What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Festive markets, indigenous festivals and more

If you pride yourself on being a thoughtful and ethical gift giver, then the General Collective’s Lifestyle and Design Market is the place to do all your Christmas shopping.

It might barely be November, but the Christmas bells are starting to jingle their way into our weekly round-up of the best events taking place in Auckland. Grinches need not fret, there’s also an array of non-festive entertainment across the city. From classical music to mind-blowing marine photography, a celebration of indigenous cultures to open artists’ studios, check out our selection of Auckland’s best arts, culture and entertainment this weekend.

1) Under the sea

A new landmark exhibition opened at the New Zealand Maritime Museum last week. Ngā Huhua: Abundance features underwater photography and immersive videography that takes visitors under the surface of the Te Moana-nui-a-Toi, the wider Hauraki Gulf. Bringing together marine science, mātauranga Māori, art and storytelling, Ngā Huhua is a celebration of the wonders of our oceans and a call to action: the protection and restoration of Te Moana-nui-a-Toi is vital for the survival of critically endangered species who call it home. Presented in partnership with kaitiaki (guardians) Ngāti Rehua Ngātiwai ki Aotea, it’s an important exhibition – for Aucklanders especially – and one that will leave visitors with a greater appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.

When: On until mid-2026.

Where: New Zealand Maritime Museum, corner of Quay and Hobson Sts, Viaduct Harbour.

Price: Free for Aucklanders.

2) Kindness Collective is collecting

Between now and December 14, you can donate new toys by dropping them into your local participating Mitre 10.

The Kindness Collective is days away from opening its Joy Store for the fifth year and, sadly, demand for the organisation’s help is higher than ever. The pop-up store is stocked with new toys and selected families-in-need can choose Christmas presents they know their children will love. That’s where you come in: between now and December 14, you can donate new toys by dropping them into your local participating Mitre1 0. If you’ve got the spoons to do a little bit more, set up a giving tree at your workplace, club or team. Or, if time isn’t on your side, you can donate online and become a Kindness Collective secret Santa or support a family with a food hamper and gifts. ’Tis the season of giving after all.

When: Receiving gifts from now until December 14.

Where: Participating Mitre 10 stores nationwide. Online donations accepted at any time via kindness.org.nz.

3) Symphony out south

Manukau Symphony Orchestra is performing its concert From the New World at the Four Winds Theatre tonight. Photo / Thomas Hamill Photography

For an evening of classical music excellence, head to Manukau Symphony Orchestra’s concert From the New World at the Four Winds Theatre tonight. Featuring Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 performed by Michael Houstoun, From the New World is the final MSO concert of the orchestra’s 2025 season. Honouring our own inspirational composers, the concert will open with At the Bay by New Zealander Jenny McLeod, an evocative piece inspired by the landscapes of Katherine Mansfield’s New Zealand.

When: Tonight, 7.30pm.

Where: Four Winds Theatre, Due Drop Events Centre, Manukau.

Price: Tickets $15-$70 + booking fees from eventfinda.co.nz.

4) Blooming brilliant

If last weekend’s Parnell Festival of Roses has you high on the beauty of those botanicals, then head along to the Auckland Rose Society’s annual show this weekend, also in Parnell. There will be prize-winning blooms, raffles, cards, calendars and a selection of NZ-bred roses for sale.

When: Today, 11am-4.30pm, and tomorrow, 10am-3pm.

Where: Selwyn Library Hall, 10 Stephens Rd, Parnell (opposite the Cathedral).

Price: Free entry.

5) A peek behind the studio door

Artists on the North Shore are inviting the public inside their private studios to see where the magic happens.

This weekend is the inaugural Open Studios Kaipātiki event, where artists on the North Shore are inviting the public inside their private studios to see where the magic happens. There are all kinds of artists participating, from woodturners to ceramicists, tattoo artists to jewellers, painters to glass artists. Open Studios Kaipātiki is a natural extension of the established Open Studios Waitākere event, which is taking place next weekend. Pick up a brochure at a local cafe or download the map from the website and take a self-guided tour of artists’ studios this weekend and next.

Open Studios Kaipātiki

When: Today and tomorrow, 10am-4pm.

Where: Various locations on the North Shore. Visit openstudioskaipatiki.co.nz for more information.

Open Studios Waitākere

When: November 22 and 23, 10am-4pm.

Where: Various locations in Waitākere. Visit openstudioswaitakere.co.nz for more information.

6) Celebrating indigenous cultures

The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education is set to be five days of indigenous pride.

This year, the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education is being held in Tāmaki Makaurau for the first time in 20 years. It’s the world’s largest indigenous education event, with nearly 4000 delegates attending. It starts tomorrow and alongside the conference, Te Ao Pūtahi Festival will be held in Aotea Square. Opening with a Parade of Cultures, the festival is a celebration of te ao Māori and indigenous cultures worldwide. There will be live performances, a marketplace, kai, a wellbeing sanctuary, children’s activities (tomorrow) and indigenous art. Come for the kapa haka, stay for the lomilomi. It’s going to be a joyous five days of indigenous pride.

When: Tomorrow to Thursday, November 20.

Where: Aotea Square, Auckland Central.

Price: Free entry. Visit wipce2025.com for the full schedule.

7) Merry makers’ market

Tomorrow is the Christmas Edition of the General Collective’s Lifestyle and Design Market at Auckland Showgrounds. If you pride yourself on being a thoughtful and ethical gift giver, then this is the place to do all your Christmas shopping. There are more than 220 talented local designers, artists and brands with stalls at the market, which include homewares, fashion, art, jewellery, skincare and tasty festive treats. It’s family-friendly, has great coffee, and is a delightful Sunday outing even if you don’t buy a thing – though we wouldn’t recommend that.

When: Tomorrow, 9am-3pm.

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

Price: Tickets $5 (children under 12 free) from iticket.co.nz.

In brief…

Also taking place this weekend are:

• One-woman show Life on a Loop by Ellie Smith at Q Theatre
• The North Shore Artists Art Sale and Exhibition at the MSCC Hall in Milford
• How Bazaar Saturday market at Garnet Station
• A Pottery Pop-up by ceramicist Teresa Taylor at The Pigeon Bar on Tāmaki Drive
• Hypnotique by NZTrio at Auckland Town Hall
• A free concert by the Wayne Taylor Band at Tahaki Reserve
• The Blossom and Whither of One exhibition at Xhuba Gallery in the city
• Gertrude Stein and a Companion at the Charlotte Museum
• Big Fan’s 3rd Birthday bash in Morningside
• Naveya & Sloane’s newly opened Gifting Suite
• The launch event for Auckland Botanic Gardens’ new Tangled Roots Exhibition
• A Tree Story, Portraits of Cornwall Park exhibition at Turua Gallery
• Ashley & Co’s fragrance pop-up at Casa Bella in Parnell.

See associated websites and social media accounts for further details.

Plan ahead: laughing all the way from Dunedin to Onehunga

Harriet Moir is bringing her newest hour of comedy – Just Eat the Damn Sausage – to The Factory Theatre in Onehunga.

Award-winning comedian Harriet Moir started her comedy journey in Otago, where she has twice won the best solo show prize at the Dunedin Comedy Awards. Next week, she’s bringing her newest hour of comedy – Just Eat the Damn Sausage – to black box space The Factory Theatre in Onehunga. Moir, who is a solo parent to two teenage daughters, covers topics from puberty to perimenopause, the patriarchy to dating malarky, and the weight of beauty standards for women. It’s serious stuff but Moir makes it hilariously fun.

When: November 20 and 21, 7.30pm.

Where: The Factory Theatre, 80 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga.

Price: Tickets $45 including one free drink on arrival from iticket.co.nz.

Coming up

• An Evening with Priscilla Presley, Life After Elvis: November 20, Auckland.
• Black Grace, If Ever There was a Time and Esplanade: November 21, The Civic, Auckland.
• The Frame Workshop & Gallery MINI opening: November 21, Herne Bay, Auckland.
• It’s a Wonderful Life: November 21-December 6, The Dolphin Theatre, Auckland.
• Te Manaaki Lighting and Concert: November 22, Komititanga Square, Auckland.
• Corban Estate Arts Centre’s Open Arts Day: November 22, Auckland.
• Handel Consort & Quire present JS Bach’s Magnificat and Double Concerto for Oboe and Violin: November 22, Auckland Central and November 23, Pukekohe.
• Po’ Boys and Oysters: November 22-29, Herald Theatre, Auckland.
• WINEwood Wine Festival: November 22, Queenstown.
• Blockhouse Bay-Lynfield Lions Club’s Lap the Map Community Walk for Diabetes: November 23, Blockhouse Bay Primary School, Auckland.
• Calligraphy Exhibition: November 23-30, Gifford Gallery, Mt Eden, Auckland.
• National Thoroughbred Week open stables: November 20-24, various locations nationwide.
• Toody Cole & Her Band, with Jenny Don’t & The Spurs: November 25, Whammy Bar, Auckland.
• H.R. The Musical #2: November 25-December 6, Q Theatre, Auckland.
• NYT’s The Wizard of Oz: November 28-30, Kiri te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre.
• Auckland Horticultural Council 24th Annual Flower Show: November 29, Western Springs.
• The Others Way Festival: November 29, Karangahape Rd, Auckland.
• NZSO presents Joyce DiDonato, Summer Nights: November 29, Auckland Town Hall.
• 92nd Farmers Santa Parade: November 30, Auckland.
• Auckland Choral presents Sing Christmas: November 30, St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland.
• Basement Theatre’s Silly Season: December 4-13, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
• MOTAT Christmas Lights: December 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, MOTAT, Auckland.
• Twilight Christmas at Howick Historical Village: December 6, Auckland.
• Cathedral Christmas Market: December 9, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland.
• Kirk Franklin, The World Tour: December 10-13, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland.
• Dynamotion & Q Theatre present A Christmas Crisis: December 10-20, Q Theatre, Auckland.
• Stonefields Choir Sing for the City: December 13, Diocesan School for Girls, Epsom, Auckland.
• Aotango International Tango Day concert: December 13, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland.
• Oprah In Conversation: December 14, Spark Arena, Auckland.
• Auckland Choral presents Handel’s Messiah: December 14-15, Auckland Town Hall.

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