The sun may have set on Festival 2026, but we're still basking in the afterglow. And we're especially proud of our transformation of Aotea Square and the love received from Aucklanders who spent time in and around the space.
Whether it was our vibrant opening night concert featuring Island Vibes, a packed Whānau Day, or evening hang-outs in the warm summer air, the arts precinct felt energised and full of spontaneous encounters, day and night.
Sam Brooks agreed, writing:
- Aotea Square has felt like the most underutilised aspect of the Auckland Arts Festival for a few years now. I’m old enough to remember the days when the square, turned into the festival garden for a few weeks, was pumping every night for almost a month, when artists and audiences from both the Arts Festival and the Auckland Fringe Festival would mingle, dance and drink until the early hours in the morning. For whatever reason, that vibe has never been recaptured.
Until now. This year, Aotea Square felt absolutely pumping. Whether it was due to a consistent programme of free live music, a deeply appealing sculpture called Evanescent by Atelier Sisu adjacent, or just a sudden late surge of summer, the festival garden was alive with everything you want from a festival. Artists, audiences, and vibes aplenty. It felt like a hub, and one that will be sorely missed for the 11 months the festival isn’t on.
Check out more of Sam's Festival highlights over at The Spinoff.
We'd love to hear your thoughts, too.
Whether it's your thoughts on the shows, the free programming, the atmosphere, or your own first-hand experience, we’d love to hear from you so we can create the best Festival possible. Even if you didn't attend this year, please take a minute to share your feedback below.
Everyone who completes the survey will be in the draw to win one of five $100 Prezzy Cards and a double pass to selected shows at the 2027 Festival. The survey will close on 14 April, 2026.
