Another week of fun-fuelled events is upon us.
This week you can paint the town red with Dragvine, be inspired by some of the best outdoor adventure films, get lost in the world of Salvador Dali in an epic exhibition, treat yo'self to a night at the theatre or binge a documentary or two. Further along this year a massive Frida Kahlo And Diego Rivera exhibition comes to town, Aotea Square's winter snugs and ice rink returns, plus foodie deals, gigs galore, New Zealand’s most spectacular theatrical show and so much more await you.
Here’s what’s on in Auckland this week, this month and beyond.
What's On In Auckland This Week
Shop And Support
Ponsonby Central | Monday 20 June – Sunday 3 July
Shopping bags at the ready, a cool pop-up lands in Ponsonby Central this week. Flaxbloom will be setting up shop from 20 June until 3 July and will be showcasing a range of high-end, ethically made clothing. The best part is they will be donating 50% of the proceeds to Cystic Fibrosis NZ, which means every purchase you make, you’re making a difference to the CF community— so gather your gal pals and head to Ponsonby Central this week to shop for the greater good.
Be Inspired By Some Epic Outdoor Action
SkyCity Theatre | Tuesday 21 June
Proving that there really ain't no mountain high enough is Banff Mountain Film Festival. The largest mountain film fest in the world is returning to the SkyCity Theatre this week to showcase some of the best action, environmental, and adventure films from around the world. Travel to Colombia and explore the wildest rivers, climb the old man of hoy in Scotland, take on Mount Brunswick in British Columbia and watch in awe as climbers take on the Savage Mountain in Asia. Be sure to check out this inspiring fest, that really is taking the art of film to new heights.
Fall In Love With Live Music
The Tuning Fork | Thursday 23 June
We don’t know about you, but it feels like it’s been a hell of a long time since we got to enjoy live music. We think it’s about time we get to fall in love with music all over again and lucky for us, The Tuning Fork has put together Thursdays I'm In Love—an initiative that sets out to support New Zealand’s local music scene. Each month they’ll host three new local artists for you to discover. As well as supporting local musicians, each month will feature a cool poster created by a Kiwi artist, so be sure to check that out too.
Paint The Town Red
Karangahape Road | Thursday 23 June
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.
Get Lost In The World Of Surrealism
Spark Arena | Until 30 June
A next-level digital exhibition about the godfather of surrealism Salvador Dali has arrived in New Zealand, direct from electrifying audiences in Florence, Italy. Following on from the stunning success of last year’s immersive Van Gogh Alive, Kiwis will be the first in the Southern Hemisphere to experience Dali’s work through cutting-edge technology, imagery, real objects and illusions. Whether you’re new to the Spanish artist’s work and want to know what all the fuss is about or you’ve been low-key obsessed for years like us, Inside Dali will answer all the questions you never even knew you had.
Catch A Flick At This Epic Doco Fest
Online & Various Auckland Locations | 1 June - 10 July
The Doc Edge Festival was the first NZ Film Festival to run online due to COVID over the past few years and following its huge success, this year’s program will be accessible online as well as our fave Auckland Venues. Showcasing the best films from New Zealand and around the world and celebrating all things documentary, Doc Edge is a fest not to be missed. So, if like us, you’re a bit of a film buff, clear your calendars from the 15-26 June and sit back, relax and enjoy the big screen experience before the fest heads to Wellington on the 30 June. If you prefer to enjoy from the comfort of your home then tune in online anytime between 1 June-10 July.
What's On In Auckland This Month In June
Matariki Season At Basement Theatre
Basement Theatre | 1 June - 27 August
Our fave inner-city theatre spot has just launched its Matariki Winter season and let’s just say it’s got a stellar lineup. If you’re in need of a night at the theatre, then book yourself in at Basement Theatre this week. Choose from an array of epic shows—whether it's a comedy you're after or something more thrilling, never fear Basement has got you covered.
Hawke’s Bay F.A.W.C
Various locations in Hawkes Bay | 3-26 June
Pack your bags and book a trip to Hawkes Bay this June as the Winter F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic is back and hotter than ever with more than 45 events running throughout Hawke’s Bay in June. Complete with a foodie film festival, incredible chef collaborations and workshops on everything from how to make bao buns to how to debone a chicken, this year’s event is going to be a gooden. Running across four weekends in June (3-5, 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26), Winter F.A.W.C! is guaranteed to brighten up the winter months.
GABS Festival
Auckland Showgrounds | 25 June
Quench your thirst, and get your hop on at GABS (Great Australasian Beer Spectacular), a craft beer festival where you can sample over 50 brewskies and mingle with the local brewers to learn the secrets to a good pint. Satisfy your hunger with delicious eats from some of Auckland's best food trucks and for those that don’t like beer, there’s even something for you—ciders will be on hand to make sure you don’t miss out on all the fun. With silent discos and beer masterclasses to get amongst, there's never a dull moment at this beer fest. So, whether it’s a good old pint you’re after or you want to sample the goods first, then GABS has a tipple for everyone.
A Real And Rare T.Rex Is At Auckland Museum
Auckland Museum | Until 4 September
We dino about you, but we're fascinated with dinosaurs. We just can't get enough and so when we heard that an 11-metre long and three-metre-high T.rex was coming to Auckland we were stoked. Auckland Museum is home to the first real T. rex fossil ever to be exhibited in Aotearoa this month and is one of a small number of almost complete fossil Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons in the world. Impressive, right? Get up close and personal with Peter the T. rex and learn about the incredible anatomical features of one of the largest land predators of all time, extra points for coming in cool black due to the carbon the bones were preserved in. Says Dr John Nudds, professor of palaeontology at Manchester University "Nearly all T.rex are brown. Peter is an incredibly rare and visually stunning obsidian black colour. Only four black T.rex have ever been discovered; the other three are displayed in prestigious natural history museums." Can't get enough? Read the full report here.
What's On In Auckland In July
European Street Food Festival
Kumeu Showgrounds | 1 & 2 July
Who doesn’t love a good food truck? Basically, a kitchen on wheels, what’s not to love? Pack your bags and head to the European Street Food Festival, where you can fill your bellies to the brim with some tasty European delicacies. Taste the wonders of the world at this epic pop-up by The Food Truck Collective, which will feature mouthwatering sweet and savoury dishes from France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and heaps more, alongside live music to keep you entertained. So, grab your pals and fill your face this weekend.
Deep Hard N Funky
Bar Non Solo, Britomart | 9 July
Get your dancing shoes on this month as Deep Hard N Funky— a one-day festival extravaganza is coming to town on the 9 July. This winter edition of the much-loved summer fest is going to be big, bold and boisterous as 41 acts take to 8 stages at Ellerslie Racecourse. Warm up your cockles at this inflatable nightclub, it’s the perfect spot to live it up large.
Elemental AKL 2022
Various Auckland Locations | 14-31 July
Auckland, get excited because this month Elemental Festival will take over the city with all sorts of sensational cuisine, mesmerizing light installations and cultural inspo. Elemental AKL will transform eateries and bars, theatres, parks, galleries and public spaces into immersive experiences for you to enjoy. Celebrate arts, eats, and beats and everything that is exceptional about Auckland. Featuring delectable feasts, musical delights and spellbinding tales of our wonderful city of sails—what’s not to love?
Aotea Square Transforms Into A Winter Wonderland
Aotea Square Snugs & Ice Rink Returns
Aotea Square | 14 - 31 July
As part of Elemental AKL, the winter wonderland at Aotea Square is back bigger and better than ever with the return of the ice rink along with its infamous ice slide. Round up the crew because the popular cosy winter Snugs are returning and will be descending on Aotea square from 14 July until 31 July, available to be booked for up to six people. Kitted out with comfy furniture, blankets and—very important—heaters, you'll be able to drink and dine from a selection of platters and enjoy an intimate soiree.
The Digital Dining Room
Ponsonby | 21-23 July
Passports at the ready! Prepare to be transported around the globe in an evening of culinary delights. A unique restaurant is popping up in Ponsonby this month as part of Elemental AKL and it's going to be pretty magical. Indulge in a 5-course destination degustation paired with international beverages while taking in the sights—and by sights, we mean an epic series of projections, imagery, sound and lighting. Tickets are limited, so be sure to book your tickets to this immersive multi-sensory dining experience pronto.
Load Up On Fried Chicken
Auckland Fried Chicken Festival
Shed 10 | 30 July
Prepare yourselves chook fans because the Auckland Fried Chicken Festival is back for 2022. That's right, Auckland’s finest food trucks are preparing to bring you their best fried chicken-inspired dishes for an entire day so block this one out in your diaries. Much to our delight, the festival will be even bigger and better this year, taking over BOTH levels of the iconic waterfront venue Shed 10 with all fried chicken dishes costing under $10. Score. There will be two sessions this year 12-4pm and 5-9pm so you can make the most of your time at this foodie fest. So, what are you waiting for? Be sure to book your tickets to this cluckin' good event, you won't regret it.
What's On In Auckland In August
Sticky Fingers
The Trusts Arena | 12 August
Australian band Sticky Fingers have been wowing audiences over the past few years with their Indie-Rock fan-favourite anthems and are now set to shake things up with their new album, Lekkerboy, at The Trusts Arena this month. It's their first time performing on NZ soil in years, so it's going to be an absolute blast. So, what are you waiting for? Get amongst the fun and watch the guys work their magic.
The Great Comedy Debate
Q Theatre | 17 August
If like us, you're in need of a good laugh and we're talking about the belly chuckle kind, then head to Q Theatre on 17 August for an evening of comical debate. Two teams of comedians battle it out to argue the age-old debate—Can love save us? Warning: Wild yarns are going to be thrown about the place as Kanoa Lloyd, Hayley Sproull, Dai Henwood, Angella Dravid and David Correos take to the stage. The best part is you as the audience gets to decide who takes home the winning crown. It’s going to be funny as.
What's On In September
Snow Machine
Queenstown | 7-10 September
Clear your calendars an epic four-day ski festival is coming to Queenstown this September and you're going to want a spot. Ski the stunning Remarkables and Coronet Peak by day, partying it up with your fave DJs at the two epic mountain après stages and then shredding down the mountain to continue the party in Queenstown by night. Can life get much better? We think not. The Avalanches, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Sneaky Sound System and The Presets are just some of the awesome acts that will be taking to the slopes and that's just to name a few. So if it's sick beats and views of Queenstown's idyllic peaks that you're after then be sure to book pronto. Après awaits!
World Of WearableArt (WOW) Awards Show
Wellington | 29 September - 16 October
New Zealand’s most spectacular theatrical stage production, the epic World of WearableArt™ (WOW) Awards Show, is back baby! WOW is a renowned international design competition that attracts hundreds of entries from around the world and is New Zealand’s largest theatrical production. COVID managed to ruin last year's show, so this year is going to be bigger and better than ever before with over 100 designers from 20 countries finally getting their moment to shine at the awards ceremony. Each night the stage will come alive with incredible works of wearable art, dancers, aerialists, foot-tapping beats, and insane AV creations created by Executive Creative Director Brian Burke (creative producer of America’s Got Talent, and co-executive producer of American Idol) - alongside Show Director New Zealand’s Malia Johnston. It's going to be a grand affair, so don't miss out on the biggest show of the year and book your tickets pronto.
What's On In Auckland In October
A Huge Frida Kahlo Exhibition Comes To Town
Frida Kahlo And Diego Rivera: Art And Life In Modern Mexico
Auckland Art Gallery | From 15 October
Art lovers unite! An exciting new exhibition is coming to Auckland Art Gallery this October. Explore the fascinating exhibition 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.
Image credit: Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Live, Digital Dining, Chicken Festival.