What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Japanese Film Festival, Home Show, classical ballet and more

The 44th Auckland Home Show will feature more than 450 exhibitors.

The 44th Auckland Home Show is back this weekend at Auckland Showgrounds, where more than 450 exhibitors cover everything from building and renovating to interiors, bathrooms and tech. The show also heads outdoors for spring, with a new 2500sq m Garden Showcase making its official debut. At its heart are six full-scale gardens created by leading landscape designers, giving visitors the chance to walk through complete garden environments. Smaller garden spaces, outdoor living ideas, a dedicated barbecue and entertaining area and four tiny homes add to the mix, with plenty of inspiration for making more of the Kiwi backyard. Inside, the kitchen also has its own hub, with a fully functional space hosting live cooking demonstrations throughout the show.

3) When the stars align

A Night with Our Stars is being held as a fundraiser.

On this evening in Dilworth School’s St Patrick’s Chapel is A Night with Our Stars, a fundraising concert with all proceeds going to the Dilworth International Music Fund, enabling talented young singers to perform overseas. The concert follows a young singer’s journey from discovering their voice to performing on the world stage, and features the voices of internationally acclaimed New Zealand tenor Filipe Manu with rising vocalist Joshua Futi, both Dilworth alumni. The pair performs alongside the school’s award-winning choir, Fortissimo, for an uplifting evening of opera, Tongan folk music and choral favourites.

4) Welcome spring in style

Eden Garden’s Tulip Festival. Auckland’s largest tulip display.

Eden Garden’s Tulip Festival returns this weekend, with more than 15,000 spring bulbs bringing a splash of colour to the foot of Maungawhau. As well as being able to enjoy Auckland’s largest tulip display, visitors are invited to get among live music, market stalls, face painting, food trucks, a coffee cart and a plant market. The festival is always popular, with previous years’ events selling out, so visitors are encouraged to book tickets in advance at Eventfinda – Eden Garden Tulip Festival to guarantee entry. Parking is limited on site – so maybe walk, take public transport or carpool where possible – but there is a dedicated turnaround and drop-off point available at the garden entrance for visitors dropping off those who may need extra assistance.

5) Taika’s latest production is unveiled

Spotlight, a photographic project by Taika Waititi and Zeekr.

Electric vehicle brand Zeekr has collaborated with film-maker Taika Waititi to create Spotlight, a new photographic project by the Aotearoa creative in which he brings the same eye that has shaped his film and TV work to a body of still images. Free and open to the public from this Thursday, Spotlight gives Aucklanders the chance to see the work first-hand in an intimate gallery setting, with each of the seven creations inviting viewers into Waititi’s imagination, appearing as an idea might first appear to its creator; emerging from the dark and suddenly vivid. Spotlight by Zeekr runs from September 17-20 at Studio 230 in Ponsonby, Auckland, with free entry.

6) The Lightship returns

Three wāhine Māori artists will launch First Light – The Lightship’s 2026/27 curatorial programme. Photo / Jess Johnson and Simon WardNova Paul will have one of her latest works lighting up Bledisloe Wharf. Photo / Darryl Ward

From dusk this Thursday, Australasia’s largest public art lightwall will once again illuminate Auckland’s waterfront, with three leading wāhine Māori artists launching First Light – The Lightship’s 2026/27 curatorial programme. The opening programme features new commissions by Nova Paul, Ana Iti and Ashleigh Taupaki. The work is by Paul (Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau, Ngāpuhi), an artist, film-maker and researcher whose practice is grounded in kaupapa Māori approaches to image-making. Stretching 110m across Bledisloe Wharf, standing 13m high and illuminated by about 8500 LED lights, The Lightship has become one of Auckland’s most distinctive public art experiences over the past six years, and its latest iteration is not to be missed.

7) Japan on screen

Opening this Thursday is the Japanese Film Festival 2026, which runs until September 20 at Auckland’s Academy Cinemas. Free to attend, the four-day festival showcases a selection of acclaimed contemporary Japanese films, offering audiences a glimpse into modern Japan through stories of family, craftsmanship, resilience and personal transformation. More than a celebration of cinema, the festival aims to build a cultural bridge between New Zealand and Japan, inviting audiences to discover new perspectives on the country through stories that entertain, inspire and connect across cultures. All films will be screened in Japanese with English subtitles.

8) Our newest cultural festival

Poumatua Festival is being held over three days.

The inaugural Poumatua Festival arrives in Tāmaki Makaurau this Thursday, a three-day cultural celebration bringing kapa haka, kōrero, markets and Māori culture into the heart of the city. On Thursday and Friday, Te Kahu Tōpuni Kapa Haka will bring primary school tamariki from across Auckland to the Auckland Town Hall for a non-competitive celebration of kapa haka and culture, and on Friday morning, a special Tuku Whenua ceremony will unfold, acknowledging the allocation of land that enabled the establishment of Auckland and the spirit of generosity in which it was given. There is also a market in Aotea Square with handcrafted taonga, contemporary Māori art, fashion, gifts and delicious kai, and the new Te Waihorotiu Station will make it easier for people to reach the Aotea Arts Quarter and experience the festival. For the full programme and tickets, visit aucklandlive.co.nz.

9) See a Song Quest winner

Handel Consort & Quire will be performing this afternoon.

This afternoon at Newton’s Pitt Street Methodist Church you’ll have the opportunity to see Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest 2026 winner Samuel Mataele sing several of his winning songs, such as Rompo I lacci from Handel’s Flavio, along with special guest soprano Gina Sanders and the Handel Consort & Quire. The Quire will present a number of choral favourites from Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim and Mozart’s Laudate Dominum to Purcell’s When I Am Laid in Earth, making for a special concert not to be missed. Tickets are available via Eventfinda or by calling 0800 BUY TIX (289 849).

Coming up

Job, until September 20, Q Theatre Loft, AucklandKōanga Festival, until September 20, Te Pou Theatre, Auckland The Frankly Small Art Show, until September 26, Franklin Arts Centre, Pukekohe50th National Antique Collectables & Bottle Show, September 12-13, Claudelands Centre, HamiltonPork and Poll Taxes, September 16–19 Herald Theatre, AucklandCabaret: the musical at the Kit Kat Club, September 22 to October 18, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland NZ Opera’s The Pearl Fishers, September 23–27, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, AucklandVerb Readers & Writers Festival, September 25-27, WellingtonJason Derulo Last Dance World Tour, September 27, Spark Arena, AucklandWe The Young Festival, September 25 September–October 11, across AucklandThe Chocolate & Coffee Festival, September 26-27, Viaduct Events Centre The Wiggles Live In Concert Tour, October 10-14, nationwideAlberton Vintage Market Day, October 11, Alberton House, AucklandNZ Opera’s The Pearl Fishers, October 14-18, Isaac Theatre Royal, ChristchurchMacy Gray Live, October 16-22, nationwideStan Walker – A Symphonic Experience, October 17, The Trusts Arena, AucklandA Box of Memories, October 22-25, Q Theatre, AucklandJesus Christ Superstar, October 22–November 15, The Civic, AucklandThe Rainbow Games, October 29-November 1, AucklandGreg Johnson 60, October 31, Holy Trinity, AucklandAn Evening With Mary Beard, November 19, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, AucklandLove Actually in Concert, December 14, The Civic, Auckland

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