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Articles by Aotea Square
Te Ao Pūtahi Festival
The free festival opens on Sunday with a star-packed concert featuring some of Aotearoa and the Pacific’s best. Jackson Owens, Betty-Anne, Seth Haapu and Naia Awatea set the tone on Sunday 16 Nov, while artists like Maisey Rika and Adeaze bring it home later in the week.
A New Youth Festival Coming to Auckland
The Imaginarium | Sat, 20 SEP, 10AM-3PM | Hunua Rooms & Waitākere Rooms, Aotea Centre | FREE (ticket booking required) | All Ages The Imaginarium is a one-day creative explosion for tamariki and rangatahi to explore sensory discovery spaces, experience storytelling. Join music-making workshops and visual arts workshops that invite you to bring your inner world to life! The Imaginarium is a place where anything is possible.
Nepal Festival 2025
The New Zealand Nepal Society Incorporated proudly presents the Nepal Festival 2025, one of the most significant cultural events in Auckland's calendar. This free-entry celebration promises to transform Auckland's CBD into a vibrant showcase of Nepali heritage, traditions, and contemporary culture. The choice of Aotea Square as the venue reflects the growing significance and integration of the Nepali community within Auckland's multicultural landscape.
Something Scarily Cool Is Coming
Auckland Live and Realscape Productions are bringing DARKFIELD fan-favourites SÉANCE and FLIGHT to Aotea Square this autumn! Two uniquely captivating experiences that unfold inside custom-built shipping containers, DARKFIELD use their signature 360-degree audio and sensory effects to place you in the middle of a Victorian séance and thrust you into an other-worldly aeroplane journey that will challenge your senses in complete darkness, leaving you questioning what's real and what's imagined.
A FREE Larger Than Life Dog Disco Illuminates Aotea Square
Get ready to embark on a tail-wagging journey like no other! This April, Aotea Square will play home to a vibrant playground for humans and hounds alike as the Lost Dogs' Disco lands in Aotea Square. Presented by Auckland Live, this immersive art installation will bring joy, whimsy, and a whole lot of bark to Aotea Square and the heart of Auckland City.
The Book Factory
Publishing is an engine that drives the spread of ideas and turns thoughts into tangible works that can shape the future. The Book Factory - a high-energy, temporary publishing house where you make the book from start to finish – created by Marcus McShane and 5ever books, takes that energy and transforms it into something raw, real, and uniquely yours. Every half hour, human energy, bicycle power and printed matter are transformed into the latest proof.
Island Vibes
Pacific funk comes to the Spiegeltent courtesy of Island Vibes, a silky smooth, summer-nights band immersed deep in the soul of the Pacific. Mixing stories, traditions and sounds to produce catchy live music that dives into the heart of Pacific cultures, this nine-member collective is led by artists who live and breathe their island roots right here in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Whiua ki te Ao - A celebration of waiata reo Māori
Singalongs, guitar parties, karaoke and jam sessions are an inherent part of the culture of Aotearoa. Featuring the stunning vocals of Maisey Rika and a collective of acclaimed and talented songsters, you are taken on a musical journey through a selection of waiata that you grew up with. Get your vocal chords warmed up and primed for a good old-fashioned sing-song to waiata that have been heard in halls and marae all over this country throughout the years.
ROVA Sound Garden
Live music to liven up your long lunches, lazy afternoons and late summer nights. All part of City Encounters and the Festival Garden in Aotea Square. Check out the full Free schedule here
Kia Kori! Let's Move!
Are you ready to kick off Arts Festival in style? Don't miss their opening night under the lights of the Speigletent and Festival Garden newly re-installed in Aotea Square. Spend the evening kicking up your heels, getting your boogie on and joining in the fun for the opening event of the three-week kong Festival in Aotea Square.
Delbert Anderson Quartet
Jazz that tells the story of Diné culture is the jam of this wonderfully innovative group. Led by Delbert Anderson, a Navajo (Diné) trumpet master whose playing style channels the spirit of Miles Davis (who was of Cherokee ancestry), Delbert Anderson Quartet infuses traditional Diné ‘spinning songs’ with jazz improvisation, funk lines, hip-hop notes and soulful Latin grooves.
Somethin’ Else | Auckland Live Summer in the Square
Looking for Somethin’ Else in Aotea Square? Well we’ve got you covered with an exciting weekend of Jazz with Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's burgeoning, world-leading Jazz scene and it’s waiting to be experienced. Over two days in Aotea Square as part of Auckland Live Summer in the Square catch immensely talented local Jazz musicians Circling Sun, Nathan Graves, Joe Kaptein, Christoph el Truento and Nathan Haines paired with standout international artists, including Mark de Clive-Lowe.
Sky Pirates All Stars | Auckland Live Summer in the Square
Calling all basketball lovers! Sky Pirates are bringing their basketball action to Aotea Square, along with a MASSIVE custom-built court and we need YOU to bring your best on-court moves! Register your team for a fun, free and whānau friendly game of 5v5 basketball right here in the centre of Tāmaki Makaurau. Each team should include one player over 40, one under 16, one under 18, and one woman – creating some uniquely diverse teams.
The Elves are AWOL
Christmas is fast approaching but this year, Santa has an issue, a supply chain issue! His elves have all gone awol! Twinkle, Buddy, and Gingersnap are either missing, confused or unable to help. How will Santa get all the presents made and packaged without his trusty Elves? He’s in a pickle! The Elves are AWOL is a cute 20-minute family-friendly Christmas circus spectacular.
Christmas Karaoke in the Square
Unleash your fa-la-la's with our charming host Hugo Grrrl and jump on stage to sing a carol or two accompanied by acclaimed muscian Robin Kelly on keys! Choose your tune and belt it out like the Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey with 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', slow it down with George Michael's 'Last Christmas' or put yourself in the holiday mood with Bublé's 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas'.
A Broadway Musical Christmas
The tamariki are taking over the Square! Love musical theatre and want to give it a go with some exceptional rising stars?
Fuse Bucket Drumming Workshop
Head to Aotea Square on Saturday 14 December for a fun, free and family friendly bucket drumming workshop. Whether you're a beginner or pro, this all-ages workshop will have you drumming in no time, finishing with a group performance. This workshop is quick, easy and totally engaging, designed to have everyone learning all sorts of different drumming rhythms quicky. Fuse Drumming will have some buckets available, but please bring two buckets per person to join the fun.
Live Art in the Square
Get ready for a LIVE painting experience like no other! For one day only, join the Meet The Artists Collective in the heart of Auckland city, as part of Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square. Arrive at 10am to enjoy a diverse collection of emerging and established artists, sculptors and painters from the Auckland collective, as they paint, sculpt and create art in full holiday spirit - a chance to snag a Christmas bargain as all the artwork on show will be available for sale.
An Evening with the Modern Māori Quartet
After two long years, three kids, two weddings and a few too many tangi for their liking, The Modern Māori Quartet are back in Tāmaki Makaurau to crack you up and serenade you into the festive season this year at Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square.
'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' Outdoor Screening
Enjoy a free screening of Ron Howard’s 2000's classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas on the Auckland Live Digital Stage. Be sure to come early to the grass terraces, bring a picnic mat, enjoy games and face painting from 6pm, plus free popcorn. The one and only Jim Carrey stars in this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss. Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoville, wherein live the Whos, who love Christmas.
Nature Moves with The New Zealand Dance Company Free Workshop
Nature Moves with The New Zealand Dance Company | Fri 11 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm The New Zealand Dance Company is bringing the energy of contemporary dance to Dance-O-Mat with a mix of performance and hands-on fun! All those over eight can be inspired by a powerful work by Louise Pōtiki Bryant featuring mesmerising movement with flax stems.
Diwali 2024
Classic Bollywood Photo Booth with Props | 19-20 OCT 2024 11AM – 8PM Step into the glitz and glamour of Bollywood! Our Classic Bollywood Photo Booth is packed with iconic props, so you can snap a memorable photo and feel like a Bollywood star! Diwali Storytime | 19 OCT 11AM Join us for a special Storytime to celebrate Diwali with stories, songs and dance! Stories run for 30 mins and is ideal for kids two years and up.
StarJam Stars Free Dance Workshop
StarJam Stars | Fri 4 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm StarJam workshops are interactive games and dance classes for young people with any disability between six and twenty-five! A StarJam tutor will lead the workshop to create a “performance piece” for all the Jammers and anyone else who wants to join, just as long as you love to dance! You don’t need to bring anything to our workshop, but water is suggested as it gets hot fast when you’re getting stuck into dance! Duration: 90 minutes
Late Night Latin Dancing Free Workshop
Late Night Latin Dancing | Thu 10 Oct, 7pm - 9pm Cha cha cha down to Aotea Square for two hours of FREE Latin dancing under the stars with your amigos! No experience necessary, the pros from Viva Dance will walk you through the steps whether it’s your first or fiftieth time learning Salsa and Bachata. Late Night Latin Dancing consists of a 30-minute Salsa session followed by 30 minutes of freestyle. This will then be proceeded by a 30-minute Bachata class followed by 30 minutes of freestyle.
K-Pop Party In Aotea Square
K-Pop Party | Sun 13 Oct, 3pm - 4.30pm Family, friends and K-pop lovers of all ages: here’s something right up your street! Join this action packed 90-minute outdoor session featuring nonstop K-pop music, random dance play, star quality performances and a free workshop by Rina Chae. Grab your family and friends for a boogie, watch some awesome K-pop performance and maybe even learn a move or two in the process!
Dance-O-Mat
Dance-O-Mat returns as part of Art Week 2024! Connect your phone, pick your go-to grooving song, push the red button and cut loose to the beat. Be sure to bring the whole whānau for a free, fun day out in the city. About Dance-O-Mat The Dance-O-Mat was originally designed in post-quake Christchurch to make use of the newly vacant spaces in the city.
Matariki Live on Screen
Visit the Auckland Live Digital Stage across three weekends and celebrate te reo Māori kaiwaiata with Waiata Anthems lyric videos and works from Toi Māori artists with Circuit Artist Moving Image. Screenings from 12PM-3PM on June 14, 15, 22, 28 and 12PM-2PM on June 21 & 29 Waiata Anthems | 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, June Sing along to the words from popular songs recorded in te reo Māori for Waiata Anthem.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Film with Orchestra
Set against the breathtaking landscapes of ancient China, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon tells the story of the legendary master warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) and his secret love Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), with whom he has entrusted the safekeeping of the mythic sword known as the Green Destiny. Experience one of cinema’s most exciting martial arts spectacles and enduring love stories, together with composer Tan Dun’s Oscar®- winning score performed live by the Auckland Philharmonia.
Lunar New Year in the Square
Bring on the whole whānau down and be immersed in the vibrant pulse of pan-Asian communities as they come alive to celebrate new beginnings at Lunar New Year in the Square Experience the electrifying energy of street dance crews going toe-to-toe in an epic battle. Let your taste buds dance too, as you indulge in mouthwatering delights from an array of food trucks. Get hands-on at craft workshops that promise to unleash your creative spirit.
Auckland Live Outdoor Summer Cinema
Cast your vote and choose what whānau friendly film you want to see at Outdoor Summer Cinema. Head over toAuckland Live's Facebook page from 14 February and vote for the film you’d most like to see on the big screen in Aotea Square. Don't forget to come early to secure your spot and bring something comfy to sit on. Container in the Square will be open and selling non-alcoholic drinks, as well as tasty eats and treats. Parents, please don’t drop off or leave your children unsupervised at this event.
SUSO in the Square
This summer Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) is taking over Aotea Square for an afternoon of incredible live music featuring some of the best up and coming musicians in Tāmaki Makaurau - a stunning line-up of SUSO 2023 participants and a host of past alumni. Pull up a deckchair while Amy Mason, Jess Thompson, Elias, Jazmin Ugapo, Rumpus Machine, Charles Lia aka En Passant and the SUSO Alumni Band present a snapshot into the future of the Aotearoa music scene.
Auckland Live Summer in the Square
Auckland’s biggest backyard party is returning to Aotea Square this summer with free entertainment, activities and events for everyone. Get ready for some fun in the sun because your favourite summer hang-out is set to return this February! Join in at the iconic Aotea Square for four action-packed weekends filled with FREE summer entertainment.
A National Youth Theatre Christmas
Part of Christmas in the City Centre More details The tamariki are taking over the Square! Whether you love musical theatre or are a beginner, get ready to strut your stuff and learn some new moves with the National Youth Theatre as they perform a series of Christmas-themed musical theatre numbers.
Yuletide Ukulele with the Nukes
Part of Christmas in the City Centre More details Grab your Ukulele because The Nukes have a thing or two to teach us about the art of Ukulele. We have a free, fun and family-friendly new class just in time for Summer.
A Festive Evening with the Maamaloa Brass Band
Part of Christmas in the City Centre More details Get ready to jingle all the way with the Maamaloa Brass Band. Head to the Aotea Square for a toe-tapping, tinsel-filled brass extravaganza. With a blend of Brass and Tongan charm, let the Maamaloa Brass band whisk you away to a holiday paradise. About Maamaloa Brass Band A.K.A MBB: Maamaloa Brass Band A.K.A MBB is a Tongan community band based in Auckland. It was established in 2020 under the Tupou College Aotearoa Ex-student Organisation Society .
Auckland Live Digital Stage
The large screen in Aotea Square comes alive in March with vibrant and exciting displays, short films, motion graphics, videos, and a myriad of visual delights that will fire your imagination and capture your attention. Featuring work from both local and international artists, all works are FREE. Waiata Anthems Fri 8-Sat 9 March, 12.00pm-4.00pm Sing along to the words from popular songs recorded in te reo Māori for Waiata Anthems.
ILL-Abilities: No Excuses, No Limits
A breakdance performance unlike any other! Be inspired by the moves, grooves and stories of this international crew comprising differently-abled Bboy dancers. No Excuses, No Limits takes you on a journey of each dancer’s story through dance, music and audience interaction, working towards an understanding of the limitless possibilities that any person can hold.
City Beats
Be part of our band of 5,000! Immediately following Culture Beats, join Demetrius Savai’inaea and his crew as they lead us on a multi-cultural and resonant rhythmic journey of epic proportions. Bring any percussion instrument of choice – poi, rhythm sticks, drum, triangle, cowbell, pot, plastic bucket or just your bare ol’ hands to name a few – and be part of Auckland’s biggest ever mass drumline, beating right in the heart of the city.
Te Manawa Market
Immerse yourself in the Te Manawa Whare Toi Market, the culmination of eight whare toi wānanga held in late 2023. Celebrate a showcase of artworks by established, mid-career and emerging Māori artists. This marketplace offers the opportunity to explore and purchase works including prints, paintings, ceramics, sculptures, raranga (weaving) and jewellery.
Culture Beats
Bring your friends and family for a great day out grooving to the rhythm of the city. Culture Beats features local artists Tamashii Taiko Drummers and Ānuanua Cook Island Drum Group, with special international appearances from Ju Percussion Group (Taiwan) and Afrique en Cirque (African drumming from Canada). Get your boogie on with a show that is guaranteed to get your feet tapping, your hands clapping and your body moving to the pulse of life!
Skillz Central
Got the skills to be crowned the first Auckland Arts Festival DJ and Street Dance battle champions by WDSF Certified Olympic Breakin’ Judges from ILL-Abilities and local legends? New Zealand’s leading Street Dance Freestyle and Battle collective Projekt Team is bringing 1 v 1 DJ Mixing and 3 v 3 Freestyle Dance battles to central Tāmaki Makaurau.
Waiata Mai
Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand Do you love to sing? Want to learn to sing in harmony? Ready to take your voice to the next level? Come together with Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand in Aotea Square to share in the joy of collective singing and let your voice soar for the opening night of Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival 2024.
Aotea Square Ice Rink
Get ready to strap on your skates and glide into a frozen oasis, because the Aotea Square Ice Rink is back! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a fresh beginner, there is plenty of fun to be had by everyone. Get amongst all the spectacle with plenty of food trucks and frozen fun. This year, the rink features a stunning lighting installation that will leave you feeling like you're skating underneath the magical starlit winter’s night.
Digital Buskers
Stop by and unlock the surprises of the Auckland Live Digital Stage Music Box! Turn the crank and the Auckland Live Digital Stage will reveal one of eight acts digitally busking in celebration of New Zealand Music Month. From acrobats to dancers and musicians, get ready to be surprised and delighted. Send emojis or donate to these artists through a dedicated webapp to show your love and support.
Brian Molley Quartet with Krishna Kishor
Ace Scottish jazz group Brian Molley Quartet present a sublimely stimulating collaboration with world-class Indian percussionist Krishna Kishor. An original, innovative and exhilarating fusion concert that unites east with west, world music with jazz, and Indian vitality with Scottish style.
The Savage Coloniser Show
By Tusiata Avia, Director: Anapela Polata’ivao, Producer: Victor Rodger for FCC Fierce, furious and fabulously unforgiving, AAF is proud to premiere the hugely anticipated stage adaptation of Tusiata Avia’s blistering poetry collection.
Pride in the Square
Auckland Pride is back for 2023 and serving a whole lot of excitement and colour at Aotea Square! Get that party ‘fit on, strut your stuff and join THE celebration of all celebrations right here in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Dance until you can’t feel your feet anymore, make new friends, celebrate yourself, and embrace all the queer joy at this bold and bright collision of pride, summer, and performing arts.
Haka on the Screen
In the lead-up to Te Matatini, the biggest kapa haka event on the calendar, head to Aotea Square and be treated to a collection of highlights from the top 9 performances in 2019, live on the big screen As well as exhilarating performance footage, Auckland Live will share clips from the Te Matatini 50 Year Project (#TM50), including interviews and insights from key people, background stories and stunning waiata reimagined from the TM50 album.
Auckland Live Summer in the Square
It’s time to soak up the fun in the sun, because your favourite summer hang-out is set to return this February! With an epic programme of four fun-filled weekends, Auckland Live are keeping your sun-kissed days and balmy nights packed full of FREE summer entertainment.
GALS Christmas Special
Part of Christmas in the City Centre More details Auckland’s Rainbow Choir are taking over Aotea Square for an hour of festive cheer. They will sing a combination of their current repertoire and classic Christmas carols that will make you want to dance in tinsel. Get your festive spirit soaring with the harmonious voices of GALS. Experience all the classics of a Kiwi Summer Christmas. About GALS – Auckland's Rainbow Choir: GALS is a non-auditioned community choir based in Auckland.
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