Happy birthday Auckland - let's celebrate!
Auckland will celebrate its birthday with a host of special events during Auckland Anniversary Weekend, the last weekend of the month.
Auckland's Viaduct Harbour is once again the heart of the action, with lots happening over the long summer weekend.
Mayor John Banks encourages Aucklanders to come down to the waterfront and help celebrate our city.
"Auckland Anniversary Weekend is always a great start to the year, and in this case a new decade. Auckland City Council is proud to be able to offer such a large and exciting programme of events during the long weekend which recognise our city's unique natural assets and history," says Mr Banks.
Prepare to be entertained, as festivities kick off on Friday night (29 January), with carnival rides for the kids and the first of several Auckland International Buskers Festival night shows.
The Buskers Festival continues throughout the weekend, with a huge assortment of local and international acrobats, jugglers, mimes, comedians and more coming together to create an energetic vibe on Auckland's waterfront.
Another highlight of the long weekend is the extremely popular Auckland Seafood Festival, which takes place from Saturday to Monday (noon to 7pm) at Halsey Street Wharf. Enjoy a huge range of local delicacies from more than 20 different stalls, a wide selection of local and international wines, beer from Mac's Brew Bar, as well as performances from local musicians, buskers, street entertainers, industry displays and competitions.
Check out the new Blue Water Black Magic exhibition at Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum; and see how Customs protects our shores on International Customs Day (Saturday).
Enjoy carnival rides and kids' entertainment, or take part in the South American-themed Fiesta of Colours parade and dance party with some of Auckland's top Latina performers on Sunday night, capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.
And of course on Monday, 1 February, Auckland's birthday tradition, The Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, will see thousands of marine craft take to the Waitemata to celebrate Auckland's maritime history.
Auckland Anniversary Weekend is provided by Auckland City Council with support from Auckland Seafood Festival, Auckland International Buskers Festival, Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum, New Zealand Customs Service, grabaseat, Youthtown, Red Bull, Wildfire Restaurant, The Radio Network and The Lion Foundation.
