The Hugh Green Group St Patrick’s Day Parade is returning to Auckland’s Queen Street for 2025!
Join the largest St Patrick’s Day parade in the Southern Hemisphere and let the good times roll!
Starting at midday, the festival will feature a variety of traditional Irish music and dance performances, alongside a parade of colourful floats, costumes and marching bands, that will make its way through Auckland’s main street.
This family-friendly event is sure to be a day filled with fun and entertainment for all ages, so bring your friends and family and join the celebrations. Don’t forget to Get Your Green On and dress in your best green attire to show your support!
Irish Music and Dance Festival | Te Komititanga | 10:30am – 3:30pm
St Patrick’s Day celebrations will continue after the Parade at the Irish Music and Dance Festival at Te Komititanga Square (near Commercial Bay/Britomart Station) for hours of family friendly fun. The entire family will be able to enjoy dancing, music, face-painting, balloon twisting, arts and crafts, and more.
North Wharf, Wynyard Quarter.
Silo Park Night Markets have added an additional evening to their weekly schedule! You can now find them every Saturday from 4pm-12am and Sunday from 4pm-11pm at Silo Park.
Filled with enticing aromas, colourful stalls, live music and a mouth-watering array of delicious food, these night markets make for an awesome evening activity in the city centre.
Wander down aisles of vendors selling next-level eats from around the world, including tacos, dumplings, smash burgers, curries, kebabs and so much more.
And be sure to leave room for dessert so you can indulge in some seriously epic sweet treats, think churros, croffles, chocolate covered strawberries and crepes, to name a few.
Get free parking for your first hour at Jellicoe Street Car Park on Saturdays and $3 per hour on Sundays.
Every Wednesday from 7:30pm to 10pm, is BIG Wednesday – Fresh Comedy Night, featuring a guest MC introducing up to 12 acts busting out their latest routines.
This is one of the Classic Comedy Club’s most popular nights over the last quarter-century and includes favourite pros, rising stars and promising new faces who have graduated from Monday night Raw Open Mics.
Food and catering: There is a large bar snack venue which can be ordered on the night. The Classic Comedy Club does not offer full meal/dining options but the showtime of 7:30pm suits those who wish to dine before the show. Check out Tanuki’s Sake Bar & Restaurant or Tanuki’s Cave which is right next door!
Please note: Prior booking, particularly for an exclusive table is recommended. Otherwise door sales from 6:45pm.
Make your night out in Auckland worth remembering with a guided tour experiencing the sips, sights, and stories of the city’s historical bar scene.
Proudly showcasing craft beers from boutique local breweries and/or fantastic New Zealand wines, along with delicious non-alcoholic options. Starting from Brew On Quay, this unique combination of a guided city tour, hosted social event and a fascinating Auckland and New Zealand history lesson offers an informative, engaging, and enjoyable evening for everyone – be they a tippler or a teetotaler.
Based in the heart of the city, operating rain or shine and with both public tour or private group options available. The welcoming and professional guides provide the perfect experience for local groups and couples, corporate functions, or as a fun and comfortable way for visitors to explore the city.
Things to Note:
Visit The Churchill on the 20th floor at their luxurious rooftop gin & cocktail bar for a high tea experience like no other!
Leave behind the usual hot beverages and mundane traditional high tea snacks, and prepare to embark on an afternoon filled with mouth-watering delicacies and delightful cocktails.
As you ascend to the sky, enjoy the vibe, and relish the panoramic city views throughout the afternoon.
The $55pp + $4 booking fee includes 9 delectable chefs choice delights. Available from 4 – 5:00pm Tuesday to Saturday and requires 3 days notice. Please note that no hot beverages will be served, and the minimum booking size is 2 people.
The Churchill Auckland
396 Queen Street, Auckland Central
Food Truck Wednesdays are BACK!
Every Wednesday in Takutai Square, head down to experience a weekly mix of the best street kai in Auckland!
For full event info, head to the Food Truck Collective Facebook page or website.
Proudly brought to you by Food Truck Collective & Britomart.
Kohimarama is one of several beaches off Tamaki Drive as you head east out of Auckland. It’s a quieter option to the popular beachside suburb of Mission Bay and its array of cafes and bars.
The beachside walkway offers a pleasant walk towards St Heliers or a scenic walk to Mission Bay and all the way back to downtown Auckland. The beach itself has plenty of benches to sit back and enjoy the views of The Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island.
The suburb has a population of approximately 6000 and is one of the wealthiest postcodes of Auckland with many houses enjoying uniterrupted views of the beach and Rangitoto Island.
The name Kohimarama is derived from ‘Kohimaramara’ and referred to the area Bastion Rock to Gower Point, including the Bay to the west known now as Mission Bay. Kohimarama refers to the gathering together of scattered wood chips from the cavings of Waka (canoes).
Travelling in winter can sometimes be unpredictable, with wet weather and being stuck in a motel, you want to find activities that can be perfect for the whole family, while also chipping away at the kids pent up energy so you can relax and enjoy the holiday! To help you plan for a wintery getaway to visit us, we have chosen five our favourite activities to keep the little ones entertained in the big city!
Kelly Tarlton’s
Want a fun cute experience with the little ones that is also educational? then delve deep into a different world at Kelly Tarlton’s—from the moment you enter through the tunnel, you’ll be immersed in the realm of the underwater and Antarctic. Explore and interact with the coldest place on earth as you walk through the Antarctic Ice Adventure, shudder with fear as you walk through the Shark Tunnel and crawl through sea caves in the Shipwreck Shore play zone.
JUMP
To be honest this one is perfect for the kids, but also perfect for your inner kid! If the kids are keen for a jump on the tramp but the weather just isn’t playing ball, round them up and take them to JUMP. With thousands of square metres of interlocking trampolines, foam pits, dodge ball courts and basketball hoops, JUMP is sure to help your brood burn off some of that excess energy.
Escape Masters
If your kiddo fancies themselves a bit of a Nancy Drew, put their sleuthing abilities to the test at Escape Masters. Become the main characters of a mystery and solve the clues to break out of the room you’ve been locked in within an hour. This is a great one bonding activity as you’ll have to work alongside each other to escape.
Inflatable World
For the young and the young at heart, Inflatable World is the perfect place to wile away a rainy day. Bounce around on castles, obstacle courses, and massive slides until their legs ache and their cheeks hurt from smiling. The best part? They encourage parents to play alongside the kids so you can amongst the bouncy castles too.
Odyssey Sensory Maze
If you’re after an a-maze-ing adventure, take the fam to Odyssey Sensory Maze. As you try to find your way out, all five of your senses will be assaulted by darker spaces, quirky obstacles, optical illusions, scents and sound effects to provide with an experience unlike any other.
Theres no argument that Auckland is surrounded by some of the most beautiful nature walks in the country, beaches, reserves and other amazing hikes are just outside of the city limits, tailor made for all adventurous types. but sometimes when we are on a tight time restrictions, like visiting with family or up for work, we may not have the time to venture out. but don’t stress! The great thing about Auckland sprawling urban landscape is the great walks that lay in the city limits if you need that burst of fresh air to get the day started! Here’s four of our facourites:
Auckland Domain
We will start with one of the most obvious, but easily a favourite for visitors, the Auckland Domain – the kinda place that will make you forget that you live in a city. Breathe in the fresh air as you walk through native bush, passing the Auckland War Memorial Museum and beautiful Winter Gardens along the way. It’s the city’s oldest park and Auckland wouldn’t be Auckland without it.
Auckland Town Loop
Now if you are visiting Auckland for the first time and really want to explore all of the inner city, and have a fair bit of time on your hands, look no further than the Auckland Town Loop. Start from the top of Karangahape Road and weave your way through Myers Park and down Queen Street (or vice versa), stopping at Albert Park along the way. If you’re starting from Queen Street, make sure you’re ready to feel the burn—that incline can be killer
Westhaven Promenade
Looking for a walk that may include some cheeky stops for a drink or food along the famous water front? then look no further! This flat walkway and cycle path lets you weave along the water’s edge, taking in the gorgeous harbour and bopping yachts as you go. If you’re in the city you can start from Wynyard Quarter or make use of the Jacobs Ladder pedestrian bridge which provides access to the promenade from Ponsonby.
Tamaki Drive
Probabaly one of the most popular routes for both those who love walking and jogging, this is the perfect track for those who need a quick morning walk before that important business meeting! Curving 10km along the water from downtown A-town to St Heliers, Tamaki Drive remains one of the best urban walks to do in Auckland. Not only does is offer epic views of the city, Rangitoto Island and the beaut Waitemata Harbour, there’s plenty of eateries and fish ’n’ chip shops to treat yourself to once you hit Mission Bay.
Can you believe we are already three months into 2020? I guess it is true that time flys when you are having fun! But we still have one more month of summer, and we refuse to let it go to waste, with so much more events, concerts and activities happening in the city in March, there is no excuse to not get out and make the most of that blistering Auckland summer! and luck for you, we have rounded up some of out favourite events to get you inspired.
Auckland Fringe 2020
Easily one of the highlights of the year, Auckland Fringe is the catalyst for the most exciting, outrageous and unique events in the Auckland cultural calendar.
With a programme that’s open access and non-curated that has garnered a reputation both nationally and internationally, there’s truly something for everyone to sink their teeth into. Fringe festival is all about showcasing the country’s diverse range of art forms and creators of all ages, and a totally open-access experience that will bring the city to life with all forms of theatre, comedy, dance, music and everything in between.
The Book of Mormon
The Tony®, Olivier®, Grammy® and Helpmann® award-winning Broadway hit musical written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, is coming to New Zealand for the very first time, and is not to be missed!
The play is a satirical examination of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service, through a series of laugh-out-loud musical numbers and great set pieces. Since making its world premiere in March 2011 at New York’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre, where it won nine Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, The Book of Mormon has been performed on three continents and won over thirty international awards. The musical has smashed long-standing box office records in New York, London, Melbourne, Sydney and cities across the U.S – so get in quick if you don’t want to miss out!
Ports of Auckland Round the Bays
Ports of Auckland Round the Bays is New Zealand’s largest fun run, boasting over 29,000 participants each year – and growing! Our home is the vibrant city of Auckland, with the 8.4km course following the city’s picturesque coastline. Now in it’s 47th year, its a great way to get out and get fit, no matter your fitness level it’s great to say that you have been a part of New Zealand’s largest fun run!
Lenny Kravitz – Here To Love World Tour
One of the most successful and best-selling artists of his generation, Lenny Kravitz is bringing his famous brand of steamy rock and roll to New Zealand for the very first time!
Known for his undeniable, energetic gigs, as well as winning four consecutive Grammy Awards, Kravits has a huge reputation – and it’s pone he lives up to! Bringing all the classic hits along with the new music from his most recent album, Raise Vibration, where Kravitz elevates the union of rock n roll, funk, blues, and soul that’s not to be missed.
