Sandwiched between two long weekends, this weekend may be a meagre two days but there’s still plenty to do in Tāmaki Makaurau. From free live music at the beach and in the gardens, to twilight zoo visits and local RnB icons, there’s no reason to lament school and work being
Things to do in Auckland this weekend: Festivals, fairs, concerts and zoo
Zanna Gillespie
NZ Herald·
9 mins to read
Subscribe to listen
Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
Loads of events are opening across the city for the Auckland Pride Festival.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Price: Free.
2) Family concert in the gardens
Auckland Council’s Music in Parks continues this weekend at the Auckland Botanic Gardens with two distinctly different events. Tonight’s concert was originally the second of two Opera in the Park events featuring a selection of rising classical stars, but last weekend was sadly cancelled because of the weather. Tomorrow afternoon, the gardens will host another concert, this one just for children. Featuring Anika Moa, Claudia Gunn, Spellodies and Captain Festus McBoyle’s Travellin’ Variety Show, it’s a great place to set up for a picnic with the whānau. For green fingers, tomorrow is also the monthly Growing Friends’ Plant sale, which takes place on the first Sunday of the month beyond the Herb Garden.
When: Tonight 5-7pm and tomorrow 11am-2pm.
Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens, Hill Rd, Manurewa.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Price: Free.
3) Pride is here
Tomorrow is officially the first day of the Auckland Pride Festival, and loads of events are opening across the city. Specific events this weekend include a Blackout Poetry workshop at Albany Village Library; a Q Total Body with Radiqal Movement workout session; a clothing swap at Highland Park Library; and Mix & Mingle at Mr Ilingsworth. A full programme of exhibitions and events is running throughout the month, many of which open this weekend, including Inside the Closet – Fashion through the drag lens at Britomart; Yarn for Pride on K Rd; Chasing Rainbows at the Arts House Trust; Our Stories on Screen at Auckland Central Library and lots more. Whether you’re part of the rainbow community or an ally, see what’s on in your neck of the woods and get involved.
When: Tomorrow until February 28.
Where: Various locations throughout Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Visit aucklandpride.org.nz.
4) Iconic Kiwi concert
Tonight, arguably Aotearoa’s smoothest vocalist, Stan Walker, takes the stage at the Trusts Arena alongside an impressive line-up of soulful acts. It’s the third and final concert of the mini tour which included one date in the Gold Coast. Headlining the concert is New Zealand’s most-streamed local act L.A.B., with local RnB icons Aaradhna, Te Wehi and Nesian Mystik also on the bill. By all accounts, the first two concerts were crowd-pleasing roof-raisers, and today’s will no doubt be the same. It’s a full afternoon and evening of music, with the option to be in an alcohol-free zone if you want to bring young ones and introduce them to Aotearoa’s RnB, soul and reggae royalty.
When: Today 3pm-11pm.
Where: Trusts Arena Outer Fields, 65-67 Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland.
Price: Tickets from $137.50 + booking fees from loop.co.nz.
5) Fiesta in the square
It’s the opening weekend of Auckland Live’s annual Summer in the Square programme, and they’re kicking it off with a vibrant party. It’s the Latin Fiesta – a celebration of Latin American culture in Aotea Square. There’ll be salsa, bachata, reggaeton and samba beats playing throughout the weekend from live bands and DJs. You can join in dance classes and let the music move your feet, enjoy delicious food from a selection of Latin American food trucks and soak up the energy and culture of Auckland’s Latin community. It’s on all day today and continues tomorrow afternoon. It’s always a great whānau-friendly environment that will make you want to “Come on, shake your body, baby, do the Conga …”
When: Today 12pm-11pm and tomorrow 12pm-6pm.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland Central.
Price: Free.
6) Evenings with the animals
Auckland Zoo began its very popular Te Pō Hono Zoo Lates recently. Every Saturday until March 7 (not including next weekend), the zoo is staying open until 8pm for twilight animal encounters. You can book an exotic dinner at the Old Elephant House or eat at one of the zoo’s other eateries. Or order a picnic box for two to share on the lawn by the band rotunda, where there’ll be live music, if the weather permits. Some of the animals are more active at dusk, so it’s an exciting time to wander the grounds and a great place for a date or family fun night.
When: Saturdays until March 7 (not including February 7), 4pm-8pm.
Where: Auckland Zoo, Motions Rd, Western Springs.
Price: Usual zoo entry fees apply.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
7) Good ol’ fashioned fair
The good, slightly eccentric, folk behind the Extravaganza Fair haven’t seen a summer holiday in well over a decade – this is their peak season. Right through until April, they’re touring their traditional travelling fair around the North Island. There are live performers – some wacky and whimsical, some daring, all entertaining – market stalls, traditional games like sack races and tug-of-war, art and crafts, kids’ shows, loads of food trucks and more. They work hard to create a sustainable event, so bring your own bags for the market. They’re in Te Atatū this weekend and Green Bay next weekend. It’s a fun and affordable day out with the kids.
When and where: Today and tomorrow, 9am-5pm. Harbourview Peoples Park, Te Atatū Rd, Te Atatū Peninsula, Auckland.
When and Where: February 6-8, 9am-5pm. Craigavon Park, 85 Connaught St, Green Bay, Auckland.
Price: Visit extravaganzafair.co.nz for more details. Free entry for children, gold coin entry for adults.
8) Plan ahead: Urban farm dinners
Kelmarna Community Farm in Ponsonby is a little organic sanctuary in urban Auckland famous for its annual farm dinners, which are just around the corner. A major fundraiser for the community farm, this year there are four chefs – Elie Assaf, Lebanese Grocer; Kane Wilson, Someplace Somewhere; Joe O’Connell, Mama; and Georgia van Prehn – who will take the reins for two dinners each, creating multi-course menus inspired by and using what’s grown at Kelmarna. Guests dine at long tables in the gardens, creating a true farm-to-table, community-building experience. Now in their eighth year, the Kelmarna farm dinners are wildly popular and regularly sell out, so don’t dilly dally with booking tickets.
When: February 11-14 and 18-21, 6-9pm.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Where: Kelmarna Community Farm, 12 Hukanui Cres, Ponsonby, Auckland.
Price: Tickets $150 + booking fees from Humantix.com.
9) Plan ahead: Classic car cavalry on its way
Motorheads and vintage admirers have got something to look forward to next weekend: the annual Ellerslie Classic Car Show. Held at the Ellerslie Racecourse, this year’s show boasts not one but two Bugattis, including the multimillion-dollar La Voiture Noire – a luxurious feat of engineering – as well as movie icons Knight Rider’s KITT, Herbie the Beetle, the DeLorean, and Goodbye Pork Pie mini cars. There’s an impressive selection of meticulously restored classic Minis, Porsches, Mustangs and Holdens, as well as a section just for kids with pedal cars. On the eve of the show, there’s a banquet evening where you can enjoy a three-course meal including wine, guest speakers and live music, set among automotive displays – a dream dinner for classic car super fans.
When: Banquet: February 7, 5pm-10.30pm, Ellerslie Classic Car Show: February 8, 10am-4pm.
Where: Ellerslie Racecourse, 130 Ascot Ave, Ellerslie.
Price: Banquet tickets $170, Classic Car Show tickets $20, both from iticket.co.nz.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Coming up
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor: February 3, Waikato Regional Theatre, Hamilton.
- Summer/Pride at Basement Theatre: February 7-April 18, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
- Murder on the Orient Express [return season]: February 7-15, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland.
- Annual Dahlia Show: February 7, Western Springs Garden Community Hall, Auckland.
- Kelmarna Community Farm Dinners: February 11-21, Kelmarna Community Farm, Auckland.
- Auckland Phil’s Gavrylyuk & Rach 3: February 12, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland.
- Written in the Stars: Valentine’s Day at Te Whatu Stardome: February 14, Auckland.
- ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix: February 14-15, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland.
- Milford New Zealand Polo Open: February 15, Clevedon.
- Potluck (drag show by Haute Dish) February 17-21, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
- Auckland Phil’s Best of Brahms: February 19, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland.
- New Zealand International Convention Centre Public Open Day: February 21, Auckland.
- Auckland Rainbow Parade: February 21, Ponsonby, Auckland.
- ASB Classic, Centre Court Sounds: February 21, Manuka Doctor Arena.
- An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi: February 21, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland.
- Splore 2026: February 20 - 22, Tāpapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland.
- BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival: February 26-March 1, Manukau Sports Bowl, Auckland.
- Moana Auckland Ocean’s Festival: February 28-March 15, Auckland’s Waterfront.
- NZ Theatre Company presents Prima Facie: February 27, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland.
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (West End touring cast): February 26-March 8, The Civic, Auckland.
- Art Day for Gender Equality: March 1, Monte Cecilia Park, Auckland.
- Wet: March 5-15, Te Pou Theatre, Auckland.
- Little Kai Festival: March 8, Kelmarna Community Farm, Auckland.
- Menopause the Musical: March 10-23, nationwide.
Email canvas@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.