Days Of Partying

18 & 20 September | Il Brutto & Pointers Bar & Grill | Free & $

Image credit: The Latin Club | Instagram

Latin party purveyors The Latin Club are joining forces with Never Hide and El Punto Latino for two stacked days of celebrating Chile's Fiestas Patrias (national independence celebrations) this weekend. Thursday is at Il Brutto, Saturday is at Pointers, and both will be filled with cueca, terremotos, classic food, and, of course, good music 'til the early hours. You don't have to be Chilean to help celebrate—The Latin Club is renowned for bringing colour and flair to Auckland's nightlife, and with a double-header on the cards, you've got no excuse not to get amongst.

Snag Tickets To This Beloved Day Festy

18 September | Online | $$$

Image credit: Laneway | Chontalle Musson

Heard the news? The big one is back. St Jerome's Laneway Fest will once again be packing the grass of Western Springs for what some might consider the flagship event of Aotearoa's gig calendar. Lineup drop and ticket release is due in two shakes of a lamb's tail, so I guess, for now, we wait...

Friday 19 September

Kick-Off The Season With Auckland's Own Ultras

7.30-12pm | Tyler Street | Free

Image credit: Auckland FC | Instagram

Auckland FC's most dedicated section of support—The Port—is taking over Tyler Street for a Q&A with four of the A-League team's stars: Sam Cosgrove, Lachie Brook, Jake Brimmer, Francis De Vries, plus gaffer Steve Corica. Dubbed as an offering "straight from the pitch to the people", the night will feature live music, a welcome drink, raffles and will also help launch the Port Collective. One for the faithful and a mighty swell way to kick off the impending season. Up the Port. 

Cash Is Out, Receipts Are In At Karangahape Returns

11 September-20 September, from 10am-5pm daily | 490 Karangahape Road | Free

Image Credit: K Road | Supplied

Forget cash, ditch your card—your crumpled K Road receipts are about to become the hottest currency in town. From Thursday 11 September, Karangahape Returns is popping up at 490 Karangahape Road with a world-first neighbourhood loyalty scheme where you can swap proof of local spend for one-of-a-kind treasures.

We’re talking 17 items on offer, such as Vegas Girl key rings for just three receipts, a Mercury Plaza 1000-piece memorial puzzle for 33, a ‘KRO4D’ number plate for 200, and even a month’s lease if you can pull together 583. Other cultural gems on offer include vintage Leo O’Malley suits, Fiona Clark’s iconic GoGirls prints, Anne Shelton’s Red Eye book, and contemporary pieces like a Fort Greene sourdough starter, a stencil from tattoo artist Thom Hinton, or a USB filled with field recordings from the street itself.

Part art installation, part economic experiment, and part souvenir shop, this one’s as Karangahape as it gets. Receipts must be from purchases made in the Karangahape neighbourhood after 11 September (so yes, you’ll need to get your shopping, dining, or coffee runs in locally).

Channel Your Inner Artist (After A Few Apéritifs)

6-7.30pm | Auckland City Hotel | $$

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 this Friday evening, and it’s all about recreating a classic Tāmaki scene—the orange-hued sunsetting behind our glorious Sky Tower. No experience 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.

Meet The Monster in the Maze

19-20 September | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre | $$

Image credit: NZ Opera/The Monster In The Maze | Ticketmaster

This week, NZ Opera is performing Jonathan Dove's The Monster in the Maze—a banger that's been slaying audiences worldwide and a fresh take on the classic Minotaur myth, a story as old as storytelling itself. This latest iteration explores resistance, justice, and why the collective is everything, and with acclaimed director Anapela Polataivao ONZM (Tīna, Red White and Brass, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt) teaming up with creative titan Stacey Leilua to bring together seasoned pros with local legends supported by Auckland Philharmonia, there’s no doubt it’ll be nothing but brilliance.

Attend The Most-Skankin' Event Of The Year

5-11pm | The Trusts Arena | $$$

Image credit: ADM Photography | Instagram

Bou, Friction, Born On Road and Benny L. If those names are ringing deep bassy bells within your head, then you're gonna want to hit up DNB Allstars this Friday out at Trusts Arena for the ultimate two-steppin' skank fest. See ya front left.

Saturday 20 September

Rummage Through This Mega Record Fair

9am-1.30pm | St Anne's Hall, Corner of Glencoe Road & Beach Road | $-$$$

Image credit: Nils Schirmer

Vinyl is all the rage, but, frankly, the retail price for a new bitta wax is something I can't quite get around. So when I saw Retro Records had brought back their mammoth vinyl sale to St Anne's Hall in Browns Bay, I grinned ear to ear. Over 3,000—yes, three thousand—second-hand records will be up grabs: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Dire Straits, Stevie Nicks, Elvis Presley—Disco, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk, Country, Metal, Pop...

Enter Your Seamstress Era

10am-12pm | Studio One Toi Tū | $$

Image credit: Made For You | Humanitix

A close-up of someone stitching/sewing blue denim.

I’ve always fancied myself as a fashion designer. I can't sew. Not even a stitch. But this Saturday, that's all about to change with Made For You Studio’s pop-up sustainable garment sessions... Maybe I'll just start with this massive split in my pants and see how I get on from there.

Hunt For Some Retro Riches

10am-4pm | Ponsonby Central | $-$$$

Image Credit: Ponsonby Central Vintage Market | Instagram

For the vintage vultures—this Saturday is another chance to get your mitts on some serious finds at the latest iteration of Ponsonby Central's Vintage Market. Each month, you may unearth a treasure trove of pre-loved goodies, from retro threads and funky furniture to quirky homewares and handmade art, and this month is much the same arrangement: doors fling open at 10am, entry is free, and the rummaging goes 'til 4pm. Make a day of it and refuel at one of Ponsonby Central's many gorge-worthy eateries afterwards—’cause treasure hunting is hungry work.

Piss Off Your Parents, Paint Your Clothes

1-4pm | Fort Takapuna—The Barracks | $

Image credit: Jenny Ann Sweatman | Instagram

Got a few old rags in the closet that you're definitely neglecting but can't possibly let go? Ease your conscience with one of Jenny Ann Sweatman's thread refurbing workshops, where you'll learn to turn an old t-shirt or second-hand jacket into a unique hand-painted piece. The young innovator's guided sessions are beloved by complete beginners and clothes painting enthusiasts alike. So follow this link to get the rundown, snag a ticket and then pop over to Taka this Saturday to get amongst.

Get Outta Town For This Serene Workshop

2.30-4.30pm | Half Pint Pottery | $$$

Image credit: Half Pint Pottery | Eventfinda

Escape from the city this weekend for an exercise in bliss. Half Pint Pottery is just 35 minutes from town, nestled within gorgeous Hunua, where you'll be surrounded by lush bush, gardens, sculptures and a charming gallery while you handmake up to three bowls or mugs on their pottery wheel. They're providing a workshop for both the former and the latter this Saturday with all materials and firing included.

Learn What A 'Gin-Soaked Martini Of Memory' Looks Like

‘TIl 20 September | Q Theatre, Rangatira |
 $$

Image credit: Mother Play/Q Theatre | Supplied

Described quite subtly as a “gin-soaked martini of memory, glamour, and Mommie Dearest theatrics”, Mother Play is the latest production from the immensely talented Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel. Fresh from Broadway, gloriously unhinged and directed by Sophie Roberts, don’t be fooled, this is not a gentle homage to motherhood; it's a work of high style for all of those who’ve looked their dear mothers dead in the eye and seen both the angel and the evil… and it’s now showing.

Sunday 21 September

Weigh In On A Feathery Issue Of National Global Importance

Voting 'til 28, Winner Announced 29 September | Online | Free

Image credit: media.newzealand.com

The most important few weeks of the year for New Zealand, and possibly the entire world, are finally here. That's right, it's the 20th annual Bird of the Year is upon us and with the competition's storied history steeped in prestige and coloured by controversy—including American interference and potential Russian voting fraud—it's quite simply a matter of national duty to cast your vote. Well, actually, your five votes, as you can vote for up to five birds, all equal, no ranking needed. Personally, although you never asked for my opinion, my vote is for 2024's reigning champ, the Hoiho—or Yellow-eyed penguin—who faces extinction within the next 20 years if nothing is done to reverse current declines.

Face Your Debt-Fueled Fears At This Spooky Pop-Up

19-21 September | 9/11 Durham Lane, Auckland CBD | Free

Miss me with the SAW movies, the real horror out there is the big old D. Debt. Well, credit card debt, to be more specific. Westpac seem to agree, as they're unveiling their House of Credit Card Fears in Auckland's CBD this weekend with the help of veteran fear-masters Spooker. It's a fully immersive, walk-through experience that brings to life the most common credit card anxieties that Kiwis face, especially among young people, but it's not just there to frighten you, it's designed to help and educate, culminating in the ‘Room of Reflection’, where you'll get practical tips and tricks to help with your credit card anxiety. It's completely free too, you just need to register!

All Weekend

Discover The Young, Gifted & Brilliant

Various Event Times & Venues | Auckland Central | Free/$

Image credit: We The Young | Supplied

We The Young—an inaugural youth arts festival for the city—is debuting this week and will run 'til 28 September, showcasing feature performances, workshops, interactive art experiences and outdoor fun. Auckland Town Hall, Herald Theatre, The Civic—this isn't any old song and dance, it's an inclusive exposé of art, imagination and adventure with 19 shows taking over some of the city's most iconic venues, more than half of which are completely free. Check out the programme here.

Step Into A Stadium-Sized Gallery

18-21 September | Eden Park | $-$$

Image credit: Art in the Park | Supplied

Back this Thursday and bigger than ever before, Art In The Park is once again transforming our national stadium into an extraordinary gallery. Four days, over 100 artists, and works across an array of mediums from painting to sculpture, photography, prints and even immersive digital pieces, this year’s event is going a step further and, for the first time ever, the sculpture walk will take visitors pitch side to experience larger than life works right on the turf. It’ll be absolutely surreal—so ya better grab a ticket.

Sniff Out The Greatest Burger In The West

All September | Various Venues Throughout The Wild West | Free To Vote

Here’s some good great news amongst the ocean of negativity that threatens to wash over us every damn day there: The Great Westie Burger Battle is Back! West Auckland’s very best burger vendors go head to head throughout September, with 14 grills battling it out for pattie supremacy of The West. Hit up The Trusts website to check out the contenders and to cast your vote via QR. P.S. Everyone who votes goes in the draw to win a Weber Baby Q BBQ or one of three smash burger kits. And just in time for summer. How good great.

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

Main image credit: We The Young | Supplied.

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