Best Things to Do in the September and October 2026 School Holidays in Auckland
The spring school holidays are nearly here! Auckland’s school holidays run from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October 2026, with plenty of family events, shows, exhibitions and FREE activities happening across the city.
We’ve picked some of the best things to do with kids in Auckland these school holidays, from special events and theatre shows to museums, outdoor adventures and easy family days out.
Looking for something happening on a particular day? Check our September & October School Holiday Daily Events Calendar to see what’s on each day of the holidays.
Our Top Picks for the Auckland School Holidays
We The Young Festival
Auckland Live’s festival for kids is back for the school holidays, with more than 25 shows, events and experiences taking over Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square.
There’s theatre, magic, music, creative play and immersive experiences for toddlers through to tweens, with more than half the programme FREE. Look out for Mario the Maker Magician, Wonderverse, Kitchen Chaos, Kua Rewa Te Aihikirīmi, The Kids’ Election and lot’s more.
When: 25 September to 11 October 2026
Where: Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square, Auckland City Centre
Cost: FREE and ticketed events
Night at Auckland Museum: Top Secret
Grab your torch and explore Auckland Museum after dark on a top secret family mission.
Professor Maven Sage has discovered a magic formula that brings the Museum’s collections to life, but her arch rival is out to steal it. Make your way through three floors of darkened galleries, follow the clues, meet larger-than-life performers and take part in interactive activities along the way.
There’s also a special theatre show in the Grand Foyer featuring the Museum’s resident life-sized dinosaurs.
When: Selected nights from 30 September to 10 October 2026
Where: Auckland Museum, Auckland Domain
Recommended for: Ages 6 to 12
Tickets: From $25 for the public dress rehearsal, general tickets $40
The Auckland Brick Show 2026
LEGO fans won’t want to miss one of Auckland’s biggest brick-filled weekends.
See hundreds of impressive LEGO creations from builders around New Zealand and beyond, then get involved with building activities, treasure hunts, competitions and a play zone.
It’s a good pick for a wide range of ages and an easy option if the weather isn’t playing along.
When: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October 2026
Where: Auckland Netball Centre, St Johns
Cost: Tickets from around $10, under 3s FREE
Auckland Moon Festival | FREE
Start the school holidays with a colourful evening out at the Auckland Moon Festival.
Potters Park comes alive with lanterns, live cultural performances, traditional arts, hands-on activities, markets and plenty of food. Visit during the day or stay into the evening to see the lantern displays light up.
The festival begins on Friday before the holidays, with Saturday and Sunday falling on the first school holiday weekend.
When: 25 to 27 September 2026
Where: Potters Park, Balmoral
Cost: FREE entry
Spring School Holiday Fun at Howick Historical Village
Step back in time and try something different each day at Howick Historical Village.
Kids can make bread, create their own pizza, make beeswax candles, discover how Victorians did the washing or sit down for an old-fashioned school lesson. Explore the historic buildings and gardens while you’re there and make a day of it.
Different activities are available on different days, so check the programme before you go.
When: 26 September to 10 October 2026
Where: Howick Historical Village, Pakuranga
Cost: Village admission applies, with an additional charge for some activities
Shows & Live Entertainment for Kids
School holidays are a great excuse to take the kids to a show. As well as the huge programme at We The Young, there are some lovely family productions happening around Auckland.
Marigold, Monkey and Misery Manor
Marigold and her best friend Monkey are off to visit Great Aunt Marjorie at mysterious Misery Manor, where nobody seems particularly pleased to see them.
This school holiday children’s show at TAPAC is a fun theatre outing for younger children and at around 50 to 60 minutes, it’s a manageable length for little theatre-goers.
When: Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October 2026
Where: TAPAC, Western Springs
Tickets: $20, bubs on laps FREE
Mario the Maker Magician
Magic, DIY robots and plenty of surprises come together in this inventive family show from New York.
Mario the Maker Magician combines old-school vaudeville, magic and handmade inventions and is recommended for children aged 5 and over.
It’s part of Auckland Live’s We The Young festival and only runs over the first weekend, so book early if this one appeals.
When: 25 to 27 September 2026
Where: Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre
Recommended for: Ages 5+
Wonderverse
Part performance, part adventure and part giant play space, Wonderverse takes children on an immersive journey through music, light, movement and imagination.
Explore unexpected spaces around Aotea Centre before arriving in a glowing forest of light and sound where kids can run, jump, dance, listen and explore.
When: 1 to 6 October 2026
Where: Aotea Centre
Recommended for: Ages 4 to 10
Kitchen Chaos
Expect magic, mayhem, circus tricks and even a few pies in the face in this crazy kitchen adventure.
When messy magicians Spray and Wipe have a cake disaster before a surprise party, they have to work out how baking actually works before their guests arrive.
When: 29 September to 4 October 2026
Where: Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre
Museums, Exhibitions & Hands-On Fun
Island Explorer: Kiribati at the Maritime Museum
Set off on a Kiribati island adventure as part of the Maritime Museum’s new Our Ocean of Islands exhibition.
Pick up an activity booklet and search for Kiribati stories, language, dance and voyaging tales, discover shark-tooth patterns and real shark-tooth swords, then create your own colourful woven artwork to take home.
At only $5 per person for the holiday activity, this is an affordable addition to a day in the city.
When: Weekdays, 28 September to 9 October 2026, 10am to 2.30pm
Where: New Zealand Maritime Museum, Viaduct Harbour
Cost: $5 per person
Discover Something New at Auckland Museum
Even if you’re not heading along to Night at Auckland Museum, there is plenty for families to discover during a daytime visit.
Explore dinosaurs, volcanoes, natural history, Māori and Pacific collections and keep an eye out for the Museum’s special school holiday activities.
Where: Auckland Museum, Auckland Domain
MOTAT September Holiday Experience
There’s lots happening at MOTAT these school holidays, with hands-on activities exploring the science of friction.
Kids can build ramps and race cars and marbles, try air hockey, make spinning art, experiment with flight and discover how different materials grip and move.
The first day of the holidays also brings something brand new. All Aboard – How Tāmaki Moves opens on 26 September, taking families through Auckland’s transport history with interactive displays, immersive experiences and objects from MOTAT’s collection.
When: 26 September to 11 October 2026, 10am to 4pm
Where: MOTAT, Western Springs
Cost: Holiday activities included with general admission
FREE Things to Do in the Auckland School Holidays
School holidays don’t have to be expensive. Mix some of the bigger ticketed outings with these FREE Auckland activities.
Eye on Nature Creative Arts Exhibition | FREE
See colourful artwork created by South and East Auckland children for this year’s Eye on Nature Creative Arts competition.
The theme Together We Grow encouraged tamariki to think about caring for the environment by working together. The exhibition is inside the Auckland Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre, so combine it with a wander through the gardens, the FREE Flower Finding Safari and a picnic.
When: 26 September to 11 October 2026
Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa
Cost: FREE
Explore the FREE Fun at We The Young
You don’t need tickets to enjoy We The Young.
More than half of the festival programme is FREE, with activities and experiences around Aotea Square and Aotea Centre throughout the holidays.
Check what’s happening on the day you plan to visit and combine a FREE activity with a picnic or lunch in the city.
When: 25 September to 11 October 2026
Where: Auckland City Centre
Cost: Lots of FREE activities
Visit Your Local Auckland Library
Auckland libraries have FREE activities for kids throughout the school holidays, from crafts and games to creative workshops and special events.
Programmes vary by library, so check what’s happening close to home or use our Daily School Holiday Events Calendar to find activities on the day you need them.
Visit Ambury Regional Park
Go and see the farm animals, walk around the foreshore and enjoy some fresh spring air at Ambury Regional Park in Māngere Bridge.
Pack lunch and gumboots if it has been wet and you have an easy low-cost school holiday day out.
Cost: FREE
Head to Auckland Botanic Gardens
Pack a picnic and spend a few hours exploring the gardens.
Alongside the Eye on Nature exhibition, the Gardens have a Flower Finding Safari running throughout the holidays plus selected FREE drop-in children’s activities.
Cost: FREE
Get Outside These School Holidays
Spring weather can be unpredictable, but when Auckland gives you a sunny day, make the most of it.
Discover a New Auckland Playground
Instead of heading back to your usual local playground, make the holidays an excuse to try somewhere new.
Auckland has everything from destination playgrounds with huge climbing structures and flying foxes to seaside playgrounds where you can combine playing with a beach walk or picnic.
Go on on a Family Walk
Choose a short bush walk, coastal path or easy family trail and explore a different part of Auckland.
Keep it simple with younger children or choose a longer walk and pack snacks for older kids and teens.
Pack the Bikes and Scooters
Head somewhere with plenty of space for kids to ride.
Auckland has bike paths, pump tracks and learn-to-ride areas that work for everyone from preschoolers finding their balance to confident older riders.
Have a Beach Day
Head somewhere with plenty of space for kids to ride.
Auckland has bike paths, pump tracks and learn-to-ride areas that work for everyone from preschoolers finding their balance to confident older riders.
Rainy Day Ideas for the School Holidays
Auckland weather rarely cooperates for an entire two weeks, so keep a few indoor ideas ready.
Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Auckland Museum, MOTAT and the Maritime Museum are all easy rainy day choices and have extra activities or exhibitions during these holidays.
You could also try one of Auckland’s smaller museums and galleries for a completely different day out.
Catch a Family Movie in the Cinema or at Home
A movie is always an easy wet-weather option, particularly when everyone needs a quieter day after a busy week.
Check our guide to the latest kids and family movies showing at Auckland cinemas and streaming at home.
Find an Indoor Activity
From indoor playgrounds and climbing centres to swimming pools, bowling and creative activities, there are plenty of ways to keep kids busy when the rain arrives.
Easy Any-Day School Holiday Ideas
Not every day needs to involve tickets, bookings or a special event.
Some of our favourite school holiday days are the simple ones:
Let the kids choose a playground you haven’t visited before.
Pack a picnic and spend the day at a regional park.
Visit a library and let everyone choose new books.
Head to the beach for a walk, rock pooling or sandcastles.
Take the bikes or scooters out.
Bake something together.
Let the kids plan a day out with a set budget.
FREE at Home: Low Effort, High Fun
Need a home day between outings? Try one of these:
Build a blanket fort and have a movie night.
Bake cupcakes, biscuits or homemade pizzas.
Camp in the backyard.
Create your own board game.
Build a cardboard city from recycling.
Have an art afternoon using whatever is already in the cupboard.
Set up a family games tournament.
Give the kids a camera or phone and create a neighbourhood photo challenge.
Make an indoor treasure hunt.
Let the kids plan and cook dinner.
Sometimes the days kids remember most are the ones that cost almost nothing.
Find Something to Do Every Day of the School Holidays
Want even more ideas?
Our September & October School Holiday Daily Events Calendar has family events listed by date, so you can quickly see what’s happening around Auckland on the day you need it.
You’ll find FREE events, shows, workshops, museum activities, library sessions, exhibitions and more throughout the two-week break.
FAQ Section
When are the September and October 2026 school holidays in Auckland?
The Term 3 school holidays run from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 11 October 2026. Most Auckland schools return for Term 4 on Monday 12 October 2026.
What are the best things to do with kids in Auckland these school holidays?
Some of our picks for the 2026 spring school holidays include We The Young Festival, Night at Auckland Museum: Top Secret, The Auckland Brick Show, Titanic: The Human Story, MOTAT’s September Holiday Experience, Auckland Moon Festival and school holiday theatre and activities around the city. There are also plenty of everyday family outings including playgrounds, museums, beaches, walks and regional parks.
What FREE things can kids do in Auckland during the school holidays?
There are lots of FREE options including the Auckland Moon Festival, FREE activities at We The Young, the Eye on Nature Creative Arts Exhibition at Auckland Botanic Gardens, Auckland library activities, playgrounds, beaches and regional parks. Check our Daily School Holiday Events Calendar for FREE events happening on individual days.
What can we do in Auckland if it rains during the school holidays?
Try Auckland Museum, MOTAT, the Maritime Museum, Titanic: The Human Story, a family movie, an indoor play centre, swimming pool or one of Auckland’s many other indoor attractions.
See our Rainy Day Activities in Auckland for Kids guide for more ideas.
What can we do with older kids and teenagers?
For older children and teens, consider Titanic: The Human Story, The Auckland Brick Show, selected We The Young performances, museums, climbing, biking, movies or letting them choose a new Auckland attraction or day trip.
Where can I find school holiday events happening today?
Our September & October School Holiday Daily Events Calendar lists Auckland family events by date throughout the holidays.