Don’t stay at home! Three “top match” carnivals in Auckland in late summer, all free! It’s so fun that I cry…

New Zealand Chinese Herald Network Comprehensive In late summer in Auckland, the sun is still shining and the breeze is not dry. During the Chinese New Year, the city is filled with a festive atmosphere. It’s a good time for the whole family to go out and feel the vitality of the community.

In order to enrich everyone’s spare time life, the local boards under the Auckland City Council are full of sincerity and have carefully planned a series of exciting activities for everyone.

Recently, thisThree major community activitiesIt’s definitely the highlight, from the passionate live art showdowns, fun community competitions, to the youth music festival that takes the streets by storm. Hurry up and mark your schedule. If you miss it, you will have to wait for a year!

01
Art “explosion”
Art Blast

Time: February 28, 2026 (Saturday) 12pm-4pm
地点：Rocket Park, Councillors Drive, Mount Albert, Auckland

On February 28, Albert-Eden Local Council will host its first Art Blast event at the local iconic Rocket Park. This is not only a colorful creative feast, but also a carnival of performances and community.

The venue will bring together local artists, performers and residents for an immersive experience of live art: from sculptures and interactive installations to poetry, short plays and performance art. Live music brings the park to life, and multiple food trucks offer a variety of tempting treats.

Margi Watson, chairperson of Albert-Eden Local Council, said: “We have a lot of talent here and Art Blast gives us the opportunity to showcase the creativity of these artists. Rocket Park will become a real hub of energy and art, and everyone is welcome to come and experience it for yourself!”

Event highlights:

• Live art showdown: Artists will challenge the limit of time and compete face-to-face in creative competition amid explosive music and cheers from the audience.
• Art Market: Visitors can support local creators by purchasing unique works of art to take home.
• Diverse experiences: including artist-led interactive sessions, workshops, live sculptures, interactive installations, etc.

02
Community “Olympics”
Whau-lympics

Time: March 7, 2026 (Saturday) 10am-3pm
Location: Olympic Park, 36 Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland

Inspired by the classic TV show “Top Town” and with the full support of the Whau Local Committee, the first Whau-lympics is coming to Olympic Park!

Residents from schools, businesses, neighborhoods and sports clubs will team up to compete in a series of fun and easy challenges. Even if you don’t compete, you can cheer as a spectator or experience it yourself in the Have a Go Zones.

“Trying Zone” and special activities:

• Inflatable Horse Derby: Team competition on inflatable horses, lots of fun.
• Active Stars: Operated by SportHub Community Trust, it features interactive games such as pickleball, badminton, basketball and volleyball.
• Pirate Olympics: Led by the naughty Captain Festus McBoyle, Miss Lucy Drawers and Ebenezer Strong, experience fun pirate-style competitions such as bag racing, tug-of-war, “crocodile and shark” throwing, sandbag throwing, and dominoes and other mini-games.
• Bubble Football: Climb and bounce into huge inflatable bubbles and run towards victory.
• Fun Track and Field: Classic track and field, but the gameplay is very funny.
• Rotating Rock Climbing Wall: Challenge New Zealand’s first advanced rotating rock climbing wall and experience your heartbeat!
• Shooting Area: Featuring a Hungerball and a giant basketball, test your accuracy on these popular inflatables.

Stage performances and children’s activities:

-There will be performances by Aggie’s Zumba, Dragon Beats drumming and the captain on the stage.

-Free children’s activities include: Messy Play, face painting, bubble show, circus skills workshop and an exclusive bouncy castle for children under 5 years old.

There will also be a variety of local food stalls on site, so be sure to come with an empty stomach!

03
street music festival
Morningside Mixtape

Time: April 19, 2026 (Sunday) 2pm-6pm
Location: McDonald Street, Morningside, Auckland

On April 19, the Morningside Mixtape event will block McDonald Street and hold a street music party specially designed for young people.

The event is supported by Albert-Eden Local Council and organized in partnership with Big Fan. The core of the event is to provide an accessible live music experience for young people aged 15 to 25, and to promote local emerging artists to the center stage.

There will be a stage, food stalls and local cafes and businesses taking part.

Mixtape events are all about “discovery” – allowing you to experience the talents of these artists before they become famous and establishing Morningside as the new frontier for live music.

Whether you want to experience the arts scene, participate in fun competitions, or discover future music stars, these community events in Auckland have you covered!

For more information on exciting events, please visit ourauckland.nz (https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ ）。

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