What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Club bangers, hip hop, Pasifika pride and more

Expect high-energy sounds, big-rig lighting, and one of the most eclectic and electric dance floors in the city at Morning People. Photo / M Crawford

Morning People is turning 10 and to celebrate, they’re taking over the majestic Auckland Town Hall this morning for a birthday bash with none other than Tiki Taane (Salmonella Dub, Shapeshifter), and Morning People’s own Jamie Newman on the decks. Expect high-energy sounds, big-rig lighting, and one of the most eclectic and electric dance floors in the city, and your 7.30am start will be well rewarded with complimentary coffee from Altezano Brothers, fresh All Good bananas, and Karma Drinks to keep you going. Amazingly, for those who love a good sleep in, this event is a slightly later start than their usual outings, and a birthday dress code is in full effect. With a little extra time on your hands why not go all out: sequins and suits, gowns and pyjamas are all welcome. ​

3) No place like home

The Auckland Home and Garden Show. More than 190 home, garden and lifestyle businesses will transform the legendary sporting grounds into a hub of inspiration.

It’s all go at Eden Park this weekend as more than 190 home, garden and lifestyle businesses transform the legendary sporting grounds into a hub of inspiration at the Auckland Home and Garden Show. It’s year three of the unique event, which takes almost the entire footprint of Eden Park and fills it with expert advice, giveaways, activities for the kids and more around every corner. And visitors don’t need a home improvement project on the go to enjoy themselves, with culinary delights, great coffee and artisan goods also there to be explored and enjoyed.

4) Celebrating whisky with a twist

Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg whisky.

Held annually on the final Saturday of the Scottish island of Islay’s Festival of Music and Malt, Fèis Ìle, Ardbeg Day is a global celebration of all things Ardbeg whisky. Festivities are taking place all over the globe, where smoky malt enthusiasts are invited to embrace la dolce vita, Islay-style with Ardbeg Dolce, a limited-edition release that channels the glamour of 1960s Italian cinema with an unmistakably Ardbeggian twist. Here in Aotearoa, the dolce vita theme has been re-imagined into “PEAT-ZZERIA”, a playful fusion of peat and pizza happening at Ardbeg On Premise Embassy venues like Kemuri Hi-Fi in Auckland’s CBD, Franklins Bar & Eatery in Pukekohe and Kismet Cocktail Bar in Nelson. Expect smoky whisky tastings, Ardbeg Dolce-inspired cocktails and fun pizza pairings.

5) Fun with a point

Funlab is opening its first La Di Darts venue. La Di Darts.

As of this weekend, Funlab is turning up the heat on Auckland’s Viaduct with the opening of its first-ever La Di Darts venue. Forget the dusty dartboard tucked away in the back corner of the pub, La Di Darts gives the classic game a full glow-up, combining real dartboards with interactive gameplay, digital scoring and a high-energy social atmosphere that’s purpose-built for fun first… and winning second. The new hotspot launches alongside a freshly upgraded Holey Moley complete with a brand-new landscape of never-before-seen mini golf holes, making it the perfect escape from the cold with cocktails and competition guaranteed.

6) Wellington’s design community comes together

Common Material is bringing together the city’s most influential fashion labels. Photo / Jack Fisher

Fancy a long weekend in Te Whanganui-a-Tara with inspiring chat, superlative design and creativity at its heart? Well you’re in luck, as tickets are still available for Common Material, a three-day cultural event at City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi bringing together four of the city’s most influential fashion labels: Yu Mei, JPALM, Kowtow and twenty-seven names. Running from June 5-7, the event was conceived as the foundation for a future Wellington design biennial, and aims to evolve into a cross-disciplinary platform spanning fashion, furniture, architecture, ceramics and beyond. At its core is a central exhibition of garments, materials and archival works, paired with runway shows and talks, offering both the industry and public a rare look at how New Zealand fashion is conceived, made and positioned globally.

7) Pacific Dance Festival returns

The incredible Pacific Dance Festival is back this Thursday, promising a powerful celebration of contemporary Pacific identity in Aotearoa. On until July 10, the festival brings together artists from across the moana in an expanded programme happening at venues in South and Central Auckland, with a special Matariki season presentation planned in Kerikeri. Festival director Iosefa Enari MNZM calls the annual event a “declaration of who we are now – a diverse, global, future-focused Pacific. Our artists are innovators, storytellers and cultural leaders, and this year we honour the full moana, from Micronesia to Polynesia”. The festival spans traditional, contemporary and street-based practice and heroes established, emerging, and youth voices, making for a truly inclusive celebration of Pasifika pride.

8) Explore the magic of Balloon Dog

Balloon Dog is a deeply affecting and timely new work inspired by Kabuliwala.

Opening this Wednesday at Tāmaki Makaurau’s Q Theatre is Balloon Dog, a deeply affecting and timely new work inspired by one of India’s most beloved stories, Kabuliwala. Created by Indian Ink Theatre Company’s award-winning creative duo, Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis, the production marks the twelfth work the pair have made since co-founding the company almost 30 years ago, and promises to bring together humour, heart, live original music and pure theatrical magic in one beautiful bundle.

Coming up

The French Film Festival, until June 28, nationwide.Cate Le Bon, June 5, Powerstation, Auckland.Lōemis Festival, June 9-21, across Wellington.Heathers: the Musical, June 10-14, The Civic, Auckland.The Marriage of Figaro, June 17, 19 and 21, St James Theatre, Wellington.Auckland Live Cabaret Festival, June 24–July 5, The Civic, Auckland.Doc Edge Festival 2026, June 24–July 26, nationwide.World Press Photo & Doc Edge Immersive Exhibition 2026, June 24-July 12, Smith & Caughey Building, Auckland. Firing the Canon Act Two, June 25-27, Basement Theatre, Auckland.The Veils Fragile World Tour, June 25-July 11, nationwide.Gil Shaham Plays Beethoven with the Auckland Philharmonia, June 27, Auckland Town Hall.The Auckland Opera Studio 2026 Gala, June 28, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland.Englebert Humperdinck: The Celebration Tour, June 26-30, nationwide. Matariki: Waiata Anthems in Concert, July 9, Auckland Town Hall.Ngā Reo o te Rangi: Voices of the Stars, July 10, Auckland Town Hall.Postmodern Jukebox, July 11, Wellington Opera House.Exploding Rainbow Orchestra’s The Jukebox of Joy, July 12, Aotea Centre, Auckland.Dog Man: The Musical, July 14-18, Bruce Mason Theatre, Auckland.The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour, July 14-19, nationwide.Amanda Nguyen Live, July 21, Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland. Sheku Plays Elgar with the Auckland Philharmonia, August 13, Auckland Town Hall. Jason Derulo Last Dance World Tour, September 27, Spark Arena, AucklandThe Wiggles Live In Concert Tour, October 10-14, nationwide.

Email canvasplanner@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.