As warm weather beckons and we inch closer to the end of the year, we’re spoilt for choice with interesting and entertaining happenings around the city. From groundbreaking exhibitions to free festivals, pop these events in your calendar, quick smart.
What: The largest exhibition ever staged at Auckland Art Gallery
When: Saturday 5th December — Sunday 9th May
Where: Auckland Art Gallery
Featuring over 300 artworks by 110 Māori artists, Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art is set to be a landmark exhibition for the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki as the largest in its history. From the 5th of December, the exhibition will explore Māori art from the 1950s until now, and include a varied array of disciplines, from sculpture to painting, jewellery to photography along with impressive digital media, film and installation art.
Visit: Auckland Art Gallery website for more information
What: An epic LEGO exhibition
When: Thursday 3rd December — Sunday 28th February
Where: Auckland Museum
After being closed for 18 months, the Auckland Museum will re-open its refreshed South Atrium, revealing a raft of new spaces, experiences, artworks and food offerings alongside a special new exhibition, Brickman Awesome: Epic LEGO Creations. Featuring a line up of mind-blowing creations, conceived by LEGO Certified Professional, Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught, the exhibition will greet visitors with a towering NASA SLA rocket (the tallest LEGO model in the Southern Hemisphere) and will go on to reveal a life-sized Harley Davidson, a 2.5 metre Orca whale and a giant redback spider (among many others) all constructed from LEGO.
Visit: Auckland Museum website for more information
What: A free day of good fun, good food and good music
When: Saturday 19th December
Where: ASB Showgrounds
We Love Aotearoa is a free three-part event hosting a range of activities, workshops and performances sure to pique the interest of all ages. Starting from 11am with a kids-friendly Whānau Fun Day, an adults-only festival kicks into gear from 5pm with amazing local acts such as Ladi 6, Sons of Zion, Troy Kingi & The Clutch, JessB and Flamingo Pier. With tasty food trucks such as Wise Boys, The Rolling Pin, Miso-ra and a licensed bar to keep partygoers fed and watered, this will be a day to remember.
Visit: We Love Aotearoa website to secure your free ticket
What: Your last chance to attend the city’s favourite seafood school
When: Until Wednesday 16th December
Where: Auckland Fish Market
Sadly, Auckland Fish Market’s Seafood School is destined to shut up shop, so now is your last chance to experience one of its excellent cooking classes. Spaces are limited — we suggest you book quick to squeeze in a tasty tutorial on plating up the likes of Caribbean prawns, salt and pepper fish and balsamic roasted salmon before it closes its doors for good.
Visit: Auckland Fish Market website for more information and remaining class times.
What: Christmas movies for the month of December
When: Sunday 6th December — Wednesday 23 December
Where: Academy Cinema
Popcorn at the ready — Academy Cinema is serving up Christmas cheer in spades with its roster of festive movies, with the likes of Home Alone, Nightmare Before Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Love Actually rolling out over the month of December.
Visit: Academy Cinemas website for showtimes
What: A magical evening at the ballet
When: Thursday 3rd December — Sunday 12th December
Where: Aotea Centre and Bruce Mason Centre
Experience the exhilaration and beauty of live performance and luxuriate in Tchaikovsky’s iconic orchestral score with The Sleeping Beauty, danced by the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Magical costumes and a new imagining of a timeless classic await.
Visit: Royal New Zealand Ballet website for more information and to book
What: A street food fest at Point Chevalier
When: Friday 4th December
Where: Pt Chevalier Community Centre
Embrace warmer nights and longer evenings with a new season of Street Food at Point Chev, a laidback gathering of food trucks, music and good vibes. Taking place on the first Friday of every month until March (except for January), this family-friendly event is here to celebrate community spirit.
Visit: Facebook for further information
What: A cool Boxing Day event for those staying in Auckland
When: Saturday 26th December
Where: Pah Homestead
Kick-off post-Christmas celebrations in good form with a day at Pah Homestead. YGB Boxing Day 2020 will see the likes of Tom Scott, Hone Be Good, Haz + We$ and more take to the stage while lucky revellers soak up the sun on the rolling lawn with a cold glass of something refreshing in hand.
Visit: YGB website for information and to purchase tickets
