Queen’s Birthday Weekend at Queens Wharf
in Auckland

There’s a right proper celebration happening this Queen’s Birthday Weekend at Auckland’s spectacular waterfront spot, Queens Wharf. Waterfront Auckland is excited to announce this free community event will be taking place from Saturday 30 Maythrough to Monday 1 June - so pack up the family, neighbours and friends and head to the wharf for a full long weekend of activities and entertainment.

There’s something for everyone at Queens Wharf over the weekend. The Great Queen’s Birthday Market will see lower Shed 10 transformed into a thriving hub of stalls and performance, where you can stock up on specialty imported British and Scottish products and London bus signs, along with countless New Zealand treasures thanks to popular local craft, art, fashion and accessories vendors.

Loads of entertainment will be on offer over the weekend. The Auckland Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating Queen’s Birthday with a very special preview of their upcoming Last Night of the Proms’ Best of British show. Be transported through time with this sing-along musical journey of British pomp and ceremony, including much loved popular and classical concert hits performed by the 80-strong orchestra. Revel in the good cheer of performances from Maypole, Highland and Morris Dancers, The Puppet Man marionette show, the Travelling Punch Show, as well as live music from pipers, Twisty Willow Celtic Band and the Tamlin Celtic Irish Band. An enthralling Medieval re-enactment will see you time-travel to an England of long-ago, recreating battles, camping, armoury and weapons from the middle ages. Auckland Libraries will also be on site with a dynamic display, as will Auckland Museum with a range of resources and historic documents to help trace family trees back in the British Empire.

For the kids, we’ve got loads of fun carnival fare with classic seaside carnival games including laughing clowns, High Striker and rides. The little ones can get crafty at the Famous Five and royal crown-making workshops, and for the real kooks in the family, try the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Performances from The Puppet Man marionette show and the Travelling Punch Show will also be on offer - these are side-slapping shows neither you or the kids will want to miss.

For more fun the whole family can enjoy together, there are plenty of sports to take part in, including ‘HotShots’ - kid-friendly tennis thanks to Tennis New Zealand, croquet, lawn bowls, badminton and more. There’s also a very special FIFA U20 World Cup display happening in front of Shed 10, celebrating the sport that drives the British bonkers!

Vintage car displays will be revolving daily, with a selection of historic motor-cars that would do James Bond proud! Thanks to MG Car Club, Humber-Hillman Car Club, Daimler Lanchester Owner's Club, Land Rover Owner's Club, Jowett Car Club and Jaguar Drivers Club Auckland plus luxury British cars from Giltrap Group, including a brand new McLaren. Also, keep your eyes peeled for Robbie's Double-Decker Bus rides touring the downtown area throughout the weekend .

When it comes time to relax a little, park up to enjoy the three great family films on show over the weekend. Meander down the rabbit-hole with Alice in Wonderland (1951), to a land of chocolate rivers and snozzberries with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), and then enjoy the fuzzy adventures of iconic British bear Paddington (2014). There’ll even be a Teddy Bears’ Picnic to enjoy while you watch.

For a sit-down and a breather from all the activity, there’s an array of refreshment options at Queens Wharf this Queen’s Birthday weekend. For the royalty of the family, try the decadent expanded High Tea offering upstairs at the Cloud, or the more relaxed bar and restaurant downstairs at the Cloud, delivered by the award-winning catering team at Mint Kitchen. If you fancy soaking up the view from the water’s edge, hit the Seaside Bar. Auckland looks great on a winter’s day - set yourself up with your favourite British beverage and make an afternoon of it.

Get ready to join in the festivities at Auckland’s Waterfront - it’s a party for a royal, so make Queens Wharf your holiday destination this Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

Queen’s Birthday at Queens Wharf

30 May - 1 June 2015

10am – 5pm

Free Entry

ENDS

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