Weekends In The City Centre

22 - 24 AUG, 2025:

Art Battle Auckland | 22 AUG | Free

The world’s largest live painting competition returns with the Auckland Regionals, kicking off at the Ellen Melville Centre in the city centre. Watch a dynamic mix of established and emerging New Zealand artists plus two wildcard entrants—compete in three fast-paced rounds of speed painting, all vying for the title of Auckland CBD Champion 2025.

Decadunce | 21 - 23 AUG | $17 - $30

The award-winning Kiwi comedian Marshall Lorenzo (Canada’s Drag Race) is back with a brand-new sketch comedy extravaganza ‘Decadunce’ - a show about fraud, excess and stupidity. All featuring various unforgettable characters, and biting commentary on the dilapidated state of it all.

80s Silent Disco by Moonlight | 23 AUG | $50 - $61

After selling out over 100 shows across the World, 80s Silent Disco heads to New Zealand for a spectacular event under a giant glowing moon in Auckland Town Hall. Expect 3 epic UK DJs playing all your favourite 80s tunes in the stunning, illuminated surroundings of Auckland Town Hall.

Come Together – Pink Floyd | 23 AUG | $99 - $149

Aotearoa’s finest artists and musicians will bring it to life - note for note - alongside a bonus set of other Pink Floyd masterpieces.

Jay Park  | 24 AUG | $109.90 - $199.90

Get ready for an unforgettable night as the Korean-American icon lands at Spark Arena on 24 August 2025, for his Serenades & Body Rolls World Tour.

World Press Photo Exhibition | 26 JUL - 24 AUG | From $15

Final call for visual storytelling that moves the soul! This weekend is your last chance to witness the award-winning World Press Photo Exhibition—a breathtaking showcase of the year’s most powerful photojournalism from around the globe. 

29 - 31 AUG, 2025:

Sky Tower's Birthday Month | 1 - 31 AUG | Various prices

Sky Tower’s birthday month is wrapping up this weekend—but there’s still time to join the celebration! Don’t miss out on a lively lineup of treats, including FREE Lewis Road ice cream, exclusive giveaways, discounted adult tickets to the Sky Tower, and more. It’s your last chance to soak up the fun before the party ends!

Into The Great Ocean | 30 AUG | Free

Join in the final day of Tala o le tau for a talanoa with leading academics and artists and explore multidisciplinary responses to the climate crisis from our place in Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa. 

Make Days | Shell Key Charm | 31 AUG | Free with museum entry

Design your own colourful key charm using real shells and bright beads. Inspired by the treasures of the ocean, this hands-on activity is perfect for tamariki who love to make and take something home.

By the Fire | 1 - 31 AUG | Various prices

Final call for By the Fire - a curated, precinct-wide celebration of warmth, ritual, and connection, all inspired by the elemental power of fire. Embrace the season’s glow through immersive light installations, invigorating outdoor rituals, flame-licked menus, spiced cocktails, and soul-warming spa and stay-cay escapes.

Because of where I live | 30 AUG | Free

Because of Where I Live concludes this weekend—offering a last opportunity to experience powerful works that delve into connection, place, and identity. Immerse yourself in a space where stories of belonging and resilience unfold through art.

Front Row Experience at Trivet | 29 AUG | $120pp

Join in an exclusive 4-course degustation dinner every Friday in August at Trivet, where Executive Chef Wallace Mulese will whip up bespoke mini versions of Trivet's iconic dishes — reimagined, reworked, and served with flair, right before your eyes.

5 - 7 SEP, 2025

The Music of Coldplay by Candlelight | 7 SEP | $79 - $149

Calling all Coldplay fans... you've been waiting for Something Just Like This! Featuring a spectacular cast of worldclass vocalists direct from the UK and an epic live band, prepare for total Paradise, as you experience Coldplay's biggest hits, like never before.

NZSO Mahler 6 | 6 SEP | From $36

Experience the raw power and emotional depth of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Led by a world-class conductor, this monumental work delivers intensity, beauty, and drama in every movement. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of orchestral brilliance.

Mother Play by Paula Vogel | 4 - 20 SEP | $30 - $75

Step into the haunting world of Mother Play by Paula Vogel—a bold, intimate exploration of family, memory, and resilience. With piercing honesty and dark humor, this gripping drama lays bare the complexities of motherhood and survival across generations.

12 - 14 SEP, 2025

Paul Kelly | 12 SEP | $99

Australian music legend Paul Kelly returns to Auckland for an unforgettable night of storytelling and song. From timeless classics to new favourites, experience the magic of one of the most iconic voices in Australasia—live on stage.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert | 12 SEP - 4 OCT | $99.50 - $139.50

The critically acclaimed musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert is making its dazzling return to New Zealand! Inspired by the Oscar-winning film, this feel-good journey follows three friends as they set off in a battered old bus in search of love and connection—only to discover a world of friendship, self-discovery, and unforgettable surprises along the way.

Matteo Lane Back Down Under | 12 SEP | $69 - $139.90

Catch the globally acclaimed comedian Matteo Lane live at SkyCity Theatre as part of his Back Down Under tour. With sold-out shows from New York to Carnegie Hall, this is one night of laughter, storytelling, and charm you won’t want to miss.

Urban Cocktail Trail | 13 SEP | $75 - $99

Grab your mates and discover the best bars in The Viaduct & Wynyard Quarter on the self-guided Urban Cocktail Trail! Kick things off with a bite at your starting venue, then make your way around using your cocktail vouchers. Where you go and what you sip is totally up to you.

Checkmate | 13 SEP - 5 OCT | Free

Ready to level up your school holidays? Gather your friends, whānau and fellow grandmasters to experience the immersive installation Checkmate – a giant-sized chess set featuring 14 towering pieces, part of this year’s We The Young children’s festival.

More to see, do and love...

Auckland Theatre Company's 2025 Programme 

Auckland Theatre Company’s 2025 season is a thrilling showcase of storytelling, blending iconic works like Romeo and Juliet and Murder on the Orient Express with bold new voices and Kiwi narratives. With six dynamic productions spanning mystery, history, comedy, and drama, this programme promises to captivate and challenge audiences throughout the year  

Auckland Philharmonia 2025 Programme

The Auckland Philharmonia's 2025 season is a vibrant celebration of musical diversity, featuring world-class debuts, returning maestros and a rich blend of classical masterpieces and cinematic scores. From the fiery drama of La traviata to the sweeping sounds of Hans Zimmer, this programme promises unforgettable experiences for every kind of music lover. 

The Royal New Zealand Ballet's 2025 Programme

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2025 programme is a bold fusion of tradition and innovation, showcasing timeless classics like The Nutcracker alongside powerful new works rooted in Aotearoa’s stories and landscapes. Under the visionary direction of Ty King-Wall, this season promises to enchant, challenge, and connect audiences through world-class artistry and uniquely Kiwi storytelling