This week step into the shoes of a winemaker at a wine-tasting event, treat yourself to a night at the theatre, put your musical knowledge to the test, get your creative juices flowing at a drag paint and wine night and check out the massive Frida Kahlo And Diego Rivera exhibition. Later this month explore foodie deals, gigs galore, New Zealand’s famous Christmas parade and so much more await you. Not to mention, Barbara the T.Rex joining Peter and the Red Bull Flugtag coming in December and Hamilton the musical plus the incredible Cirque Du Soleil on ice landing on our shores in 2023.
Here’s what’s on in Auckland this week, this month, and this year.
What's On In Auckland This Week
Step Into The Shoes Of A WineMaker
Palmer bar | Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 November
Wine—need we say any more? Whether you’re into red, white, rose, the sweet kind, or the dry kind, whet your whistle at this awesome wine-tasting event. Step into the shoes of a winemaker for an afternoon and take part in a two-hour wine-tasting experience, where you’ll taste your way through 10 different wines from New Zealand, Australia and France. So, round up the troops and head to a cheeky early week wine-tasting sesh where you can sip on a variety of different vinos and munch on the snacks provided.
Treat Yourself To A Night At The Theatre
Q Theatre | Wednesday 30 November
Our fave inner-city theatre spot, Q Theatre is showing Morgana O’Reilly's juicy new show, Stories About my Body is a story about body acceptance, exploring boobs, birth and bellies. Warning: there will be nudity... and you will love it.
Get Your Jam On At Beats By Bingo
The Portland Public House | Wednesday 30 November
Gather your music-loving pals and head to The Portland Public House this week for a night of musical madness. Beats by bingo is no ordinary bingo night, no siree! It’s a musical experience where song titles take over numbers on your bingo card. All you’ve got to do is get the right songs in the right line and you're a winner. Simples. Expect throwback jams, sing-alongs, prize-winning and a grand old time.
Hunt Down Some Bargains
Karangahape Road | Thursday 1 December
If you missed First Thursdays last month, then not to worry as it’s back this Thursday and every first Thursday of the month (hence the name). Cruise along Karangahape Road and watch in awe as the colourful strip is brought to life by Christmas night markets and live music. Selling everything from vintage art, zines, homeware, clothes and so much more, you’re guaranteed to find some bargains. Be sure to stop by the Pocket Park stage for some bangin' tunes by local artists. It’s a real community vibe, we dig it.
Paint The Town With Ultraviolet Lights
Pheonix Cabaret | Thursday 1 December
If you’re looking for something a little different, then why not try your hand painting with drag queens. Dragvine brings you a painting experience like no other—think ultraviolet lights and neon nights as you get your creative juices flowing at this drag paint party. With a paintbrush in one hand and a drink in the other, paint the town red, blue, green, orange—heck any colour you desire! It’s going to be fabulous, so get amongst the fun.
Spread Christmas Cheer With Sleigh
Basement Theatre | 30 November - 23 December
It doesn't quite feel like Christmas until you've been to Basement theatre's annual Christmas show. Get ready to jingle your bells as this year's show, Sleigh is brought to life by Heartthrobs—a collective of Auckland's most hilarious improvisers led by Brynley Stent, Alice Canton, and Rhiannon McCall. Watch in awe as they take you and a celebrity guest on a ride on their sleigh, spreading Christmas cheer along the way.
What's On In Auckland In November
Frida Kahlo And Diego Rivera: Art And Life In Modern Mexico
Auckland Art Gallery | Until 22 January 2023
Art lovers unite! An exciting new exhibition had landed at the Auckland Art Gallery. Explore the fascinating collection and discover the art of cultural icons Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Cast your eyes on over 150 artworks, including Kahlo's stunning self-portraits, and learn all about their drive to articulate a new Mexican art. Alongside beautiful paintings, you can expect drawings, murals, photography and work by other leading artists.
What's On In Auckland In December
A Female T. Rex Joins Peter At Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum | Friday 2 December until the end of 2023
From December 2, Auckland Museum will be the first place in the world to ever exhibit a female T. Rex skeleton alongside a male one. While Peter has been installed at the museum for some months, soon he will be joined by Barbara who is also one of only three pregnant, female T. rex ever discovered. “This is an incredible coup for Auckland Museum and all New Zealanders, to have a unique opportunity to see a male and female T. rex in the same space, at the same time. This dramatic display will be the envy of every museum around the world”, says Dr David Gaimster, Chief Executive of Auckland Museum. You can see the scientific report here. What a time to be alive.
Red Bull Flugtag
Wynyard Quarter | 10 December
Red Bull’s Flugtag is coming to Wynyard Quarter. The world-famous flying competition, which means ‘flight-day’ in German, sees challenge competitors attempting to be birds as they launch human-powered flying machines like ‘Flying Jab’ and ‘Great Kiwi BBQ’ off a 6m high ramp in the hope of out-flying the other teams. They’ll scoop up points for creativity, distance and flair, plus, this year rugby union star Beauden Barrett has set a bonus distance of 55m. Any team managing to beat this will score themselves a year’s supply of Red Bull. Will they crack it? Head along to catch the highs (and the inevitable lows) for free.
Christmas In The Park
Auckland Domain | 10 December
Can you really call yourself an Aucklander if you haven't spent at least one Christmas celebrating amongst the crowds at the city's biggest Christmas party, a.k.a Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park? Pack a picnic, brush up on those carolling skills, and head along with your friends and fam to this epic event, which descends on Auckland Domain on 10 December. Headlining the festivities this year are L.A.B, who will be joined by a number of other talented performers like Lavina Williams, Vince Harder, Tom Batchelor, Ella Monnery, and Nyree Huyser. After a 2-year break, the Xmas party is bigger and better than ever before with a 22m state-of-the-art upcycled Christmas tree, and a spectacular fireworks finale. Remember what the Grinch said ('what if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more') and be sure to donate some coin on the night—all proceeds go to Youthline, which lends a helping hand to more than 50,000 young people each year.
Love Actually In Concert
The Civic | 17 December
Hooray for the festive season! It's that magical time of the year when we spend all of our time watching our fave Christmas films and devouring festive treats. Add a little bit of festive spice to your movie nights by watching the ultimate Xmas flick, Love Actually, at The Civic on 17 December. This is no ordinary viewing, no sirree! It's extra magical as it features a full symphony orchestra that will perform the hit soundtracks live while the film is being projected onto a huge screen. Wear your fave Christmas attire loud and proud and snuggle in as the rom-com is brought to life in concert.
What's On In Auckland In 2023
Hamilton Comes To NZ
Hamilton
Spark Arena, May-June 2023
After thrilling international audiences worldwide, the multi-award-winning musical Hamilton is finally making its way to Aotearoa. Having scooped Tony, Grammy, Olivier Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, now Kiwis will finally have the chance to get in on the critically-acclaimed act. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton tells the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton which has created a revolutionary moment in theatre. “Australia has embraced Hamilton with an enthusiasm we could never have imagined,” Hamilton Producer Jeffrey Seller said. “Now it is time for our sensational Australian cast to continue their success in the southern hemisphere when the show premieres in New Zealand.” Can we get an amen? Tickets will go on sale from Monday, December 5, go shoot your shot.
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Cirque Du Soleil - Crystal
July 2023
Circus extraordinaire, Cirque du Soleil is bringing its one-of-a-kind acrobatic show—Crystal—to Auckland and Christchurch in 2023 but this time the magic will be served over ice. That's right—expect incredible acts on the trapeze, banquine, hand-to-hand, aerial straps, juggling, and hand balancing—but this time all performed on ice for the first time. Watch in awe as the performers lace up to deliver a spellbindingly mesmerising experience combining the art of skating with adrenaline-inducing acrobatics and aerial feats. Thrilling more than 1.8 million people worldwide since its creation in 2017, Cirque Du Soleil's news that it'll be performing on ice for the first time is a big deal. With tickets on sale from 16th November 2022, they'll be performing at Christchurch Horncastle Arena on Friday 16 June, Sat 17 June and Sunday 18 June before landing at Auckland's Spark Arena on Tuesday 4 until 9 July. Get in.
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Image credit: James Coleman, Red Bull Flugtag by Philip Platzer / Red Bull Content Pool, Cirque Du Soleil by Olivier Brajon.