Summer hits... Our picks of the best summer fun on the Shore
We all want to have an unforgettable Shore summer this year – and to help make that happen, there are myriad events and activities taking place! From Christmas and New Year through to the end of January, we're all hoping for long, perfectly sunny days to enjoy them. Whether you’re planning on relaxing on the beach or building up a sweat taking part in a sports event, summer is the best time of year to make memories outdoors.
Get Christmassy
The annual Christmas parade or carols in your local area delight the kids and are a great way to see the people and groups who play an active part in our communities.
Birkenhead Village Santa Parade and Christmas Market, Sunday 14 December from 11am. villagesantaparade.nz
Christmas Carols in the Amphitheatre at The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna, Sunday 14 December; 6pm and a twilight session at 8.30pm. Tickets available from pumphouse.co.nz/whats-on
Carols in the Park at Albany Lakes Civic Park, Sunday 14 December, 6-8pm. Free admission. carolsinthepark.nz
The Great Christmas Concert at Lake House Arts, Takapuna, Saturday 13 December, 6pm. Take a picnic to the gardens of Lake House Arts to enjoy a Kiwi Christmas with the North Shore Brass Academy. Food stalls and a cash bar on site from 5pm. Entry by koha. lakehousearts.org.nz/event/the-great-christmas-concert-2025
Shop the Shore at outdoor markets
Sun on your shoulders, the scent of doughnuts and popcorn in the air, the happy buzz of children seeking a sweet treat, a trove of bright delights on sale around you... Yes, summer is outdoor market time!
Devonport Collective Pop-Up Market, Saturday 13 December, 10am-2pm, Devonport RSA. Meet the makers and designers as they showcase their products, ideas and artistry in person. From handicrafts, ceramics and jewellery to fashion and textiles, you can shop Christmas and shop local at the same time. devonport.co.nz/events
Need an adrenaline fix after too much Christmas cheer? Here are some summer race events you could take part in. Push your boundaries and achieve a personal best or just head along to watch the action and the drama from the sidelines.
Harcourts Cooper & Co Beach Series, Takapuna, Tuesday 9 December and Tuesday 16 December, registration from 4pm. Resumes Tuesday 3 February. Includes swims, stand-up paddleboarding and the sandbox fitness challenge. Enter online at beachseries.co.nz/pages/events
Barfoot & Thompson Swim and Run Series, Takapuna, Wednesday 10 December, Wednesday 21 January, Wednesday 4 February, registration from 5.15pm. Run by North Harbour Triathlon Club for anyone 12 years and above; each race offers a different length. Enter online at events.barefootsport.co.nz/event/1516
Harcourts Cooper & Co Run Devonport, Sunday 18 January, Navy fields, Ngataringa Bay, from 8am. A classic summer run on the Devonport waterfront. 5km, 10km or 15km distances with a 2km fun run for the kids. Enter online at rundevonport.werun.nz
Auckland Urban Amphibian Swimrun on Saturday 31 January, registration from 6am. With four length options, the longest of which is the 40km Takapuna to Long Bay return. Enter online at amphibianswimrun.co.nz/pages/auckland-urban-amphibian
All kinds of watercraft
Auckland is called the City of Sails , but there are many kinds of watercraft we love to see out on the Hauraki Gulf or Lake Pupuke!
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, Monday 26 January. From optimists at Murrays Bay Sailing Club through to windfoiling and kitefoiling at Takapuna, and Sea Scouts sailing at Narrow Neck Beach, there is so much happening on Anniversary Day. Head over to Maungauika / North Head to watch the iconic harbour events. The classic launch race starts at 11am, and the classic yachts at 1pm. Check it out here regatta.org.nz/regatta-participants/schedule-of-regatta-events
Head of Harbour rowing regatta, Saturday, 7 February, Lake Pupuke. Rowing clubs from across Auckland and further afield will gather at Lake Pupuke again this February to compete in the 90th edition of this famed event, the largest rowing regatta in Auckland. Hosted by Takapuna Grammar School, this short-course regatta plays an important part in school-aged rowers’ preparations for the Maadi Cup (held next March in the South Island). Pride is at stake as crews contribute points for the overall ‘Head of Harbour’ and aim to wrest the title from 2025 winner St Kentigern’s College. Refreshments available at the Sylvan Park end of the lake, where spectators can also get an excellent view of the finish line. Check it out here tgsrowing.org.nz
Takapuna Beach Cup, Friday 13 - Sunday 15 February. This three-day Aotearoa waka ama event attracts national and international paddlers. Get along to Takapuna Beach to see a sport that has its roots in Pacific culture and is open to rangatahi (youth) and pakeke (adults). See the schedule at takapunabeachcup.com. Interested in trying waka ama? See wakaama.co.nz/clubs
Get on the water yourself
You might now be inspired to get out on the water yourself, getting a feel for the waves and the wind with a small boat under your control. If you don’t have the necessary skills, we have experts on the Shore who can help you, with classes desinged for children through to adults.
Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre at Long Bay offers BOLD, a sailing programme for 10 to 13-year-olds to learn about themselves and leadership through sailing, 12-16 January. Find out more at merc.org.nz/holiday-programmes
At Lake Pupuke, you can learn Hobie Getaway, Laser or Open Bic sailing. Madloop Windsurfing partners with Meltemi Beach Cats to offer instructed sailing lessons and sailboat rentals. Check out madloop.co.nz/sailing
Or choose something more high-powered: hire a jetski at the Takapuna Beach ramp from Auckland Jet Ski Rentals. They ensure that every rider is outfitted with an appropriate life vest, as well as a training session on New Zealand boating rules and regulations, and the safe use and operation of the jet ski being hired. jetskirental.co.nz
Family fun
Summer is a great time to get outdoors with the family in whatever ways appeal to you! You might have a beach day, go fishing, get out on a boat, or take some time to explore our coastlines, lakes, rivers, parks or bush walks. It’s all about spending time together, getting out in the fresh air, and opening your eyes to see the landscape and the community around you. If you have children in the family, or are feeling young at heart yourselves, there are some special events you can get involved in:
Several fun family events are happening in Northcote, supported by volunteers from the Northcote Together group, a group of locals who help make more fun things happen in the area. Check out Northcote Crafty Christmas, Saturday 20 December 10am-2pm in Norman King Square. Kids can get crafty and make their own handmade Christmas cards, decorations and wrapping paper, as well as ideas for upcycled Christmas presents. northcotetogther.org
Northcote Topsy Turvy Town, Saturday 7 February, 10am-2pm, Pearn Place. A family activity day where the town revolves around its youngest community members. Kids can make some crazy food at the bakery, get junior fire-fighting training at the fire station, post playful letters at the post office, and more! northcotetogether.org/event-details-registration/topsy-turvy-town
Wipeout Waterpark is scheduled to be in Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, and Killarney Park this summer. Lots of hilarity and fun for those 5 years and up (9 years and under must have a participating adult). See the schedule and buy tickets at wipeout.co.nz/buy-tickets
XRace: Devonport, Sunday 25 January, 10am at Windsor Reserve, Devonport. XRace is an adventure race where a parent and child (6-14 years old) race together, solve mystery challenges, and compete against the clock and other family teams. Tickets at xrace.co.nz/pages/Devonport
How about getting the kids involved to give a helping hand to nature this summer? You can participate in a conservation effort like Streamcare with Pupuke Birdsong Project. Pupuke Birdsong Project works in the northern suburbs of the Devonport- Takapuna Local Board area, eradicating pests and restoring local native habitats. pupukebirdsong.org.nz/get-involved-in-your-local-area/
Picnics and more
Enjoy the summer sun with a picnic at one of our beaches or parks. It’s a great way to explore a spot you haven’t tried before. Any of the Shore beaches are a good bet; other favourites are Killarney Park, Little Shoal Bay, Chelsea Heritage Park, Operetu Fort Takapuna, Takarunga/Mount Victoria, Maungauika/North Head and Devonport Domain. If you don’t want to pack a picnic, you could have a wide choice of delicious taste sensations from a host of different cuisines at a food truck event – complete with live music and a pop-up bar serving craft beers and local wines. See here for their scheduled dates at Torbay, Milford, Takapuna and Birkenhead foodtruckcollective.co.nz
Get that summer party feeling
There’s a special kind of magic in dancing with a crowd on a summer's afternoon, to a band with a groove that gets everyone moving, particularly if good food and great drinks are also involved!
Sunsetter Festival, Windsor Reserve, Devonport, Saturday 31 January, 1-9pm, R20+ Sunsetter 2025 made a big debut in Devonport earlier this year and proved that the Shore can party with the best of them! Now it’s returning to blow multiple of your senses this January with great sounds, delicious food and drinks and a fabulous vibe. It includes local and international music acts, such as Super Disco Club, DJ Spen and Sgt Slick, as well as food vendors, wineries, breweries and a range of creative cocktails. Tickets at sunsetterfestival.co.nz/purchase-tickets
Information correct as of 21 November – please check individual websites for confirmation closer to event dates.
