What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Santa Parade, live music and festivals

Today, Watercare is hosting a Fun Day Out in Māngere, in which the public is invited to come and learn a bit about Auckland’s biosolids. Photo / Simon Runting

The biggest event of Auckland’s Christmas season is taking place this weekend – the iconic Farmers Santa Parade – but it’s far from the only thing to see and do in Tāmaki Makaurau. Live music abounds with The Others Way Festival, world-renowned opera singer Joyce DiDonato, Auckland Choral and musical comedy H.R. The Musical #2. Watercare is hosting an educational family fun day, and the Auckland Horticultural Council has its annual flower show. Here’s our list of the best things to do in Auckland this weekend, plus a couple to put in your diary for next week.

1) Water matters

Chances are that when you flush the toilet, you’re not thinking much about Auckland’s wastewater infrastructure, but the fact is your waste is contributing to an ongoing issue for our city: an increasing amount of biosolids and what to do with them. Today, Watercare is hosting a Fun Day Out in Māngere, in which the public is invited to come and learn a bit about Auckland’s biosolids and tour where they’re currently being put to use at Te Motu a Hiaroa. To make sure it really is fun for the whole family, there will also be face painting, Santa photos, kids’ games, ice-skating experience, music and cultural performances. The future health and hygiene of our city truly depend on finding smart solutions for the biosolids conundrum, so this is something all Aucklanders should take an interest in.

When: Today, 10am-4pm.

Where: Māngere Town Square, Māngere, Auckland.

Price: Free.

2) Better work stories

H.R. The Musical #2 opened at Q Theatre on Tuesday, sharing 90 minutes of witty tales, outrageous sketch comedy and musical whimsy. Photo / Michelle McLennan

At this time of year, work Christmas parties are going off the rails and colleagues are showing up on Monday mornings hidden behind sunglasses and a cloak of shame. All of it is excellent fodder for writer-producer Amy Mansfield, who has written a follow-up to last year’s hit H.R. The Musical. H.R. The Musical #2 opened at Q Theatre on Tuesday and draws on real-life, crowd-sourced work stories to create 90 minutes of witty tales, outrageous sketch comedy and musical whimsy – a fun night out for anyone who has ever had a job.

When: On now until December 6.

Where: Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, Auckland Central.

Price: Tickets $49 - $69 + booking fees from qtheatre.co.nz.

3) Opera star joins NZSO

Joyce DiDonato joins the NZSO tonight for an evening of romantic works. Photo / Chris Gonz

Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato joins the NZSO tonight for an evening of romantic works that spotlight her extraordinary range. Originally from Kansas, DiDonato travels the globe performing at venues like the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall, and now – for the first time – Auckland Town Hall. This is a rare chance to hear one of the world’s finest voices here in Aotearoa. For aspiring vocalists, NZSO, NZ Opera and Circle100 are hosting a masterclass with DiDonato tomorrow morning as well.

When: Tonight, 7.30pm.

Where: Auckland Town Hall, Queen St, Auckland.

Price: Tickets from $32 + booking fees from ticketmaster.co.nz.

4) Santa’s parading down Queen St

Auckland’s biggest and longest-running Santa parade hits Queen St for its 92nd time.

Tomorrow, Auckland’s biggest and longest-running Santa parade hits Queen St for its 92nd time. The Farmers Santa Parade is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser with giant floats, including a new enchanted woodlands float this year, dancers, cheerleaders, musicians and community groups. Bluey and Bingo will be there, as well as Tribu Paghidaet from the Philippines, the Cheer Bear, and grand marshals Ben Boyce and his daughters Sienna and Indie. If the weather turns to custard, the parade will be postponed until December 7. If it’s fine out, wear a hat and sunscreen, stay hydrated, and if at all possible, catch public transport.

When: Tomorrow, 12pm-1pm pre-parade entertainment; 1pm-2.30pm parade; 2.30pm-5pm Santa’s Party.

Where: Queen St, Auckland, and Santa’s Party in Aotea Square.

Price: Free.

5) Sing Christmas

Auckland Choral will perform a range of classic carols at their Sing Christmas concert at St Matthew-in-the-City. Photo / Helen Foster

If you haven’t succumbed to the spirit of Christmas yet, Auckland Choral will get you there tomorrow with their Sing Christmas concert at St Matthew-in-the-City. They’re performing a range of classic Christmas carols including Gaudete, Coventry Carol, and For Unto Us a Child is Born from Handel’s Messiah. It’s set to be a jubilant festive concert, in which singing along is welcome. For the full Handel’s Messiah experience, get tickets to Auckland Choral’s Auckland Town Hall concerts on December 14 and 15.

When: Tomorrow, 4.30pm.

Where: St Matthew-in-the-City, 132 Hobson St, Auckland Central.

Price: Tickets $10-$28 + booking fees from ticketmaster.co.nz.

6) Sweet peas and beautiful blooms

Western Springs blooms into life for the Auckland Horticultural Council’s 24th Annual Flower Show today.

Calling all flower enthusiasts, Western Springs blooms into life for the Auckland Horticultural Council’s 24th Annual Flower Show today. Celebrating growers, gardeners and beautiful blooms, this year’s show is also big on sweet peas. Plant-breeder Dr Keith Hammett is exhibiting six different sweet peas for visitors to see and smell – enhanced scent being his primary area of interest. Plus, there will be expert gardeners and horticulturists who you can hit up for advice about your own gardening dilemmas, and a bounty of home baking to boot.

When: Today, 10am-3pm.

Where: Western Springs Garden Community Hall, 956 Great North Rd, Western Springs, Auckland.

Price: Entry $2 on the door.

7) K Rd street party

K Rd’s The Others Way Festival has expanded this year.

For music lovers and good time chasers, today is K Rd’s The Others Way Festival. It’s expanded this year, and for the first time the road between Queen St and Pitt St will be shut down for a giant multi-venue street party. There are some big names on the bill, including Sharon Van Etten, Connan Mockasin, Toody Cole, The Bats, The Phoenix Foundation, Anthonie Tonnon and lots more. It’s almost sold out, but there are a few remaining tickets for the truly spontaneous among you.

When: Today, 5pm.

Where: Karangahape Rd, Auckland.

Price: Tickets from $119 + booking fees from moshtix.co.nz.

8) Plan ahead: Christmas ghost at the Civic

A Christmas Carol opens at the Civic Theatre on Tuesday and is the perfect way to herald the silly season. Photo / David Fell

The Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol opens at the Civic Theatre on Tuesday and is the perfect way to herald the silly season. The iconic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future is brought to life on stage with music, innovative video content, amazing costumes and stellar performances. The message of A Christmas Carol is one you can never learn too many times, and the show is bound to warm the hearts of even the grinchiest theatre-goers. Plus, the production is supporting Auckland City Mission, which needs all the support it can get at this time of year.

When: December 2-7.

Where: Civic Theatre, Queen St, Auckland.

Price: Tickets $30-$89 + booking fees from aucklandlive.co.nz.

9) Plan ahead: Art to save Kāhui St David’s

Head along to Aumārire Harmony – Christmas Celebration at Kāhui St David’s on Monday.

Support the arts, heritage buildings and community spaces by heading along to Aumārire Harmony – Christmas Celebration at Kāhui St David’s on Monday. Located in the historic St David’s Memorial Church on Khyber Pass, Kāhui St David’s is a home for the arts, a live performance venue, and a community space for hire. It’s a beautiful building that’s struggling to keep its doors open, which is where artist Peata Larkin comes in. She has created four elemental artworks to be unveiled on Monday at the celebration. All proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go towards supporting the centre’s operational costs for the next two years. Also on the night, there’ll be performances by Hina, Auckland Choral, Helen Lukman-Fox playing the 1905 Croft Pipe Organ, community Christmas carols, festive treats and good vibes.

When: Monday, December 1, 7pm.

Where: Great Hall, Kāhui St David’s, 70 Khyber Pass Rd, Grafton.

Price: Tickets $25 adults, free for children, from kahuistdavids.nz/events.

Coming up

• Basement Theatre’s Silly Season: December 4-13, Basement Theatre, Auckland.
• A Very Live Reel Christmas: December 4, 11 and 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.
• Muriwai Twilight Christmas Market: December 7, Muriwai Surf Club, Muriwai.
• Cathedral Christmas Market: December 9, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, Auckland.
• The Comedy Culture Holiday Buffet: December 9-11, Basement Theatre, 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.
• Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park: December 13, Auckland Domain.
• Oprah In Conversation: December 14, Spark Arena, Auckland.
• Auckland Choral presents Handel’s Messiah: December 14-15, Auckland Town Hall.
• Auckland Phil’s Tunes 4 Tamariki, Christmas with Suzy: December 14 (Bruce Mason Centre) and 21 (Auckland Town Hall).
• Auckland Phil’s Christmas Cheer: December 19 and 20, Auckland Town Hall.
• The Greatest Christmas Show: December 19 and 20, Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland (nationwide from November 28).
• The ASB Classic tennis: January 5-17, Auckland.
• Jimmy Carr – Laughs Funny Tour: Nationwide January 7-28.
• Auckland Folk Festival: January 23-26, Auckland.
• Opera in the Park: January 24, St Heliers and January 31, Auckland Botanic Gardens.
• Foster Dance Group’s Ghostfield: December 15-17, Kenneth Myers Centre, Auckland.

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