10 Things to Do in Auckland in November

During November many countries have celebrations in preparation for the Christmas and New Year holidays and Auckland is no exception. Over the years, foreign customs have been introduced, such as Black Friday, but it is not as popular. Instead, Aucklanders decorate the city with a Christmas tree and celebrate the Guy Fawkes Festival, which includes a big fireworks night.

The city doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, but Maori culture has its own festivals, activities and places to visit during the November season. You can wander the streets during the jolly Santa Parade, get lost in a secret bar, learn about the history of the graveyards or connect with South African culture.

Auckland is a multicultural city, with Mexican, Polish and other communities attending on November 1 to pay their respects to the dead. While it's not a city-wide celebration, you can go to St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Cathedral on Wyndham Street near the Sky Tower and pay your respects, or light a candle for your departed loved ones.

Around the cathedral you'll find places to have lunch, such as The Grove or Hello Beasty, and other attractions such as Viaduct Harbour. Another option is to take a tour of Auckland' s most important cemeteries, some of them are:

Symonds Street Cemetery

One of the oldest cemeteries in the city is located very close to the cathedral, here you can visit the graves of founders such as William Hobson, Archibald Clark and Annie Jane Schnackenberg. It's a site steeped in legend and history and used to be divided into sections for Catholics, Jews, Anglicans, Presbyterians and Wesleyans, but these were merged.

Part of the site was demolished in 1960 and over 4,100 bodies were recovered and their remains placed in a mass grave, where you can see a gravestone with all the names on it. The best option for visiting the cemetery is with a guide or a large group, as it is desolate. You can download tour guides from the Internet.

Waikumete Cemetery

Every November 28th commemorates the anniversary of the 1979 crash of TE901 Antarctica S Mount Erebus, in which more than 257 people died. At the cemetery you can see a cherry tree planted in honour of the victims from Japan.

Waikumete Cemetery replaced Symonds Street Cemetery and is located in Glen Eden. Between the two cemeteries is the OnDo Giant Noodle Sculpture by artist Seung Yul Oh, a strategic point in the city that is easily distinguishable because it is a structure with floating chopsticks.

Every year citizens prepare for the big Santa Parade whose route is announced a couple of weeks before November. The walk usually starts from Queen Street, but Newmarket and Ponsonby are also possible starting locations. On the official website you will find the official time, date and route of the event which usually takes place in the last few days of this month.

Aucklanders take to the streets with themed floats in the shape of gingerbread houses and biscuits, elves, reindeer, fake snow trains and more. The event is organised by local farmers and other partners.

On this day there is a Secret Santa event where people from all over the country and other parts of the world can participate by making a gift of no more than 5.83 euros.

The land of the Kiwis dresses up for the fireworks display at Sky Tower, a celebration of the country's colonial past. Held on 5 November each year, it triggers family gatherings, bonfires and street parties all over the country.

The festival is a welcome to summer, and although it's still spring, temperatures are starting to rise considerably. Bonfires and fireworks celebrate Bonfire Night, or Gunpowder and Conspiracy Night, commemorating the events of 1605 when the English and their colonies lit fires to celebrate the safety of the king.

This celebration prohibits the lighting of fireworks in areas where animals may be affected by the noise.

The festival is named after the Protestant Guy Fawkes, who created a conspiracy to burn down the Houses of Parliament in London, so the streets are often lined with a burning dummy.

Diving is one of the most popular sports in New Zealand during November, due to the good weather conditions, there are a variety of events being announced as the month approaches, such as festivals, competitions, night dive rounds, underwater photography competitions, marine tastings, sea treasure hunts or if you prefer you can buy tickets for a cruise around Auckland.

You can buy, rent or bring your own diving equipment and see dusky dolphins, sea lions, sperm whales, sperm whales, sea lions, whales, seals, mako, whale sharks, billfish, tuna and more. Some recommendations to keep in mind:

• Although summer approaches Auckland in November, the weather in Auckland tends to be unpredictable all year round. Don't go diving when it's raining.
• Don't touch marine wildlife.
• Don't stray too far from shore, especially if you're not a professional.
• Avoid diving after eating, drinking alcohol, or if you have a cold.

The red blossoms of the pohutukawa tree are a sign that Christmas is approaching in Auckland, in fact, it's considered to be their Christmas tree. From November to December, many events are held around the flowering, as it is a sacred tree to Maori because it is threatened by grubs that eat its leaves.

Some events take place in the city centre and others in the suburbs or neighbouring towns. There's no shortage of fun with art festivals, music, food and wine tastings, street markets, unique events and amazing activities.

A hike or bike tour in November is also ideal for enjoying the streets bathed in red, although other locations in New Zealand have new species of the tree blooming in yellow, pink and purple.

One of the celebrations is the week-long Pohutukawa Festival and the Red Hot Party, a day when every tree in the city is decorated with these particular red flowers. There are many stories surrounding the tree, some say it protects the entrance to a sacred cave where spirits from the other world pass through.

If you're looking for an out-of-town attraction, a two-hour trip to Rotorua is your best bet. A tour of the most beautiful gardens in this location is held here during November, the event is usually open to the public for two days and allows you to explore over forty gardens, surrounding fields, flora and vegetation.

Tickets are digital QR tickets available from May onwards, no single day passes are sold, but a Festival Pass covers all days. An itinerary guide is usually sent out by the organisers in September.

To support local vendors, you can visit the Gley Lynn Festival which brings together a variety of craft and vintage stalls, while enjoying live music. The list of performers varies from year to year, but you can meet local musicians, DJs and attend events organised by the Ministry of Folklore.

There are also food stalls with a variety of local and international dishes and fusions of different cuisines.

In the 1920s speakeasies were places that functioned as an alternative to the prohibition of alcohol sales. People had to keep their voices down and enter through secret doors that were camouflaged in places no one would suspect. You can't miss this fun experience in Auckland, nowadays they are not illegal, but they maintain the dynamic of entering with passwords.

In the city you can visit ACS Bar, a cosy place located in Ponsonby Street, where you will need a password to enter and is inspired by the video clubs of the nineties. Another option is Caretaker hidden in The Lane, which is distinguished by a green door with stairs leading to a mysterious basement, the decor revolves around Manhattan in the twenties.

In Ponsonby you can also find Deadshot, a speakeasy where you will order your drink according to the vibe you are feeling which can be sweet, sour, dark, light, fizzy or thick, so the cocktails are a fun surprise to experience. Why do this plan in November? There are lots of people in town, because Christmas is coming up and you can make new friends and get to know their cultures.

This colourful festival tours several cities in New Zealand and visits Auckland every year in November. The city offers a variety of annual festivals, honouring other cultures such as English, Indian, Japanese and South African. Oempa Festival is a family-friendly event held at the end of the month that honours South African culture.

You can access a range of activities from morning to evening, with live music and shows, food stalls and arts and crafts.

Maori are an important part of New Zealand's culture, as they were the first settlers. As you walk the streets of Auckland you'll notice that many signs are in both English and Maori, allowing you to familiarise yourself with their culture. The Maori tribes have been disappearing and only a small fraction of the population lives in communities, practising the language and traditions.

To end your visit in November, you can take advantage of the good weather conditions and visit a Maori village to eat dishes cooked on wood and earth, dance, sing, get tattoos (permanent or temporary), buy handicrafts or fabrics for your wardrobe, among other things.

Just a three-hour drive from the city, you'll find the Maori Village, where guided tours allow you to learn about the history and see how Maori live (from food preparation to haka making).

Important facts about Maori culture

New Zealanders are called Kiwis, after the iconic bird preserved in the country that can only be found in the region, which is used as a national symbol on coats of arms, coins and universities. The Kiwi fruit has also been exported by Maori since 1904.

There are currently only 15% of the Maori population.

The Haka is a Maori representative dance that was performed before every battle to support the combatants.

Ta Moko is a Maori tradition that will allow you to tell them apart. It consists of tattoos made with natural pigments and decorated with bones on the ears, nose and other parts of the face.

The best way to greet the Maori is to use the Hongi, which consists of touching your forehead and nose for a few seconds.

If you are interested in seeing the best local museums I suggest you visit the Auckland Museum, which holds important stories about Maori culture and offers free guided tours during November.

It's easy to get attached to Auckland and want to extend your visit to take advantage of the best things to do in the city. If you're planning to stay longer and are looking for extra activities, here are some other things to do in Auckland during November.

Experience the Gold Rush

In November, you can go on a typical New Zealand gold hunt, the activity is usually held in Otago, Queenstown, but you can sign up for tours around Auckland that replicate the experience, taking advantage of the parks and gardens that offer suitable spaces. Of course, it's not real gold, but there are fun stops and family-friendly activities that allow you to tour the city in a different way.

This event commemorates the Gold Rush of 1860, when fortune seekers from all over the world travelled to the Arrow River to confirm that there was gold in this region. In general, New Zealand has been rich in gold for many years. The Maori discovered its existence, but avoided mining it and instead made jewellery from greenstone, obsidian and bone.

The weather in Auckland in November is ideal for an unforgettable holiday as spring comes to an end and summer approaches, so your plans won't be interrupted by bad weather. In general, rainfall is unusual, so it's ideal to relax on the beach and go snorkelling.

For a pleasant stay wear cool clothes, but don't rule out bringing some warm clothes in case of unexpected changes in the weather. Depending on the activities you'll be doing, add extra items to your suitcase. Don't forget to take out insurance, especially if you want to do extreme activities during your stay, as medical care is expensive in the country.