Come and celebrate the vibrant and unique heart of Auckland at a Midtown Street Party!
Midtown has become a little bit Karangahape Road, a little bit Dominion Road, but most of all this neighbourhood has a community vibe all its own. Midtown is throwing a party in the streets for everyone on the third Thursday of every month. Bring your family and friends and join in for live performing arts, delicious eats and hidden retail gems - with different themes every month! You’ll discover a midtown you’ve never experienced before.
Coming up next: New Zealand Fashion
When: 21 August 2025 | 5-8pm
Where: The Strand Arcade, Elliott Street, Elliott Stables, Darby Street
Get snug and stylish in the heart of Midtown as we celebrate NZ fashion, creativity, and community spirit. Enjoy live DJ sets, browse handmade goods at the makers market, or create your own masterpiece at cosy crochet and yarning workshops.
Makers’ Market
Browse a curated selection of locally made goods, including handmade ceramics, crochet fashion, stainless steel jewellery, beanies, earrings, and high-fashion textiles with queer design elements. Discover ethically crafted crochet pieces and handwoven items made from NZ wool and specialty yarns—each piece showcasing the creativity of Auckland’s talented makers.
Learn the art of Crotchet
Always wanted to learn crochet? Join Ani O'Neill, Megan Hansen-Knarhoi, and Emily Siddell as they guide you through simple stitches to create a crocheted flower for a growing wall of blooms and green stems. At the end of the KNIT exhibition, each flower will be sent as a special gift to someone nominated by its maker.
Live Performances
Don’t miss these special performances in The Strand Arcade and Elliott Stables – perfect for an evening with your family and friends.
Phoebe Falconer | 5 – 6.30pm | The Strand Arcade
Phoebe Falconer is an Auckland based DJ who recently returned home to Auckland after 5 years DJing at some of Los Angeles' most exclusive clubs.
More happening
The Strand Arcade
Matariki mākete | July 17th | 5 - 8PM
A curated selection of artists and makers pop-up with their creations for a one night market.
Workshops in Shop 21
Crochet workshop from MiniCrochet
Crochet your own creation with beginner friendly Matariki themed designs including stars, moons, sunflowers and more – which can also be turned into keychains or jewellery!
Handmade patches workshop with Jeanine Clarkin
With a design history and practice that encompasses haute couture to slow fashion with respect to Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), Jeanine invites the public to sit down and enhance their kākahu with handmade patches from her selection of hand printed fabrics.
Unravelling your whakapapa with Margaret Lewis
In this workshop, textile artist, producer and community capacity builder Margaret Lewis will guide you on how you might research and 'journal' your whakapapa researches, and how you might create an artifact that embodies your whakapapa.
Workshop with Natanahira Pona
Master Carver Natanahira Pona is an educator passionate in creating community events for Matariki across Tāmaki. Natanahira brings some working sheets and resources to educate and answer questions around Matariki while guiding us through why Matariki is a special time for renewal, harmony and growth.
Interactive Activities
Karawhiua mai ōu moemoeā Matariki by The Open Fort
From 5 July, the constellation will be open for all to visit and interact with. On 17 July, The Open Fort will be at the Midtown Street Party to assist you with creating your own laser cut star. Write your wish or resolution on the card whetū (star) provided and raise it amongst the other stars to share in our constellation.
Kupurori: Scrabble in Te Reo
Play street sized Scrabble – but in Te Reo. Called Kupurori, Merge Community and some of our street whānau challenge any comers to take them on in a battle of kupu, on the board and in the street. Come and play a game of Kupurori and learn some Te Reo as you go. The board and letter tiles have been designed by Teare Tuatahi and Ross Liew.
Live performances in The Strand Arcade:
- 5 – 5:45pm – HINA
- 6 – 6:45pm – Kāwika Aspili
- 7 – 8pm – RNR - Te Reo Lepou duo
Elliot Stables
Don’t miss these special Matariki performances in Elliott Stables – perfect for the whole whānau this July school holidays.
Jarni Blair | 5 July | 12–1:30pm
Jarni Blair is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist who seamlessly blends blues, pop, funk, and rock into an electrifying musical experience. With versatile skills across guitar, looping, and vocals, Jarni delivers high-energy performances that captivate audiences.
Ngariki Muru | 9 July | 12–1:30pm
From the long curve of Aotearoa’s East Coast, Ngariki offers a hot meal of soulful songs. His lyrics are a stew made of sad stories from his friends, melodies from the marae shed party and growlings from his mum. Bring a plate and load it up with good music.
Spider Town Baby | 9 & 12 July | 12–1:30pm
Nia Vavao, aka SPDRTWNBBY (pronounced “Spider Town Baby”) hails from the villages of Lalomanu and Malie in Upolu, Samoa. SPDRTWNBBY emerges from the vibrant streets of Avondale, bringing with her a cosmic blend of sound and style.
Kāwika Aspili | 16 July | 12–1:30pm
Kāwika Aspili is an accomplished singer/songwriter, best known for powerful original works like “E Piʻi Mai” and “I Am Not American.” Holding a Master’s degree in Hawaiian Studies from UH Mānoa, his research focused on Mele Lāhui—songs that express Hawaiian identity, resistance, and sovereignty. His academic work, grounded in Indigenous research methods and cultural frameworks, deeply informs his carving practice.
Proudly supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
$2.50 per hour to a max of $12.50 on weekends and a $12.50 flat rate for weekday evenings at The Civic car park. Find out more.