For more than a decade, the Carols by Candlelight concert has been held on the last Sunday night before Christmas at Stockade Hill in Howick. The free concert is popular with families, with the audience invited to sing along with the band and choir.
Tomorrow, 8.15pm-10pm, Stockade Hill, corner of Melons Bay Rd and Picton St, Howick. Donations encouraged.
CRACKER CONCERTS
Alberton, the historic mansion in Mt Albert, hosts a series of concerts, Candles on the Christmas Tree, presented by Cathie Harrop and Peter Daube. The programme consists of Christmas songs and stories, and will also showcase the talents of Hadley Ronayne (piano), Amanda Kirk (soprano) and musicians Dave and Jennie Khan.
Tonight 7.30pm, and tomorrow at 6.30pm. Tickets $50 per person (includes refreshment). Bookings essential: cathieharrop.com or ph. (09) 479 2361.
SANTA
It wouldn't be Christmas without him, and this year Santa and Mrs Claus are even more animated than usual. The professional ConArtist actors will visit Remuera two weeks in a row, so if you miss them this weekend you can get them next - while listening to the Village Jazz trio and avoiding the mall. Santa will be in Remuera from 10am to 2pm today and from Wednesday to Saturday. On each of these days he goes down to Santa's Cabin in the Village Green from 11.30am to 1pm so kids and families can sit with him for photos. At other times the Clauses are out and about on the streets and happy to have photos taken wherever you see them.
Today and December 21-24, 10am-2pm, The Village Green, 415 Remuera Rd.
3D FISH
Ever wondered what a sea creature born of your imagination would look like swimming through the ocean? Now you can find out, with a new exhibition at Kelly Tarlton's Amazing Creations. Using technology never seen before in New Zealand, kids can colour in a fish template, scan the coloured-in picture and see it swim to life in a 3D experience in a fish tank.
Daily, 9.30am-5pm, 23 Tamaki Dr, Orakei, Auckland.
STORY TIME
At a loss with your kid this weekend? Musician Anna Coddington will be at Silo Park reading Roadworks, The Gruffalo, A Lion In The Meadow and other favourites as part of the park's story sessions. Fun for all ages, but this week especially fun for 3-8-year-olds. The markets and bar are also open.
Tomorrow, noon-8pm, Silo Park, cnr Beaumont St and Jellicoe St, Auckland CBD.
WRESTLE WITH THIS
Does getting stuck in a headlock before Christmas sound like a nightmare to you? Impact Pro Wrestling agree, which is why their annual event is called Nightmare Before Christmas. "Fans Bring The Weapons" returns as the feature attraction of the event, and the New Zealand Heavyweight Championship will be on the line.
Tonight, doors open 6.30pm, show starts at 7.30pm, Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, 773 New North Rd, Mt Albert. Tickets on eventfinda.co.nz.
MARKETS
Artisan trinkets and treasures, workshops and activities - a day at the Silo Markets is not to be missed. Today, there is sari-draping, Bollywood dance, Rangoli drawing, turban-making and a sitar performance from Indiance New Zealand and Sikh Youth New Zealand, along with street food, drinks at the Silo Park Bar, and the Silo Crafty Zone. There's also Auckland City Mission's magical Christmas Tree Forest, the biggest Christmas ganTREE, and the official Elf Training Camp.
Today, noon-6pm, Silo Park, corner of Beaumont St and Jellicoe St, Auckland CBD.
HIP-HOP SUMMER
LarzRanda, aka Mainard Larkin, is one of the latest talented young hip-hop artists to hit the New Zealand music scene, and will play as part of Auckland Live's Summer in the Square line-up tonight. Larkin began recording songs while living atop a Sydney laundromat in 2011, and won the Vodafone NZ Music Awards critics' choice prize in 2014.
Tonight, 6.30pm-7.30pm, Aotea Square, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland.
WHOA!
As if Christmas preparations aren't theatrical enough, add some grist to the mill with the premiere of A Very Gloomy Holidays! Promising fun for the whole family, the show is ideal for all aged 5+ (as it includes a few loud noises and a super-villain with a big nose) and features professional actors, puppets, video and projections.
Today and tomorrow, at 11.30am or 2pm. Whoa Studios, 8-14 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson. To book, email adam@imaginestudios.co.nz.
IGNITE
Passionate young musicians are centre-stage this weekend, when the music and events industry training programme Ignite takes over Aotea Square. Up-and-coming musicians like Iris G, Sonatane Kaufusi, and Daffodils will play today and tomorrow.
This weekend, 12.30pm-6.30pm, Aotea Square, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland. See aucklandlive.co.nz for details.
PLAN AHEAD
NEXT WEEK: MOVIE-ING RIGHT ALONG
It's film by democracy, which means the winner is anyone's guess, but to have your say in the Silo Park's Christmas movie, just head to their Facebook page. Elf, Scrooged, Polar Express or Home Alone will play next Friday at the Silo Park Christmas Markets. Make your vote count.
December 23, 5pm, Silo Park, cnr of Beaumont St and Jellicoe St, Auckland CBD. Free entry.
THIS MONTH: CHECK THE VOLUME
The last Sunday of every month will feature some of Aotearoa's most talented musicians as part of Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa. Enjoy an afternoon of artists and then visit Volume, a hands-on, ears-on exhibition exploring seven decades of New Zealand music. January will feature dynamic folk artist Graeme James, master collaborator Gareth Thomas, and captivating singer-songwriter Ciaran McMeekan.
January 29, Auckland Museum He Taonga Maori (Maori Court) and Hotunui, Auckland Museum, the Domain, Parnell.
