Source: Maia Studio
Auckland’s favourite free summer celebration is back, brighter, bolder and more diverse than ever. Auckland Live Summer in the Square returns to Aotea Square from Friday, 30 January to Sunday, 22 February 2026, transforming the centre of the city into a playground of music, movement, culture and whānau-friendly fun.
An iconic feature of the Tāmaki Makaurau summer calendar, Auckland Live Summer in the Square is a vibrant, joyful and unashamedly playful month-long festival that celebrates the people and cultures that make Auckland what it is.
The 2026 programme features 12 hero events, each infused with its own kaupapa, creative energy and sense of community. From a Latin fiesta and global percussion to skate culture and jazz, from wrestling and spoken word to hip hop and Afro celebrations – plus circus fun and much more – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
With family-friendly experiences, a relaxed licensed food truck area, and opportunities to explore activities at your own pace, Auckland Live Summer in the Square is designed for everyone – from tamariki to seasoned culture seekers and summer visitors.
Join us as Auckland Live Summer in the Square lights up the final weeks of the summer holidays and the Waitangi Day public holiday, inviting locals and visitors to enjoy free music, dance, performance, storytelling and cultural connection beneath the warm February sky.
Director of Auckland Live, Daniel Clarke, says this summer festival is one of the great free traditions of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
“Auckland Live Summer in the Square gives artists a prominent platform and brings fresh creative energy into the city centre. It’s a chance for audiences to discover new work, support local talent and enjoy the arts in an open, welcoming space. Aotea Square will become an inclusive space where everyone is reflected, heard and celebrated. We are proud to curate a programme that adds vibrancy to Aotea Square at a time when people are out making the most of summer,” says Daniel Clarke.
This event is proudly supported by Auckland Council Events and the city centre targeted rate.
Auckland Live Summer in the Square
Friday, 30 January to Sunday, 22 February 2026
Aotea Square
The line up:
Auckland Latin Fiesta
Fri 30 Jan: 5pm–11pm
Sat 31 Jan: 12pm–11pm
Sun 1 Feb: 12pm–6pm
Back for its 11th year, Auckland Latin Fiesta brings a three-day explosion of Latin American culture to Aotea Square. Experience the heat of salsa, bachata, reggaeton and samba with DJs, performances and fun dance classes. A joyful celebration of community, rhythm and flavour.
Sunset Sounds
Thu 5 Feb: 5pm–8pm
A fierce wāhine-led music lineup of Club Ruby, Louisa Nicklin, PRINS, DJ Tandra and TUSEKAH takes over Aotea Square with neo-soul, alt-pop and genre-crossing sounds. As the sun sets and the city lights glow, this bold and modern showcase creates the perfect summer night atmosphere.
Somethin’ Else
Fri 6 Feb (Waitangi Day)
Sat 7 Feb
Following its successful debut in 2025, this jazz festival returns with leading Aotearoa musicians and international guests across three stages, including an indoor stage at the Aotea Centre. A relaxed, sun-filled celebration of world-class jazz.
Mainstage, Aotea Square:
Fri 6 Feb (Waitangi Day): 1pm–10pm
Sat 7 Feb: 3pm–10pm
Hunua Rooms, Aotea Centre
Fri 6 Feb (Waitangi Day): 4pm–9pm
Sat 7 Feb: 4pm–9pm
Rumble in the Square
Sun 8 Feb: 12pm–4pm
The ultimate pro wrestling spectacle arrives in Aotea Square. Expect high-flying dropkicks, powerhouse clotheslines and dramatic matchups, all leading to a 20-wrestler Royal Rumble where a new challenger enters every 90 seconds. Big characters, big energy and unforgettable entertainment.
Poetry Takeover
Thu 12 Feb: 5pm–8pm
Aotea Square becomes a vibrant canvas of words, movement and sound as poets from across Tāmaki Makaurau take the mic. MC Renee Liang leads the night featuring slam, Pasifika, te reo Māori, migrant and youth voices. Audiences can explore a kaleidoscope of activities: wander through chalk poetry, browse a market of books and zines, create blackout poetry on the Poet-tree, and craft visual poems with collage stickers and words.
History of Hip Hop
Fri 13 Feb: 4pm–10pm
Celebrate more than 50 years of hip hop culture in Aotearoa with an outdoor party featuring legendary DJs Sir-Vere, K Swizz, singer Jess B and more. This event traces the evolution of hip hop through beats, cuts and pure creative energy.
AfroFest
Sat 14 Feb: 12pm–6pm
Returning for its third year, AfroFest celebrates the African diaspora in Aotearoa with music, dance, fashion and food. With thousands attending each year, it is a joyful and energetic celebration of identity and community.
Drum Struck
Sun 15 Feb: 12pm–4pm
Feel the power of global percussion with Caribbean steel pans, Cook Islands log drums, Japanese taiko and more. A high-energy afternoon that connects cultures through rhythm with Steel’n Beats, Anuanua Dance Troupe and Haere Mai Taiko.
ASIAN(SOUND)SCAPES
Thu 19 Feb: 5pm–8pm
Lunar New Year comes alive through soulful jazz, indie pop, alt-rock and contemporary pan-Asian sounds. Bring your friends, wear bright colours or lucky red, and soak up the summer vibes under the evening sky. Dance to pan-Asian beats that redefine contemporary sound with dāndān, Ersha Island, Kin-Kachow, Newko, tee., Raging Flowers, Tei and XPLSV.
Street Fest
Fri 20 Feb: 4pm–8pm
Aotea Square becomes a skateboarding playground with best trick competitions, spot prizes, a final boss trick challenge, and live street art painted throughout the day. Raw energy and creativity ripple across Aotea Square as skate culture takes centre stage.
Highland Pulse
Sat 21 Feb: 12pm–4pm
Scottish bagpipes and bold brass band harmonies fill the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau in a celebration of heritage, pride and musical connection. Join Base Auckland Brass, North Shore Brass, Papakura Pipe Band and more, for this lively and colourful event that brings generations together.
Circus Party
Sun 22 Feb: 10am–3pm
Round off Auckland Live Summer in the Square by entering a circus playground with hands-on workshops with Circability. Perfect for families and tamariki wanting a joyful end to their summer.
For information, please visit aucklandlive.co.nz
#AucklandLive @aucklandlive
NOTES
About Auckland Live
Auckland Live is the premier organisation for performing arts, culture, entertainment and events in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. As Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest performing arts entity, we proudly present a programme of live arts and entertainment across our iconic venues: Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, The Cloud, Shed 10, Viaduct Events Centre, Bruce Mason Centre and Aotea Square. Auckland Live is part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, a council-controlled organisation. Find out what’s happening on our stages and places at aucklandlive.co.nz
About Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s cultural, events and destination agency. It is an Auckland Council-controlled organisation that works to make Auckland a vibrant place to live and visit, through events, experiences and taonga (treasures). aucklandunlimited.com
About Auckland Council Events
Auckland Council Events are events supported by the Auckland Council Group, including local boards and council-controlled organisations, recognising events supported by Auckland ratepayer funding. This support can include investment, delivery or promotion of events, to bring our communities together, celebrate Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s identity and deliver social and economic benefits.
