What's on this May!
May Events – What’s on?
Here is our easy May event guide showing you events and parking options, for our largest cities in Aotearoa.
Auckland events
What: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Where: The Civic, 269-287 Wellesley Street West
When: Wednesday 1st May – Sunday 5th May
Direct from the UK and starring Rula Lenska as Madge. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is coming to The Civic. The comedy tells the story of taking risks, finding love and embracing second chances. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking Options:
- 205 Quen Street
- Elliott Street
- Saint Matthews
- Durham Lane
What: Adam Kay
Where: Bruce Mason, Takapuna
When: Wednesday 1st May
Former doctor turned comedian Adam Kay is performing at the Bruce Mason centre on the 1st May. The BAFTA-winning comedian is here for the first time as part of the international comedy festival. For tickets and more information click here.
Best Parking options:
- Car Park By the Sea
- Takapuna Police calendar -
- Hustmere Street
What: NZ Comedy Festival
Where: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Square
When: Friday 3rd May – Sunday 26th May
The NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo is back for the 2024 season. This year is kicking off at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre with The Best Foods Comedy Gala, hosted by Chris Parker. Here Chris will be joined by some of NZ’s favourite comedians and international stars such as Heath Franklin's Chopper, Brynley Stent, Pax Assadi, Abby Howells, Takashi Wakasugi, Nazeem Hussain, Hayley Sproull, He Huang, Alice Snedden, Rhys Mathewson and Eli Matthewson. For more information click here.
Best Parking options:
- 205 Queen Street (closes at 6pm)
- Elliot Street
- Saint Matthews
- Durham Lane (closes at midnight)
- Greys Avenue
For a full list of other comedy shows on during the festival, click here.
What: Macklemore
Where: Spark Arena
When: Thursday 9th May
Sure to a show stopping performance Mackle more is returning to New Zealand playing at Spark Arena for one night only on the 9th May. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- Railway Outdoor Upper (26 Te Taou Crescent)
- Railway Outdoor Lower (26 Te Taou Crescent)
- 73 Anzac Ave
- 2 Anzac Ave
- 2 Ronayne Street
What: Swan Lake
Where: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Square
When: Thursday 9th May – Sunday 12th May
The Royal New Zealand Ballet supported by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, are bringing Swan Lake the Ballet to the Kiri Kanawa Theatre. This beautiful ballet is the perfect mix of music, dance and emotion. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 205 Queen Street (closes at 6pm).
- Elliot Street
- Saint Matthews
- Durham Lane (closes at midnight)
- Greys Avenue
What: The Guilty Feminist
Where: Bruce Mason, Takapuna
When: Tuesday 14th May
Starting of as a podcast The Guilty Feminist is part comedy, part full discussion into everything and anything. In the show Deborah Frances-White and guests will examine our noble goals as 21st century feminists – and our hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine those goals. For tickets and more information, click here
Best Parking options:
- Car Park By the Sea
- Takapuna Police carpark
- Hustmere Street
What: The Writers Festival
Where: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Square
When: Tuesday 14th May – 19th May 2024
The 2024 Writers Festival is on at Aotea Centre in May. Here you can enjoy over 200 events from the worlds best authors, poets and thinkers! The events include book signings, readings from your favourite New Zealand authors and all the latest news in the writers world from faction to non fiction, poets, journalists, scientists and all things book related! For a full programme and tickets, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 205 Queen Street (closes at 6pm)
- Elliot Street
- Saint Matthews
- Durham Lane (closes at midnight)
- Greys Avenue
What: Jungle
Where: Spark Arena
When: Wednesday 15th May
Jungle are returning to Aotearoa as part of their 2024 Volcano Tour. This is ahead of their next album release with the tour giving a sneak peek prior to the release. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- Railway Outdoor Upper (26 Te Taou Crescent)
- Railway Outdoor Lower (26 Te Taou Crescent)
- 73 Anzac Ave
- 2 Anzac Ave
- 2 Ronayne Street
What: Guy Montgomery
Where: The Civic
When: Friday 17th May
Kiwi favourite Guy Montgomery is playing at The Civic as part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Guy is a favorite amongst Kiwis and over the ditch winning the Fred Award (Best Show) for the NZ International comedy festival last year and the Best of Fest at the Sydney Comedy Festival in 2023. For tickets and more information click here.
Best Parking options:
- 205 Quen Street
- Kitchener Street carpark, 6 -12 Kitchener Street
- Elliott Street
- Saint Matthews
- Durham Lane
What: Dawn French
Where: The Civic, 269-287 Wellesley Street West
When: Wednesday 29th May – 30th May
Our favourite British comedian is heading to our shores for her long overdue New Zealand tour! The show Dawn French is a Huge Twat will have you laughing out loud with funny, heartfelt stories and everything in between. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking Options:
- 205 Quen Street
- Elliott Street
- Saint Matthews
- Durham Lane
What: Le Comte Ory – Opera
Where: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Square
When: Thursday 30th May – Saturday 1st June
Mixing comedy and opera, Le comte Ory is a crazy comedy of disguise, seduction and chaos and sure to bring lots of laughter for a great date night out. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- Elliot Street
- Saint Matthews
- Durham Lane (closes at midnight)
- Greys Avenue
Christchurch events:
What: Kinky Boots
Where: Issac Theatre Royal
When: Wednesday 1st May - Saturday 4th May
Head to the Isaac Theatre Royal to see the heartwarming musical Kinky Boots, sure to be an unforgettable night of wit, humour and music by Cyndi Lauper. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking Options:
- 148 Gloucester Street
- 160 Gloucester Street
- 50 Cathedral Square
- 245 Manchester Street
- 227 – 235 Manchester Street
What: Boy and Bear
Where: James Hay Theatre
When: Saturday 11th May
Boy & Bear are bringing their 10th anniversary celebration of Harlequin Dream to New Zealand with a special tour, performing the full album live for the first time in NZ. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 119 Kilmore Street
- 818 Colombo Street
- 71 Kilmore Street
- 55 Chester Street West
- Durham Street
What: Back to the 80’s
Where: A Rolling Stone
When: Saturday 18th May
A Rolling Stone is hosting an 80’s Glow party in the heart of Christchurch. For your chance to hear 80’s bangers and dress up in all things neon with glow up face paint encouraged and a spot prizes given for the best outfit, this is sure to be a fun night out for everyone. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 597 Colombo Street
- 20 Welles Street
- 200 St Asaph Street
- 170 Tuam Street
- 150 Tuam Street
What: Dawn French
Where: Christchurch Town Hall
When: Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May
Our favourite British comedian is heading to our shores for her long overdue New Zealand tour! The show Dawn French is a Huge Twat will have you laughing out loud with funny, heartfelt stories and everything in between. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 119 Kilmore Street
- 71 Kilmore Street
- 55 Chester Street West
- Durham Street
- 818 Colombo Street
Wellington events
What: Swan Lake
Where: St James Theatre
When: Wednesday 1st May – Sunday 5th May
The Royal New Zealand Ballet supported by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, are bringing Swan Lake the Ballet to Wellington at the beginning of May. This beautiful ballet is the perfect mix of music, dance and emotion. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 25A Taranaki Street
- Lower Tory Street
- Ghuznee Street
- Marion Street Carpark
- 29 Marion Street
What: James Taylor
Where: TSB Arena
When: Wednesday 1st May
Rock and Roll Hall Fame inductee James Taylor will be taking over the TSB Arena on the 1st May. The signer is here as part of his Australia and New Zealand tour: An Evening with James Taylor and His All-Star Band. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- Queens Wharf
- VSPC – Victoria Street Parking Centre
- HSBC Tower (Closes at 8pm)
- Plimmer Tower, 2 Gilmer Terrace
What: NZ International Comedy Festival
Where: Various Wellington CBD locations
When: Friday 3rd May – Sunday 26th May
The NZ International Comedy Festival features your favourite Kiwi comedians and international stars as they perform across Wellington CBD locations for during May. For a full list of the shows and venues, click here.
Our Best central CBD Parking options:
- 25A Taranaki Street
- Ghuznee Street
- Marion Street Carpark
- 29 Marion Street
For locations closer to individual comedy show locations visit our find a park page.
What: Hurricanes v Waratahs & Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika
Where: Sky Stadium
When: Friday 3rd May and Friday 17th May
Head to Sky Stadium to see The Hurricanes take on the Waratahs and Moana Pasifika.
Best Parking options:
- 187 -189 Thorndon Quay carpark
- Thorndon Central
- Centre Port Boulevard carpark – 1 Hinemoa Street (ParkMate only)
- Pipitea Marae – 47 Thorndon Quay
What: Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Where: St James Theatre
When: Tuesday 7th May – 12th May
Direct from the UK and starring Rula Lenska as Madge. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is coming to The Civic. The comedy tells the story of taking risks, finding love and embracing second chances. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 25A Taranaki Street
- Ghuznee Street
- Marion Street Carpark
- 29 Marion Street
What: Macklemore
Where: TSB Arena
When: Wednesday 8th May
Sure to a show stopping performance Mackle more is returning to New Zealand playing at TSB Arena for one night only on the 8th May. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- Queens Wharf
- VSPC – Victoria Street Parking Centre
- HSBC Tower (Closes at 8pm)
- Plimmer Tower, 2 Gilmer Terrace
What: Better Home & Living Show
Where: Sky Stadium
When: Friday 10th – Sunday 12th May
Head to the Better Home & Living Show to see the latest home wear ideas for your home, lifestyle and garden! You can find everything home wear relate with industry leads from builders, double glazing, solar technology, homewares, spas, plants, heating, flooring, landscaping, well-being and lots of delicious food options and coffee! For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 187 – 189 Thorndon Quay carpark
- Thorndon Central
- Pipitea Marae
- The Railway carpark, 63 Waterloo Quay
- 48 Murphy Street
- Station car park, 83 Waterloo Quay
What: The Guilty Feminist
Where: The Opera House
When: Wednesday 15th May
Starting of a podcast The Guilty Feminist is part comedy, part full discussion into everything and anything. In the show Deborah Frances-White and guests will examine our noble goals as 21st century feminists – and our hypocrisies and insecurities that undermine those goals. For tickets and more information, click here
Best Parking options:
- 25A Taranaki Street
- Bond Street, 40 Bond Street
- Lombard
- Ghuznee Street
What: Tchaikovsky 5
Where: Michael Fowler Centre
When: 18th May
Join Kiwi composer Leonie Holmes followed by Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. For tickets and more information, click here.
Best Parking options:
- 25A Taranaki Street
- Bond Street, 40 Bond Street
- Lombard
- VSPC (Victoria Street Parking Centre, 15-21 Victoria Street
What: Dawn French
Where: Micheal Fowler Centre
When: Monday 20th May
Our favourite British comedian is heading to our shores for her long overdue New Zealand tour! The show Dawn French is a Huge Twat will have you laughing out loud with funny, heartfelt stories and everything in between. For tickets or for more information click here.
Best Parking options:
- 25A Taranaki Street
- Bond Street, 40 Bond Street
- Lombard
- VSPC (Victoria Street Parking Centre, 15-21 Victoria Street
What: Jubilation: Struss & Shostakovich
Where: Michael Fowler Centre
When: Thursday 30th May
Join the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as they perform a number of Kiwi and contempory composers. For tickets and more information click here.
Best Parking options:
- 25A Taranaki Street
- Bond Street, 40 Bond Street
- Lombard
- VSPC (Victoria Street Parking Centre, 15-21 Victoria Street
