Auckland Annual Events

• ASB Bank Classic and Heineken Open
  Top International male and female tennis players compete in Auckland at the ASB Bank Tennis Centre on Stanley Street.
• Auckland Anniversary Weekend Regatta
  The City of Sails celebrates its founding anniversary with an annual regatta on the harbour.
• Starlight Symphony
  A free open-air musical extravaganza in Auckland Domain that features classical favourites, a laser light show and entertainment by local celebrities.
• Mission Bay Jazz & Blues Festival
  An evening of live jazz and blues performances on the streets of this seaside village on Auckland's Tamaki Drive.
• Big Day Out
  Cutting-edge rock groups from New Zealand and around the world perform at Auckland's Ericsson Stadium.
• Auckland Folk Festival
  International and national folk singers perform at Kumeu Showgrounds.

FEBRUARY

• Devonport Food & Wine Festival
  Enjoy a weekend of fabulous food, wine tasting and live entertainment, including jazz, soul and buskers, at the charming seaside village of Devonport in Auckland.
• Auckland International Cultural Festival
  Auckland celebrates its cultural diversity with ethnic food, crafts, music and entertainment at Potters Park, Mt Eden.
• Hero Festival
  Auckland's gay and lesbian community celebrate with the Big Gay Out, the Hero Pride March and Hero Dance Party. Various venues.
• NZ Polo Open
  International and national polo players gather for this premier contest held at Clevedon Polo Grounds south of Auckland.
• Teddy Bear's Picnic
  A fun family day at Auckland Domain featuring teddies, a travelling farm, pony rides and entertainment.
• Chinese Lantern Festival
  Auckland's welcome to Chinese New Year features three days of lanterns, stalls, traditional food and entertainment. Held at Albert Park.

• St Patrick's Festival
  Auckland's Irish community celebrates with music and dance, pub crawls, fun activities and the famous Travelling Hooley.
• Pasifika
  A day when Auckland, as the world's largest Polynesian city, showcases the colour and cultures of its Pacific people at the Western Springs Stadium.
• Auckland National Dragon Boat Festival
  Dragonboat teams battle it out on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.
• Round the Bays Run
  One of the world's largest fun runs around Auckland's scenic waterfront.

• Jazz Festival Waiheke Island
  Top New Zealand and international acts gather at Waiheke Island near Auckland for a programme of great jazz.
• Easter Show
  The country's largest trade fair features a carnival, show jumping, farm and animal displays and live entertainment. Held at NZ Expo Centre, Greenlane, Auckland.

• NZ International Comedy Festival
  The cream of international and New Zealand comedians come to Auckland.
• Auckland Writers & Readers Festival
  Overseas guests and homegrown talent offer book readings, discussions and seminars in this festival.

• Celebration of Performing Arts Festival
  Three days of largely free entertainment by Auckland's vibrant arts community over Queen's Birthday Weekend, including music, dance, street theatre and opera.

• Auckland International Film Festival
  A selection of new releases and classic films, rare footage and guest speakers at Auckland cinemas.

• Going West Literary Festival
  Readings, workshops, debates and train rides in Auckland's Waitakere City.
• Auckland Home Show
  Everything for the home, including a street of homes built especially for the show. Attracts over 500 exhibitors and 60,000 visitors.

• Coastal Classic Yacht Race
  An annual Labour weekend yacht race from Auckland to Russell in the Bay of Islands.

• Ellerslie Flower Show
  The Southern Hemisphere's largest flower show takes over the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens at Manurewa. Featuring workshops, seminars, music, exciting garden designs and dazzling floral displays.
• Santa Parade
  The largest of the nation's parades marks the Christmas season with colourful floats along Auckland's central streets.
• Rally of New Zealand
  The world's best rally drivers tackle the roads of Auckland region in this official leg of the World Rally Championships.  
• Parnell Festival of Roses
  The Auckland suburb of Parnell celebrates with a weekend of live entertainment featuring music, dance, street theatre and art exhibitions. A free double decker bus makes the circuit of festival venues - the Parnell Rose Gardens, Trinity Cathedral and Parnell Mainstreet.

• Puhinui Three Day Event
  The world's best horse riders compete at Puhinui Reserve in South Auckland. Entertainment includes a country fair with food and craft stalls.
• Music in Parks
  A series of free open-air concerts on Sundays featuring a mix of classical, jazz, pop, Latin and local rock. Main venues are the Auckland Domain Band Rotunda and Wintergardens.
• Christmas in the Park
  A free open-air concert of Christmas and pop songs in Auckland Domain, hosted by Kiwi celebrities.