What’s on in Auckland this weekend: Dunks, drama, dance and more

Te Korakora ki Waihorotiu brings Matariki Festival 2026 to a powerful close today at Shed 10 with an unforgettable afternoon of music, dance, performance and Māori creative expression. On stage you’ll see the likes of Ngā Puna o Waiōrea, fresh from their Polyfest success, The New Zealand Dance Company, Rob Ruha, Mara TK and more, and there will also be kai trucks and activations including Whare Waiwaia, the House of Māori Glam, with Maikuku Queen Terangi. A heartfelt acknowledgment of the festival producers and communities who have helped bring Matariki Festival to life, the free public event is a joyful finale for whānau, friends and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Opening this Tuesday at Q Theatre is Sharp Teeth, a new, multi-pronged comedy-dance-theatre work from Dynamotion, a collective of self-described “dactors”, performers working in the space between dance and acting led by national treasure Tom Sainsbury and Lara Fischel-Chisholm. Across a series of absurdist, high-energy vignettes, the ensemble moves through the strange physics of attraction, obsession, heartbreak, and the recurring human impulse to ignore obvious warning signs. It’s a world populated by romantics, catastrophists, hopeful idiots, and people who absolutely should know better by now. Expect high-octane dance, a shifting musical landscape from club anthems to aching ballads, and a visual world of outlandish costumes and unexpected props.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of world-famous athletes and entertainers, the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Auckland fans are invited to be part of history as the Globetrotters bring their signature style of full-court entertainment tonight at Spark Arena, promising extraordinary athleticism, jaw‑dropping shots and crowd‑pleasing comedy. Over their century-long history, the team has played more than 26,000 games in over 120 countries and territories, acting as global ambassadors of goodwill. Expect legendary ball‑handling, their iconic 4‑point shot and fan interaction from the get-go, with the Globetrotters pulling out every trick in their considerable playbook for a show that will keep the whole whānau on their toes.

Hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and curated by Aotearoa singer, songwriter and musician Majic Pāora, the MAHUTA Matariki Concert is happening at Te Paepae Theatre in the International Convention Centre tonight, and promises an uplifting night out for all. The annual celebration brings together some of our finest kaiwaiata (singers) and storytellers of Te Ao Māori, showcasing homegrown talent and some of the most-loved established and up-and-coming creatives in the country. It’s a celebration of voices, stories and people, and an opportunity for whānau and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to come together through music.

It’s the last day to see Dog Man: The Musical at Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Centre, an epic musical for ages 6 and over based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, creator of the legendary Captain Underpants. It’s the tale of best buddies George and Harold, who have been creating comics for years together. Now that they’re in Year 5, they figure it’s time to level up and write a musical based on their favourite character, Dog Man – a crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man, and all hero. With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture, all the while saving the city from a cyborg fish and the world’s most evil cat. What could possibly go wrong?

Karangahape Rd’s much-loved FAM Saturday Market returns today, bringing a street-wide celebration of community, creativity, food and music to the city centre. Running from 10am–2pm, FAM transforms K Rd into a vibrant destination filled with market stalls, family-friendly activities, live music, art experiences and delicious food from some of Auckland’s favourite local eateries. With the newly reopened Beresford Square now part of the event, visitors can enjoy a lively new hub featuring music, market stalls and community activations, alongside events and experiences stretching across Pitt St, St Kevin’s Arcade and beyond. Highlights of this FAM outing include a free pizza party for kids by Small Rave, tarot readings and Tooth Gems with Stoned Smile.

Hitting the stage at Auckland’s Te Pou Theatre for four nights before heading to Whangārei is HOME MADE, a new and original production from Massive Theatre Company that celebrates the people, places and experiences that shape our sense of home. Using Massive’s critically acclaimed creative process, the show is an exploration of life’s wonderfully loud moments and the soft moments that make it worth living, and at its heart are five talented up-and-coming artists, Tyla Tuala-Vaimasenu’u, Manu Rainey, Tom Webster, Phoebe Rayneau and Māui Hitchens. Each brings their own answer to what home looks, sounds, and feels like as the cast contemplates: where does your heart live, and who does it call home? The production continues Massive’s commitment to developing original Aotearoa theatre while creating professional pathways for the next wave of exciting performers and storytellers, and promises a heartfelt and fun night out.

Love ice cream and love chocolate? Well, here’s the inside scoop! Whittaker’s has created a new, limited-edition drop in the form of Gumdrop Block, a white chocolate, bubble gum-flavoured extravaganza complete with chewy gumdrops. To celebrate, they have teamed up with Duck Island Ice Cream on Bubble Gumdrop, a limited-edition ice cream flavour built around the actual block, and with this Sunday being World Ice Cream Day, you can get an exclusive first taste at every Duck Island store around the country. The first 50 customers at each store will nab a free scoop of Bubble Gumdrop and a complimentary Gumdrop Block, so plan ahead if you want to get a taste of the action.

Email canvasplanner@nzherald.co.nz with brief details of your upcoming event, including dates/times, location and website.