WHAT ’ S O N T H I S WE E K

1Music

in parks: Auckland Council’s annual Music in Park ensures that even without leaving home — or at least travelling far — you can revel in the summertime laidback vibe for longer. In 2017, there are 24 gigs with more than 60 acts playing hip-hop, pop, rock, jazz, indie, opera, salsa and reggae at a park near you. It begins with RaagTime, who blend jazz, Indian and western music, and Miho Wada, who performs Japanese punk-jazz mixed with Latin, rock, pop and virtually every other genre imaginable.

Music in Parks — RaagTime and Miho Wada, today from 1-4pm at the Auckland Domain Band Rotunda.

2And at the beach:

Music in Parks has joined forces with Takapuna Summer Days for seaside fun, too. The Takapuna Summer Days Family Beach Day includes the kids’ big beach dig, sand castle competitions, markets, beach games, free kids’ activities and live performances by Jaime McDell, Ciaran McMeeken, Geoff Ong and Sophie Mashlan. Takapuna Summer Days

Family Beach Day, today from 11am-8pm, with Music in Parks from 1-5pm at the Takapuna Beach Reserve. See

musicinparks.co.nz for all listings.

3Make a splash:

About 40 acts, across three stages, perform at the all-ages festival, Soundsplash. Acts include Six 60, State of Mind and Tiki Taane but there’s more to the festival than great music. Soundsplash also has an environmental focus that includes a zero-waste policy and supports off-the-grid and innovative new ideas, including organic architecture and hidden sustainable installations.

Soundsplash on Saturday and Sunday at Raglan’s Wainui Reserve. See soundsplash.co.nz

4Sculpture by night: The 2km Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, near Matakana, showcases an ever-changing exhibition of about 45 sculptures by some of the country’s leading artists. Usually open from 10am-5pm, there’s a chance to enjoy a twilight barbecue and listen to a live nine-piece brass band as you explore the trail at sunset. Brick Bayy Wines & Sculpture Trail, open late on Friday.

See brickbay.co.nz for more.

5Lights at night: The IGNITE Light Show is a two-hour spectacular featuring laser light shows, fire dances, a hot air balloon night glow choreographed to music, carnival rides and bouncy castles. Billed as family entertainment at its best.

Ignite Light Show on Saturday from 5-11pm at the Ellerslie Racecourse. See ellerslie.co.nz/ignite- light-show.