Auckland Council proudly presents the 2025 Auckland Heritage Festival, running from Saturday, 20 September to Sunday, 5 October. Auckland Heritage Festival 2025 explores the spirit of sport and recreation in Tāmaki Makaurau with this year’s theme: Auckland at Play. Marking the 75th anniversary of the 1950 Empire Games, this year’s theme celebrates the stories, places and people behind our city’s sporting history—from local clubs to ngā tākaro Māori (traditional Māori games), and iconic venues and community traditions.
There are plenty of free and low-cost events happening across Parnell for you to attend.
Ewelme Cottage Collection Display - Heritage Games
Saturday 20 September – Sunday 5 October
Ewelme Cottage, 14 Ayr St
Visit Ewelme Cottage to see a display of historic games owned and used by the Lush family who lived at Ewelme Cottage from the mid 1800s to mid 1900s.
Built for Reverend Vicesimus and Blanche Lush in 1863-64, the house and its collection has remained largely unchanged since the 1880s. Set in a beautiful cottage garden, visiting Ewelme is a unique experience of stepping back in time.
Historic Parnell at Play
Saturday 20 September – Sunday 5 October
Parnell Library, 545 Parnell Road
Historic Parnell at Play offers a fascinating photography exhibition displaying Parnell through the years. Parnell is a significant and vibrant area of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland with a history of recreation and leisure, thanks to its many parks, pools and events.
This exhibit is curated to give visitors an entertaining window into Parnell’s many past days of play. Brought to you by Parnell Library and Kura Heritage Collections.
School Holiday Games
Sunday 21 September, Sunday 28 September, Sunday 5 October
Ewelme Cottage
These school holidays take a step back in time and explore the three Auckland Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga properties.
Experience the lives and homes of an Auckland families in the late 1800s. A range of games will be available to play, along with House Hunt trails that take your family on a journey to explore the properties indoors and out, learning more about the history of this families and how they lived.
A Stroll to Ewelme Cottage: Uncovering Family Life and Play in the 1800s
Wednesday 24 September
10am-12pm
Meet your guide on the steps at front of the Jubilee Building
Join heritage guide Dianne Northcott for a captivating stroll from Parnell’s Jubilee Building to Ewelme Cottage via Kinder House – and step back into the 1800s. Discover how families lived, worked, and played in colonial Auckland through the lens of the Lush family, early residents of Ewelme Cottage.
Built in 1863 for Reverend Vicesimus Lush and his wife Blanche, the cottage was a home for their sons while they attended school nearby. The walk offers rare insights into Victorian domestic life, with original furnishings, books, toys, and gardens still intact. The tour concludes with an optional visit inside Ewelme Cottage. Suitable for ages 9 and up.
Try Fencing: Drop-in session
Saturday 27 September
9am-12pm
Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road
Ever wanted to give fencing a go? Now is your chance! Learn from expert instructors and watch club members in action. Refuel afterwards with a tasty snack from the onsite Parnell Farmers’ Market.
For ages 10 and up (children with adult supervision). All gear and safety equipment is provided.
Time Walkers: Auckland Domain's Legacy of Sport, Play, and Place
Saturday 27 September
1pm-3pm
Meet your guide on the steps above the war memorial, in front of the museum.
Join local guide Shelagh Coop on a lively heritage walk through Auckland Domain and uncover the stories that have shaped this iconic space.
From cricket, women’s basketball, and children’s games to concerts, protests, and wartime camps, the Domain has long been a hub of play, memory, and community life. This swift-paced walk suits those with medium fitness. Good walking shoes recommended. Suitable for ages 9+.
19th and 20th century artists' reflection of the natural and recreation spaces of Auckland
Saturday 27 September – Sunday 5 October
John Kinder House, 2 Ayr Street
This exhibition showcases 19th and 20th-century artists who captured the recreational pursuits of Aucklanders during that era. Through paintings, photographs and sketches, these artists documented our city’s parks, reserves, beaches, gardens, and water activities.
Artists like Hoyt, Kinder, and Sharpe left a legacy illustrating how Aucklanders engaged with their natural environment and landscapes. Their artwork reflects scenes of leisure, activity, and enjoyment, often featuring vibrant plant life in gardens and parks.
Frozen Music: Gothic Revival and Glorious Sound
Sunday 28 September
12.30pm-1.30pm
St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity, 446 Parnell Road
Frozen Music celebrates the architectural and musical legacy of St Mary’s-in-Holy Trinity, one of Auckland’s iconic taonga. Architectural historian Dr Ian Lochhead will present a talk on Benjamin Mountfort, the visionary 19th century architect behind this remarkable Gothic Revival structure. Following the talk, Cathedral Organist Dr Philip Smith will perform a recital on the church’s historic organ, showcasing its unique sound and significance.
Join this memorable daytime event that blends history, music, and design in a space where architecture and sound come together in perfect harmony.
The History of Heards’ Candy and Heard Park
Thursday 2 October
10am-12pm
Twofold, 196 Parnell Road
Discover the history of Parnell’s iconic Heards candy factory and adjacent park in this breakfast event. Come and hear the history of Parnell’s iconic Heards’ candy factory, and how the gifting of an adjacent piece of land, designated for play and community, left a valuable legacy in Parnell by the Heard family. The Heard Park that we know and love today is currently undergoing a revitalisation project, including a brand new play space that pays homage to the iconic sweets that were once produced across the road.
Hear from a range of speakers: Auckland Museum curator Shaun Higgins will talk about the book and exhibition, A Different Light: First Photographs of Aotearoa featuring early Parnell, we will hear memories of working in the Heards factory, from the Heard family, and MOTAT will give us some insight into the preservation of Heards candy memorabilia.
Understand how this rich history will be incorporated into the exciting plans for the new play space at Heard Park. Presented in collaboration with Parnell Heritage. Event includes breakfast.
Tides of History: The Parnell Baths Heritage Walk
Monday 20 October 2025
2pm-3.30pm
Meet your guide on the pavement at the water’s edge of Judges Bay, in front of the public toilets
Join us for a guided heritage walk exploring the rich natural and cultural history of Judges Bay and the iconic Parnell Baths. This walk uncovers layers of history from the unique geology of the area to stories of Māori settlement and early European recreation. Discover how this inner-city bay has been shaped over time, and visit key landmarks including St Stephen’s Chapel.
Learn how water, leisure, and landscape have intertwined in this much-loved coastal spot. Perfect for history enthusiasts, locals, and families alike, this engaging walk brings the past to life through storytelling and place-based connection. Suitable for ages 9 years +
