Weekender: Indian Inc

Photo / NZME

Our top picks for your next weekend getaway.

Auckland celebrates Diwali this weekend and there are events citywide celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture, with many of the festivities concentrated in Aotea Square in the city. The family friendly festival features live music and dance, DJs, street performance, a vast range of Indian food stalls, markets, activities for children, giveaways and competitions and a fireworks display on Sunday. There's also a Mr & Ms Diwali talent competition to watch out for. Aotea Square, Auckland, Saturday October 20 and Sunday October 21, 12pm-9pm. Visit eventfinda.co.nz/2018/auckland-diwali-festival-2018/auckland. Free.

Home again

The mighty Shihad are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year with a national tour which kicks off in Christchurch this Friday before hitting Wellington (Saturday), New Plymouth (Sunday), Hamilton (Thursday, October 25), Auckland (Friday, October 26) and Mt Maunganui (Saturday, October 27). This year also marks the 20th birthday of The General Electric album and The 'Had are releasing the record on vinyl for the first time. Support acts vary depending on the city. Visit shihad.com for ticket information.

Feast in the great outdoors

Get your picnic blankets out of the cupboard for the first Gourmet in the Gardens event of the 2018/2019 season next weekend on the Rhododendron Lawn beside Turtle Lake at Hamilton Gardens. Feast on gourmet cuisine and products from Waikato growers and producers in the late-afternoon sunshine while enjoying live music from local performers. The event will be held most Sundays until March 31, 2019, from 4-8pm. Visit hamiltongardens.co.nz/events/gourmet-in-the-gardens. Free entry.

Chain(less) gang

If you're a bit of a daredevil and love the feeling of flying down a hill on a bike as fast as you can, Rotorua's Chainless on Corners event next weekend is for you. Entrants complete one timed run on Corners Track with no chain on their bikes, making the emphasis all about coasting. Bike mechanics will be at the top and bottom of the course to remove and replace your chain, but you will need a bag or container for it. If you'd like to have a go before the event, there are daily shuttles operating up and down the hill until the big day. Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua, Friday, October 26, from 4pm. Visit southstaradventures.com. Free entry, donations to a Rotorua Trails Trust Project is appreciated.