Sun to shine on festival city of sails

Aerial Manx entertains during the Buskers Festival. Photo / Dean Purcell

The weather is due to come to the party today as Auckland's Anniversary Weekend reaches its peak.

A bustling Auckland Anniversary weekend - packed with events including seafood and buskers festivals - is set to climax today with the Laneway Festival and Anniversary Day Regatta.

And after a weekend of mixed weather, forecasters say today will see the start of the "most summer-like" week of the year so far.

MetService duty forecaster Liz Walsh said Aucklanders could look forward to an expected high of 21C today, accompanied by "good, clear skies".

WeatherWatch analyst Philip Duncan said: "There's no fronts, there's no lows, just a nice big high moving in finally."

That's good news for the 10,000 partygoers expected at today's St Jerome's Laneway Festival.

All dressed up - but not for the rain - at the Karaka Million, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The sold-out event is being held at Silo Park on Auckland's waterfront. The festival boasts an extensive line-up of local and international artists, including Californian sister-act Haim, compatriot Danny Brown and UK post-punk four-piece Savages.

One of the more surprising acts is Labour MP Jacinda Ardern, who is set to play a short DJ slot later in the day.

Taking place nearby at the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter is the 174-year-old Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.

Neptune makes his way through the Auckland Seafood Festival. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Seventeen watersports clubs were involved in making the regatta happen. This year's fleet includes tall ships, sloops, multi-hulls and an armada of more than 20 vintage tugboats and America's Cup prototypes.

While the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter will be party central, great viewing spots recommended by organisers include Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays and Orakei Wharf.

This year's anniversary weekend has already been a busy one, with events taking place all over the city.

Sir Colin Meads and Brendon McCullum at the NZ Bloodstock Karaka Million. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Punters at yesterday's Karaka Million horse race at Ellerslie enjoyed temperatures above 24C, with showers breaking out intermittently. The race was won by Vespa, trained by Johno Benner and ridden by Mark Du Plessis. Brendon McCullum's horse Prince Mambo finished seventh.

One of the weekend's more popular events was the 14th annual International Buskers Festival, which continues until tonight. Comedy, magic, acrobatics, mime and dance acts have entertained the crowds.

The Auckland Seafood Festival has also proved popular. Created eight years ago, it includes music acts, cooking demonstrations, cooking competitions - and plenty of New Zealand seafood.

Auckland Anniversary

Day's events:

* St Jerome's Laneway Festival.
Where: Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter.
When: 12pm-10.30pm

* Anniversary Day Regatta.
Where: Waitemata Harbour.
When: 9am-6pm.

* Auckland Seafood Festival.
Where: Halsey Wharf.
When: 11am-6pm

* International Buskers Festival.
Where: Downtown Shopping Centre, Viaduct Lane, Viaduct Harbour and Karanga Plaza.
When: 12pm-5pm

* Auckland Zoo - face-painting and bouncy castle.
Where: Auckland Zoo, Western Springs.
When: 10am-4pm.

* Mission Bay Art and Craft Market.
Where: Selwyn Reserve.
When: 10am-4pm.

* Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre Family Fun Day.
Where: Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre, Goat Island Rd.
When: 10am-4pm.