Two races at Ellerslie are coming round the corner: the Sky City Christmas Carnival on Boxing Day and the New Year's Day races. Photo / Auckland Thoroughbred Racing
Two races at Ellerslie are coming round the corner: the Sky City Christmas Carnival on Boxing Day and the New Year's Day races. Photo / Auckland Thoroughbred Racing
Things are beginning to heat up in Tāmaki Makaurau. Here’s what you can do.
This close to turkey day your weekend is probably already filled with Christmas events and myriad other obligations but, if you do have a window of time, there are a few fun happenings this weekend in Tāmaki Makaurau and lots to look forward to over the coming weeks. Here’s our round-up of Auckland’s best events for the remainder of the year and the start of 2025.
1) Christmas Karaoke in the Square - Auckland CBD
Forget the Christmas shopping - who cares about that barbecue you’re supposed to go to? This is your chance to truly express your Christmas spirit and get the 15 minutes of fame you deserve. Auckland Live’s Christmas in the Square is giving you the opportunity to belt out your favourite Christmas jams with Karaoke in the Square. Hosted by the fabulous Hugo Grrrl, with the talented Robin Kelly accompanying on the piano, if you head down to Aotea Square on Saturday afternoon, you can take to the stage and release your inner Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, Kelly Clarkson or whichever Christmas crooner takes your fancy and bring joy to the world, or maybe the square, or at the very least yourself.
Auckland Live's Christmas in the Square includes a karaoke set-up.
2) Sophie Pop-Up - Newmarket
Looking for something sentimental to do over the Christmas period? The Sophie Pop-up at Westfield Newmarket might just fulfil your every need. Until December 27, you can visit with your bestie, boyfriend, lover, family member or your fabulous self and commemorate the end of the year that was with a piece of forEVER “permanent jewellery”. The fine bracelets or anklets come in sterling silver, 14kt gold fill or 9kt solid gold chain and get welded directly onto the purchaser, creating an endless loop. You can imbue any meaning you like into one of these delicate pieces or just enjoy it for its aesthetic appeal. There’s also a personalisation bar where you can make a personalised necklace, emboss a notebook or key ring. They’re all very sweet gifts and Sophie is a New Zealand business success story that you can feel really good about supporting this holiday season.
Price: Bookings essential for permanent jewellery at sophiestore.co.nz/pages/forever-sophie-2024
Bookings are essential at the Sophie Pop-up.
3) New Exhibitions at Auckland Museum - Parnell
Visiting Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum never gets old despite the fact it’s home to a lot of very old artefacts. Last week it opened two new and very different exhibitions. The first, Mana: Protest in Print, is a celebration of Aotearoa’s first multilingual newspaper - Mana - which was made for and by Māori and Pacific people. The paper only ran from 1977-78, during a significant time of social and political tension in Aotearoa, but has had a lasting impact because of its role in our civil rights and protest movements. The exhibition includes copies of the paper, photographs and personal stories from those involved in its production. Also new at Auckland Museum is an entirely different exhibition, Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches. Delving into the science and history of the 30,000 species around the globe that feed on blood, the international exhibit includes immersive experiences, installations and interactive displays. These creatures have fascinated humans for centuries, you just have to look at the absurd number of vampire-inspired cultural products to know we are drawn to the idea of bloodsuckers like moths to flames.
Mana: Protest in Print runs until mid-2026 and is free with Museum entry (free for Auckland residents).
Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches runs until April 27, 2025.
Where: Auckland Museum, Auckland Domain, Parnell.
Price: Adult $22, child 5-15 years $11, under 5s free, family (2 adult, 2 child) $59, students and seniors $20, free for museum members. aucklandmuseum.com
For thousands of parents, once the excitement of Christmas has died down, they’re left with a seemingly endless stretch of school-free summer days. Finding ways to entertain the kids is a challenging and thankless task, but MOTAT is an outing you can count on, and this weekend they’re launching their school holiday experience Supercharge It! It’s all about exploring the ways in which technology advances humans beyond our own capabilities. There are interactive displays, including the Tech It to the Limit Zone, where you can test your speed and reaction times. In Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre, you can do measurement experiments and design challenges. Plus, the Whakatangi Puoro Make Music exhibit is still up and running giving children the opportunity to create music. Pack a picnic and make a day of it. That’s one taken care of, only about 50 more to go.
When: December 21-February 2, 10am-4pm.
Where: MOTAT, 805 Great North Rd, Western Springs, Auckland.
Price: Tickets $10-$19 (free for under 5s and Super Gold Card holders) from motat.nz or at the gate.
Supercharge It! is a school holiday experience being launched at MOTAT.
Plan Ahead: Boxing and New Year’s Day Races - Ellerslie
Stave off the day-after blues by sprucing yourself up and heading to the races at Ellerslie. The summer racing season is in full swing with two of the biggest events being the Sky City Christmas Carnival on Boxing Day and the New Year’s Day races. On Thursday, alongside all the equine excitement, spectators can enjoy The Grand Tour Racing Festival at The Paddock where DJs Pixie Lane, Bontempo and Hamish Crocker will be spinning tracks, and in The Grand Tour Stables, there’s a secret rave room, disco bronco and a wagering clairvoyant. For quite a different vibe, The Infield is a family-friendly zone with food trucks, face-painting and pony rides. The most high-end experience is at Cuvée where you are up close and personal with all the racing action. Tickets to Cuvée include a gourmet food and beverage package. It wouldn’t be the Boxing Day races without Fashions in the Field, with the best dressed qualifying for The Ned Prix de Fashion 2025. The SkyCity New Year’s Day Races is a slightly more relaxed event with plenty of horsey action, family entertainment and the opportunity to lounge around on the Champagne Lawn and welcome in the New Year in style.
When: December 26, gates open 11am, first race 12.40pm. January 1, gates open 11am, first race 12.10pm.
Price: Tickets start at $15pp from ellerslie.co.nz Children under 15 get free admission to The Infield and General Admission areas.
Plan Ahead: Music in Parks - Various locations
We are big advocates of the free public events that Auckland Council puts on over the summer. Music in Parks is an excellent series that provides those who can’t afford to buy tickets to big international acts like Coldplay or Pearl Jam or Dua Lipa the opportunity to enjoy live music in some of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most beautiful outdoor locations. Plus, it allows local up-and-coming artists to get some vital experience and exposure as they embark on a professional career in music. For 2025, the concert season kicks off on January 11 at Maraetai Beach and carries on into April, featuring some beloved New Zealand musicians like Anna Coddington, Georgia Lines, Rei, Tali and Jordyn With a Why. There are several genre-specific concerts like Jazz at the Rotunda, Blues at Blockhouse Bay and the ever-popular Opera in the Park concerts. Pack a picnic, invite good company and you’ve got yourself a dreamy summer afternoon lounging to live music.
Where: Various locations around Tāmaki Makaurau. Visit musicinparks.co.nz for the full schedule.
Price: Free.
Music in Parks is an event series held by Auckland Council. Photo / Auckland Council
Plan Ahead: SIX the Musical - Auckland CBD
Theatre or concert tickets of any kind are our all-time favourite last-minute Christmas gifts. You can buy them right from your couch, no chaotic malls necessary, no need to wait for shipping and it’s environmentally friendly. Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival in March has many amazing shows on the programme including one that’s had a lot of buzz internationally, SIX the Musical. It tells the story of the six wives of King Henry VIII but there’s little else reminiscent of the Tudor period in this musical, it’s more like a pop-rock concert full of female rage, a plethora of musical styles, humour and so much contagious energy you’ll have a very hard time staying in your seat. Undoubtedly influenced by Lin Manuel-Miranda’s behemoth Hamilton, have a listen to the soundtrack on Spotify this weekend and you’ll almost certainly find the lyrics “Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived” taking residence in your brain for a few hours.
When: February 27-March 23.
Where: The Civic Theatre, corner Queen and Wellesley Sts, Auckland Central.
Price: Tickets from $115 + booking fees from ticketmaster.co.nz
SIX the Musical tells the story of King Henry VIII's six wives. Photo / Michelle Grace Hunder
Plan Ahead: ASB Classic - Parnell
Sure, escaping the big smoke for some coastal relaxation over the New Year break sounds great but so does sipping on Aperol Spritzes while taking in a spot of world-class tennis? Auckland’s event of the summer, the ASB Classic, kicks off on December 30 with the women’s week featuring Emma Radacanu, Naomi Osaka and our own Lulu Sun among other exciting players. Week two is the men’s tennis, which some people enjoy just as much as the women’s, and features Cam Norrie, Jakub Mensik, Flavio Cobolli and Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard. Returning for a second year is the Aperol Terrazza Bar, an Italian-inspired bar where tennis-lovers can retreat for aperitivos, nibbles and tennis on a big screen. It’s a wonderful day or evening of entertainment and sporting prowess, just remember, this is Aotearoa, wear a hat and sunscreen or live to regret it.
When: December 30-January 11.
Where: Manuka Doctor Arena, 1 Tennis Lane, Parnell, Auckland.
Price: Tickets start from $15 for a ground pass from asbclassic.co.nz
The ASB Clasic kicks off on December 20 and runs until January 11.
Plan Ahead: Sail GP - Waitematā Harbour
When the back-to-work blues threaten to drag you down, give yourself something to be excited about: the debut of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland. One of the biggest events of the summer, these F50 catamarans will be sailing at super high speeds on the Waitematā, getting close to 100k an hour, which makes the races pretty thrilling for spectators. Over the two-day competition, our Black Foils - led by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - will be up against 11 international teams. There’s a purpose-built grandstand at Wynyard Point which is your best option for viewing. The Bring Your Own Boat options and Shoreline villas are already sold out so don’t dilly dally getting tickets.
Price: Tickets $179 + booking fees from sailgp.com
USA SailGP Team helmed by Taylor Canfield in action during a practice session ahead of United Arab Emirates SailGP in November. Photo / Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
