What’s On In Auckland This Week, This Month And This Year 2025

How was your extra day of freedom? Feeling rested and recharged? Me too.

And that's important, because this week it's all on—circus performers to sit in awe beneath, arts and crafts in alleyways and arcades, a healthy dose of choir ballads paired with a bit of rap music and popsicles by the pool. And that's not even taking into account all the spooky stuff happening this weekend.

Yep, it's another humdinger in the City of Sails, and it's our civic duty to be here for it. Here's what's on this week in Auckland, as well as what's just around the corner.

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Jump to: 

• Don't Miss
• Free And Budget-Friendly Events
• Food And Drink Events
• Arts And Culture 
• Gigs & Live Music
• Coming Soon

Don’t Miss

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

30 October-9 November | Spark Arena | $$$

Image credit: Cirque du Soleil | Aldo Arguello

Cirque du Soleil is returning to Aotearoa this week, 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.

Free And Budget-Friendly Events

The Light Within & Deep दीप

'Til 29 October | Freyberg Square & Khartoum Place | Free

The last celebrations of Diwali can be found in the city centre with two immersive lightbox installations exploring South Asian identity, memory, and migration through art and textiles. In Freyberg Square, The Light Within by Abhi Chinniah and Sahana Rahman uses fine art, documentary photography, and textiles to reflect on how Diwali is celebrated across South Asian communities in Aotearoa. A short walk away in Khartoum Place off Lorne Street, Deep दीप by Jessie Kanji and Tarika Sabherwal explores Diwali as a layered narrative of ritual and renewal, drawing from devotional roots while making space for reimagining. Both installations run throughout October as part of the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival.

Tip Top x Parnell Baths

1 November | Parnell Baths | $

Image credit: Tip Top x Parnell Baths | Supplied

Two Kiwi summer icons are teaming up to make your swims even sweeter—Tip Top is partnering with the historic Parnell Baths to stock the poolside café with frozen treats when it opens for the season this Saturday. Debuting are the new Trumpet Choc Bar and Popsicle Watermelon, plus the return of nostalgic fan favourite Toppa that'll take you straight back to that one perfect summer long, long ago. From Saturday, the pool will be open daily—6am–8pm weekdays, 8am–8pm weekends—with free swimming for kids 16 and under, thanks to Auckland Council.

LSKD Hamilton Store Opening

1 November | Centre Place, Shop 62, Hamilton | Free-$$$

Image credit: LSKD | Supplied

Okay, so I know this isn't quite Auckland, but something serious has been brewing in Hamilton, and I'm sure you'll forgive me for venturing down the Waikato Expressway once you find out what it is. The 1% better crew are continuing their Aotearoa takeover with a new store opening in The Tron this Saturday at 8.30am sharp, and it's going down in typical LSKD fashion. It's their first spot in the mighty Waikato, and if the recent Ponsonby opening was anything to go by (850 people strong) then expect giveaways, prizes, activations, live music and performances, community workouts, plus their famous leggings/shorts swap, where you can bring any old pair of women's leggings or men's shorts from ANY brand and they'll swap them for brand new LSKD gear, completely free. Yeeewwww.

The Trusts Halloween Spooktacular

 1 November | Suburbs Rugby Club, New Lynn | Gold Coin Donations

Boo! West Auckland is set for a proper spooky Halloween bash (yes, how insane is it that it's already time for this), and it's for a good cause. The Trusts are transforming Suburbs Rugby Club into a ghoulie wonderland where your gold coins go straight to local community organisations—Plunket, NZ Police, Life Education Trust, and more. Wander through Trick or Treat Lane collecting sweets and undertaking tasks brave the Haunted House (Marples Manor has a no-scare session 3-5pm for the littlies), snag a feed from local trucks like What A BBQ and Taste of Rwanda (15% of sales support community groups), and wind down with free screenings of The Nightmare Before Christmas at 5.30pm and Ghostbusters at 7.30pm. There's face painting, fundraising games, a bar for the adults, and it's all zero-waste.

Food And Drink Events

Everybody Eats x The Hotel Britomart: Dine for Good

29 October | The Papuke Room, Hotel Britomart | $$

Image credit: Hotel Britomart | Instagram

Another fantastic instance of community magic from our good friends at Everybody Eats, every dollar from a very special dinner this week in collaboration with The Hotel Britomart goes straight to families in Māngere and Tāmaki, providing them with vouchers for a proper night out at Everybody Eats. Chef Andrew Lautenbach is creating a shared-table feast using surplus ingredients from The Kai Ika Project—think three courses of seriously good kai that would otherwise go to waste, with wine matches available if you're feeling it. It's part dinner party, part community-builder, using food to fight isolation and support whānau who need it most.

Harbour In Bloom

31 Oct–1 Nov | Viaduct Harbour Market Square | Free Entry/$

Image credit: Viaduct Harbour | Website

Viaduct Harbour is getting a glow-up this spring with Harbour in Bloom, transforming Market Square into a luxuriant garden oasis where you pretend you're in a European piazza for an afternoon. At the heart of the installation sits the Harbour in Bloom Kiosk, nestled among a floral garden pop-up serving a limited-edition menu of handcrafted seasonal treats created with Park Hyatt Auckland's Executive Pastry Chef, Callum Liddicoat. We're talking bespoke pastries, iced strawberry oat matcha, and a berry garden spritz that'll make you feel like you're living your best spring life. Individual drinks or pastries are $8.50, or grab the combo for $15. Get in early—the first 30 customers each day score a complimentary bouquet from local floral design studio Isadia Floral with any kiosk purchase, and the first 25 customers snag 20% off the Living Room's High Tea at Park Hyatt. It's sunshine, blooms, and seasonal flavours all rolled into one ridiculously bliss afternoon.

Kompass Coffee x Alieto Dessert Halloween Pop-Up

31 October | Kompass Coffee | $

Image credit: Alieto Dessert | Instagram (@alieto_dessert)

If you’re a bit like me and prefer treats over tricks, make your way to Kompass Coffee on Halloween where Alieto Dessert are doing their Halloween pop-up this Friday 31 October from 5.30pm (until sold out). We’re drooling over peanut butter bundt cake with a cute witches cookie hat, and the black sesame cream-cheese brownie grave—complete with edible soil and a headstone cookie garnish. Make your way there this Friday, dress-ups encouraged. - Vicki Young

The French Cafe x Inati - A North–South Feast

31 October | The French Cafe | $$$

Image credit: INATI | Instagram (@inatitoshare) 

For one night only this Friday 31 October, Chef Simon Levy from INATI in Ōtautahi will be coming to Tāmaki Makaurau to team up with Chef Sid Sahrawat at The French Cafe for their first-ever collaboration. True to the spirit of INATI, which means “to share” in te reo Māori, expect chilli King crab and Sid’s dry-aged duck alongside the INATI duck trumpet special to name some of the dishes on the four snack and four-course menu (including a Halloween pre-dessert special). Book online to avoid missing out. - Vicki Young

Arts And Culture

Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh and Children

'Til 19 July 2026 | Te Aka Matua, The Creative Learning Centre | Free

Image credit: Artland/Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | Website

Internationally acclaimed artist Do Ho Suh has teamed up with two standout young artists... his young daughters! Instead of crayon stick men stuck to the fridge, they've created Artland, a collaborative hands-on installation that's basically a dream come true for anyone who's ever wanted to sculpt weird and wonderful creatures. This evolving sculptural environment is made entirely from children's modelling clay and features imaginative landscapes populated by Noodlegrass, Blobbugs, Spocky Trees, and Slimes—and here's the best bit: visitors of all ages are invited to add their own creations to the ever-growing world. Free to visit and a perfect excuse to get creating.

Captain Morrow—Sands of Time

'Til 8 November | Q Theatre | $$

Think The Mighty Boosh meets Treasure Island in this Edinburgh Fringe Bobby Award-winning comedy about a pirate crew racing the British Navy to find the treasured Sands of Time. Directed by local legend Barnie Duncan for its Aotearoa premiere, over the sweet and sharp course of 60 minutes, two actors and one musician will bring over 40 characters to life in gloriously absurd chaos in Captain Morrow—Sands of Time. Only, here's the kicker: not a single set piece, prop, or costume change whatsoever. 100% bonkers and 100% a must-see.

FAM — Food. Art. Music.

1 November & 6 December | Karangahape Road | Free 

Image credit: Karangahape Road | Website

Every first Saturday of the month, the mythical and gorgeous K' Road transforms into a full-sensory extravaganza with FAM—a bold celebration of Aotearoa's finest food, art, and music. From noon till 6pm, this pulsing street party will showcase local talent across multiple disciplines, shifting one of Auckland's most iconic streets into its very top gear.

Bach Musica NZ—Singing Workshop

1 November | Somervell Presbyterian Church | $$-$$$

Image credit: Bach Musica NZ  | Supplied

If you're looking to improve your classical chops, then this one's for you. Bach Musica NZ is putting on their singing workshop this week, where you can brush up on essential techniques and improve your sound, both as a chorister and as a soloist, and do so alongside members of the highly acclaimed chorus. How good.

Gigs & Live Music

5 Seconds of Summer: Everyone's A Star! World Tour

Presales 29 & 30 October, Onsale 31 October, Gig 24 October 2026 | Spark Arena | ???

Image credit: 5 Seconds of Summer | Facebook

PSA: Aussie pop-rock juggernauts 5SOS are bringing their Everyone's A Star! World Tour to Spark Arena in a year. What started as four mates making noise in a Sydney garage has evolved into one of the biggest live acts on the planet, delivering arena-shaking anthems and sing-along moments that hit right in the feels. So here's a heads up—it's an all-ages show and tickets go on sale this week.

Tom Scott—Album Release Show

1 November 2025 The Civic | $$

Image credit: Tom Scott | Supplied

Tom Scott is an icon of Aotearoa hip-hop, rap and exploratory jazz. If you don't know the name, then you surely know the voice dancing along the melodies of Home Brew, @peace and Avantdale Bowling Club—just to name a few standout expressions in damn good Kiwi music. And if you do know Tom Scott, then you know how mint it is to be seeing a new solo album on its way and an album release show to boot. At The Civic no less. Sheeesh. And if you still don't know Tom Scott, then that's all the more reason to cop a ticket. Ain't it?

Auckland Marathon

3 November 2025 | Auckland City | Entry Fees Vary

Image credit: Auckland Marathon | Facebook

The big one is back, and with run clubs and Strava steeze dominating all aspects of modern society, it's almost certain that the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Marathon will be the biggest yet. Offering five distances to suit everyone—from the full 42.2km to the half, 11km Traverse, 5km, and kids run—the AKL Mara winds in and around the city, with the showpiece being that iconic harbour bridge crossing. And there's still time to sign up!

Coming Soon

Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking

4-23 November | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$

Closing out ASB Waterfront Theatre's 2025 season is Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking, a groundbreaking adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale. Directed by Katie Wolfe and starring Miriama McDowell, this two-part production follows Tiri Mahana, a 185-year-old matriarch, from the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to modern-day Aotearoa, and for the very first time, the play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori.

NO CIGAR: ‘Under The Surface’ Album Release Tour

14 November | The Powerstation | $$

Image credit: NO CIGAR | Facebook

One of the best five-piece rock outfits to emerge from NZ in the last wee while is these guys. They also happen to have one of the best band names, too. NO CIGAR deliver what I like to call a distortion-pedalled blend of early Arctic Monkeys and something entirely of their own, rolling indie, surf and alt all into one big leaf of their own. They occupy a versatile space in grass-roots NZ rock that a few breakout bands here are quickly making a niche of. And they're so good they've already sold out their only upcoming AKL show at The Powerstation. Maybe they'll add another one? They are playing Christchurch too...

Diljit Dosanjh: AURA 2025

13 November | Venue TBC | $$$

Image credit: Diljit Dosanjh | Facebook

Having recently crossed India on a motorbike almost identical to the one pictured (although mine was all black, like Batman's), one of the many fabulous and colourful aspects of the nation's culture I hadn't expected to appreciate as much as I did was the music. That's why global superstar Diljit Dosanjh heading our way perked up my taringas something serious. After smashing records across North America, Europe, the UK, and India, the Punjabi music icon is bringing his AURA 2025 tour to Spark Arena for one night only. Bridging Bollywood, bhangra, and hip-hop into stadium-sized spectacles that transcend language barriers—Diljit is a deadset cultural phenomenon, and this is a rare chance to catch a performer of such magnitude on home soil.

Stimmung Choir—A Decade of Noise 

14 November | Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall | $$-$$$

Auckland's coolest choir is celebrating 10 years of shaking up what choral music can sound like, and they've called in the big guns. Stimmung Choir's anniversary bash brings all 90 members together with a star-studded lineup including Julia Deans, Troy Kingi, Dianne Swann, Jazmine Mary, Paul McLaney, Mikey Havoc, and more surprise guests still to be announced. What started in 2015 with 30 singers has exploded into a 200-strong community of ex-Team NZ sailors, psychologists, jewellery designers, firefighters, and everyone in between (ages spanning early 20s to mid-80s, no auditions required), who've spent the past decade performing rock anthems and choral harmonies across self-produced shows, Comedy Festival collabs, and stages with Ria Hall, Laughton Kora, and Milan Borich. 14 November, Town Hall 

Bill Bailey—Vaudevillean

14 & 15 November | The Civic | $$$

Image credit: WellingtonNZ | Website

Laughs, music and multifarious skills. Ever heard of Vaudeville? Before streaming, TV, cinema, and radio, there was Vaudeville and the bona fide comedic legend that is Bill Bailey is returning to the Chur with a show that celebrates this great tradition. A versatile multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of humour and musical prowess—old Billy Boy could lay claim to being, quite possibly, the foremost practitioner of this tradition. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.

Parklands Festival 2025

15 November | Albert Park | $$$

Image credit: Parklands Festival | Instagram

A multi-stage city centre day fest in this economy? Memories of the good old days—old Laneway and the like—in Albert Park? Parklands Festival is delivering the absolute goods, kicking off the summer calendar in mighty fine fashion on 15 November. Luude, Camo & Krooked, Goddard, Songer, Danny Byrd and more, all throwing it down amongst the palm trees and sprawling lawns of our city's most storied outdoor venues. 

NZTrio: Hypnotique

16 November | Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall | $$

Image credit: NZTrio | Supplied

NZTrio closes out their 2025 programme of string and key wizardry with Hypnotique, a whirlwind of chamber music that challenges everything traditional about the revered genre. Violinist Amalia Hall and pianist Somi Kim, joined by a guest cellist (TBA), tear through works from Lyell Cresswell's virtuosic Moto Perpetuo to Pascal Le Boeuf's jazz-adjacent electronics, Fauré's lush Romanticism, and Schönberg's deeply transcendent Verklärte Nacht. Boundary-breaking, utterly beautiful, and coming to a hall near you this November.

An Evening With Priscilla Presley: Life After Elvis

20 November | Bruce Mason Centre | $$$

Priscilla Presley is coming to Auckland for an intimate evening unpacking her extraordinary life beyond the King of Rock 'n' Roll. More than just a former wife, Priscilla carved out her own legacy as an actress, businesswoman, and the driving force behind preserving Graceland and the Presley estate. 20 November at Bruce Mason Centre is your chance to hear firsthand stories from someone who lived through one of the most iconic eras in music history—and western culture in general—and navigated the spotlight with grace, building her own empire in the process. One night, and one night only.

Tool

22 & 23 November | Spark Arena | $$$

Image credit: Spark Arena | Scott Moran

The way Tool fans operate, I'm sure most of ya'll have already locked your tickets. But seeing as a second night has been added to the schedule, and with the first already sold out, I thought I'd better plug this PSA: tickets to Tool's headline visit to NZ in November are available. For now...

Pixies: Bossanova/Trompe Le Monde Night + Classic Set

23 & 24 November | Auckland Town Hall | $$$

Image credit: Liam Maxwell | Facebook

Pioneers of pre-millennium alt and indie rock and still absolutely rinsed throughout my playlists to this day, the wicked and cool Pixies are back in the antipodes for four nights, including back-to-back shows at Auckland Town Hall. Sunday 23 November heralds a Bossanova/Trompe Le Monde set, diving deep into those early '90s albums that cemented their status as alternative rock royalty, while Monday will deliver a Classic Pixies Set, pulling from the genre-defining late '80s releases that invented indie rock as we know it.

RÜFÜS DU SOL

29 November | The Outer Fields, Western Springs | $$$

Image credit: RÜFÜS DU SOL | Instagram

The most mind-bending, dimension-transcending electro experience known to humankind—RÜFÜS DU SOL—will light up the expansive Outer Fields of Western Springs this November. The Australian purveyors of electronic music-meets-legendary-lights-extravaganza-times-unholy-soundscapes are just too good not to feature. So here's a very, very early heads up that they're coming to town.

Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest

Entries Open December, Grand Final 11 July 2026

New Zealand's premier classical singing competition is entering a new era with a fitting rebrand: from 2026, it'll be known as the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest. The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has taken on principal naming rights for the 69-year-old competition, which has launched the careers of some of Aotearoa's brightest operatic stars, including Dame Kiri herself. It's a full-circle moment. Entries open December 2025, with the Grand Final Gala set for 11 July 2026.

A Christmas Carol

3–7 December | The Civic | $$-$$$ 

Bah humbug, it's nigh Christmas Carol season! And accordingly, Auckland Live is bringing Shake & Stir Theatre Co.'s award-winning adaptation of Dickens' classic to The Civic for a strictly limited run that's basically become Australia's festive tradition (127,000 people can't be wrong). Follow miserable ol' Scrooge through his famous, ghostly tribulations and expect live music, lavish costumes, innovative video design—genuine snow—and enough festive joy to melt even the coldest heart – perfect for the whole whanau or anyone who has a few cobwebs behind their ribcage that need dusting out. What's more, Auckland Live is partnering with Auckland City Mission, so your ticket helps spread actual Christmas cheer beyond the theatre—taking a lesson from the cantankerous man himself. 

Manuka Phuel Chasing the Fox

12 December | Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club | $$$

Image credit: Chasing the Fox | Facebook

Our nation's greatest golfer is back with the ultimate golf showdown. This year he's bringing a mate from the international tour to help him fend off New Zealand's finest athletes and media personalities in a six-hole, ambros-styled battle royale at Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club—it's Fox & Friend—versus teams of three from across NZ's upper echelon – and if there's a tie, it all comes down to a sudden-death playoff on the final party hole. The whole thing airs live and free on TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+, and the best bit? Each team plays for prize money going straight to their chosen charity. Some of the more exclusive packages are still available, but fairway side GA has a waitlist.

Matt Rife: Stay Golden World Tour

1 January | Spark Arena | $$

Image credit: @nerdgangceas | Instagram

Global sensation and heart-throb, Instagram-reel-clap-back-clip sensation Matt Rife is gracing us with his talented presence and chiselled jawline at the very start of next year. On New Year's Day of all days, he'll be packing out and amusing Spark Arena for his only Auckland show on the Stay Golden World Tour. Love his stuff? GA is just $99, so make sure you grab a ticket before it's too late.

ASB Classic

5-17 January | Manuka Doctor Arena | $$

Image credit: ASB Classic | Supplied

What is summer for Auckland? Beaches, sailing, roadies, rock pools, fish and chips and world-class tennis—just to name a few. Yep, I can't believe I'm saying this, but in a short while, one of the hottest fixtures in the 09 summer calendar—the ASB Classic—will be back to rock the Manuka Doctor Arena, serving another stellar lineup of global stars including Naomi Osaka, Gael Monfils, and hometown hero Lulu Sun. Epic rallies, summertime vibes and bubbling champs, all to be expected. Unforgettable moments, on and off the court, guaranteed.

Arthur Hill: Stella Aus NZ Tour

17 & 19 January | The Tuning Fork | $$-$$$

Image credit: Arthur Hill/Secret Sounds | Supplied

The twenty-twenties are the age of TikTok stars touring to The Tuning Fork. Who woulda thunk it. Well, for one, Arthur Hill, who's gone from internet phenom to bona fide artist touring all the way to the antipodes. You can catch him at the aforementioned Fork in all his melodical glory, come Monday, 19 January—his first Saturday show has already sold out.

Laneway

6 February | Western Springs | $$$

Image credit: Laneway | Chontalle Musson

Heard the news? The big one is back.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival will once again be packing the grass of Western Springs for what some consider the flagship of Aotearoa's gig calendar. The lineup has been dropped to much fizz—Chappell Roan headlining—and look at that, tickets are already selling like hotcakes.

ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland

14 & 15 February | Online | $$$

Image credit: Sail GP | Supplied

With 2025's Grand Prix blowing fans out of the water, I feel it's very prudent that I inform you all that ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Auckland tickets are on sale this week. Keen? Jump onto Sail GP to score a ticket, and hopefully get so close you can feel the salt spray from these boat cowboys. Yeeeehaw.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

19, 20 & 21 February | Eden Park | $$

Image credit: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | Supplied

For the first time in its 75-year history, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is marching all the way to Auckland, and lock-step with them will be over 1,100 performers from more than 12 countries. Talk about a show. Fresh from selling out Edinburgh Castle throughout August (230,000 people can vouch for the spectacle), this world-class lineup includes UK Military Bands from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, the New Zealand Defence Force, Australian Defence Force, His Majesty's Royal Marines, Norway's King's Guard Band and Drill Team, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force, Tonga's Royal Corps of Musicians, and fan-favourite Top Secret Drum Corps. Scottish actor Terence Rae brings the storytelling, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei delivers the welcome, and local bands including Auckland Police Pipes and Drums join the mix. Stirring music, military precision, cultural displays, cutting-edge lighting, immersive sound, and stunning visuals all under the stars at Eden Park for three nights of pageantry that blends timeless British Armed Forces tradition with modern performance. It's the Tattoo's most ambitious international stadium production to date.

Soweto Gospel Choir

29 March | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre | $$

Image credit: Soweto Gospel Choir | Stefan Meekers Concertphotography

The three-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir is bringing their globally acclaimed show to Christchurch's Town Hall, and if you missed their two sold-out nights earlier this year, now's your second chance to nail down tickets. If you aren't familiar with these incredible performers, they celebrate Nelson Mandela's Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights era with South African liberation songs, gospel classics, and contemporary hits from legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Sam Cooke. Dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music—it's an all-ages affair.

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

Main image credit: Auckland FC | Supplied

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