The Best Things to Do in Auckland This Long Weekend
Make plans.

The Best Things to Do in Auckland This Long Weekend
Weekends are precious. Two glorious days devoid of responsibility and overflowing with possibility. Luckily, Auckland's got plenty happening to make sure you don't spend the days indoors binge-watching Netflix and instead discovering new bars, absorbing art and feasting your way through food markets. Here are our picks of the weekend's happenings.
Top image: Inside Dali
-
Arts & Entertainment
Matariki ki te Manawa
The super-sized lighting and sculptural experience will illuminate the city centre in a series of events and installations.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Elvis
Baz Luhrmann's take on the king of rock 'n' roll is a sprawling, exhilarating spectacle, as led by an exceptional Austin Butler in the pompadour and jumpsuits.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Matariki Lights at the Stardome
Mark Matariki by gazing up into the night sky during this immersive show of light and sound.
-
Travel & Leisure
Elemental AKL: The Snugs
Cosy up in your own private igloo while scoffing snacks and sipping drinks
-
Arts & Entertainment
Men
'Ex Machina' and 'Annihilation' filmmaker Alex Garland returns with a #MeToo horror film that's both blatant and piercing.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Lightyear
This Buzz Lightyear origin story doesn't soar to infinity and beyond, but it benefits from lively voice work and a scene-stealing robot cat.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Nude Tuesday
Spoken only in gibberish, and unafraid to bare all, this New Zealand sex comedy starring Jackie van Beek, Jemaine Clement and Damon Herriman is revelatory several times over.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Light Up Onehunga
Wrap up warm and head to Onehunga after dark to see some of the suburb's historic buildings come to life.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Jurassic World Dominion
The sixth film in the dinosaur franchise reteams OG stars Laura Dern, Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum — but even that can't save its extinction-level struggles.
-
Food & Drink
Elmo's Winter Truffle Menu
Think truffle-topped crayfish ravioli, shaved truffle over a four-cheese pizza and of course, truffle burrata.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
'Drive My Car' may have won an Oscar, but Ryûsuke Hamaguchi's second powerful and poignant drama of the past year is equally as masterful.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Christian Orthodox World
This groundbreaking exhibition of works dating from as far back as 1350 is the largest exhibition of icons to be staged in Australasia.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Ancient Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes
This mammoth exhibition is set to be the largest selection of ancient artefacts ever loaned by a museum to New Zealand.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Lunchtime Drop-In Drawing Session
Do you dream of being a famous artist? Manifest it the right way and practice your skills in the Auckland Art Gallery.
-
Travel & Leisure
Yoga at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
The weekly one-hour Hatha yoga class takes place in a new gallery space each week, allowing you to catch new works from local and international artists.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Inside Dali
This new multimedia exhibit is set to take you on a journey through the life of one of the world's most prolific surrealist artists.
-
Arts & Entertainment
T-Rex Skeleton at Auckland Museum
The greatest predator that ever lived is headed for Auckland Museum.
-
Food & Drink
FISH Urban Wine Tasting
You'll enjoy six local and international drops and accompanying snacks — and none of the usual winery worries about catching that last ferry home.
-
Food & Drink
Britomart Saturday Farmer's Market
This weekly inner-city farmer's market sells everything from fresh produce and flowers to coffee, vegan foods, pastries, sweet buns, crepes, juices and savoury snacks.
-
Food & Drink
Pasta and Peroni Nights at The Grounds
See out the last sunny evenings of autumn with fresh pasta handmade by an ex-Baduzzi chef and ice-cold beers on tap.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Yona Lee: Arrangement for 5 Rooms
You've never seen a handrail quite like this before.
-
Arts & Entertainment
The Civic Tours 2022
This hour-long tour takes you behind the curtain of one of Auckland's most iconic landmarks.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Live Jazz Sessions at Casita Miro
Feel like you're a world away from Auckland's CBD as you gorge on delicious Spanish-style tapas and listen to live jazz from some of the city's best musicians.
-
Arts & Entertainment
Toi Tu Toi Ora: Contemporary Maori Art Virtual Tour
Virtually walk through this major exhibition exploring contemporary Māori art.
-
Food & Drink
Straight to Churly's
Start your adventure in Auckland with some craft beer and a nose-to-tail feast.