We’ve got Queen’s Birthday coming up on Monday, June 1, which means if the recent rumours of possibly adding more public holidays in New Zealand remain just that, rumours, this coming Monday is going to be our last public holiday until October. Let that sink in. Because we’ve had quite a challenging first half of 2020 to say the least, it’s all the more important that we make the most of this coming long weekend and try to live our best lives. Sure, we are still being asked to be mindful of physical distancing and certain restrictions but there are events (yes, events) taking place this long weekend that you can take part in and here are my top three picks:
Auckland Festival of Photography
While this year’s Auckland Festival of Photography can be enjoyed on Pop Up TV Freeview Channel 200 or online at the festival’s official website, you can take a self-guided tour of the various installations around town including digital screens, lightboxes and large-scale outdoor displays. You can find the outdoor exhibitions starting May 29 at Silo Park, Queens Wharf, Freyberg Place and Aotea Square from 5:30pm to 8pm. The festival is running from May 28 until June 14 and highlights the works of local photographers. You can view the full 2020 programme on the festival’s website.
Auckland Night Market
Admittedly, the weather this weekend isn’t looking particularly good for a night market experience however good food trumps all and the team behind the popular Auckland Night Markets has started a new night market at Fanshawe Street. The new location is at 115 Fanshawe Street (in the Wilson carpark between the Fonterra and IBM buildings). The Fanshawe Street Night Market is on Sunday, May 31 from 5-11pm.
High Tea
I mean, it is Queen’s Birthday so I would be doing a disservice if I don’t at least recommend having a high tea session. DeBretts Kitchen is running 1920’s-themed high tea sessions on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 from 1pm-4pm. They even welcome dress-ups! In case the connection between the occasion and the theme didn’t click, the Queen was born in the 1920’s and she still looks great decades later.
