No worries about where to go in October! Family activities, art, and astronomy—Auckland's events all included!
- Estelle B
- Sep 26
- 4 min read
Auckland's events in the first half of October are truly amazing~
Whether you want to spend a fulfilling holiday with your kids, or immerse yourself in cultural festivals, art exhibitions, and astronomical explorations, this [13 Auckland's events collection] will help you find the perfect plan!
📍 From interactive science to historical culture, from outdoor games to stargazing adventures, every event is full of fun and surprises—no more struggling over where to go on the weekends!
1.Water Wonders: Discover the magic of drinking water
🕒 Time: October 1, 10:30–11:45
📍 Location: Panmure Library, 7–13 Pilkington Road
💰 Cost: Free (booking required)
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Families with children, kids interested in natural science and environmental protection
✨ Highlights: Interactive children’s activity to learn about water sources and purification processes, with hands-on fun making a mini filter.
2.Our Sky Tonight
🕒 Time: Evenings on October 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 24, and 25 (check website for specific times)
📍 Location: Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
💰 Cost: Ticketed event (astronomy / planetarium experience)
👨👩👧 Suitable for: The general public curious about the night sky, families, children, teenagers, beginner astronomy enthusiasts
✨ Highlights: Guided by professional astronomers who explain the constellations, planets, and night sky stories visible that evening. Enjoy an immersive astronomy experience under the full-dome projection of the changing night sky.
3.Aucklanders at Play: Images from the First Half of the 20th Century
🕒 Time: October 2, 18:00–19:30
📍 Location: Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
💰 Cost: Free
👨👩👧 Suitable for: History enthusiasts, photography lovers, students, researchers, local community residents
✨ Highlights: Explore historical photographs showcasing the leisure activities of early Aucklanders — a great choice for cultural and history lovers.
4.Board Games on the Waterfront
🕒 Time: October 2, 11:30–13:30; October 4, 10:00–14:00
📍 Location: Te Komititanga Square & Queens Wharf
💰 Cost: Free
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Board game lovers, families
✨ Highlights: Enjoy outdoor board games (chess, Go, checkers, etc.) with light refreshments provided — a relaxing way to spend springtime with fun mini games.
5.Bites & Beats
🕒 Time: October 3–5, daily from around 16:00–22:00
📍 Location: Albany Domain, 575 Albany Highway
💰 Cost: About $3 entry fee per person
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Families, food lovers, night market fans
✨ Highlights: Food trucks, live music, craft markets, and outdoor movies — all in a vibrant night market atmosphere.
6.Te Awaroa Helensville Heritage Festival 2025
🕒 Time: October 4–5, 9:00–16:00
📍 Location: Helensville, 2 Railway Street
💰 Cost: Adults $15, Seniors $10, Children under 14 $5; Family pass $25
👨👩👧 Suitable for: History and culture enthusiasts, community event participants
✨ Highlights: Celebrating 150 years of Helensville Rail with steam trains, guided tours, town walks, traditional games, and open heritage buildings.
7.Beyond the Solar System
🕒 Time: October 4, 9, 16, 23 at 19:00; October 24, 25 at 18:45
📍 Location: Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
💰 Cost: Ticket required
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Teenagers and astronomy enthusiasts interested in the universe, galaxies, and deep space
✨ Highlights: Explore how modern astronomy observes and interprets distant galaxies, black holes, and galaxy evolution. With immersive visuals and guided narration, it feels like “boarding a spaceship” to travel across the cosmos.
8.Back in the Day Play
🕒 Time: October 5, 10:00–14:00
📍 Location: Te Komititanga Square, 8/10 Queen Street
💰 Cost: Free
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Families, children, and those who enjoy nostalgic games and outdoor activities
✨ Highlights: Classic schoolyard games, egg-and-spoon races, wooden vintage games and puzzles, full of old-school childhood vibes
9.Volcano Fest: Explore Auckland's Fiery Past and Future
🕒 Time: October 5, 10:00–15:00
📍 Location: University of Auckland, City Campus (Commerce A Building), Princes Street / Symonds Street entrance
💰 Cost: Free
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Families and students curious about geology/nature, science enthusiasts
✨ Highlights: Interactive volcano experiments, rock and mineral exhibitions, live demonstrations and Q&A with geoscientists
10.2025 Opening Night Show Me Shorts Film Festival
🕒 Time: October 7, 19:00–23:30
📍 Location: The Civic, Corner of Queen Street & Wellesley Street West
💰 Cost: Regular tickets around $39
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Film enthusiasts, cultural event goers, night-time socializers
✨ Highlights: Watch world premiere short films, interact with the filmmakers, enjoy red carpet photos and the festival opening ceremony
11.Annual Celebration and Pestival
🕒 Time: October 9, 18:00–20:00
📍 Location: Howick College, 25 Sandspit Road, Howick
💰 Cost: Free
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Environmentalists, volunteers, students interested in environmental science and ecological conservation
✨ Highlights: Community environmental celebration showcasing “harm-free” initiatives, awards ceremony, community interaction, and distribution of eco-friendly tools
12.BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival 2025
🕒 Time: October 11–12, 12:00–21:00
📍 Location: Aotea Square, Queen Street
💰 Cost: Free entry (some performances or activities may require tickets)
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Families, multicultural experience seekers, festival lovers
✨ Highlights: Large-scale Diwali celebration with music, dance, food, and a vibrant street festival blending cultural flavors and festive fun
13.The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre)
🕒 Time: October 11–25, various showtimes (see website for details)
📍 Location: Glen Eden Playhouse Theatre, 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden
💰 Cost: Around $25–$35 (depending on seat and showtime)
👨👩👧 Suitable for: Fans of musicals, classic literature adaptations, families, theater lovers
✨ Highlights: Adapted from a Hugo novel with Disney songs, multiple performances, large-scale production — a classic theater experience
That's a wrap on 13 must-visit events in Auckland for the first half of October!
Whether you want to spend a fun and engaging holiday with your kids, or explore unique art, astronomy, and cultural experiences, there's something for everyone! ✨
👉 Which one are you most excited to attend? Plan your weekend and kick off an amazing holiday!
