What’s On In Auckland This Month And This Year 2026
Alice Rich
Contributor & Former Editor | Urban List NZ
Almost sentient art, the magic of tarot, pilates club nights and a half-naked man in a bathtub with a rubber duck. The days might be getting colder, but the calendar's only heating up. And so you can get straight down to living the good life, I've whipped up an Urban List-approved edit of events and activities that'll keep you from hibernating.
Here's what's on in Auckland this month, as well as what's just around the corner. Ready to stack your weekend? That's right this way.
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Jump to:
- What's On In Auckland In August 2026
- What's On In Auckland In September 2026
- What's On In Auckland In October 2026
- What's On In Auckland In November 2026
- What's On In Auckland In December 2026
- What's On In Auckland In 2027
What's On In Auckland In August 2026
Live Reel Goes Back To The Future 3
Pull up a pew in Basement Theatre’s loft and you’ll be giggling your way through Wednesday evening thanks to the folks at Live Reel, an outrageous monthly live script retelling of some of the most iconic films in history, from memory, where you never quite know what turn the plot’s going to take. This month’s flick? Back To The Future 3. Hosted by the brilliant Nicky Vella, the lineup includes Nicko Vella, Brynley Stent, Vincent Andrew-Scammell, and more to be announced.
The Details
When: Wednesday 26 August 2026
Where: Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Avenue
Cost: Choose what you pay
Find out more here.
Cirque Alice
Image credit: Cirque Alice | supplied
Now I might be biased (check my byline if that doesn’t hit) but the Cirque du Soleil edit of Alice in Wonderland might just be the best show they’ve ever put together. It’s certainly the best-named gig. So snap up some tickets, plan to meet early for a bit of a tea party (Cassette Nine, surely), then be awe-inspired by music, magic, dance, and gravity-defying acrobatics.
The Details
When: 28 August-6 September 2026
Where: The Civic, Cnr Queen Street & 269-287 Wellesley Street West
Cost: $55-$119
Find out more here.
What's On In Auckland In September 2026
Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori | Hīkoi
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is bringing back its gorgeous guided walking tour for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (which kicks off this year on 14 September). The 75-minute tour begins in the gallery’s main foyer and follows the pathway of the Waihorotiu stream, which once ran down the Queen Street gully, before ending in Takutai Square. Head along to wander the streets as Tāmaki Makaurau’s history unfolds before you, strengthening your connection with the whēnua and history of place.
The Details
When: 19 & 20 September 2026
Where: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1 Kitchener Street
Cost: Free but booking is essential.
Find out more here.
Te Ahurei Whakaari o Kōanga | Kōanga Festival
Image credit: Kōanga Festival | Mataara Stokes
Back for its 12th year, this 10-day celebration of Māori storytelling at springtime kicks off with an evening of opera, waiata, poetry and prose. And as the festival unfolds, expect a free whānau day, a writing workshop, a live collaboration performance, a musical comedy about the queer son of a rugby player, bilingual theatre, and more.
The Details
When: 10-20 September 2026
Where: Te Pou Theatre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson
Cost: Varies (but mostly free)
Find out more here.
We The Young
Image credit: Pops | Auckland Live
A tonic to the September school holiday scramble, We The Young is a two-week festival, packed with more than 25 shows, events and experiences designed to keep kids of all ages enthralled. From immersive light worlds to cardboard creations, sensory play, puppetry and circus feats.
The Details
When: 25 September-11 October 2026
Where: Various
Cost: Varies (but mostly free)
Find out more here.
What's On In Auckland In October 2026
YMCĀ
Image credit: YMCĀ | Sophie Miya-Smith
Choreographer Oli Mathiesen sure knows how to move. But you’ll know that already if you experienced The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, which I sure hope you did. Now, in his first full-length commission by Atamira Dance Company, Oli brings us the takatāpui reibrth of the Village People you never knew you needed (but you most certainly do). Part of Tempo Dance Festival.
The Details
When: 13 & 14 October 2026
Where: Q Theatre, Rangatira
Cost: $35-$59
Find out more here.
Lily Allen Performs West End Girl
Spark Arena
Her first New Zealand appearance since 2019, Lily Allen is set to perform her massively popular West End Girl album, which has clocked up over 275 million streams since its release in October last year, from start to finish in a listening party that’s sure to go straight to core memory.
The Details
When: 21 October 2026
Where: Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell
Cost: Varies
Find out more here.
5 Seconds of Summer: Everyone's A Star! World Tour
Spark Arena
Image credit: 5 Seconds of Summer | Facebook
PSA: Aussie pop-rock juggernauts 5SOS are bringing their Everyone's A Star! World Tour to Spark Arena next year. What started as four mates making noise in a Sydney garage has evolved into one of the biggest live acts on the planet, delivering arena-shaking anthems and sing-along moments that hit right in the feels. So here's a heads up—it's an all-ages show, and tickets are live.
The Details
When: 24 October 2025
Where: Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell
Cost: varies
Find out more here.
BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival
Image credit: Auckland Diwali Festival | Facebook
Aotea Square will once again be transformed into the festival of light with the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival and a whole host of arts and craft and live performances, henna and kai. Come hungry—Diwali is renowned for being packed with food vendors showcasing delectable Indian dishes, snacks, desserts and beverages.
The Details
When: 31-1 November 2026
Where: Aotea Square, 291-297 Queen Street
Cost: Entry is free
Find out more here.
What's On In Auckland In November 2026
Full Puss
Promising a mix of “dumb and sexy, glitter and grime, and a hint of y2kcore nostalgia”, Full Puss is a maximalist, alt-comedy cabaret starring Lily Catastrophe, Keegan Thomas and their favourite funny people where sketch, improv and burlesque is currency, and nothing is held back.
The Details
When: 5 & 7 November
Where: Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Avenue
Cost: $17-31+
Find out more here.
Enamoured Books Advent Calendar
Image credit: Enamoured Books | website
It’s no secret we love an advent calendar, especially a spicy one. And that’s exactly what Tāmaki Makaurau’s first romance-only bookstore, Enamoured Books, has in store this festive season. This year, there are two advent calendars to choose from: a four-book Christmas Countdown, and a 12-book 12 Days of Christmas; and five categories to choose from including queer love, romance lover, naughty or nice, out of this world love and lovers collide. Pre-orders close on Sunday 8 November, so if this sounds like a bit of you, you’ll want to get your order in, stat.
The Details
When: Pre-orders close on Sunday 8 November
Where: Your place
Cost: From $150
Find out more here.
What's On In Auckland In December 2026
Dizzie Rascal
Sometimes you’re just craving a solid hit of dirty, dirty bass, so it’d be bonkers not to scoop up tickets to Dizzie Rascal. Bringing his We Want Bass tour to Tāmaki Makaurau in the thick of Silly Season, it’s sure to be a relief from Christmas dinners and mandatory work lunches, a chance to just throw your hands up in the air and celebrate being free from your inbox, if only for one night.
The Details
When: 8 December 2026
Where: Shed 10, Queens Wharf
Cost: $99.90
Find out more here.
What's On In Auckland In 2027
Foo Fighters
The Foos are returning to Western Springs Bowl in early 2027 and I can think of no better way to kick off the year. Supported by Dick Move and Ringlets, you’re guaranteed one helluva night. You know what to do.
The Details
When: 22 January 2027
Where: Western Springs Bowl, Stadium Road, Western Springs
Cost: $99.90-$249.90
Find out more here.
FKJ
The Auckland Town Hall will be awash in the dreamy tones of FKJ this February. The concert is part of the French multi-instrumentalist, producer and platinum-selling artist’s massive world tour spanning Europe, the UK, North America, Canada and Asia showcasing his latest studio album, Tyber, and recent single Soulmates.
The Details
When: 20 February 2027
Where: Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall,
Cost: $101.85-283.57
Find out more here.
Not in Auckland? Check out what's on in Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown this year.
Main image credit: Josh Tere | Unsplash
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