The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
It’s the first weekend of autumn, and Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau is serving up love, culture and plenty of fun.
From design pop-ups and arts festivals to food and wine showings and the ballet, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this weekend.
Here are the best things to do this weekend in Tāmaki Makaurau.
ACME Is Hosting A Pop-Up Shop For NZ Design Week
SpaceFor, 52 Tyler Street, Tāmaki Makaurau | Tuesday 3 March–Sunday 8 March
Image credit: ACME | Supplied
Coffee gear fans, this one’s worth pencilling in. For the first time in Aotearoa, ACME Cups is bringing its full range—cutlery, dinnerware, mugs and cups—into one space with a special pop-up during NZ Design Week.
Running for six days at SpaceFor in Britomart, the pop-up will showcase the entire ACME lineup IRL, giving coffee lovers the chance to see, hold and compare the brand’s cult-favourite cup range in one place. Daily coffee tastings from 1pm will also feature beans from roasters across Europe, Canada and Australia—so you can test-drive the cups properly.
There’ll also be a few limited-edition treats for in-store purchases across the week, making it a must-stop for anyone serious about their brew setup or just curious to see the full ACME collection up close.
Where: SpaceFor, 52 Tyler Street, Britomart, Auckland
When: Tuesday 3 March–Sunday 8 March (daily tastings from 1pm)
Cost: Free entry
Check ACME’s socials for opening hours and updates.
La Ronde: Auckland Arts Festival
291-297 Queen Street, Auckland CBD | Thursday 5–Saturday 7 March
Image credit: La Ronde | Instagram
Five-time Festival favourites Strut & Fret are back with their most dazzling spectacle yet, bringing La Ronde to the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival for a limited run under the iconic Spiegeltent.
Expect gravity-defying aerial feats, jaw-dropping pole work and choreography dripping in sass, all backed by powerhouse live vocals and a soundtrack that fizzes like champagne. It’s circus meets cabaret meets comedy—high-gloss and high-energy.
If you’re building your Arts Festival hit list, this is your cue to lock in a Spiegeltent night. Dress up, gather your boldest mates and pair it with dinner or another show to make it a full evening out.
Where: Aotea Square (Spiegeltent), Auckland
When: Thursday 5 March, 8pm, Friday 6 March, 6pm & 9pm, Saturday 7 March, 6pm & 9pm
Cost: From $89 (booking fees may apply)
For tickets and more details, head here.
‘In The Making’ Design Showcase at Silo6
Silo6 | Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March 2026, from 10am-6pm
Image Credit: In The Making | Supplied
Aotearoas’ best contemporary object and furniture designers are, just casually, throwing a free showcase this weekend. In The Making is all about binding the fabulous materials-first creators leading local change.
There’s plenty of styles across lighting, textiles, furniture and the-inbetween, but all are connected by being bold, cutting edge and true to their craft.
It’s an immersive experience, so you’ll be wandering through as you make your dream space mental wishlist.
Fancy being even more in on the action? There’s a panel kōrero between the designers. And yep, that’s free too—just make sure you RSVP, okay?
Where: Silo6
When: Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March 2026, 10am-6pm
Cost: Free
Find out more here
North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival
Glenmark Domain, Waipara | Sunday 8 March
Image credit: NCWFF | Supplied
If you’re keen for a countryside escape with serious flavour, the North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival is returning to Glenmark Domain this March—bringing together the best of Waipara wine, local makers and top-notch eats under the oak trees.
Expect around 70 stallholders this year, pouring North Canterbury wines alongside craft beer, artisan goods and plenty of coffee to keep you going. The food lineup is equally stacked, with Filipino-inspired street eats from NAMETS, open-fire cooking from Food by Fire, wild and foraged dishes from Waild, pastries from Butter and an elevated tasting experience from Inati. Ōtautahi favourite Lillies will also make its festival debut.
Add live entertainment, pony rides and a petting zoo into the mix and you’ve got a day that works just as well for families as it does for wine lovers. With bus and train options available, it’s an easy way to trade the city for a sun-soaked afternoon among the vines.
Where: Glenmark Domain, Waipara (North Canterbury)
When: Sunday 8 March 2026
Cost: Ticket prices vary
For more details and tickets, head here.
Movies in Parks: Paddington in Peru
Parrs Park, 479 West Coast Road, Oratia, Auckland | Friday 6 March
Grab a blanket and settle in under the stars—Auckland’s Movies in Parks is heading west with a free screening of Paddington in Peru at Parrs Park.
The latest adventure sees everyone’s favourite marmalade-loving bear heading back to Peru to visit Aunt Lucy, only for the trip to spiral into an unexpected jungle adventure with the Brown family in tow. Expect heart, humour and plenty of family-friendly chaos along the way.
Arrive early for pre-show entertainment from 5.30pm, then roll out your picnic rug and settle in for the movie once the sun goes down. Food, snacks and cosy layers recommended.
Where: Parrs Park, 479 West Coast Road, Oratia
When: Friday 6 March 2026 — pre-show entertainment from 5.30pm, movie starts 7.30pm
Cost: Free
For more details, head here.
Julia Bullock With Auckland Philharmonia: Auckland Arts Festival
301/317 Queen Street, Auckland CBD | Saturday 7 March
Image credit: Julia Bullock | Instagram
Grammy Award-winning soprano Julia Bullock makes her only Aotearoa appearance this March, taking to the stage at Auckland Town Hall for a one-night-only concert as part of the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival.
Influenced by icons like Nina Simone and Billie Holiday, she’s celebrated for for her magnetic presence and technical precision, genre-defying approach and carefully curated programmes that centre empowerment and emotional depth.
Joining her is visionary conductor Christian Reif, leading the full force of the Auckland Philharmonia in what promises to be a powerful, emotionally charged evening.
Where: Auckland Town Hall – Great Hall
When: Saturday 7 March, 7pm–8.50pm
Cost: From $79 (additional booking fees may apply)
For tickets and more details, head here.
Food Truck Night
Albany Lakes Civic Park, Auckland | Saturday 7 March
Dinner plans = sorted. Food Truck Night is rolling into Albany Lakes Civic Park for a relaxed, family-friendly evening of street eats, drinks and easy community vibes.
Expect a stacked lineup of food trucks dishing up crowd-pleasing favourites—think comfort food classics, global flavours and sweet treats to round it out. Whether you’re craving something cheesy, spicy or indulgent, there’s plenty to mix and match for the ultimate park-side feast.
The pop-up bar will be pouring beers, wines, RTDs and non-alcoholic options throughout the evening, making it just as ideal for a casual catch-up as it is for a whānau dinner on the grass. Bring a picnic blanket or low chair, settle in lakeside and let someone else handle the cooking for once.
Where: Albany Lakes Civic Park, Auckland
When: Saturday 7 March 2026, 5pm–9pm
Cost: Free entry (food and drinks available to purchase)
For more details, head here.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet Presents Macbeth
Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD | Friday 6–Saturday 7 March
Image credit: Royal New Zealand Ballet | Instagram
A bold and bloody reimagining of Macbeth is set to open the 2026 season for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, delivering high-octane contemporary ballet with serious bite.
Choreographer Alice Topp (Aurum, Logos, High Tide) propels Shakespeare’s most visceral tragedy into a shadowy modern world of media manipulation, boardroom power and sudden violence. The Macbeths rise as a dazzling, magnetic power couple atop a glamorous social set—until ambition gives way to paranoia, madness and an inevitable, devastating fall.
Topp’s mesmerising movement is matched by a pounding original score from Christopher Gordon, layering full orchestra, heavy metal textures and live string octet.
Presented in association with Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts and Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, this co-production with West Australian Ballet brings fresh urgency to a centuries-old tale.
Where: Various centres nationwide
When: Friday 6–Saturday 7 March
Cost: Ticket prices vary.
For more information and tickets, head here.
Moana Festival
28 February-15 March | Various Locations
Image Credit: Auckland Wooden Boat Festival | Supplied
Auckland’s Ocean Festival, Moana Auckland, is back from 28 February to 15 March 2026, transforming the waterfront into a full-scale celebration of our deep connection to the moana.
Things ramp up this weekend with the Z Manu World Championships (28 February–14 March) including Auckland qualifiers across 28 Feb–1 March and 7–8 March, before the Grand Final on 14 March.
Where: Various Locations
When: Saturday 28 February—Sunday 15 March
Cost: Free entry
To find out more here.
Z Manu World Champs: Auckland Qualifiers
Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour | Saturday 7–Sunday 8 March
Image credit: Manu World Champs | Instagram
The Z Manu World Champs are making a splash in Tāmaki Makaurau, taking over Karanga Plaza across two huge qualification weekends as part of Moana Auckland Ocean Festival.
On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, a purpose-built jump tower will rise above the Viaduct Harbour as competitors go full send in a bid to secure one of 40 spots in the Grand Final.
Each day also features “Push Play” sessions—open slots where anyone can step up and give it a crack, whether it’s your first manu or your fiftieth. Add in all-day giveaways and games like Burger King’s Manus for Manus, Tip Top’s Shoot to Scoop and the Snickers Ball Challenge, and you’ve got a full festival atmosphere on the water.
Where: Karanga Plaza, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
When: Saturday 7–Sunday 8 March
Cost: Free to watch (registration required to compete)
For the full timetable and details, head here.
Soljans Berba Croatian Harvest Festival
366 State Highway 16, Kumeu | Saturday 7–Sunday 8 March
Image credit: Soljans Estate Winery | Instagram
Soljans Estate Winery is bringing back Berba for its 21st year this March, inviting Aucklanders to step into a living Croatian harvest tradition across two flavour-packed days.
Held Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March from 11am, Berba blends wine, culture and hands-on fun in a way that feels more family celebration than standard wine fest. The headline moment? Grape stomping—and the annual photo you’ll absolutely want to recreate next year.
Beyond the vats, expect family-led vineyard and winery tours connecting the dots from soil to cellar, Croatian-inspired festival dishes and special cocktails, plus tastings of Soljans wines and Novo Vino. Live music from Marunui Davis and Selene Boulton will soundtrack the weekend, and there’s a dedicated kids’ activity zone so the whole whānau can settle in for the day.
Where: Soljans Estate Winery, 366 State Highway 16, Kumeu
When: Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March 2026, from 11am
Cost: Free
Find out more here.
The Rocky Horror Show
Corner of Queen Street &, 269-287 Wellesley Street West, Auckland | Thursday 26 February–Sunday 8 March
Image credit: The Rocky Horror Show Australia | Instagram
After 15 years off our stages, The Rocky Horror Show is finally making its glitter-drenched return to Auckland—direct from the UK with a sensational West End cast in tow.
Landing at The Civic from 26 February to 8 March 2026, this strictly limited season promises all the fishnets, floor shows and full-volume audience call-backs you’d expect (and demand).
Written by Kiwi icon Richard O’Brien more than 50 years ago, the cult musical has been seen by over 35 million people worldwide. The story follows straight-laced couple Brad and Janet, who stumble into the mansion of the fabulous Dr Frank’n’Furter—sparking a high-camp, high-energy ride packed with Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet and, of course, the Time Warp.
Produced by Trafalgar Theatre Productions and GMG Productions (the teams behind recent NZ hits like The Play That Goes Wrong and Beauty and the Beast), this new tour is bigger, brasher and ready for Auckland audiences to dress up and let loose.
Where: The Civic, Auckland
When: 26 February–8 March 2026
Cost: $60–$150
More details and tickets here.
Continual Store x Fever Vintage Pop-Up
Now Open | 164 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Image credit: Continual Store | Instagram
Ponsonby, consider your vintage rotation sorted. Continual Store and Fever Vintage have teamed up for a three-month pop-up just a short stroll from Ponsonby Central, bringing racks of carefully curated ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s pieces to 164 Ponsonby Road.
The space is open daily (closed Tuesdays), making it dangerously easy to swing by “just for a look” and leave with something one-of-a-kind. With dates now extended through to mid-August, you’ve got a solid window to refresh your wardrobe the sustainable way.
Where: 164 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
When: Open weekdays 10am–5pm (closed Tuesday), Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm
Cost: Free entry
Find out more here.
Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.
All that weekend planning left you hangry? Check out The Feed.
Main image credit: Sulthan Auliya | Unsplash