What’s on at the Festival, by day
It’s WEEK 2 of the Festival.
We're truly humbled by the turnout from artists, audiences, families and communities to our Festival Garden and takeover of Aotea Square this past week. We hope you've all felt at home and come back soon.
The arts precinct has come alive, day and night, and our city's iconic venues are bursting with your energy and spirit. It all continues for another two weeks — March madness, Festival-style, in the late summer sun.
OPENING THIS WEEK
- A Place in the Sultan's Kitchen, Thu 12 — Sun 15
- Duck Pond, Thu 12 — Sun 15
- The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, Thu 12 — Sat 14
- Bluebeard's Castle, Fri 13 & Sat 14
- Becoming Jeff Bezos, Fri 13 & Sat 14
- Marmite & Honey, Sat 14 & Sun 15
ENDING THIS WEEK
- WET, until Sun 15
- Helios (FREE), until Sun 15
- Pop to Present, until Sun 15
ALL FESTIVAL
- La Ronde, until Sun 22
- Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland, until Sun 22
- Evanescent (FREE), until Sun 22
- rova Sound Stage (FREE), until Sun 22
Get your tickets. Discover more.
Duck Pond
The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave
La Ronde
Whether you’re after unadulterated thrills, incredible artistry or an experience for the whole family, there's something for everyone at the Festival.
Start planning your Festival by checking out one of our curated shows for FUN SEEKERS, ARTS LOVERS and WHĀNAU below 👇, booking your tickets and making a date with us in March.
Explore shows for FUN-SEEKERS
Explore shows for ARTS LOVERS
Explore shows for WHĀNAU
CITY ENCOUNTERS is back for 2026 — a series of FREE events and moments in Tāmaki Makaurau, all throughout the Festival in March.
Start by dropping into the Festival Garden in Aotea Square — your home base for exploring the arts precinct and the Festival at large. Then follow the buzz to discover live music, glowing artworks, whānau adventures and pop-up surprises — and experience the city as a sandbox of Festival fun.
No tickets required! Just show up 👇
Explore CITY ENCOUNTERS
Festival Moments
Celebrate our city in full colour with fresh images of you, our artists and the Festival in action. Captured by our ace photographers John Rata and Jinki Cambronero.
Explore Photo & Video Highlights from AAF 2026
Planning a day of discovery, a big night out, or a full 18 days of Festival immersion? We've got you covered.
Feeling adventurous? Pop down to Aotea Square and explore the transformed area — there's heaps to do and see for FREE.
We also have a Festival Box Office in Aotea Square for tickets, merch, or guides to what's on at the Festival and when. For Box Office opening hours, transport and access points to the Aotea Arts Precinct, recs on where to eat and stay, a full suite of FAQs, and more useful info over the course of the Festival, check out:
