Things to do in Auckland this weekend: Pride, AfroFest, Chinese New Year

It's a big week for Auckland Pride. Photo / Prowl Productions

It may be the weekend for lovers, but there’s a lot more happening in Tāmaki Makaurau than just roses and chocolates and Roses chocolates this Valentine’s Day. Auckland Pride is in full swing, Auckland Live’s Summer in the Square brings another joyous festival to Aotea, there’s art, opera and the 2026 Chinese New Year celebrations are kicking off. Here are our picks for the best things to do in Auckland this weekend, and a couple to get tickets for in the week ahead.

1) A MOTAT emergency

Emergency First Response demonstrates the vitally important work it does in our communities.

Tomorrow is one of MOTAT’s most popular Live Day events of the year: Emergency First Response. On site at the museum will be representatives from Fire and Emergency, MPI Biosecurity Dogs, Police Search and Rescue and Surf Life Saving – all demonstrating the vitally important work they do in our communities. Visitors get to be hands-on with emergency vehicle equipment and explore historical fire engines and police vehicles from MOTAT’s collection. It’s lots of fun and super educational for young ones, teaching them important skills for what to do and who to call in an emergency. The tram will be running between the Aviation Hall and main site plus there will be all the usual Live Day action like the blacksmith, Lollyman, the pumphouse, train rides, with live entertainment and food.

When: Tomorrow, 10am-4pm.

Where: MOTAT, Aviation Hall Motions Rd and 805 Great North Rd, Western Springs, Auckland.

Price: Usual MOTAT entry fees apply.

2) Pastel playground

The pieces at Black Door Gallery have a calm, reflective quality, and viewing them may just have the same effect on you.

Take in some art this weekend at Black Door Gallery, where Otago-raised artist Gaen opened his latest exhibition earlier this week. “Pale in Comparison” is a collection of abstract landscapes of the Southern Alps and the vistas of the artist’s childhood. Rendered in pastel-coloured geometric shapes, Gaen’s artworks are depictions of his memories of the “playground” of his youth. The pieces have a calm, reflective quality, and viewing them may just have that same effect on you and your weekend.

When: On now until February 25, Monday-Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 11am-3pm.

Where: Black Door Gallery, 251 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland.

3) Crooning and swooning

Enjoy some of Aotearoa’s finest voices singing arias about love, loss and lust. Photo / Thomas Hamill

If you’re just now realising that today is indeed Valentine’s Day, this could be your get out of jail free card. This evening, at the Auckland Domain Band Rotunda, NZ Opera and Auckland Council’s Music in Parks are hosting a bonus edition of Opera in the Park. Bring a picnic blanket, a basket of yummy treats and your beloved, and enjoy some of Aotearoa’s finest voices singing arias about love, loss and lust. It doesn’t get much more romantic than that. Plus, it’s free and you don’t need tickets so for all your date knows, you’ve been planning this for weeks. If your love has led to little ones, take them along next weekend to see a free preview of Red! An Opera in Schools whānau-friendly production that is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.

When: Tonight, 6pm-8.30pm.

Where: Band Rotunda, Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland.

Price: Free.

Red!

When: February 21, 11am.

Where: NZ Opera Studio, 5/69 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell.

Price: Visit nzopera.com for more info. Free.

4) Swelling with pride

It’s a big weekend for Auckland Pride, with the festival that celebrates loving freely coinciding with Valentine’s Day. Vector Lights has partnered with Pride, lighting the Harbour Bridge with a show by artist Mars Cook with Mandylights every 15 minutes from 9pm until midnight, until February 21. Fans of the New York ball scene should head to Raynham Park tonight for Prowl’s Street Dance Waacking Battle. If you pop down to the Basement Theatre, you can catch Takapapa – an indigi-queer film night – or conserve your energy ahead of tomorrow’s tentpole event, the Big Gay Out in Coyle Park. Plus, there’s comedy, cabaret and community activism across the weekend.

When: On now until February 28.

Where: Various locations in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Price: Visit aucklandpride.org.nz for more information and tickets.

5) Afro Aotea

Afro Aotea celebrates the music, dance, food, fashion and cultures of Africa and the African diaspora.

Summer in the Square continues this weekend with AfroFest. Now in its third year, the lively festival is growing consistently with Aotearoa’s African population. It’s a free, whānau-friendly event celebrating the music, dance, food, fashion and cultures of Africa and the African diaspora. With live music performances, there’ll be afrobeats spinning on the DJ stage as well as a fashion and dance show.

When: Today, 12pm-6pm.

Where: Aotea Square, Auckland Central.

Price: Free.

6) Welcome the Year of the Horse

The Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day has been going on for more than 30 years.

Remarkably, the Auckland Chinese Community Centre Inc has hosted a Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day for more than 30 years. It predates the Lantern Festival and, while it might not be as famously flashy as that event, it’s still a wonderful family day out. Held at the Auckland Showgrounds, every year opens with an impressive Lion Dance and an appearance by our PM, so it’s worth getting in early. There are more than 200 stalls selling Chinese delicacies and arts and crafts; live cultural performances – traditional and contemporary, and lots of activities, games and entertainment for kids.

When: Today, 9.30am-4pm.

Where: Auckland Showgrounds, 217 Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland.

Price: Free.

7) Plan ahead: Eureka! Europa! Europa is here

Europa! Europa Film Festival is a celebration of European cinema.

Founded in Australia, Europa! Europa Film Festival is a celebration of European cinema that this week is coming to Auckland for the first time. The festival is being hosted at Bridgeway Cinemas starting Thursday night with the opening film, The Testament of Ann Lee. Directed by Mona Fastvold (who co-wrote The Brutalist), the film stars Amanda Seyfried in her Golden Globe-nominated role as Mother Ann Lee, the founder of the Shaker movement. Other highlights of the festival include Lav Diaz’s Magellan; Quentin Dupieux’s The Piano Accident; László Nemes’s Orphan; Chopin, a Sonata in Paris and Franz. This will be the only opportunity to enjoy some of these beautiful international films on the big screen.

When: February 19-March 4.

Where: Bridgeway Cinemas, 122 Queen St, Northcote Point, Auckland.

Price: Tickets $20-$31 from europafilmfestival.com.au or bridgeway.co.nz.

8) Plan ahead: Creative community in Kirikiriroa

The literary festival within the festival features a range of wildly stimulating literary discussions and events.

On Friday, the Tron transforms into the arts hub of the country with the opening night of the Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa. For eight days, Hamilton Gardens will be the heart of the festival, hosting a broad range of free and ticketed events. A longstanding highlight of the festival is the Sunset Symphony on the Rhododendron Lawn next Saturday, featuring Orchestras Central and Kulios Quartet, with guest pianist Daniel Verstappen, and Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra conducted by Rupert D’Cruze. Other notable events for the opening weekend include Much Ado About Nothing; Rhys Matthewson 10th Rodeo; Speed is Emotional; and HamLit, the literary festival within the festival that takes place for the first weekend only and features a range of wildly stimulating literary discussions and events for readers, writers and thinkers. Peruse the programme this weekend, secure some tickets and plan your travel.

When: February 20-March 1.

Where: Hamilton Gardens and surrounding venues, Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

Price: Visit hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz for the full programme and tickets.

9) Plan ahead: The Heroes Who Made Us

The internationally renowned musical extravaganza will bring more than 1000 performers on to the pitch. Photo / Duncan McGlynn

If you haven’t heard that the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is performing next week at Eden Park, then you’re probably living off grid. The internationally renowned musical extravaganza will bring more than 1000 performers on to the pitch from UK military bands including the Royal Navy, The Army and Royal Air Force, as well as military bands from New Zealand, Australia, Tonga and Norway. Celebrating the Military Tattoo’s 75th anniversary, The Heroes Who Made Us is both an aural and visual spectacle, with a light show and dancers in addition to the precision marching. They’ve never been to Auckland and tours Downunder are rare, so don’t miss the opportunity to see this military musical marvel.

When: February 19-21, 8pm (gates open 6pm).

Where: Eden Park, 42 Reimers Ave, Kingsland, Auckland.

Price: Tickets start at $99.90 from ticketek.co.nz.

Coming up

• Auckland Horticultural Council orchid cultivation and re-potting demo: February 21, Western Springs, Auckland.
• Auckland Phil’s Best of Brahms: February 19, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland.
• Splore Music and Arts Festival: February 20-22, Tāpapakanga Regional Park.
• Ayrburn Classic: February 20-22, Arrowtown.
• 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.
• 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.
• Motion Sickness by a2 Company: March 3-6, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
• Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival: March 5-22, 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.
• The Auckland Wooden Boat Festival: March 13-15, Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland.
• Mairangi Bay Food and Wine Festival: March 14, Mairangi Bay, Auckland.
• Pasifika Festival: March 14-15, Western Springs, Auckland.
• Warbirds on Parade: March 15, Ardmore, Auckland
• Seed by Elisabeth Easther: March 17 - 28, Titirangi Theatre, Auckland.
• Linkin Park: March 18, Spark Arena, Auckland.
• Mānuka Phuel Synthony Festival: March 21, Auckland Domain.
• Equinox Festival: March 21, Kelmarna Community Farm, Auckland.
• EcoFest: March 22-April 22, various locations, Auckland.

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