.png?auto=format,compress&h=52){kind=logo}
It's big Charlie's b-day this weekend (well, kinda) and I reckon we should all do our most to celebrate the special occasion.
And to make matters a bit easier, I've compiled a comprehensive list of all that is groovy and fun this weekend across our great city. From knitting, pottery, mahjong and bingo to head banging, cosplaying and raving: here are 18 epic things to do in Auckland this weekend on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and all weekend.
Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.
Friday 30 May
Sail To An Island Full Of Superheroes
10am-3pm | Mataira Gallery, Waiheke Island | Free
Image credit: Orna McGinn | Instagram
I am thoroughly through with Marvel movies. And to be honest, I need a very, very long break from anything capes and undies on my screen. Thankfully, Rachel Mataira’s stunning new exhibition ‘In Focus’ is an opportunity to witness the real superheroes of the world. A must-see if you plan on taking the ferry over to beautiful Waiheke this weekend.
Make For a Sweet Escape
Tickets Drop 2pm | 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.
Witness An Epic Art Battle
6-10pm | Eden Park, Mount Eden | $
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.
Manifest Some Lucky Tiles
7-9pm | Bar Beluga, Grey Lynn | $
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 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. $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.
Get A Solid Hit Of Underground Sonic
9pm-3am | Kemuri Hi-Fi, Auckland CBD | $
Image credit: Collekt House Group | Instagram
After a sorely missed hiatus spanning a gut-wrenching five whole months, the grass-roots groovesetters over at Collekt House Group are finally putting the wheels back into motion and, well, getting behind the wheels. They’ll be indulging in all that is electronically intimate and sonically rich at Kemuri Hi-Fi this Friday evening, with their typical expert selection at the newest and grooviest late-night Vinyl, House Music and Cocktail destination Tamaki now boasts. It’s a night to see some old faces at a new spot, and at only $10-15, it’s a no-brainer, but tix are selling as quick as one might expect.
Kick Off The Weekend With A Bit Of Mayhem
4.30pm-Late | Trusts Arena, Henderson | $$$
Image credit: Mayhem Festival | Instagram
Fancy a bit of mayhem? We know you do. This Friday is marked for a blowout of epic proportions, as Trusts Arena hosts Mayhem. 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 80% gone.
Saturday 31 May
Flex Your Knitting Skills (Or Lack Thereof)
10.30am-12.30pm | Crushes, Auckland Central | 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. It's free, but make sure you register online so the gals have an idea of numbers.
Seek Out Heatwaves
12-4pm | RM Gallery, Auckland Central | 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 as of this week. Fantastically enough, Tūī Diprose’s deep dive into contemporary ceremonial practices ‘Rituals’ opened the same day. All the info you could ever know or want is found right about here.
Paint, Chill And Attempt A Masterpiece
3-4.30pm | Auckland City Hotel, Auckland CBD | $$
Image Credit: Paint & Chill | Instagram
Unleash your inner artist with a glass of wine in hand. Another Paint n Chill session is going down at Auckland City Hotel's Vie Lounge & Eatery on Saturday, and it’s all about channelling your inner peace with good old Bobby Ross—that’s right, you’ll be recreating those timeless lakes in phthalo blue and fan-brushing those evergreens. And just like his classic vids, no experience is needed—just bring your best painting outfit and get ready to relax.
Whip Up A Spiffy Clay Bowl
4-6pm | Onehunga Community House, Onehunga | $$
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.
Puzzle Like You've Never Puzzled Before
‘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 that ends this Saturday. Simply grab a copy, time yourself completing it, and submit your time. There's a $100 gift card for the fastest puzzler and spot prizes up for grabs.
Enter The Smokiverse
From 2pm | Franklins Bar & Eatery, Pukekohe | $$-$$$
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.
Shake That Tail Feather
5.30-10pm | The Button Factory, Auckland Central | $$
Image credit: The Button Factory | website
Manawa’s Ecstatic Dance mini fest is this Sat and will serve as a chance to dance through the last whispers of autumn—move, reflect, release, and reconnect before winter calls. Limited tickets will keep the dancefloor spacious, and a two-tiered system keeps it affordable for students, retirees, and those without work. Plus, a warming chai is offered on entry. Yep, that’s all a bit of me.
Rock Out With Rival Consoles
8.30pm-Late | Neck Of The Woods, Auckland Central | $$
Image credit: Rival Consoles | Instagram
If you’ve been following these weekend updates for a wee minute, then you probably know I froth a bit of Neck action. So let me 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.
Sunday 1 June
Kick Cornflakes To The Curb
10am-12pm, Daily | Lebanese Grocer, Auckland Central | $
Image credit: Lebanese Grocer | Instagram
Everyone’s favourite Lebanese Grocer 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.
Suit Up And Nerd Out
9am-6pm Saturday, 9am-5pm Sunday, 10am-5pm Monday | Auckland Showgrounds, Epsom | $$
Image credit: Armageddon Expo NZ | Instagram
King's Birthday weekend just got exponentially quirkier, and with a lineup like this, I reckon Charlie Boy might swap out whatever plans he has on and get down to Auckland Showgrounds himself. Armageddon Expo is once again rolling into Auckland, with their Wintergeddon edition sprawling across Auckland Showgrounds for three super days. Yup, I’m talking actual superheroes—headed by Mr Fantastic Ian Gruffud—cosplay royalty, the world's first CARmageddon, a Stranger Things exhibit, and esports tournaments galore.
All Weekend
Add Some Checks To Your Fit
11am-5pm | 235 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central | $-$$
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.
All Hail PonsonBurger
Various Venues' Opening Hours | 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. For more food news, follow your tastebuds here.
All that weekend planning left you hangry? Check out The Feed.
Main image credit: Lucky Tiles Social Club | Instagram
Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.