Okay then.
We've got fireworks. We've got burlesque. We've got tattoos in a bookshop, matcha in a handbag, and the first recorded case of a champagne dinner and deep-fried pineapple lumps on the same menu. These seven days are shaping up to be one hell of a week, folks.
So, whether you're after culture, chaos, or just really good fish and—here's what's on in mighty Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this week, as well as what's just around the corner.
And yes, you can also check out what’s on this weekend with my professionally curated list of the best things to do Friday to Sunday.
Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.
Jump to:
- Don't Miss
- Free And Budget-Friendly Events
- Food And Drink Events
- Arts And Culture
- Gigs & Live Music
- Rainy Day Activities
- For The Sprogs These School Holidays
- Coming Soon
Don’t Miss
BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival
11 & 12 October | Auckland Central | Free
Image credit: BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival | Supplied
Back for a bang in typical kaleidoscopic fashion, the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is here this weekend to turn Aotea Square, Queen Street, and Rutland Street into a bona fide extravaganza. Saturday and Sunday are the days you’ll want to be in town for one of the most important festivals on the Hindu calendar. From 12-9pm, you’ll witness modern and traditional Indian cultural performances, theatre, music, dance, exhibitions, art installations, light projections, gorge on sweet and savoury vegetarian food, enjoy arts and crafts, activities and workshops, yoga classes, Bollywood movies, annnddddd a fireworks show. Sheesh. Oh, it’s free too.
Free And Budget-Friendly Events
Enchanting Bookshop Day At Enamoured Books
11 October | Enamoured Books | Free Entry
Image credit: Alex Heart | Supplied
What happens when love stories, artistry, and community all come together under one roof? I'll tell ya what: Enamoured Books 2025 Bookshop Day with Magnolia & Soul plus friends. Goodie bags, tea tastings, tattoo artistry, and literary sweetness—the lust-filled-page-crazed team at Enamoured will be celebrating a decade of Bookshop Day in Aotearoa this Saturday, with its doors swinging open from 10am. And be sure you're not a second too late... there's prizes up for grabs, after all.
Food And Drink Events
Takapuna Beach Cafe's Fish & Chip Shop Pop-Up Returns For Summer
8 October-10 May | Takapuna Beach Cafe | $-$$
Image credit: Takapuna Beach Cafe's Fish & Chip Shop Pop-Up | Supplied
How's this for tasty news, eh? The very iconic but so fleeting Takapuna Beach Cafe Fish & Chip Shop Pop-Up is back, serving salty, fishy goodness from the most popular summer spot that side of the bridge. Whitebait fritter butties, crispy calamari rolls, a seafood basket of mussels, oysters, scallops and calamari, and a cheeky deep-fried pineapple-lump chocolate fish—this droolworthy expanded menu comes courtesy of last summer's strong showing, so you'd better get down there and support the only FnC spot directly beach-side in Takapuna. Open seven days a week, including public holidays.
Atelier’s Champagne Month Dinner Series
8, 16, 22 & 29 October | Atelier | $$$
Image credit: Atelier | Supplied
Four big champagne houses will grace Atelier this month for their Champagne Month dinner series. We’re talking bubbles for every palate with Louis Roederer (8th October), Veuve Clicquot (16th October), Billecart-Salmon (22nd October) and Laurent Perrier (29th October). Each dinner will showcase four different varieties to pair with a different menu each night. Dishes across the menus include their wagyu bavette steak, dreamy mashed potatoes (Robuchon style), new season asparagus and Atelier’s signature mille-feuille (hello, salted butter caramel). One lucky customer from each dinner will also get to take a precious bottle home. Get your tickets to this four-course champagne dream for $195 per person here. - Vicki Young
A Massive Fundraising Dinner
11 October | Massive Theatre Company | $$$
Image credit: Massive Theatre Company | Instagram
It's a tough time in the creative world currently. Purse strings are pulled tight, wallets are sealed shut, and like so many other institutions around NZ, Massive Theatre Company—one of New Zealand’s longest-standing theatre companies—has been feeling the pinch. But lo and behold, a familiar hero has once again arisen: Aotearoa's most-famous chef, Peter Gordon ONZM, is joining forces with Billy T award-winning comedian Kura Forrester to host a fundraising night for the ages. Done ‘the Massive way’ with a relaxed atmosphere at their hub in the heart of Grey Lynn.
Being the good sort that Peter is, he's offering his time for free to prepare a whānau-style three-course meal, raising some much-needed funds for the multigenerational theatre company. What's more, Forrester will be cooking up the laughs, throwing a quiz into the mix, and slinging off a few stellar auction items up for grabs. All proceeds go towards supporting Massive’s ongoing mahi in the arts community, which includes dozens of free annual workshops for young people and countless hours of professional development for emerging and professional artists in what is now their 35th year. So, grab a ticket. I dare ya.
Late & Local
'Til 31 October | Newmarket Eateries | $
Image credit: Sip’n Chill/Newmarket Business Association | Supplied
Newmarket Business Association's brand spankin' new and delicious Late & Local campaign is here to solve your daily dinner dilemma: eat well, spend less and feel damn good about it. Sounds too good to be true? Well, throughout October, a curated lineup of Newmarket eateries are slinging their signature dishes for a mere $25. That's right—proper restaurant food that won't blow out the monthly budget spreadsheet and all while supporting ya local.
SERVED at SkyCity
October | SkyCity Auckland | $$-$$$
Image Credit: SERVED | Supplied
Arts And Culture
Shift into Neutral
Presale 9 October, Opening 10 October, Showing 'Til 22 October | Turua Gallery | Free
Image credit: Gilly Sheffield | Turua Gallery
Turua Gallery seems to have a limitless supply of stunning exhibitions up its sleeve, with the latest being Shift into Neutral, opening Friday. A curated collection celebrating the beauty of restraint—artworks that are visually calm yet full of depth and texture, from seven talented NZ artists showing everything from large-scale abstract paintings to recycled beehive sculptures, woven crosses on corrugated iron, ceramics, and wood.
Jody Rallah—Mosaics of Memory
'TIl 12 October | Waiheke Community Art Gallery | Free Entry
Image credit: Jody Rallah, Foundations–Installation View Photo: Joe Ruckli
The latest artist in residence at Waiheke Community Art Gallery is the uber-talented Jody Rallah. She's exhibiting her Mosaics of Memory series, which "explores the relationships that connect us across the sea, considering the social tapestry of materials, bicultural and cross-generational exchange and vessel-making practices that embody deep-time transitions through threads of memory and veins of clay". And how appropriate a place to do so.
Gigs & Music
Strings Under the Stars
10, 11, 17 & 18 October | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium | $$
Image credit: Auckland Philharmonia | Facebook
Strings Under the Stars sold out in 2024 for good reason. This mesmerising, nebulous fusion of music and cosmos brings together two Auckland icons: Stardome Observatory & Planetarium and Auckland Philharmonia. They return this October with a string quartet performing celestially inspired works by Beethoven, Debussy, and Holst, plus the premiere of a new commission by Wellington composer Keith Moss.
Rob Beckett: Giraffe
10 October | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre | $$
Image credit: Rob Beckett | Instagram
From Bromley to Brisbane (and Auckland too), multi-faceted laugh merchant Rob Beckett is touring his new show, Giraffe, worldwide. His quest is simple: "Expectations on me: put on 3 stone from takeaways and post-show drinking. Expectations of you: leave the gig happier than when you arrived." If you know Beckett, you need no more convincing. If you don't, check out this.
Coming Soon
Trent Dalton's Love Stories
16-19 October | The Civic | $$-$$$
Image credit: Love Stories | Supplied
Trent Dalton's critically acclaimed stage sensation and heart-expanding theatrical gem—Love Stories—is playing a limited five performances at The Civic this month. A bestselling author and one of Australia's preeminent journalists, Dalton spent two months in 2021 gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter, on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD. Speaking to Australians from all walks of life, he asked them one simple thing: "Can you please tell me a love story?" Inspired by a profound love and generosity, this is an unashamedly joyous collection of what I like to call Lovecdotes, taking the stage by storm.
Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive
18 October 2025 | | Across Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch | Free
Image credit: Uber x Red Cross Clothing Drive | Supplied
On Saturday 18 October, Uber and New Zealand Red Cross are holding their annual clothing drive across all three major cities. What exactly does this entail? Well, for one day and one day only, Kiwis can book a FREE Courier pickup via the Uber or Uber Eats app and donate quality pre-loved clothes directly from their doorstep. Every good-quality item goes on to support the good folks at Red Cross who help people facing hardship and crisis across Aotearoa.
How: Book a free courier pickup through the Uber or Uber Eats app between 10am-4pm, and your clothes will be delivered directly to Red Cross.
Pillars & Links
19 October | Ascot Bar | $
Cocktails and sausages? Who would've thunk it? Four Pillars Gin, apparently. They're partnering with three iconic NZ bars for charity sausage sizzles on steroids. On 19 October, Auckland's Nami Record Bar teams up with Grey Lynn Butcher for gin-infused German brats that'll make you rethink the humble sanger. All proceeds go to KiwiPAL (Kiwi Trust for Palestinian Children Relief), supporting educational projects in Gaza's marginalised areas.
IGNITE: Passion & Pleasure
19 October | Pullman Hotel | $$
Image credit: IGNITE: Passion & Pleasure | Supplied
The girls' day out you didn't know you needed is landing smack bang in the middle of Auckland CBD come 19 October. Designed by women, for women—IGNITE: Passion & Pleasure is a full-day immersion, everything fantastically feminine from business and mindset to body confidence, fertility, menopause, and yes—female pleasure. The amazing Kiki Kisses—aka the Duchess of NZ Burlesque—will MC the day, capping things off with a burlesque performance. In between? Inspiring talks, a gourmet buffet lunch, bubbles, canapés, and conversations that are equal parts empowering and thought-provoking.
REHAB
22-25 October | The PumpHouse Theatre | Pay What You Like (From $12)
Image credit: REHAB | Supplied
When you combine theatre, recovery, and dark comedy, you get something worth watching. Worth watching seven times over, in fact. REHAB storms back for its seventh season at The PumpHouse Theatre this month. Based on lived experience, this "pressure cooker of chaos, quick wit, and raw humanity" offers a slice of life in the high-stakes world of a residential rehab centre. With roughly 50,000 people in Aotearoa receiving support for alcohol and drug use each year—estimated to be only a third of those who need it—REHAB proves that comedy can be a powerful tool for social change.
Dani Josie SUCKERPUNCH
25 October | Tuning Fork | $
Image credit: Dani Josie | Supplied
It's about time we had a punk icon make waves on these shores.
Embodying every ounce of moxie and misfit madness that modern times so desperately miss, Wellingtonian Dani Josie is embarking on her bona fide antidote of a first-ever headline tour. SUCKERPUNCH will be rocking a city near you over the next month, delivering Josie's energetic, articulate performance with a healthy dose of chaos, connection, community, and, most certainly, damn good live music.
Cirque du Soleil: Corteo
30 October-9 November | Spark Arena | $$$
Image credit: Cirque du Soleil | Aldo Arguello
Cirque du Soleil is returning to Aotearoa this October, with the Auckland debut of Corteo. Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, Corteo is a festive parade imagined from a clown’s perspective, set on a double-sided stage. Expect grace, power, and comedy played out in a liminal space between heaven and earth. Tickets are live.
FAM — Food. Art. Music.
1 November & 6 December | Karangahape Road | Free
Image credit: Karangahape Road | Website
Every first Saturday of the month, the mythical and gorgeous K' Road transforms into a full-sensory extravaganza with FAM—a bold celebration of Aotearoa's finest food, art, and music. From noon till 6pm, this pulsing street party will showcase local talent across multiple disciplines, shifting one of Auckland's most iconic streets into its very top gear.
TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING
4-23 November | ASB Waterfront Theatre, Parnell Village | $$
Closing out the 2025 season is TIRI: TE ARAROA WOMAN FAR WALKING, a groundbreaking adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale. For the very first time, the play will be performed in both English and te reo Māori. 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.
Bill Bailey—Vaudevillean
14 & 15 November | The Civic | $$$
Image credit: WellingtonNZ | Website
Laughs, music and multifarious skills. Ever heard of Vaudeville? Before streaming, TV, cinema, and radio, there was Vaudeville and the bona fide comedic legend that is Bill Bailey is returning to the Chur with a show that celebrates this great tradition. A versatile multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of humour and musical prowess—old Billy Boy could lay claim to being, quite possibly, the foremost practitioner of this tradition. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.
Tool
22 & 23 November | Spark Arena | $$$
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...
RÜFÜS DU SOL
29 November | The Outer Fields, Western Springs | $$$
Image credit: RÜFÜS DU SOL | Instagram
The most mind-bending, dimension-transcending electro experience known to humankind—RÜFÜS DU SOL—will light up the expansive Outer Fields of Western Springs this November. The Australian purveyors of electronic music-meets-legendary-lights-extravaganza-times-unholy-soundscapes are just too good not to feature. So here's a very, very early heads up that they're coming to town.
Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest
Entries Open December, Grand Final 11 July 2026
New Zealand's premier classical singing competition is entering a new era with a fitting rebrand: from 2026, it'll be known as the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest. The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has taken on principal naming rights for the 69-year-old competition, which has launched the careers of some of Aotearoa's brightest operatic stars, including Dame Kiri herself. It's a full-circle moment. Entries open December 2025, with the Grand Final Gala set for 11 July 2026.
Laneway Ticket Registration & Release
6 February | Western Springs | $$$
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.
Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown this year.
Main image credit: Vihan Dalal.
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