A work of art could be the best thing you buy yourself - or someone you love - this year. Paintings of Mt Eden is a new exhibition by M-Claw - yes, we're curious too.
Now until December 18, 10am-5pm except Mondays and Tuesdays, which are by appointment. 28 Prospect Ave, Mt Eden.
MAGIC TREE
Wynyard Quarter is gearing up for Christmas - but it needs lots of little helpers to bring that festive cheer. The Gantry at Wynyard Quarter is set to be transformed into a Christmas tree - or gan-tree, if you will - and organisers are calling for families to come and decorate the giant ornaments set to be hoisted skywards. Mini ornaments can be taken home, with an elite group of elf trainers on site to put kids through their paces.
Today, tomorrow 10am-11am and December 17-18 , noon-5pm. Fridays December 9 and 16, 5pm-8pm. Take-home decorations and elf training will continue from December 19-24, 10am-3pm. Wynyard Quarter, Corner of Halsey St and Jellicoe St, Freemans Bay. Entry is free.
MUKA YOUTH
Want to kick-start your kid's art collection? Then a visit to the Muka Youth Prints exhibition is a good place to start. The Muka show exhibits original lithograph prints from around the world, with only visitors aged 5-18 allowed. They can choose up to three prints to buy, with no adult input, and all signatures on the works are covered. The concept to teach kids the magical value of art was begun in 1987 by husband and wife team Frans Baetens and Magda Van Gils, and has spread to The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Germany.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Auckland Art Gallery, corner Kitchener St and Wellesley St, Auckland Central and December 9-10, 9am-4pm and 10.30am-3pm, Uxbridge Arts Centre, 35 Uxbridge Rd, Mellons Bay, Howick.
WAIHEKE MARKET
Looking for a present, a sweet treat, or just an excuse to leave the mainland? Waiheke Island's Ostend Market is on every weekend, rain or shine, with indoor and outdoor stalls selling everything from local olive oils and chutney to skincare and books. There's also jewellery new and old, and secondhand stalls for the bargain hunters. Pop down for a pizza at Dragonfired, winner of Weekend magazine's Best Pizza in the Best Location award.
Today, 8am-1pm, Ostend War Memorial Hall and Reserve, 76 Ostend Rd, Waiheke Island, Auckland.
FREE IN AOTEA SQUARE
Auckland Live's Summer in the Square is back for another year, turning the public space into an open-air activity hub. Music, entertainment and live arts events will take place in Aotea Square from December through February, with highlights including street ballet Trolleys - yes, it does include supermarket trolleys - performed by The New Zealand Dance Company. There's also a two-storey high Lego Christmas tree, dance workshops, and gigs by singers from Tiny Ruins to The New Zealand Opera.
Now to 23 December, with a short break and then again from January 9-February 24, Aotea Square. See full programme here.
POOLSIDE COOL
There's nothing like a Sunday session to get you in the holiday mood, and the chill-out officially begins this Sunday. The Backyard bar's Electric Orange Sundays feature house and disco music in a family-friendly environment, with a pool and playground for the kids. This week, Greg Churchill and Andy Vann will hit the decks.
Tomorrow, noon-6pm, The Backyard, 31 Northcote Road, Northcote, Auckland. Entry is free.
COME ALIVE
Described as "brooding" and "Americana-tinged," Wellington quartet So Laid Back Country China will play Aotea Square today. Their music is a little bit rock, a little bit country, with Harriet Ferry on keyboards and vocals, James Bennett on bass, Kane Tippler on drums, and Michael Keane on guitars and vocals.
Today, 12.30pm - 1.15pm, Aotea Square, as part of Summer in the Square. See aucklandlive.co.nz for the full schedule.
GARDEN
The team at Kai Auckland aim to create a more equitable, sustainable and localised food system. You can get your hands dirty with them this weekend, helping plant a variety of summer vegetables, herbs and flowers in Aotea Square for the summer. Kai Auckland volunteers will be there to help with planting, and share tips for growing summer crops at home.
Today, from 10am, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Dr, CBD. See kaiauckland.co.nz for more infomation, tips and activities.
STARJAM
Energetic young Kiwis with disabilities will light up Aotea Square with a performance tomorrow. StarJam is a not-for-profit organisation that provides musical opportunities for young people with disabilities. Its dancing, singing and drumming kids - the Jammers - charmed audiences last year, and they're set to do it again.
Today, 12.30pm, Aotea Square. See starjam.org for more details.
NIGHT NOODLES
More than 2500 people are expected to stream through the Night Noodle Markets by the time the five noodle nights close in Auckland, tomorrow evening. There are 20 vendors in the event, including House of Dumplings, Bird on a Wire, Monsoon Poon and White + Wong. Yum.
Today and tomorrow, 1pm-late, Victoria Park, 203-271 Victoria St West, Auckland. Entry is free, and dishes range from $5-$15.
PLAN AHEAD
TWILIGHT
Twilight night racing sounds pretty exciting to us, and next weekend punters will have the chance to see horses thunder past as the day dwindles. General admission ticket holders to the Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Summer Series have easy access to bars, hot and cold food, the Newmarket Lawn and the Ellerslie Stand, with partying until late in the Cuvee Bar.
December 7, gates open 3.30pm and first race 4.45pm, Ellerslie Racecourse, 80 Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland. General admission $10, under-15s free.
SILO PARK
The Silo Park summer season of films has a schedule of classics alongside much-loved family films and documentaries - from The Jungle Book to What We do in the Shadows and The Motorcycle Diaries. Next Friday's film is the 80s rom-com When Harry Met Sally, with DJ Tina Turntables spinning 80s tunes and attendees welcome to pull out the legwarmers. The Silo Markets are on too.
December 9, 5pm, Silo Park, corner of Beaumont St and Jellicoe St. See silopark.co.nz for more.
