The next few months bring a constant stream of entertainment spectacles, international acts, mouth-watering food and drink events, captivating art and show-stopping theatre to Auckland's central city - it's time to emerge from your winter hibernation and get out and amongst all that our city has to offer.
Artweek in the Central City
7 - 15 October, throughout the central city
Art comes alive in the central city with NZ Contemporary Art Trust's annual celebration taking over the central city’s galleries and public spaces. Late Night Art on Tuesday 10 October will be a vibrant evening of performance, participation and appreciation, pop up art installations change the scenery of many familiar spaces including Aotea Square, St Patrick's Square, Exchange Lane, Durham St East and St Matthew in the City, the ever-popular series of Unlocked Collections and City Art Walks guided tours return and galleries through the city offer a captivating lineup of exhibitions. Full information will be available here from 18 September.
Tautai (2016) Tiffany Singh for Artweek Changing Lanes. Photo: Daniel Davis
Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical
Until 22 October, The Civic
The familly musical spectacular of the year is wowing audiences with the classic story by bestselling children's author Roald Dahl. Magic ensues as an extraordinary girl armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind dares to take on the terrifying forces of the dreaded Trunchbull and save her school.
Image: James D Morgan
Spring Brews and Bites
September and October, Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen
The good time crew at Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen is serving up a tempting smorgasbord of events this spring, including none other than New Zealand's first Beer and Bacon Festival to be held on 30 September. Bacon infused cocktails, bacon infused beers and a bacon eating competition will make for a very happy day for Auckland's beer-drinking, pork-eating event-goers.
International acts at Spark Arena
Barely a few days go by without another international mega-act taking to the stage at Spark Arena. Atlanta hip hop star Future comes to town on 28 September, London Grammar make their New Zealand debut on 30 September, Migos get the chart-topping party started on 10 October, Friday Jams Live brings 90s hip hop and R&B nostalgia to life on 22 October, Chainsmokers will be cranking all of the bangers on 24 October, Drake makes magic on 3 November, Stevie Nicks shows how rock is done along with Pretenders on 21 November, The Weeknd demonstrates pop perfection on 29 November and J Cole brings it back to hip hop for the first day of summer, 1 December.
Tempo
4 - 15 October, Q Theatre
It's a big year for New Zealand dance milestones, and Tempo Dance Festival is the hub for celebrating them. Limbs Dance Company celebrate 40 years on the scene with their show 'Limbs@40' featuring re-imagined iconic works and New Zealand School of Dance mark their 50-year legacy of excellence with a collection of works created by graduates from five decades of the school. Plus new, young and vibrant choreographers and performers make their mark as the icons for this generation.
Diwali
14 - 15 October, Aotea Square
The flavours, sights and sounds of Indian culture come to life in a sensory extravaganza in the heart of Auckland. This free, family-friendly festival is an annual highlight of the cultural calendar, with thousands upon thousands of attendees enjoying traditional and contemporary Indian culture in its many forms.
Very Vintage Day Out
28 - 29 October, Shed 10
Celebrate a by-gone era with entertainment including the Miss Pin Up New Zealand beauty pageant, a vintage bake off, a vintage and classic car display with muscle cars and hot rods, live music, fashion shows as well as 90 plus vendors on site selling a huge range of vintage goodies and food.
Midnight
23 November, ASB Theatre - Aotea Centre
Two graceful acrobats are balanced and entwined in a hoop suspended ten metres above a 70-piece orchestra... Circus and classical music combine to magical effect with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and The Dust Palace’s debut collaboration, Midnight.
Sister Act: The Musical
ASB Waterfront Theatre, 25 November - 16 December
Thrilling scenery, gorgeous costumes, snappy one-liners and heart-pumping dance numbers combine for this feel-amazing musical comedy inspired by the Whoopi Goldberg smash hit movie. For an all-out Broadway-style musical theatre experience, Sister Act: The Musical is the show of the season.
