This was our second visit, the crowds were up last year, which is good the the festival. As usual…read moreone of the hardest choices was in selecting which tasty dish and drink to have, once the choice was made it was finding a quiet spot to consume without being knocked out of your hand. A downside of such crowds was trying to appreciate the lanterns. It is certainly worth going and for good summers family night out.

This was my first time at the AKL Lantern Festival and I couldn't believe how packed it was! We…read morewent on early on Sunday night (around 6pm) thinking we would beat the crowds but there must've been thousands of people wandering around the relatively small Albert Park already. It's probably only takes about 40mins to see all the lanterns but I reckon why not make a night of it and set up a home base near the main stage. They have fantastic performances - when we were there a rather energetic (and shirtless) male drum troupe were performing - and there are a gazillon food and drinks stalls, just make sure you bring cash! Oh and make sure you seek out the watermelon filled with ice cream - delish!

Auckland Fringe is the coolest freedom of live performance art I have come across in New Zealand…read more Fringe has been around since 2009, and every year since presented a showcase of individual innovative works. I had a massive choice of where to go and what to see, as Fringe takes place in venues all over our beautiful cultured city from Parnell Baths to St Kevin's Arcade. The types of shows to choose from are cabaret/burlesque to dance, or music, outdoor, comedy, and theatre. I know we are spoilt for choice. As of recently a new wonderful production has re-emerged that of water ballet; it's been till last Fringe 2012 over fifty years since water ballet had been on stage so to speak in New Zealand. I was part of an audience of Swan Song, such a creatively intoxicating classical water ballet with modern music and a funky twist on the original classic. I witnessed 100 tutus all swishing and swirling simultaneously around the pools, a fantastic performance of artistic expression. Fringe is well worth your time and attention, and such an unforgettable experience.

If you like coffee, you have to come here and sample the traditionally brewed Ethiopian coffee. I'm…read morepretty sure it's the best coffee in the world. The process of making the coffee is interesting to watch in itself, but the taste is heavenly. A tiny cup of incredibly thick, strong, aromatic coffee with teaspoon after teaspoon of sugar stirred in. I don't even like sugar in my coffee usually, but Ethiopian coffee is a revelation. There's other stuff at the festival too! I've been a number of times and always had a great time. With it's focus on the art and food traditions of refugee communities, it's an opportunity to share in some culture that you might not be so familiar with. Ever-popular are the drumming demonstrations and the dancing on the main stage, but there are also heaps of stalls to browse, food to taste, and the Annual Cultural Football Tournament. If you've been before, note the change of venue; the festival won't be held at Potter's Park this year (2013), but at the War Memorial Park instead, on Sunday the 7th of April.

Checked this festival out for the first time this year, it wasn't as hard to get a park as I was…read moreexpecting, but just be prepared to walk a wee while. Loved the large array of art for sale in one spot on the lead up to Christmas, and they hosted some great retailers, including one of my favourite's - Trade Aid. There wasn't an abundance of food choices, and some had sold out by the time we had queued up, but thorougly enjoyed my morrocan wrap by the time I finally got it! We sat down on the wide, spacious grass area and ate, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and listened to the bands on stage. There was a lot of people doing the same thing, buit with with kids, picnic blankets and chilly bins! Great way to spend a summer weekend afternoon!

The Grey Lynn Festival is a wonderful display of art, music, food, and products that reflect our…read moremulti cultural society here in Auckland. Held annually towards the end of November, I am always eager to visit the festival, listen to some fantastic local music, eat exotic ethnic delights, and shop to my heart's content at the many clothes, and arty craft stalls. The crowds seem to get larger every year, last year 2012 the Grey Lynn Festival was sadly cancelled due to terrible weather. I have in the past purchased neat hand crafted woollen pillows for the love seat at home, and natural fibre baby clothing made by Nature Baby. There is always enough space to throw a blanket down and enjoy the sun and awesome music. This festival has a vibe set at peace and unity and keeps the crowd sweet as bro.

New Zealand Beer Festival is an annual event held in Auckland's CBD and now at the magnificent…read moreCloud on Auckland's Queens Wharf. Here you have the opportunity to try a wide range of craft beer and ciders. There is an extensive range of predominantly New Zealand beer but also a few international super stars joining the collection. What better way to extend summer living than by attending Beer Fest at the end of summer. Located right on the water, this is the epitome of what summer should be. Basking in the sun by the water, beer in hand. This is an R18 event and ID's must be present. To find out when the next Beer Fest is pop on to their website where you can find all the details.

If it wasn't for the New Zealand International Film Festival, a majority of each year's good movie…read morereleases would slip under my radar. There are really only a small number of movies which are promoted through the mainstream channels. Sure, you can trawl through different websites, youtube channels, and podcasts to independently expose yourself to a wider range of interesting movies, but it is such a good service to have the Film Festival do that for you. The movie guides which the Film Festival releases every year are quite amazing (and free), a magazine that offers a synopsis and review of every credible movie released in the past year. The Film Festival also offers an opportunity to visit a variety of the cinemas around Auckland, a lot of which serve as theatrical stages throughout most of the year, but convert into cinemas for the festival.

Ah, film festival, how you destroy my July by making it almost impossible for me to do anything…read moreelse but sit in theatres and watch all the films. Well, not all the films - I'm not one of those people who see three or four a day. (You can tell these people by the shards of popcorn attached to every part of their clothes and the slightly crazed look in their eye). The best part of the film festival is seeing something that you don't know much about apart from a small blurb in the programme; in fact I'd recommend that mostly you don't do much research beforehand, as it might stop you from seeing something you'd otherwise stumble across. Of course there's always going to be some that you don't like, but that's fine too. If you really hate it, you can always leave. (I've never left, but come pretty close once or twice). Plus, many of the films are played at The Civic, which is surely one of the most opulent places to watch a movie in the whole world. Pro-tip: some of the audiences can be a bit snooty. Just ignore, they'll be off to their big houses in Remmers soon enough.

I am so very proud to say that after more than a decade without a proper festival, Auckland Pride…read morereinvigorated the LGBT community and helped unite straight Aucklanders with the community through its range of awesome public events. Hats off go to Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) which shelled out 100 grand for the festival; an impressive figure, particularly with the knowledge that former mayor Les Mills tried to have the Hero Parade and Hero Programme shut down. The day of the pride parade was absolutely magical - my roller derby team took part in the parade of smiling faces, which happened on both sides of the fence down Ponsonby Road. The vibe on the day was amazing and we can't wait to do it again.

I love festivals. But the worst part of them for me is usually the people. Drunk idiots who aren't…read morethere for the vibe or the fun, they're just there to get wasted and ruin it for everyone. It honestly sometimes makes me lose a bit of faith in humanity. The Auckland Pride Festival restored my faith. I have many important people in my life who are part of the gay New Zealand community and I am flabbergasted that it is still an issue in the world, but lets not get into that. This Festival is all fun and love. It runs for about a month and includes numerous nights out, performances, day time events and things to get involved in. We decided to head down to the parade which happens around the middle of the month long festival. It was amazing. Hundreds of people were involved and showed amazing costumes, floats, dances and music. There were HEAPS of people watching and cheering them on, and all the stores along Ponsonby Road participated by making it a sort of market day. It was such an amazing vibe, everyone just supporting each other, no judgements, no hate, just love and fun. I actually got a bit emotional seeing older people supporting their old friends in the parade. If your faith in humanity needs a refresher, or you just want an awesome day out go to the Parade. It rules.

A truly great day out. Great value for the quality of food and wine on offer…read more Lots of great cooking demos too!

I attended a few shows during The NZ International Comedy Festival last year when it was in…read moreAuckland. In 2013 the festival returns to Auckland from the 26 April - 19 May. My favourite act from last year was The Boy with Tape on his face and he is back again this year. He puts on a wonderful show so I fully recommend getting your ticket early as he will sell out. That will be true for many of the performers I think, so if there is someone you really want to see, lock in your ticket early to avoid disappointment. Having said that, when I couldn't get a ticket to a certain show last year, helpful staff let me know of a great NZ comedian who was doing a show and still had tickets available. My friends and I went and saw his stand up and he was very funny so it was still a very enjoyable night out. I'm excited it's nearly that time of year again.

The NZ International Comedy Festival is a bloody hoot!…read more Spanning 3 weeks and feat. a wide range of international and local acts, there's something for everyone, including kids. The biggest dilemma is deciding which show(s) to go to....my advice? Search the artists on You Tube or choose a show that feat. more than one act - that way you're bound to like at least one! This year we went to The Big Show, which feat. four British Comedians (Sara Pascoe, John Gordillo, Tim Fitzhigham and Micheal Legge) and a MC (Tim Robins). All of them were pretty hilarious but our group agreed the MC was the best. The show, held in the Town Hall, was set up Cabaret style, which meant you could either purchase a table (6 seats) or a single ticket and share with other punters. We rustled together a group of 12 and bought two tables, front and centre. In my opinion the closer you are and the bigger the group you go with the funnier the show. My other tip is don't be late. The tables are incredibly close together so it's next to impossible to get to your seat and the MC loves singling out a latecomer! Whenever the festival ends I always feel regretful that I didn't go to more shows - it's definitely a highlight on the ol' social calendar.