Brilliant Things to Do Over the Anzac Long Weekend in Auckland

This year New Zealand takes Monday off to remember the nation's past and present servicemen and women. From commemorative services to a legion of 100+ funny people, here's what we think you should put on your Anzac long weekend schedule.

Anzac Day Services 2016

Get up before the sun and honour the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli and other conflicts in which New Zealand has been involved. There are two commemorative services at the Auckland War Memorial Museum this year. The Dawn Service, starting at 6am, and the Civic Service, starting at 11am. Both will take place on the Court of Honour (Cenotaph). The Museum is open straight after the Dawn Service and for the rest of the day, and there are many commemorative programmes happening inside.

Illuminate: No Man's Land

Having made its debut at the New Zealand Festival of Arts in March, composer John Psathas' No Man's Land will be screened onto Auckland Museum's northern façade in a free open air event this Anzac weekend. No Man's Land is a cinematic performance project that brings together musicians descended from opposing forces of the First World War and reunites them on the sites where their grandfathers and great-grandfathers fought a century ago. In the lead up to Anzac Day the premiere of a 20-minute version of the film will loop from 6.30pm through to 10pm.

NZIFF Autumn Events

If you'd rather stay indoors this long weekend, the NZIFF Autumn Events will be hosting a selection of classic and premiere films. The weekend's programme at Academy Cinema includes Putuparri and the Rainmakers - following traditional rainmakers of Australia's Great Sandy Desert, Janis: Little Blue Girl - a celebration of '60s icon Janis Joplin, and In Her Own Words - an in-depth tribute to Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman.

Kelmarna Gardens Autumn Festival

Community garden and organic city farm Kelmarna Gardens are holding a seasonal fundraising festival to celebrate all things autumn and earthy and to help keep the 4.5 acre paradise alive. Ponsonby bistro Orphans Kitchen will be there serving up a mouth-watering feast from a wood-fired BBQ and Little Bird Unbakery will be providing sweet treats to nibble on. There'll be wellness tonics from Ahi-Ka Tonics, caffeine from Millers Coffee and free hugs with every smoothie you order from the Organic Mechanic boys. All that plus live music, workshops on beekeeping and foraging, a kids zone and raffles.

The 2016 New Zealand International Comedy Festival 

The three-week showcase of funny people kicks off this long weekend with a plethora of shows around the city. A total of 125 acts make up the lineup for this year's festival including Irish comedian Jimeoin, Englishman Alexis Dubus appearing as his French alter ego Marcel Lucont, YouTube sensation Alex Williamson, London standup James Acaster, Melbourne's Tessa Waters, Vancouver stunt magician Wes Barker and plenty more. See the Comedy Festival website to see what's happening in your neck of the woods.

Ghetto Soul African Pop-up

Led by ex-Depot and Major Sprout chef Evan Botha, Ghetto Soul specialises in urban soul food from different parts of the globe, switching it up each month with a new city or region. Following an exploration into Louisiana Creole earlier this month, the globetrotting cooks will use the two remaining weeks of their residency to focus on the relatively unchartered cuisine of African barbecue or braai. The Ghetto Soul African pop-up will take place at Weirdough & Tuck on Friday 22 April (4 - 9pm) and Late Night Diner on Saturday 23 (5 - 10pm).