Where: The Classic Studio, Queen St, Auckland<\/p>\n
Price: Tickets $20 + booking fees, from comedy.co.nz<\/p>\n
2) Joyful noise<\/p>\n
You might want to pack some earplugs for this one: The Joyful Junk Orchestra. The Creative Kids Collective is hosting an event at Fowlds Park tomorrow where children are invited to come along, get creative and get loud. The idea is to create your own instruments from everyday objects \u2013 yes, that includes pots and pans \u2013 and then join in a group jam or simply march to the beat of your own drum. It\u2019s set to be a joyfully noisy experience for young and old. <\/p>\n
When: Tomorrow, 10am-1pm<\/p>\n
Where: Fowlds Park, Mt Albert<\/p>\n
Price: Free<\/p>\n
3) All aboard the Western Springs Tramway<\/p>\n
Motat\u2019s Tram 100 is one of only two operational steam-powered trams in the world.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow is a Live Day at Motat, with one of its most popular themes: trams. The museum really gets rolling on Live Days, with the Lollyman, backyard games, the print shop, schoolhouse lessons, live music and activities. Tomorrow, Motat\u2019s restored heritage trams will be operating on the Western Springs Tramway, including former Wellington double-decker Big Ben, Tram 47 and the museum\u2019s pride and joy, Tram 100, one of two operational steam-powered trams in the world. Steam trains will be running between Sir Keith Park and Wait\u012btiko Station as well. It\u2019s a world of wonder for transport and history enthusiasts of all ages. <\/p>\n
When: Tomorrow, 10am-4pm<\/p>\n
Where: Motat, Great North Rd and Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland<\/p>\n
Price: Usual Motat admission fees apply<\/p>\n
4) Portraits of a Main Character<\/p>\n
Natasha Wright mixes paint with sediment from past works to create unique textures. Photo \/ Andrea Bednarek<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re heading to Newmarket, stop in at Sanderson Gallery where a new exhibition by painter Natasha Wright opened this week. Titled Main Character, the exhibition includes eight large canvases featuring the female form \u2013 a protagonist in her own story or myth. Wright incorporated sediment from her used brushes and paint cans into her paint to give literal and figurative texture to the paintings: each painted woman contains \u201cthe memory of all the other painted women who have come before\u201d. The works are bold and emotive, and well worth seeing in person. <\/p>\n
When: Open until November 9<\/p>\n
Where: Sanderson Gallery, Osborn Lane, 2-4 Kent St, Newmarket, Auckland<\/p>\n
Price: Free entry (unless purchasing prints)<\/p>\n
5) Art gazing and poi-making<\/p>\n
Art, culture and poi. Experience a creative weekend at Corban Estate Arts Centre. Photo \/ Courtesy of Vince Heperi<\/p>\n
Take a trip out west this weekend to the Corban Estate Arts Centre where last night two new exhibitions opened. Past Visions by Tony Brown explores the concept of \u201cthe M\u0101ori within coming out\u201d through photorealistic paintings and his multi-disciplinary art practice. The second exhibition, Te-Kahu-O-Rangi, is curated by Cora-Allan Twiss and features k\u0101k\u0101hu (garments) from award-winning Kapa Haka Roopu Te Taha T\u016b. Today, members of Te Taha T\u016b will be on site to teach poi-making from 11am-1pm, with visitors able to see the intricate garments the M\u0101ori performing arts group have worn on stage before making something to take home under the guidance of those same performers. <\/p>\n
When: Until November 29<\/p>\n
Where: Homestead Galleries, Corban Estate Arts Centre, 2 Mt Lebanon Lane, Henderson<\/p>\n
Price: Bookings required for poi workshop at ceac.org.nz <\/p>\n
6) We all scream free ice cream<\/p>\n
Little \u2019Lato\u2019s pink wafer gelato won the 2025 Open Creative Champion award. <\/p>\n
Hopefully you\u2019re reading this in time to hop on your bike and head down to Little \u2019Lato in Ponsonby or Hamilton, where free scoops of its award-winning pink wafer gelato are up for grabs. It\u2019s a collaboration with American Express for its Amex Shop Small campaign, the purpose of which is to encourage people to support local small businesses, something we can all get behind. It\u2019s the first time this flavour, which won the Open Creative Champion at the 2025 NZ Ice Cream and Gelato Awards, is being served to the public and it\u2019s on a first-in, first-served basis, with the Ponsonby branch giving away 300 free scoops and Hamilton 200. So get down there lickety split. <\/p>\n
When: Today from 11am<\/p>\n
Where: Little \u2019Lato Ponsonby, 119 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, and Little \u2019Lato Hamilton, 401 Grey St, Hamilton East<\/p>\n
7) Classical concert at St-Matthew-in-the-City<\/p>\n
St Matthew\u2019s Chamber Orchestra has been performing in Auckland for more than 50 years. Photo \/ 123rf<\/p>\n
Auckland\u2019s longest standing orchestra \u2013 St Matthew\u2019s Chamber Orchestra \u2013 is performing its final concert of the year tomorrow afternoon, featuring music by Vaughan Williams, a commissioned work by Webster and Brahms\u2019 Symphony No 1. The concert, titled First Monument, is conducted by Michael Joel, with Gillian Ansell playing the viola solo. Technically an amateur orchestra, SMCO rehearses and performs like a professional one, and its members include some of Auckland\u2019s best classical musicians. <\/p>\n
When: Tomorrow, 2.30pm<\/p>\n
Where: St-Matthew-in-the-City, 132 Hobson St, Auckland Central<\/p>\n
Price: $30\u2013$35 + booking fees, children under 12 free with a paying adult, from eventfinda.co.nz<\/p>\n
Plan ahead: Dinner with a side of chaos<\/p>\n
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is officially endorsed by the BBC. Photo \/ Jane Hobson<\/p>\n
The popular Faulty Towers The Dining Experience concludes its nationwide tour at the Auckland Irish Club next week. You\u2019ll have to move fast to get tickets because several nights have already sold out. The West End show was a hit when it toured here last year. It features a hilarious cast, largely improvising throughout the night, in the roles of beloved Fawlty Towers characters. You\u2019ll get a three-course dinner, hopefully; entertainment, most definitely; and a great story to tell of your evening of chaos and hilarity <\/p>\n
When: October 21-26<\/p>\n
Where: Auckland Irish Club, Rocky Nook Ave, Mt Albert<\/p>\n
Price: $113 + booking fees, from eventfinda.co.nz<\/p>\n
Plan ahead: A treasure chest of comedy<\/p>\n
Captain Morrow\u2019s creators won the Bobby Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Photo \/ Andi Crown<\/p>\n
Making its Aotearoa debut, Captain Morrow and the Sands of Time opens at Q Theatre on Tuesday. Starring Ella Hope-Higginson and Callum Brodie as an entire pirate crew of more than 40 characters, this wacky 60-minute show is guaranteed to give you some hearty laughs. Directed by Barnie Duncan, the two actors are joined on stage by musician Ali Sewell as they race against the British Navy to find the treasured Sands of Time. The show received the Bobby Award for writing at Edinburgh Fringe and a spate of glowing reviews. It\u2019s short and sweet and a comedy treat. <\/p>\n
When: October 21-November 8<\/p>\n
Where: Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, Auckland Central<\/p>\n
Price: Tickets $32.50-$42.50 + booking fees, from qtheatre.co.nz<\/p>\n
Coming up<\/p>\n
NZSO\u2019s <\/a>Affirmation: Dvo\u0159\u00e1k & Brahms:<\/a> October 23, Wellington. October 24, Auckland. <\/p>\n Titirangi Festival of Music:<\/a> October 25-26, Titirangi, Auckland. <\/p>\n British and Irish Film Festival:<\/a> October 29-November 19, nationwide. <\/p>\n Bill Bailey \u2013 Vaudevillean:<\/a> nationwide tour from October 29-November 23. <\/p>\n Cirque du Soleil\u2019s Corteo:<\/a> October 30-November 9, Spark Arena, Auckland. <\/p>\n Dungeon of the Damned:<\/a> October 31-November 2, Birkenhead, Auckland. <\/p>\n Auckland Festival of Quilts:<\/a> October 31-November 2, Auckland Netball Centre. <\/p>\n The Trusts Halloween Spooktacular:<\/a> November 1, New Lynn, Auckland. <\/p>\n Analogue Aotearoa<\/a>: November 1-2, Te Aroha. <\/p>\n Tofiga Fepulea\u2019i, <\/a>Shuuush Your Mouf<\/a>: November 1-8, Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga. <\/p>\n A Journey to See Exhibition:<\/a> November 1-21, Lake House Arts, Takapuna. <\/p>\n The Dry House:<\/a> November 4-15, Basement Theatre, Auckland. <\/p>\n Harry Enfield And No Chums<\/a>: November 13 and 21, Auckland. <\/p>\n Kowhai Art & Craft Club Sale and Exhibition:<\/a> November 7-9, Matakana Hall. <\/p>\n NZ Sculpture OnShore<\/a>: November 7-23, Devonport, Auckland. <\/p>\n Parnell Festival of Roses: November 9, Parnell, Auckland. <\/p>\n All Together Now Choir, Mixtape for the Mission:<\/a> November 9, Auckland Town Hall. <\/p>\n Auckland Rose Society Annual Show: November 15-16, Parnell, Auckland. <\/p>\n An Evening with Priscilla Presley, Life after Elvis:<\/a> November 20, Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland. <\/p>\n Eddie Izzard \u2013 The Remix Tour Live<\/a>: November 21-26, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland. <\/p>\n H.R. The Musical #2<\/a>: November 25-December 6, Q Theatre, Auckland. <\/p>\n 92nd Farmers Santa Parade: November 30, Auckland. <\/p>\n Kirk Franklin, The World Tour:<\/a> December 10-13, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland. <\/p>\n Dynamotion & Q Theatre present A Christmas Crisis<\/a>: December 10-20, Q Theatre, Auckland. <\/p>\n Oprah In Conversation<\/a>: December 14, Spark Arena, Auckland. <\/p>\n The ASB Classic<\/a>: January 5-17, Auckland. <\/p>\n Jimmy Carr \u2013 Laughs Funny Tour:<\/a> Nationwide January 7-28, 2026. <\/p>\n