Yes indeed, she has arrived.

The most beautiful three days ever bestowed upon the merry creatures of this world. Once again, I have three whole reasons to be thankful for life, and I think you know what they are... All you've gotta do now is help me decide how to spend them.

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

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Friday 18 July

Become The Table Tennis King Of The West

6.30-9pm | Glen Eden Recreation Centre, Glen Eden | Various Pricings

Image credit: Katja Anokhina

Let's start things off with something out of left field, 'cause why not? The Waitakere Table Tennis Association have switched to Friday nights for Club Night, and for just a meagre $25 annual membership, you can join in on the action. The Red Rackets (yes, I made up the name myself) showdown weekly from 6.30pm over eight tables, but numbers are capped for each night, so lock in your spot now if you want to become champion.

Meet Mr Barleycorn, Drink His Beer

Fridays From 6.30pm | John Barleycorn's Taphouse, Newmarket | Free Music, Good Beer

Image credit: John Barleycorn's Taphouse | Instagram

If the pub is named something like, oh, I don't know, 'John Barleycorn's Taphouse', then you just know your night out will be one for the books. And to help you on your way to group chat history, Mr Barleycorn is putting on weekly live music nights, every Friday from 6.30pm. Pro tip: it's the old Bavarian site.

Watch an Improv Murder Mystery In Reverse

Friday 7pm, Saturday 7pm | Covert Theatre, Ponsonby | $

Get this: a classic whodunnit where the revelatory scene is acted first, and the cast, working entirely on improv, takes you all the way back to page one. It's kind of like one of those Wasgijs, except not really like that at all, so I guess you just need to find out more.

Find The Rabbit Hole At A Yacht Club

7-11.30pm | VYC & Rooftop at QT, Auckland CBD | $$

Image credit: Gin Palace | Instagram

Canapes, platters, drinks and a cosy winter yacht club lock in with an Alice in Wonderland twist. Yup, that’s a bitta me. Gin Palace are putting on another one of their uber popular and uber cool parties with ‘Through The Looking Glass’, where the dress code is optional, but grooving to DJ ‘The Mad Hatter’ Ulrich is royally mandated (otherwise, it’s off with ya head). P.S. Catch ya at the Rooftop at QT afterparty if you aren’t partied out by then.

Saturday 19 July

Attend A Nine Year Old's Birthday Rave

7-9am | St Matthews in the City, Auckland Central | $$

Image credit: Morning People | Instagram

A very special something is turning nine. A very groovy something. A very energetic something. The earliest of all birds and the hoarder of all worms. Yes, it's been nine dancing years since Morning People began, and to celebrate, they're throwing a Saturday session at an ever slightly later time than usual—and at an ever so slightly more grand venue—beneath the gothic arches and stained glass of St Matthew in the City. Silk robes, sequins, vintage suits and party PJs all encouraged... Just throw on whatever screams HB, including your dancing shoes.

Get Praise For Finishing Fast

8am-6pm | Go Media Stadium (East Lounge), Penrose | $$/$$$

For real, 2025 is the year of competitifying ya hobbies. Joggin', gymin', climbin', grapplin'—hell, I can't even take out the recycling without someone making an Instagram and printing a set of t-shirts. Although this weekend's NZJPA National Speed Puzzling Event is different gravy, truly. It's the crème de la crème of competitive puzzling in this country, and you can enter as a single or a team, but slots for pairs are already sold out.

Are Ya Tuff Enough? Prove It

8am-6.30pm | Auckland Showgrounds, Epsom | Free/$

Image credit: Turf Games | Instagram

Welcome to the Salty Spitoon, how tuff are ya? Anyone? Anyone… Anyyyway, Turf Games Fittest In The City (FITC) is coming to Auckland’s shores for the very first time this July, and if you reckon you're fit enough, then grab your crew, a couple of sweatbands and get after it. May the odds be ever in your favour… *ominous birdsong in the distance.*

Make A.I. Your B*tch

Saturday 4.30-6.30pm & Sunday 8.30-10.00am | Toi Tu Studio One, Grey Lynn | $$

It’s all a bit strange and weird being a writer in today’s wacky world… I should know, I wrote this whole thing all by myself, so suck on that Chat GPT. Anyway, venting aside, Writefest is an annual collaboration of tutors and wordsmiths from throughout the land, and if you’re keen on putting pen to pad or fingers to keys, then ya better snag a ticket.

Get Dad Spaced Out To Pink Floyd

8.20-9.30pm | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, Epsom | $$

If you've ever lived with anyone north of sixty who enjoys their tunes (boomers, I'm looking at you), then you've probably witnessed an iconic rainbow prism vinyl jacket emerge in the hands of someone three-too-many-gins down and a few years your senior. And god help the neighbours. But if you've never had a psychedelic uncle, or didn't own a soundsystem worthy of cranking The Dark Side of the Moon—or maybe you're just tired of all the noise complaints—then visit Epsom's Stardome Observatory & Planetarium on Saturday night for a sonically infused journey through the stars.

Sunday 20 July

Scratch The Itch By Heading To The Fleas

8am-1pm | 164-170 Balmoral Road, Mount Eden | Free To Enter

Image credit: Central Flea | Instagram

Now, I'm not usually a fan of fleas, but I'll make an exception for Central Flea, which, in fact, isn’t a tiny biting critter at all but a wonderful vintage-style market. A celebration of Balmoral’s urban diversity, and a link to flea markets the world over, if you’re on the hunt for knick knacks, last-minute birthday gifts, anniversary trinkets, or just in the mood to rummage, you should definitely make a beeline for this market (it’s in the old Warehouse carpark opposite Potters Park).

Wave A Cone For International Ice Cream Day 

Image credit: Bear Gelato | supplied

In a plot twist that will surprise nobody, here at Urban List we regularly scream for ice cream. And while you absolutely could go for a scoop (or six) of chocolate or strawberry—and no shade if that's your jam—I'm going to be celebrating International Ice Cream Day this year with a scoop of Bear Gelato's Smoked Maple Bacon, a much-frothed OG they only make once a year due to the creation taking a helluva lot of mahi. Not convinced? How about a scoop of their Gorgonzola And Pear? I hear it's a transcendental experience. 

Get A Damn Good Brekky Without Breaking The Bank

Sundays In July 9am-12pm | MARGY’S (Jo Bro’s Burgers), Titirangi | $

Image credit: Jo Bro’s Burgers | supplied

Breakfast plus a brew for just twenty big ones, old-fashioned bottomless pots of Jo and a bunch other affordably priced plates of deliciousness—Jo Bro’s are bustin’ up the brekkie game with their month of Sundays MARGY’S pop-up out at Street Feast in Titirangi. 9am-12pm is when you’re expected, and if those prices aren't enough of a pull, then just look at those pancakes…

Try Movin’ In The Mornin’

9am-12pm | HUB MATAKANA (formerly Zen Den), Matakana | $-$$

Move. Chill. Connect. How’s that sound for a Sunday morning? Out at sunny Matakana, it’s just the way they do it, with MATAKANA MORNING MOVES, going down from 9am-12pm with the sonic assistance of DJ Deej Barclay.  He's offering a morning brew of groovy beats as you switch between a hot stone sauna, an ice-cold plunge, and coffee, coca, & smoothie stations. Amaranto has the post-boogie snacks on lock, and after three wholesome hours of shaking it, you’ll need it.

Craft Your Dream Pinterest Dish

3.30-5.30pm | Onehunga Community House, Onehunga | $$

Image credit: Falcon Grey Ceramics | Eventbrite

It isn't really the weekend without insulting the entire pottery profession with your handmade creations of the unnatural. And it isn't really the weekend without a Falcon Grey workshop showing you how it's done. And although it's been a few weeks since I last bought up one of their delightful wee sessions in handmade clay, I simply could not look past a trinket dish class. My girlfriend would never forgive me.

Dust Off Your Very Best Mink

9-11pm | Caretaker, Auckland CBD | Free For Patrons

Image credit: Caretaker | Instagram

Smooth, flowing, late-night jazz at an underground alleyway cocktail club. It's either the ideal date idea or the perfect chance to live out your neo-noir dreams of sitting in the shadowed corner, sipping on something stiff and sitting back to enjoy one of Caretaker's Junglebird Jazz and Cocktail nights.

All Weekend

Skate One Last Lap

Friday & Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-10pm | Aotea Square, Auckland CBD | $-$$

Image credit: Auckland Live | Instagram

It’s not winter until Aotea Square has her ice rink out. And just like that, it's almost gone. That’s right, this is the last weekend for you to get red in the palms and face as you Bambi your way through a first date at our world-famous-in-Auckland Aotea Ice Rink. Although with beats from a live DJ on Groovy Fridays, your attempt at skating may just about pass for some kind of interpretative dance…

Look At Something Pretty

Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm & Sunday 10am-3pm | Turua Gallery, St Heliers | Free

Image credit: Turua Gallery | supplied

I’ve never been a season snob. Nope. However much I rate hot days and long nights, I've always firmly believed there’s beauty to be found every season, not least winter, and Turua Gallery wholeheartedly agrees. Opening this Friday, and showing ‘til the end of the month, Homebody is a group exhibition that brings together ten esteemed artists, "each exploring themes of domesticity, stillness, and the essence of home". Get down to opening night and don’t forget about the online presale, commencing 6pm Thursday.

Get Artsy, Not Angsty

10am-9pm | Hunua Rooms, Aotea Centre | $$

Image credit: The Art of Banksy | Auckland Live

In my younger and more vulnerable years, forever fighting acne, teenage angst and rumours of ‘The Man,’ I would've given up my whole $13.75/hour paycheck to catch an exhibition from this street-art titan. Better yet, I’m now older, wiser and can enjoy the celebrated, definitive works of one of the greatest guerrilla artists to ever pick up a paint can with a properly developed frontal cortex. It's The Art of Banksy.

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

Main image credit: Morning People | Website.

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