Here are some events to keep you busy this weekend.
There's no time to sit around this weekend, there's action on every corner.
1. Kiddy Corner
This is the weekend for the small sorts, with the Children's Day festival at the ASB Showgrounds. Think popcorn, candyfloss and petting zoo, plus giveaways, competitions and loads of rides. On Sunday enterprising kids are selling their wares - crafts, food and more - at the annual Silo Markets Children's Market. Spot the next generation of business and creative leaders, while you eat, drink, shop. And at the other end of town, Aotea Square comes alive Sunday for the Arts Festival Family Day with music, dancing, poetry, workshops and spectacles including science diva Nanogirl, Osadia the psychedelic hairdressers, as well as the APO, celebrated mime Fraser Hooper, the Fale Ula flowers, Identity Dance Crew and so much more. Not to be missed.
Details: Children's Day, Saturday, 9am-6pm. ASB Showgrounds. Silo Markets' Children's market, Sunday noon-6pm. Arts Festival family day, Sunday 10.30am-3.30am.
Sunday is the day to get in your exercise quotient and help other people. The crazy King Koil Great Auckland Bed Race supports 12 charities, with team bed racing throughout the afternoon over a 3km course. There's a novelty fancy dress bed parade, themed Heroes and Villains (go on, go berserk), the city's largest pillow fight plus free brain food, music and more. Mount Eden's Buddy Walk supports people with Down syndrome with fun and games after the walk including bouncy castles, rock climbing walls, rides, farm animals, live music, spot prizes and more. Or you can get up early and do the Sunrise Walk for Hospice, an early morning 5km run or walk through the Auckland Regional Botanical Gardens - gorgeous at that time of day to raise funds for South Auckland's Totara Hospice (dogs on leads welcome too).
Teams complete the 3km course in the Great Auckland Bed Race, Auckland Domain. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Details: All Sunday. Sunrise walk 7.30am-9.30am. Auckland Botanic Gardens. Buddy walk, 9am - 2pm, Mt Eden Reserve, Maungawhau. Bed Race, 11am-4pm. Auckland Domain.
3. Now is the hour
The glorious Queen Mary 2 is in town from Friday for the first time since 2007. You can join her as she sails away into the sunset on Saturday with a special sailing trip aboard Ted Ashby, a treat put on by the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum. Pack a picnic and relish amazing close-up views of the QM2 and the harbour as the sun sets (tickets $24-68).
Details: Saturday, 7-9pm.
4. Eat up
The first Taste Franklin Festival at Karaka celebrates the best of local food, beverages, artisan producers as well as crafts, music and more from the surrounding area. Local restaurants, wineries, cheese makers - what's not to love from the food bowl of the south (tickets $18, ID required).
Details: Saturday, 11am-6pm. Karaka Sports Park, Blackbridge Rd under 18yrs free
5. Mighty river power
Polyfest 2014. Photo / Supplied
The annual Turangawaewae Regatta is a feast for your eyes with grand parade of the mighty waka taua (war canoes) and magnificent racing. While you're there you can take a marae tour, a waka ride, or enjoy the adventure, plus kai and craft for sale, plenty of music and entertainment. Or enjoy the spectacle of music and dance at Polyfest, the big competition for the region's high schools.
