February was a tough one with the extreme weather, but you can make the most of the final month of summer with a range of thrilling activities happening around Auckland. From admiring quirky artworks to enjoying the best food at festivals, here’s 26 of the best things to do this March 2023 in Auckland.
1. Reset at NZ Spirit Festival
From March 9 to 12, NZ Spirit Festival will take place at Ariki Estate in Kaipara. The four day festival promotes health, wellness and happiness through more than 150 workshops, 80 musicians and 50 different healers, as well as a range of classes, from yoga to dance therapy, and more. Whether you choose to glamp or go for one day…it’s the perfect place to reset.
📍4127 Kaipara Coast Highway, Tauhoa 0984, New Zealand
2. Catch an outdoor movie
Auckland Council’s Movies In The Park finishes at the end of the month. Pack a picnic, grab a blanket and gather your mates for heartwarming open-air movies. Whether it’s a nostalgic animated film like Super Pets or a recent blockbuster such as Top Gun: Maverick…you won’t be disappointed. Plus, there’s a range of food trucks on site selling all the best cinema delights.
📍Various Locations
3. Indulge from the Moustache Cookie Bus
One of our favourite cookie brands, Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar, is bringing its vintage bright yellow cookie bus on tour this month across the country. It will begin in Dunedin, and stop in a few cities along the way before finishing in Auckland.
📍Various Locations
4. Party at Big Gay Out 2023
This Pride festival was postponed from February 2023 due to bad weather. Instead, it will take place on March 12 at Coyle Park. Get ready to enjoy the best LGBTQ+ music, acts, delicious markets and the biggest and gayest outdoor dance party you’ll ever attend.
📍Coyle Park, 528 Point Chevalier Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland 1022, New Zealand
5. Tuck into Wahlburgers
Famous burger joint, Wahlburgers, opened in Auckland on March 1. Located at Shed 22 on Princes Wharf, the famous burger chain – which is owned by Hollywood celebrity Mark Wahlberg and his brothers, Chef Paul and Donnie – is the first-ever Wahlburgers in New Zealand. Enjoy drooling, burgers, milkshakes and more from this highly anticipated restaurant. Read further about it here.
📍Shed 22, Princes Wharf, Auckland CBD, 1010
6. Paint and glow in the dark
Why not attend a cool glow-in-the-dark paint party on selected dates in March? Presented by Paintvine, order a drink and grab a brush to unleash your inner artist in this fun social class.
📍Various Locations
7. Hit up the best festivals
Prepare for four days of fun between March 2 and 5 at New Zealand’s largest food, wine and design festival – Indulge. Taste the best wine from renowned wineries such as Cable Bay Vineyards and Two Rivers, indulge on delicious dishes, learn from masterclasses with talented New Zealanders, all while rocking out to the best entertainers and DJ sets. Otherwise, check out Auckland Craft Beer and Food Festival, set to attract more than 3000 people, at Spark Arena on March 18.
📍Various Locations
SEE MORE: The Best Festivals On In Auckland In 2023
8. Enjoy the best of the arts
From March 9 to 26, the 18-day Auckland Arts Festival – the ultimate arts and culture festival – returns offering the perfect place to create unforgettable memories for creatives and likeminded individuals. From musical theatre, circus, art exhibitions, films and poetry, foodie experiences and everything in-between…you won’t be bored. Prior to this, art lovers can check out Aotearoa Art Fair at The Cloud between March 2 and 5, boasting more than 40 galleries under one roof.
📍Various Locations
9. The La Longue Table experience
Enjoy a slice of Europe this March over 10 nights at Le Chef as La Longue Table Du Chef makes a comeback. Tuck into a feast on the famous long table in Vulcan Lane, and enjoy the best hand-crafted Wanaka wines, alongside a 5-course French menu.
📍13 O’Connell Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
10. Dance at a concert
A host of international acts are set to grace the stages of Auckland this month. For example, Grammy-winning British heart-throb Harry Styles will play on March 7 at Mt Smart Stadium. While Florence and The Machine land on March 21, and the Backstreet Boys make a comeback on March 11, to name a few.
📍Various Locations
11. See a rare female T.Rex skeleton
Auckland Museum is the only place globally currently hosting a female T.Rex skeleton, alongside Peter, the male one. Barbara is only one of three female T.rex’s on record, measuring 11.7 metres long and 3.4 metres high. Plus, she was pregnant at the time of death. Perfect for those who live and breathe science!
📍Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland Central, Auckland
12. Laugh at The Heartbreak Choir
Auckland Theatre Company presents The Heartbreak Choir until March 4. It’s set in rural Australia, where a bunch of misfits use singing to inspire a community. It’s an excellent place to get you laughing if you’re feeling blue.
📍ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey St, Auckland CBD, Auckland
13 St Patrick’s Day 2023
Celebrate the best of Irish culture on Friday, March 17, in honour of Paddy’s Day. Keep an eye on our page for events happening on the day.
14. Learn the Secrets of Stonehenge
Another excellent exhibition to see in Auckland Museum, anytime until April 21. It boasts all the answers to the big questions around the famous Stonehenge in England for all the history buffs. Certainly, one of the best things to do this March in Auckland. Tickets from $17. Learn more here.
📍Auckland Domain, Parnell, Auckland Central, Auckland
15. Be inspired by Korean culture
A new Korean Culture Festival is on from March 24 to 31. Jam along with K-pop artists, indulge on the best Korean food, wander around markets, and learn about Korean history from exhibitions, to name a few things.
📍High Street District, Auckland
16. Try unique Japanese street food
Yooa & Tako is a Japanese street food restaurant located on Elliot Street in the CBD. The Anime-themed red food truck offers some of the most authentic Takoyaki and Japanese street food at an affordable cost. Read all about it here.
📍1 Elliott Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
17. Take the SkySlide
This new virtual reality attraction involves state-of-the-art technology taking you on an adrenaline-pumping slide from 186m above Auckland’s skyline. As you slide down imaginary glass tubes, you’ll feel the intensity as if it’s reality.
📍Sky Tower, Main Observation Deck, Auckland
18. Tick off a summer activity
From outdoor activities to watersports, trips to Waiheke Island and plenty more…you’ll be spoilt for choice with the amount of fun things to do during the summer in Auckland. Pick from our list here.
19. Have a picnic at Devonport
The North Head Historic Reserve Trail is an unbeatable place to have a picnic this summer. Perch your blanket on the hilltop, and watch as the city turns from day to night. Alternatively, there’s other fantastic picnic areas in Auckland. Plus, it’s one of the best free things to do if you’re broke after the holidays!
📍 Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand
20. Sail away on the seas
New Zealand Maritime Museum relaunched their Breeze Sailing adventure every second Saturday until the end of March. This exciting sailing experience involves a trip on a traditional wooden vessel from the 19th century. Guests must be 12 or older to sail. Prices start at $95.
📍Corner Quay & Hobson Streets, Auckland CBD, Auckland
21. Play at Holey Moley Golf Club
As one of the best date ideas in Auckland, you won’t get bored in this house of fun. Enjoy mini golf experience paired cocktails, scrumptious food and plenty of instagrammable moments.
📍 204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
22. Hideaway in a secret new cocktail bar
ACS is a cosy new cocktail bar hidden above The Broken Lantern on Ponsonby Road last month. Concepted by the folks from Parasol & Swing, this beautiful bar is perfect for a late-night drink, however, you won’t get in without the password. Read further about it here.
📍Level 2, 198 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
23. Visit NZ’s highest rooftop bar
Excitingly, New Zealand’s highest rooftop bar opened in Auckland. Read all about Bar Albert here.
SEE MORE: The Greatest Rooftops To Hang Out At This Summer
24. Attend a Candlelight concert
The globally famous Candlelight concerts have upped their game in Auckland with more tributes to contemporary artists. Expect some epic tributes this month. See the best upcoming candlelight concerts here.
📍Various Locations
25. Escape Rooms
Why not battle it out in an escape room some weekend day? Get tickets here.
📍Victoria Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
26. Go on an instagrammable adventure
The photo lovers among us will adore the most instagrammable places in Auckland along with the most instagrammable eateries. Meanwhile, the foodies can get their hands on the most instagrammable food dishes in Auckland.
📍 Various Locations