What's on this Auckland Anniversary weekend

ASB Auckland Seafood Festival

New Zealand's biggest celebration of seafood, with stalls offering scampi, scallops, crayfish, oysters, fish, mussels, whitebait and more, as well as performances by top Kiwi musicians. Here are our top picks:

Music: Escape the heat of the day and catch performances from Anika Moa and Tiki Taane with a Night Pass.
When: Saturday, 5pm - 10pm.

Cooking skills: The Auckland Seafood School Electrolux Cooking Theatre. Raw fish is the trend that we can't seem to get enough of. Perfect your sushi and sashimi skills with a demonstration by Akira Kugue from Gion Restaurant in Parnell.
When: Sunday, 2:2.15pm.

Fun: The Sound Shell. Watch knives slice and scales fly as New Zealand's leading filleters race against the clock to fillet 10kgs of fish in the fastest time, whilst obtaining the highest yield possible.
When: Monday, 2:2.30pm - 3:3.30pm.

Don't miss: Trying Oceanz Blue's land-farmed abalone, or seeing Masterchef winner Brett McGregor's free cooking demonstrations.

When: Friday, 5pm - Monday, 4pm.
Where: Halsey St Wharf.

Auckland International Buskers Festival

Acrobatics, mime, dance, comedy and more by world-class street performers. Don't miss: Multiple Guinness World Record holder Pogo Fred's acrobatic pogo stunt show.

When: Friday, 12pm - Monday, 6pm.
Where: Viaduct and Aotea Square.

Weird and wonderful insects

Beautiful images of insects have been uncovered from the pictorial collection at Tamaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum. See if you can match the insects in the pictures to the real ones in the drawers. This is a tactile and interactive activity for children of all ages. Free with Museum entry.

When: 11am-11.30 and 2pm-2.30pm all weekend.
Where: Weird and Wonderful Gallery, Auckland Museum.

Ports of Auckland SeePort

An annual celebration of the port, shipping industry and maritime heritage featuring tugboat tours, an emergency services display, stalls, fireworks, entertainment, games and more.To round out day two of the SeePort festival the Auckland Symphony Orchestra will be performing on the wharf alongside the talented Lisa Crawley. Bring a picnic and relax with friends as you take in sounds of the strings, wind and percussion and spectacular fireworks finale. (Free admission. Bring something soft to sit on too). Don't miss: HMNZS Wellington tours from 10am.

When: Saturday - Monday.
Where: Captain Cook Wharf (opposite Britomart).

Anniversary Day Regatta

One of the world's biggest one day sailing regattas including a huge fleet of vessels such as tall ships, gaff riggers, racing keelers, vintage tugboats, sailing dinghies and perfectly restored classic yachts.

When: Monday from 9.30am.
Where: Auckland Harbour.

Blackcaps v Pakistan

ODI ANZ International Series cricket game between New Zealand and Pakistan.

When: Sunday, gates open: 9.30am, first ball: 11am.
Where: Eden Park.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival

One day music festival featuring local and international acts. Our picks of the day are:

Music: Flume. The electronic music superstar will close the mainstage with an all new show as he gets ready to release his much anticipated sophomore album Skin. And Canadian experimental pop sensation Grimes.

Food: Auckland's street food vendors will be on site to keep everyone fuelled, including the Bearded Clam, Judge Bao, Burger Burger, Bird on a Wire, Miss Moonshines, Fatimas and more. There's also an extended bar area and The Vivian Wine Bar.

Fun: There are plenty of places to relax, with heaps of shade options and Madeleine's Rumpus Room in the Silos where punters can enjoy activities.

When: Monday, first act plays at 11.45am.
Where: Silo Park.

Tamaki Herenga Waka Festival

A free family-friendly festival including performances by contemporary Maori artists, inter-tribal waka races, traditional and modern kapa haka, workshops and talks, Maori crafts and kai, and storytelling.

Leading Maori chefs are running sessions that will include a cooking demonstration using the best of indigenous and local ingredients, an overview of traditional foods, flavours and methods and the role indigenous ingredients can play in contemporary cuisine, culminating in a delicious meal. Plus, don't miss: The award-winning Modern Maori Quartet, performing 2pm on Sunday.

When: Saturday, 10am -- Monday, 5pm.
Session times: Saturday - 10.30am, 1pm, 3.30pm; Sunday - 11am, 1pm, 3.30pm; Monday - 11am, 1pm, 3pm.
Where: The Cloud, Queens Wharf.
Cost: $10 per person per session, pay upon entry

A Gypsy Extravaganza

Market stalls, arts and craft, food, musical entertainment and kids' shows.

When: Saturday, 9am -- Monday, 5pm.
Where: Craigavon Park, 85 Connaught St, Blockhouse Bay.

V4 and Rotary Nationals 20th Anniversary

Automotive exhibition, with drag racing, family entertainment and more.

When: Saturday, 9am-6pm, Sunday, 8.30am-5pm.
Where: ASB Showgrounds from 9am.

Brazilian Day

Free family-friendly celebration of Brazilian culture, featuring Latin dancing, food, traditional performances and more.

When: Saturday, 11am - 5pm.
Where: Rocket Park, Mt Albert.

Hot Rod Beach Festival

Colourful cars, a thunder cruise, and show 'n' shine - get your motor running to Orewa, for the free event.

When: Saturday, 10am - 4pm, main show. Thunder cruise in evening. Sunday, 8am - 12noon.
Where: Orewa Reserve. Show 'n' shine: main street.

For those of you who don't live in Auckland, or if you are heading out of the city for the break, here are a few things to do outside of the City of Sails.

HSBC Wellington Sevens

Sevens rugby international tournament with fanzones, live performances, chill out areas and DJs. Don't miss: Sonny Bill Williams' debut for New Zealand.

When: Saturday, Sunday, 11am -- late.
Where: Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

Visit the Awhitu Peninsula

Just over an hour's drive from Auckland, Awhitu Peninsula is a perfect place to feel the wind in your hair. Take a walk through the Awhitu Regional Park, or to the Manukau Heads Lighthouse on Awhitu Peninsula on the south side of the Manukau Heads. At some point you'll need sustenance, so check out the Awhitu Country Market which features locally sourced and made produce, and homemade pickles, jams and spreads, smoked salmon, eels, mussels, oysters and roe.

Lighthouse:
When: Gates open 9am - 5pm daily. (Free entry).

Market:
When: Sunday, 10am - 2pm.
Where: Matakawau Hall, Awhitu Peninsula.

NZ Falcon talk

Get up close with an endangered karearea (New Zealand falcon) in this special talk by Debbie Stewart, Executive Director at Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre. Debbie will bring an adult New Zealand falcon to the Rotorua Museum and will talk about Wingspan's work with these unique birds and the special award-winning project to release New Zealand falcons into the city of Rotorua.

When: Saturday, 10am.
Where: Rotorua Museum.

New Zealand Stockcar Championship

Stockcar national racing championship.

When: Friday and Saturday night, gates open: 5pm, racing starts: 7pm.
Where: Huntly Speedway, Hamilton.

Enzed 2016 UIM Jetsprint World Championship final

Up to 60 high-powered boats, top teams and drivers vying for world titles, as well as a Kids Fun Zone with a giant water slide, bouncy castles, balloons, face painting and more.

When: Saturday, 4 -- 10pm.
Where: Baypark Stadium, Mt Maunganui.

- nzherald.co.nz