Right, parents, we’ve made it through to January – time to ditch the screens and get out there before school holidays vanish! This weekend (Jan 3rd & 4th) has some awesome, weird, and wonderful stuff happening, especially if you're keen on space; The Stardome is kicking off their school holiday shows with 3-2-1 Liftoff! [auckland-1] and if the weather turns, Waterworld St Heliers Beach [auckland-4] is the perfect way to burn off energy.
Quick Picks
Music in Parks Milford Beach - Jazz
Milford Beach
Totally free summer jazz vibes right on the beach – perfect for a chill afternoon.
School Holidays: 3-2-1 Liftoff!
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
Indoor space adventures at the Stardome are a reliable backup when the sun bails.
Loose Parts Play
Various Auckland Council venues (Check specific location)
Open-ended, creative building fun with materials—great for fostering little imaginations.
School Holidays: 3-2-1 Liftoff!
The Stardome reopens on Jan 3rd with school holiday shows, starting with '3-2-1 Liftoff!'. It’s an awesome way to get kids excited about space and beat the summer heat indoors. Check their schedule for specific age-appropriate planetarium sessions.
Why we picked it: It’s the first weekend they are open for the holidays, so get in early!
School Holidays: The Great Solar System Adventure
Another Stardome offering, this adventure focuses on the solar system, perfect for younger curious minds. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours learning about planets in a cool, dark theatre.
Why we picked it: A dedicated show for the school holidays, likely geared towards younger audiences.
Auckland Art Gallery: Families/Special Events
If the weather's a shocker, the Art Gallery is a good indoor option, especially since they often have family programming during the holidays. It's a classic that's worth visiting, even if just to see the architecture.
Why we picked it: It's a reliable indoor option that is usually running family programming over the holidays.
Art Holiday Programme - Week 1 (Christmas Workshop)
This creative programme is running for the first week of January, focusing on festive crafts, though the official Week 1 starts Jan 5th, so you'd need to check if they have a Saturday session for overflow or an intro day. If your kid loves painting and crafting, this is the spot.
Why we picked it: It’s a structured creative option, though double-check if they run intro sessions on the Saturday.
Kemu Māori Cultural Activities
Learn some traditional Māori games and stories with the Kemu Māori sessions happening throughout the holidays. This is a fantastic, authentic way to connect with local culture outside of the main tourist spots.
Why we picked it: Offers a unique cultural learning opportunity that many tourists miss.
The Pout-Pout Fish (Movie)
If you need an emergency indoor fix, *The Pout-Pout Fish* is screening from Jan 1st, so it's new for the holidays. It's a great, easy win for the younger crew when you just need to sit down for 90 minutes.
Why we picked it: It’s a new family movie screening right at the start of the weekend.
Raumati Reads: Howick Library Holiday Programme
The Raumati Reads programme is on at Howick Library with games, crafts, and shows to keep the littles entertained. It's less central than the CBD libraries, making it a nice local gem if you're out East.
Why we picked it: A specific local library programme running throughout the holidays.
Pickleball give it a go
You can learn the basics of Pickleball this weekend as part of the ongoing holiday programme. It’s like a mix of tennis and badminton, which might just be quirky enough to get the teens off their phones for a bit.
Why we picked it: A trendy, active sport that is easy to pick up for an afternoon.
Waterworld St Heliers Beach
This massive inflatable waterpark is back on the beach for the holidays—you'll definitely need to pack togs and towels for this one. Remember to check the tide times, as some obstacles might be closed at low tide.
Why we picked it: It’s a limited-run, proper summer water activity running right up until this weekend's end (Jan 4th).
MOTAT Summer Holiday Experience
Explore the science and tech of flight across both MOTAT sites, which is always a winner with the kids. If you head down on a Sunday, you can jump on the steam train ride, which is a bonus little extra!
Why we picked it: The Sunday steam train ride adds a special, classic touch to their regular holiday offering.
Loose Parts Play
This sounds like brilliant, unstructured fun where kids can build and create with open-ended materials—the definition of local gem play. It runs through the holidays, so Sunday is a great time to catch it before Monday holidays kick in.
Why we picked it: It’s genuinely free, unstructured play, perfect for a low-key family morning.
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta Warm-up/Sailing Tours
The big Anniversary Day Regatta is next weekend, but the harbour will be buzzing with boats and activity this weekend, making it a great time for a sailing tour. Book one of the harbour cruises for a proper, non-touristy water experience.
Why we picked it: It’s great pre-event atmosphere on the harbour leading up to Anniversary Day.
Waterworld St Heliers Beach - LAST DAY SUNDAY
This is your absolute last chance to hit the giant inflatable obstacle course on the water before it packs up for the season! Seriously, get down to St Heliers on Sunday for this big splashy finale.
Why we picked it: This is the final day for this major summer attraction, making it a must-do for this weekend only.
Music in Parks Milford Beach - Jazz
Okay, this one kicks off mid-week (Jan 7th), but the article mentions summer concerts pop up all over Tāmaki Makaurau—keep an eye out for pop-up events this weekend similar to this free jazz showcase. It’s the best kind of free summer evening entertainment.
Why we picked it: While the main series starts later, it highlights the availability of free music over the summer break.
Music in Parks Milford Beach - Jazz (Start of series indication)
This is part of the summer concert series that pops up across Auckland, and while the official kick-off is Jan 7th, it sets the expectation for free, high-quality evening entertainment. Look for similar free local park gigs on the Saturday/Sunday.
Why we picked it: Highlights the availability of great, free outdoor entertainment in local parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Auckland this weekend (Jan 3-4)?
The best genuinely free option we found is Loose Parts Play [auckland-7] at various council venues, offering open-ended creative fun. While the main Music in Parks series starts next week, keep an eye out for similar free local pop-up evening events on the waterfront!
Which activities are great if the weather turns rainy on Saturday or Sunday?
For guaranteed indoor fun, check out the school holiday programming at the Stardome Observatory & Planetarium [auckland-1] with their space shows, or head to the Auckland Art Gallery [auckland-5] for some quiet, creative exploration.
What's fun for under-5s this weekend?
The Loose Parts Play [auckland-12] sessions run by the council are perfect for unstructured play for little ones, and the Stardome has dedicated children's shows like 'The Great Solar System Adventure' [auckland-2] on Saturday afternoon.