What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Triceratops, bubbles and ballet

All weekend at Motat you’re invited to join the celebrations as Ngā Mirumiru Bubbles marks its 10th anniversary at the whānau-friendly destination. Back by popular demand, the beloved event transforms the museum into a bubble-filled wonderland packed with live bubble shows, interactive displays and hands-on activities. Created with younger children in mind but designed to delight all ages, Ngā Mirumiru Bubbles invites visitors to paint with bubbles, create giant bubble wands, step inside a giant bubble and discover the science behind the fun. Along the way, tamariki can experiment, investigate and explore concepts such as observation, fluid mechanics and problem-solving through play. With tram rides, crafts, design challenges and live entertainment included with general admission, it’s the perfect long-weekend family outing.

3) See the Best of British … and Irish

Wicker Wicker stars Alexander Skarsgard and Olivia Colman.

Opening this Tuesday is the Intrepid British & Irish Film Festival 2026, which runs across the motu until November 18. From Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgard in the offbeat fantasy Wicker to an intimate portrait of legendary British interviewer, Michael Parkinson in documentary Parky, the festival is bringing a packed programme of British and Irish cinema to lucky film fans, with screenings from Kerikeri to Dunedin. Other highlights include Danny Boyle’s Ink, the story of Rupert Murdoch’s takeover of the Sun; The Three Urns, a darkly comic road trip starring Ciarán Hinds and Helen Mirren in thriller A Talent For Murder, directed by the amazing Anton Corbijn. Alongside these headline titles, the programme features a broad selection of films spanning comedy, drama, documentary, thriller, romance and more, with something for film lovers of all kinds.

4) Calling all future paleontologists

Naturalis Biodiversity Centre. Photo / Mike Bink Photography March of the Triceraptors by the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre. Photo / Mike Bink Photography

Five extraordinary Triceratops fossil skeletons from the only herd known to have been discovered have arrived at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum for a major new exhibition. Titled March of the Triceratops and for dino fans of all ages, the exhibition brings visitors face-to-face with one of the most iconic dinosaur species to have walked the Earth and offers a rare insight into how these enormous, plant-eating animals may have lived together around 66-68 million years ago. Developed by Naturalis Biodiversity Centre in the Netherlands, the exhibition assembles more than 1200 bones and fossil fragments from five Triceratops horridus, and there are also life-sized models, soundscapes, animations and augmented reality to bring the prehistoric herd and its Late Cretaceous environment to life.

5) Sleeping Beauty brings back the magic

Royal New Zealand Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty. Photo / David Kelly

The Royal New Zealand Ballet invites audiences to step into a world of fairytale magic as Greg Horsman’s acclaimed production of The Sleeping Beauty returns for a nationwide tour starting this Thursday. Celebrating the arrival of summer and the festive season, the very special production revives one of the company’s most cherished works, which made its triumphant premiere in 2011. Set to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Sleeping Beauty tells the timeless story of Princess Aurora, whose destiny is altered by a wicked curse, before true love awakens her from an enchanted sleep. Combining classical choreography with breathtaking theatrical design, it promises an unforgettable ballet experience for audiences of every generation, and adding an unmistakably New Zealand touch, this production features magical elements created by Wellington’s Wētā Workshop, whose artistry brings an extra sense of wonder to Aurora’s enchanted world. It’s a perfect outing for first-time ballet-goers, devoted dance lovers and families looking to share a magical experience together – tickets are now on sale now.

6) Take a roadie to a Raglan art studio

Raglan painter Sam Mathers’ work. Photo / Sam Mathers Painting by Sam Mathers. Photo / Sam Mathers

If you’re heading down that way for a surf or already in the popular coastal town for the long weekend, Raglan painter Sam Mathers is opening his studio as part of Raglan Arts Weekend, a popular creative event that rolls out across Whāingaroa every year. Mathers will be unveiling a new body of work in the form of a series of incredible, large-scale paintings finished in epoxy, which gives them a glassy depth that truly comes alive in person. Popular with collectors in Aotearoa and internationally, the artist’s work reads like an illustrated travel journal, mixing landmarks and quirky everyday details with text, slang and currencies from around the world, each piece revealing more the closer you look. Entry is free and the studio can be found at 536 Wainui Rd, Raglan.

7) The play that’s gone to the dogs

Tāke Kurī: The Dog Tax Rebellion at Te Pou Theatre.

A fascinating new play by Ngāpuhi playwright Geoffrey Clendon, Tāke Kurī: The Dog Tax Rebellion explores the 1898 Hokianga conflict, when a dispute over a Dog Tax escalated into an armed confrontation between Te Māhurehure hapū and Government forces. Opening this Wednesday at Te Pou Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau before travelling to Kerikeri, it blends drama, comedy and history while bringing to life an important chapter for Te Tai Tokerau Northland. Set in the Hokianga township of Rawene, the production features four actors playing more than 20 characters, bringing to life Māori and Pākehā figures involved in the conflict, as well as canine commentators who provide a wry perspective on the events unfolding around them. The production also features a display of rare archival photographs from the Dog Tax rebellion in theatre foyers, connecting audiences with the real people and events that inspired the play.

8) Helensville artists open their doors

The Kaipara Cup Paper Boat Race at ARTS in the VILLE. Photo / Rory Thomson

Fancy a trip northwest? Happening all this weekend across Helensville is ARTS in the VILLE, a free annual art festival and trail that celebrates the wonderful local artists and creative talent in the area. On from 10am-4pm, Saturday to Monday, it invites collectors and art fans to explore open studios, venues and pop-up spaces, meeting the artists and seeing them at work, mid-process. Meanwhile, the whole town will be buzzing with creativity, food, music and fun activities for kids, like the Makers Market, Youth Art Competition, Decorated Letterbox Competition and the popular Visual Treasure Hunt, featuring a sculpture donated by New Zealand sculptor Jeff Thomson. And according to the organisers, the Kaipara Cup Paper Boat Race is not to be missed!

Coming up

Louis Baker – Trouble – Album Release Tour, October 29, Double Whammy, AucklandThe Rainbow Games, October 29-November 1, AucklandElling, October 29-November 7, Artworks Theatre, WaihekeHighwic Plant Fair, October 31, Highwic, AucklandBNZ Auckland Diwali Festival, October 31-November 1, around central AucklandI Know You Fish, November 3-7, Basement Theatre, AucklandCorbans Estate Arts Centre Open Day, November 7, Corbans Estate Arts Centre, AucklandWired, November 12-14, Pitt St Theatre, AucklandArt in the Park, November 12-15, Eden Park, AucklandAuckland FEAST, November 12-22, around AucklandDevonport Rotary Homes of Devonport, November 13, Devonport, AucklandEnigma: Sir Stephen Hough & the NZSO, November 13-14, Wellington and AucklandArt Deco Society Ball, November 14, Villa Dalmacija, AucklandVerbCrawl, November 14, around WellingtonAll You Had Was Fun, November 18-29, Q TheatreKidney Kids NZ The Tinsel Trail, November 18, around Tamahere, Hamilton and MatangiAn Evening With Mary Beard, November 19, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, AucklandHarvest Hawke’s Bay Festival, November 21, Havelock NorthAuckland Horticultural Society 25th Annual Flower Show, November 28, Western Springs, 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.