Thursday 5 March
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Opening Event – Sau Fiafia! with Island Vibes
Join us as the Festival Garden comes alive with infectious rhythms, dancing, and a warm Pacific welcome to open the Festival in style.
7:30pm – 11pm
Artists to be announced
Stay on for more live music and good vibes as the night unfolds. |
Friday 6 March
12:15pm – 1:45pm
Lunchtime Sessions – Mark Baynes Singalong
Step away from your desk, grab your lunch, and join an uplifting lunchtime singalong. No experience required—just bring your voice and a sense of fun.
4pm – 5pm
Malcolm Lakatani
Ease into the weekend with sounds that blend heritage and contemporary Pacific musicality, inspired by the sonics of Niue and beyond.
5pm – 7pm
Sunset Sessions with DJ Grant Marshall
Settle in as the sun goes down with a smooth, feel-good soundtrack to start your evening.
7:30pm – 8:30pm
Acústica Latina Band
Dr Mark Baynes and friends bring vibrant Latin rhythms, piano, and percussion to the square—music made for moving. |
Saturday 7 March
12pm – 4pm
BIG FAN Block Party
The team from Big Fan showcase some of Aotearoa’s most exciting emerging talent. Discover new favourites and celebrate the depth of local music culture. Click here for more details
5pm – 7pm
Sunset Sessions – Artist to be announced
9pm – 11pm
DJ Tuāfale
High-energy beats and a dancefloor atmosphere to carry you late into the night. |
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Sunday 8 March
10am – 4pm
Whānau Day
A full day of free activities, performances, and family-friendly fun across Aotea Square. (See Whānau Day page for full programme.)
3pm – 4pm
Sunset Sessions with DJ Tuāfale
4pm – 10pm
Artists to be announced
|
Monday 9 March
The Festival Garden rests on Mondays, but the Festival continues. Step indoors and experience Helios in the Concert Chamber. |
Tuesday 10 March
6pm – 8pm
Sunset Sessions with DJ Mr Bigstuff
After-work grooves to help you unwind in the Festival Garden. |
Wednesday 11 March
6pm – 7pm
Homegrown Jazz – Goldsmith & Baynes
An hour of live jazz from some of our favourite local musicians.
7pm – 8:45pm
Sunset Sessions with DJ Mr Bigstuff |
Thursday 12 March
12:15pm – 1:45pm
Lunchtime Sessions – Artists to be announced
5pm – 7pm
Sunset Sessions – Artists to be announced
7pm – 11pm
Artists to be announced |
Friday 13 March
12:15pm – 1:45pm
Lunchtime Sessions – Artists to be announced
6pm – 8pm
Sunset Sessions with Manuel Bundy
A master of the decks brings deep cuts, soul, and dancefloor classics.
8pm – 11pm
Artists to be announced |
Saturday 14 March
12pm – 4pm
Block Party – Global Music
Travel the world in an afternoon. This vibrant block party brings together international sounds, infectious rhythms, and feel-good grooves from across the globe. A perfect way to discover something new while soaking up the Festival Garden Atmosphere. Click here for more information
5pm – 11pm
Artists to be announced |
Sunday 15 March
Programme to be announced |
Monday 16th March
Today the Festival Garden takes a well-earned rest before the final run of shows and events. Join us again from Tuesday! |
Tuesday 17 March
6pm – 8pm
Sunset Sessions – Artist to be announced |
Wednesday 18 March
5pm – 6pm
Artists to be announced
7:30pm – 9pm
Sunset Sessions with DJ Grant Marshall |
Thursday 19 March
12pm – 1:45pm
Lunchtime Session – Opeloge Ah-Sam Jazz Ensemble
A showcase of some of our finest young musicians. You wanted your lunchtime fresh, vibrant, and full of energy right?
5pm – 6pm
Kenji – Live Fusion
Get warmed up for the evening with a dynamic live set blending genres and styles. |
Friday 20 March
12pm – 1:45pm
Lunchtime Session – Te Whainoa Te Wiata: Aotearoa Songbook Singalong (TBC)
Gather your workmates and raise your voices in a joyful celebration of classic waiata and songs of Aotearoa.
5pm – 6pm
Wheke Fortress
9pm – 11pm
DJ Manuel Bundy
From Soul Train to Uptown Funk—classic grooves to close out your Friday night. |
Saturday 21 March
12pm – 4pm
Block Party – Strictly Brown Ltd
A Pasifika and Māori spectacular of dance, music, and high-energy performance to power up the final weekend.
4:30pm – 9pm
Artists to be announced
9pm – 11pm
DJ Tuāfale
One last Saturday night dancefloor in the Festival Garden. |
Sunday 22 March
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Noa Quartet (TBC)
Ease into the afternoon with the lush, expressive sound of strings. |
4pm – 5pm
Cuban Jazz Trio – Fuentes, Baynes, Hopkins
Rhythmic, vibrant, and irresistible—music made for moving.
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Open Mic Singalong – Festival Finale
Join us for one last singalong as we close the Festival together in true Garden style. |
