Auckland is arguably the biggest events hub in the country, with everything from small community celebrations in the suburbs to A-lister performers lighting up Spark Arena every week of the year.

Whether you only have a day, a week, or a whole month to enjoy this city, be sure to pick up a car rental at Auckland Airport when you arrive so you can check out all the fantastic Auckland events this week, the next 14 days and beyond.

So, what’s on in Auckland? Here are some of the major annual events not to be missed in the City of Sails.

Auckland events: Summer

Unsurprisingly, summer offers countless outdoor events and festivals and attracts many visitors on the weekend, so if you’re in town and are looking for Auckland events in the next three days, or wondering what there is to do in Auckland at night, you’ll certainly have a lot to choose from. Here are just a few of the most popular.

• Laneway Festival (January): Held in Albert Park, Laneway is one of the summer’s biggest celebrations. It’s a one-day alternative music festival that features artists from all over New Zealand and the world.
• ASB Classic (January): New Zealand loves sports, and every year kicks off with the ASB Classic, which brings the biggest names in tennis to Auckland for two weeks of epic showdowns on the courts.
• Splore (February): A massive three-day music and arts festival, Splore is family-friendly, and offers everything from food stalls and workshops to crafts and live performances.
• Lantern Festival (February): The Lantern Festival is easily one of the best free events in New Zealand each year. Head to the Auckland Domain to see more than 800 spectacular Chinese lanterns light up the darkness, and to enjoy Chinese food stalls and entertainment, all part of Chinese New Year’s festivities.

Auckland events: Autumn

Autumn is a beautiful time in Auckland. The temperature is still perfectly agreeable, but the events calendar is only just heating up. Here’s what to see with a rental car in Auckland.

• Auckland Arts Festival (March): Held throughout the city for just under three weeks, the arts festival celebrates music, visual arts, diversity, dance, and much more with dozens of events for all audiences.
• New Zealand International Comedy Festival (April/May): From newcomers to internationally renowned comedians, Auckland’s International Comedy Festival brings all the laughs through improv, stand-up, children’s comedy, and more.

Auckland events: Winter
 

Image: russellstreet, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

You might ask yourself, what is there to do on a rainy day in Auckland? Well, the winter months bring cooler weather, but it’s nothing a good coat can’t handle, and certainly not enough to stop the busy events calendar in the city. Be sure to take a quick look at our guide for winter driving in New Zealand before you arrive as well.

• Elemental (July): A new event in the city, Elemental is a month-long winter festival that featuring light installations, world-class cuisine, and more than 40 events (some free, some ticketed).
• New Zealand International Film Festival (July/August): If you’re looking for what to do in Auckland on a rainy day in winter, head indoors for a movie. This festival screens more than 100 films from around the globe, and you’ll have trouble narrowing down your ‘to-watch’ list.
• Auckland Restaurant Month (August): The name says it all. Now is the perfect time to try out Auckland’s many wonderful eateries, and make the most of special deals and menus.

Auckland events: Spring

Spring arrives on September 1, and as those flower buds start to bloom, Auckland’s events just keep on coming.

• Auckland Diwali Festival (October): Celebrating just one of the many cultures that make Auckland a melting pot of diversity, the Diwali Festival features Indian music, performances, food, dancing, and crafts all over the city.
• Taste of Auckland (November): Take a master class, watch a cooking demonstration, or simply eat until you can’t take another bite - Taste of Auckland highlights the city’s culinary wonders and New Zealand’s top chefs.
• The Santa Parade (November): Get into the Christmas spirit early by attending the annual Santa Parade, which shuts down Queen Street for a day with magical floats and performances.

Looking for Auckland events tomorrow or Auckland events today free? Use the city’s Event Finder to see what’s on right now that you can check out with your car rental from Auckland Domestic Airport.