Things to do in Auckland this weekend: Live music, comedy shows and film nights

The Big Bike Film Night has grown into an international phenomenon. Photo / Midnattssol, Niklas Wallner

New Zealand Music Month has officially kicked off, shining a light across the motu on those who are the heartbeat of our nation’s music scene. Its purpose is to celebrate everyone in the industry – behind, in front, beside and all around the mics and amps - who help develop, create and amplify music from Aotearoa, locally and internationally. May also marks the arrival of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, so consider this your sign to get out and get amongst some local gigs, be they rock, pop, hip hop, electronic, sketch or stand-up.

1) A local icon kicks off NZ music month

Joe Kaptein and his Joe Kaptein Trio are among the guests set to perform as Nathan Haines brings his inner world to Queens Rooftop.

A veritable national treasure, musician Nathan Haines has spent more than four decades shaping the sound of New Zealand jazz, recording internationally, mentoring the next generation, and building one of the most respected catalogues in the country. This May, he brings his inner world to Queens Rooftop, with a residency for NZ Music Month that marks live music’s official debut in one of Tāmaki Makaurau’s hottest spots with a view. The sessions run across four Sunday afternoons, each one featuring two live sets from artists Haines has played alongside, recorded with and championed, plus his own DJ set. Pictured is the frontman of the Joe Kaptein Trio, a core member of Haines’ live band and one half of electro-jazz project Soft Chaos. Entry is free, sampling the cocktail list a given.

2) The wizard goes live

The Wizard of Oz Live in Concert, arrives this Friday at Aotea Centre’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre.

Prepare to be blown away as the ultimate movie-meets-musical experience, The Wizard of Oz Live in Concert, arrives this Friday at Aotea Centre’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre. With shows on May 8 and 9, visitors will experience the original The Wizard of Oz movie accompanied by Auckland Philharmonia’s full-strength orchestra for a truly technicolor symphonic event. Be swept away by timeless melodies like Somewhere Over the Rainbow and The Merry Old Land of Oz, as the Auckland Phil performs Herbert Stothart’s iconic score live in sync with the classic film. This 1939 cinematic masterpiece is a multigenerational must-see, and watching it on the big screen will be a journey down the yellow brick road like none before.

Tickets are available now via aucklandphil.nz and Ticketmaster.

3) Get on your bike

From humble beginnings in 2015, The Big Bike Film Night has grown into an international phenomenon that brings a love of cycling to cinemas. Curated by Taupō-based “Film Pedlar” Brett Cotter, this year’s film line-up aims to take you from backyard adventures in New Zealand to the lush forests of the Canadian west coast and beyond, with a highlight being the world premiere of Queen of the Mountain, which follows adventure activist Annie Ford as she attempts to set the Guinness World Record for the biggest vertical descent on a mountain bike in 24 hours. Films are showing at cinemas all over Auckland until May 25, with tickets available at www.bigbikefilmnight.nz.

4) Ready. Set. Glow!

KidsCan GlowRun is lighting up Eden Park this evening.

The KidsCan GlowRun is lighting up Eden Park this evening with a fun, family-friendly night of glowing entertainment and community spirit. The legendary grounds will be transformed into a glowing playground, with glow zones, live DJs, interactive games and food trucks creating a festival-style atmosphere, and every ticket sold helps KidsCan provide essentials like warm jackets, shoes and food so children affected by poverty can turn up to school warm, dry and ready to learn this winter. The vibrant 2.5km fun run or walk invites participants of all ages and abilities to glow their way through one of New Zealand’s most iconic stadiums, and whether you run or walk the course, or just come along to enjoy the GlowRun Village, there’s something for everyone.

Registration opens at 4pm, with the first run wave lighting up the course from 6pm, and tickets available now at raceroster.com.

5) When the can-do attitude just won’t cut it

Marshall Lorenzo is bringing Serving Can’t to the Basement Theatre.

Award-winning comedy show Serving Can’t.

Local comedian and ex-Canada’s Drag Race writer, Marshall Lorenzo, is bringing his award-winning comedy show Serving Can’t to the Basement Theatre this May 7-9 as part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Prepare yourself for a whirlwind of hilarity as Marshall dives head-first into a world of sketch chaos, embodying a range of unforgettable characters while delivering razor-sharp commentary on the crushing weight of capitalism and the absurdities of modern life. Fresh from winning the 2026 Sydney Touring Award and the 2025 NZ Fringe International Exchange Award, Serving Can’t is the follow-up to his nine-time NZ Fringe Award-nominated sketch trilogies.

6) Return of the Deva

Globally celebrated singer-songwriter Deva Mahal.

Fans of the incomparable Deva Mahal can catch the Pōneke-based, globally celebrated singer-songwriter on the last date of her current tour tonight at Double Whammy, where she will be giving the crowd the chance to experience the magic of her highly anticipated new EP, Future Classic Vol II: Future live. Mahal’s career has taken her across the world working with the likes of Meshell N’Degeocello, The Roots and De La Soul and performing at venues like the Hollywood Bowl, and this show is the perfect opportunity to see the soul-singing globetrotter up close and personal in one of the city’s more intimate venues.

7) A ray of sunshine

Catch Jake Lambert at The Sunshine Kid show in SkyCity.

Described as “a joke machine” by the Telegraph, UK comedian Jake Lambert brings his show The Sunshine Kid to SkyCity Theatre tonight, before it heads to Wellington and Christchurch. The comedy writer and funny man will be waxing lyrical about trying to navigate his way through everyday life, his fear of being normal, and asking essential questions like: why do we all feel the need to ask strangers what breed their dogs are? With his style of non-stop, gag-filled storytelling, he has appeared on Live At The Apollo and Comedy Central and earned him the job of support act for Michael McIntyre on his worldwide tour, so perhaps it’s time to head along and see what all the fuss is about.

8) Aotearoa’s wildest food fest is back

This May, the Monteith’s Wild Food Challenge returns after last year’s hugely successful revival, bringing together more than 60 restaurants, pubs and eateries nationwide to create daring dishes, featuring the country’s most adventurous ingredients, perfectly paired with Monteith’s brews. From city favourites to small‑town heroes, venues across the country have spent months experimenting with wild, foraged and unconventional ingredients to craft one‑off creations that surprise diners and celebrate Kiwi creativity. The result is a nationwide showcase of culinary imagination, stretching from Riverton to Paihia. Public voting will again shape the competition, with Kiwis across the country casting votes to determine a shortlist of five dishes, before the expert judging panel chooses the ultimate winner.

For those ready to experience something new, head to wildfoodchallenge.monteiths.co.nz to find the venues taking part.

Coming up

• Forever Tomorrow: China Art Now, May 2 – August 23, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
• Split Enz, Forever Enz Tour: May 6, Wellington and May 9, Auckland
• Serving Can’t, May 7-9, Basement Theatre, Auckland
• Autumn Plant Fair, May 9, Auckland Horticultural Council, Auckland
• Auckland Travel Show, May 9-10, New Zealand International Convention Centre, Auckland
• Stephen K Amos - Now We’re Talking, May 9-10, Q Theatre, Auckland
• FIVE, May 25, Trusts Arena, Auckland
• Cate Le Bon, June 5, Powerstation, Auckland
• Lōemis Festival, June 9-21, across Wellington
• Heathers: the Musical, June 10-14, The Civic, Auckland
• The Marriage of Figaro, June 17, 19 and 21, St James Theatre, Wellington
• Auckland Live Cabaret Festival, June 24 – July 5, The Civic, Auckland
• Doc Edge Festival 2026, June 24 – July 26, nationwide
• The Veils Fragile World Tour, June 25 – July 11, nationwide
• The Auckland Opera Studio 2026 Gala, June 28, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland
• Englebert Humperdinck: The Celebration Tour, June 28, Christchurch Town Hall
• Matariki: Waiata Anthems in Concert, July 9, Auckland Town Hall
• Postmodern Jukebox, July 11, Wellington Opera House
• Dog Man: The Musical, July 14-18, Bruce Mason Theatre, Auckland
• The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, July 14-19, nationwide
• Jason Derulo Last Dance World Tour, September 27, Spark Arena, Auckland

Email canvasplanner@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.