Summer entertainment planner

Varekai by Cirque Du Soleil is in Auckland in January.

For music lovers across the country, the best part of summer is the abundance of gigs and tours. For movie buffs, it's the award season build-up.

For everyone else, it's just nice not to be stuck inside watching the rain ... If you do nothing else this Labour Weekend, take a minute to glance over these upcoming events and start planning your summer schedule.

NOVEMBER

November 18: Making an earlier appearance than usual, the 22nd annual Grey Lynn Park Festival, featuring local musicians, performance artists and other fabulous, free entertainment - Saturday, 18 November; 9am to 6pm, Grey Lynn Park, free.

November 26: There's still time to make up for your naughty behaviour this year before the big man rolls down Queen Street in the Farmers' Santa Parade.

November 24 and 25: You've been hanging out for so long that the U2 Vertigo Tour with special guest Kanye West at Mt Smart Stadium is the most exciting music event of the year.

DECEMBER

December 7: Expatriate New Zealand director Martin Campbell returns to the 007 franchise directing the new blond Bond, Daniel Craig in Casino Royale , released nationwide.

December 9: You can't have thousands of Aucklanders over for a singing session in the shower but you can have a communal singalong at Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park - 7.30pm to 10.15pm, Auckland Domain, free.

December 21: Sofia Coppolla directs Kirsten Dunst as the infamous French aristocrat in the film, Marie Antoinette, released nationwide.

December 26: Compare actress Helen Mirren's Queen Liz with the lady herself. Watch the Queen's annual message on Christmas Day, before checking out the film The Queen on Boxing Day.

December 26: Mel Gibson's ambitious - possibly foolhardy - South American action adventure epic Apocalypto, released nationwide.

December 31: It's the night you'll never forget! Until tomorrow, that is. And while you could celebrate the birth of 2007 by going to bed at 12.01am, we recommend letting your hair down at one of the following: the New Year's Eve Experience, Stonyridge Vineyard, Waiheke Island; New Year's Revolution, at a mystery location near Whitianga; RU Uawa, Uawa Rocks, Tolaga Bay; Rhythm and Vines, Waiohika Estate, Gisborne.

JANUARY

January 5-21: Marvel at the aerial performers twirling through a magical forest in Varekai by Cirque Du Soleil - Auckland Showgrounds, tickets from $70, from Ticketek.

January 20: What do the Killers, Tool and Violent Femmes have in common? They're all headlining the Big Day Out - Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, Tickets $112 from Ticketek.

February 17-18: Don't eat for a day to get your money's worth at the Devonport Food and Wine Festival - Windsor Reserve, Devonport, Tickets $25 from TicketMaster.

February 25: Sample food, listen to ethnic music and mix with other cultures at the Auckland International Cultural Festival, a day of music, dance, arts, crafts and displays - 10am to 5pm, War Memorial Park, Wesley, Mt Roskill, free.

MARCH

March 2-4: Whatever you do, don't pull out any plugs at the Auckland Lantern Festival - 5.30pm-10pm, Albert Park, Auckland, free.

March 9-10: We dare you to wear a coconut bra to Pasifika - Western Springs, Great North Rd.

March 9-25: Celebrate the arts by going to at least three of the 66 events (free and ticketed) at the Auckland Festival, AK07.

March 16-18: Last year's Womad sold out. This year's World Music, Arts and Dance festival is set to be even bigger. Tickets $165 (3-day pass) from Ticketek.