Auckland Arts Festival 2027

What it is

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival is one of New Zealand’s largest arts festivals: 18 days of theatre, dance, music, visual art and free events every March. Auckland was the first city in the Asia-Pacific to set up a major arts festival; the original Auckland Festival ran from 1948 to 1982, and today’s festival is now held every year. The 2026 festival had more than 188,000 attendances.

Its programme mixes international companies with work from New Zealand, and its Toitū Te Reo programme presents te reo and kaupapa Māori works.

What to expect

For 18 days and nights there are shows, gatherings and performances in and around Aotea Square, and more across the city. You might see a show in one of Auckland’s main venues, catch a free outdoor or roaming event, visit a gallery, or just hang out in the Festival Garden.

Announced so far for 2027:

• The Choir of Man: the Signature Spiegeltent Event. The Spiegeltent becomes an English pub with a real bar on stage, and nine performers sing, dance and tap through songs from Queen, Adele, Sia, Paul Simon, Guns N’ Roses and more. It runs 75 minutes.
• TAO Dance Theater: the acclaimed Chinese contemporary dance company makes its New Zealand debut at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on 5 and 6 March.
• TWENTY SIXTEEN: a live music show in the Spiegeltent from 10 to 13 March, celebrating David Bowie, George Michael, Prince, Leonard Cohen and others lost in 2016.
• The Boy from Vaiala: a world premiere from Arts Laureate Victor Rodger, directed by Anapela Polata’ivao, at the Waterfront Theatre.
• Scorched Earth: a dance-theatre psychological thriller from Ireland’s Luke Murphy, at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 18 to 21 March.
• Anthology of Wonder: Stevie Wonder’s music played by a big band led by Dixon Nacey at the Town Hall on the final weekend.

Who it suits

Theatre, dance and music lovers, families looking for free weekend activities, and visitors who want a lively night out in the city. Some shows have age recommendations or content advisories, and some are not suitable for under-3s.

Tickets and booking

Tickets are sold per show through the festival website. Limited-time early bird offers are available, alongside a range of ticket prices and initiatives to help more people attend. Popular shows such as The Choir of Man sell fast, so book early. Festival-specific gift vouchers are not available, but you can buy venue vouchers for Q Theatre, ASB Waterfront Theatre and Ticketmaster.

Getting there

Aotea Square is on Queen Street in central Auckland, a short walk from Britomart and the ferry terminal, and most venues are close by. The ASB Waterfront Theatre is in Wynyard Quarter. Auckland Airport is about 25 minutes’ drive from the city centre without traffic (an estimate).

Where to stay

Stay in the city centre to walk to Aotea Square and most venues. See our things to do in Auckland guide.

Accessibility

The festival publishes an accessible programme, with wheelchair access, NZSL interpreted and audio-described performances, and booking details on its Accessibility page.

Make a trip of it

March is a great month in Auckland. The Pasifika Festival is on the weekend of 13 and 14 March (see our Pasifika Festival page), and our things to do in Auckland guide covers the rest.