Anything Doc Edge festival
Sat 4th and Sun 5th · Multiple times daily · Multiple locations across Auckland · $25 entry

NZ's premier documentary festival celebrates its 21st year with award-winning films, the World Press Photo immersive exhibition, and industry talks. Not to miss!
→ https://docedge.nz/

Candlelight: The World of Joe Hisaishi
Fri 3 Jul · St Mary's at Holy Trinity Cathedral · From $50

Studio Ghibli classics performed by candlelight — Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and more. 60 minutes, doors open 30 mins prior. Ages 8+.
→ myguideauckland.com/events/candlelight-the-world-of-joe-hisaishi

New Zealand Taiwan Music Festival 2026
Sat 4 Jul · 7:00–8:30pm · St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland CBD · $45 (doors & refreshments from 6pm)

World-class violist and erhu virtuoso Dr. Andy Lin — praised by the New York Times, a performer at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Centre — plays an intimate evening of classical and Chinese traditional music. A genuinely special one-night-only show.
→ eventbrite.co.nz/e/new-zealand-taiwan-music-festival-2026-tickets-1990603514698

A War on Women
Fri 3 Jul · 6:00–8:30pm · Takapuna Beachside Cinema · $25 (concessions available)

Doc Edge 2026 screening. A feminist resistance forty years in the making — tracing Iranian women's struggle against the theocratic regime through interviews, archival material, and rare footage from inside Iran. Historical, urgent, and deeply personal.
→ docedge.nz/events/a-war-on-women

Into the Woods — Centrestage Theatre
Wed 1–Sat 4 Jul · Various times · Centrestage Theatre, Orewa · $25 adults / $20 children

Stephen Sondheim's beloved musical fairytale — Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Witch — performed by a cast aged 55+. A 60-minute adaptation of the Tony Award-winning show, lyrically rich and genuinely charming.
→ eventfinda.co.nz/2026/into-the-woods-sr/auckland/orewa

Auckland WriteFest 2026
Sat 4 Jul · 8:00am–4:45pm · Studio One Toi Tū, Ponsonby · $345

A full day of writing workshops and panels with seven experienced tutors — covering romantasy, memoir, dialogue, crime fiction, plotting, and pitching. Perfect for writers at any stage.
→ heywriter.co/writefest

Food Truck Collective — Hobsonville Point
Fri 3 Jul · 5:00–8:00pm · Harrier Point Park, Hobsonville · Free entry
Six food trucks covering sweet and savoury — gyoza, tacos, pasta, and more. Bring a picnic blanket and make an evening of it. Perfect school holiday kick-off.
→ facebook.com

Chocolate & Coffee Festival at Farro Fresh
Sat 4 Jul · 11:00am–2:00pm · Farro Fresh, Grey Lynn · Free entry
Farro's annual chocolate and coffee festival — meet suppliers and sample your way through everything chocolate and coffee.
→ facebook.com/share/181CpqH8Vy

Matariki Night Markets
Fri 3 & Sat 4 Jul · 4:00–10:00pm · SkyCity Plaza · Free entry

Māori and Pasifika food vendors, live entertainment, kapa haka, and stalls from Māori enterprises. Runs every Friday and Saturday through 11 July.
→ facebook.com/share/1D3jHxq8XV

Creek Walk for Flood Resilience
Sat 4 Jul · 2:00–3:30pm · Olympic Park · Free

A guided community walk exploring local waterways, flood-prone areas, and nature-based solutions for flood resilience. Great school holiday activity for curious kids and adults alike. Register free tickets for everyone attending including children.
→ facebook.com

Free Junk Play for Kids
Sun 5 Jul · 12:00–4:00pm · Helensville War Memorial Hall · Free

Drop-in creative play session for all ages using recycled and loose parts materials — build, invent, and explore. No booking needed, come and go as you please.
→ facebook.com

Pop-up Playground Cardboard Edition
Sat 4 Jul · 9:00am–1:00pm · Western Springs Garden Community Hall · Free

Kids take the lead building, deconstructing, and creating with cardboard boxes, loose parts, and household recycling. Tape and scissors provided — bring your own if you want unlimited crafting.
→ facebook.com/events/2969648586713515

Monster Mayhem at the Sky Tower
Sun 5 Jul–18 Jul · 9:30am–5:00pm · Sky Tower, Auckland CBD · $99 (2 adults + up to 2 kids)

Minions & Monsters themed games, activities, and craft workshops across Sky Tower's three observation decks. Free parking included. Use promo code MINIONS26.
→ aucklandforkids.co.nz/events/monster-mayhem-at-the-sky-tower

Art Club for Children — Matariki Mobile Magic
Sun 5 Jul · 1:30–3:30pm · Pah Homestead, Hillsborough · Free

Drop-in art sessions at the Pah Homestead — this month kids create their own Matariki star mobile to take home. Led by experienced tutors, suitable for ages 5+. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
→ aucklandforkids.co.nz/events/art-club-for-children

Dinosaur Nights & Lights — Auckland Zoo
Fri 3–Sun 5 Jul · 5:30–8:30pm · Auckland Zoo · $19 (Zoo members $9.50, under 3 free)

Animatronic dinosaurs lit up after dark on the Dinosaur Discovery Track, plus a Silent Dino Disco. Runs every night through 18 July. Timed entry — pre-booking essential, no tickets at the gate.
→ aucklandzoo.co.nz/dinosaur-nights-and-lights

Bollywood Bazaar 2026
Sun 5 Jul · 11:00am–3:00pm · Lynfield Youth & Leisure Centre, Mt Roskill · Free entry

A vibrant Indian cultural market with fashion, jewellery, food, henna, kids' activities, and raffle draws. Free parking on site
→ facebook.com/share/1DNsprKrfL

Fabric-a-brac Auckland
Sun 5 Jul · 9:00am–12.30pm · Bayfield School Hall, Herne Bay · Free entry

A fabric and sewing supplies market with vintage and modern fabrics, patterns, and haberdashery. Fundraiser for Mercy Hospice — gold coin koha appreciated. Bring cash as many stalls are cash only.
→ fabricabrac.com/auckland

Massive Riverhead Vinyl Record Sale
Sat 4 Jul · 9:00am–2:00pm · Riverhead Citizens Hall, Coatesville-Riverhead Hwy · Free entry

Thousands of LPs, 7" singles, and 12" maxis from Retro Records — the biggest vinyl trader this side of the bridge. EFTPOS and cash accepted. Free parking on site.
→ eventfinda.co.nz/2026/massive-riverhead-vinyl-record-sale/auckland/riverhead

$5 Fill-A-Bag Sale — Waiōrea Community Recycling Centre
Sat 4 Jul · 9:00am–4:00pm · 990 Great North Rd, Auckland · Free entry

Fill as many reusable bags as you like with clothing, shoes, books, and toys — all for $5 per bag. New stock added every hour.
→ facebook.com/share/1DHmH2zzRe

Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights
Sat 4 Jul · Warkworth Wharf · Free

A proper winter night out north of the city — live music, a tunnel of lights, laser show, food trucks, and a snow machine. New this year: giant angel wings for the 'gram. Worth the drive.
→ mahulightfestival.co.nz

E-Waste Drive-Thru — Pakuranga Intermediate
Sat 4 Jul · 10:00am–2:00pm · Pakuranga Intermediate School, Reeves Rd · Free

Drive-thru e-waste drop-off organised by Year 7 & 8 students — staff will unload your items for you. Check the event page for accepted items before you go.
→ facebook.com/share/1H854dZ541