Event Dates
From: Wednesday, February 1, 2023
To: Sunday, February 26, 2023
The Auckland Pride Festival takes place every year at the height of the Summer Season and is one of the largest gay events in the country.
The Auckland Pride Festival is bringing the love back to the city throughout February! Auckland pride is New Zealand’s biggest and best social and cultural celebration for the Rainbow Community
The Festival will feature 150 individual events – including local and international theatre and cabaret, visual art exhibitions, live music, film and new media, literature, debates and discussions, drag and burlesque, historical walks, youth events and workshops, sports and recreation, gardening, pets, pageants and parties!
- Visiting for Auckland pride? Stay close to the parade and festival at the Hotel Fitzroy, rated “Fabulous”, close to the beach and features large rooms and a delicious breakfast menu.
Gay Auckland
Gay visitors should check out the Britomart / Downtown districts. The gayborhood is close to the Viaduct and the city’s major attractions. Other popular districts include Karangahape Road and Ponsonby, home to upscale shops, art galleries, cafes, boutiques, and gay nightlife.
While most Auckland Pride Festival activity will centre around Ponsonby and Karangahape Roads, the Festival’s events will also reach out to West Auckland, South Auckland and into the Hauraki Gulf.
The Big Gay Day Out
- The Ending HIV Big Gay day out is one of the biggest open air gay events to take place during the festival. Each year it attracts more than 10,000 gorgeous LGBTIQ+ people, their whānau and friends, for a day in the sun full of music, food, dance and rainbows. Awaiting the dates for Big Gay Day Out 2023.
Pride Gala
- Awaiting Dates, Auckland Town Hall – The Pride Gala is held in the historic Auckland Town Hall, featuring an incredible lineup of the finest queer artistry in Tāmaki Makaurau. Full program to be confirmed.
Auckland Rainbow Pride Parade
- Confirmed – 18th Feb 2023 – The Auckland Gay Pride main parade on Ponsonby Road will be packed full of love, light and colour when Aotearoa’s largest and loudest carnival of change and diversity processes up Auckland’s hippest strip.
- Ponsonby Road will come alive from 5.30pm with a range of pre-parade activations before 7.00pm when it’s time to start the engines, kick your dancing heels together and hit play on those sound systems!
- The Parade route travels in a south direction down Ponsonby Road from Three Lamps towards Western Park.
Ponsonby Street Festival
- 18th Feb 2023 – Celebrate community. Eat, drink, dance and celebrate diversity, unity and love! With all-day activities from 11 am on parade day including Market Stalls, Pop-Ups, Street Dining, Live Music and more. Ponsonby Road closed to traffic from 4:30 pm ’til midnight.
Pride party
- To be confirmed – After marching the streets demanding more for LGBTQIA+ communities, reconnect with queer joy at the Auckland Pride Party in Aotea Square.
- Featuring two stages packed with talented rainbow artists, there’s something safe and accessible for every energy level – whether you want to grab a summer cocktail from one of our licensed bars and party all night or make memories with your friends in a quieter space. Celebrate queer joy your way at the Auckland Pride Party this summer.
Gay Bars and Places to Party in Auckland
- The Eagle – One of the premier gay bars in Auckland, great atmosphere, popular at weekends.
- Family Bar and Club – Famous gay bar, with 4 different bars and areas to party. Host to popular karaoke and drag nights.
- Magenta Bar – Serving delicious food, great drinks and a cosy garden. Popular with locals.
- SPQR Café and Bar – Gay Friendly – Long-running bistro & bar featuring Italian dishes
- Caluzzi Bar and Cabaret – Fun loving venue with a range of live drag acts to be enjoyed along with a full bar & food menu.
- G.A.Y. Auckland – Hot theme nights, sexy staff and warm atmosphere.
Trending Hotels in Auckland
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action.
VR Queen Street Hotel, The Langham Auckland, M Social, Ramada Auckland.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Langham Auckland is where we stay
in New Zealand close to the gay centre.
For further information and advice on
Auckland Pride, check out The Website
The gay bars and clubs are located on Karangahape road and have some good hotel and apartments close by that will not break the bank.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Auckland that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Located in the lively uptown area near Upper Queen Street. From this central location, guests can stroll to the Auckland Domain or explore the city’s museums & galleries Designed with your comfort in mind, 640 modern guestrooms and suites offer handcrafted furniture and quality textiles. All rooms feature high-speed internet and WiFi to keep you connected 24/7.
Located on the iconic Quay street, M Social offers accommodation in the heart of Auckland. Free WiFi is featured throughout the property. Guests can enjoy a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area. All 190 rooms overlook the vibrant Princes Wharf and include satellite TV and air conditioning. There is a refrigerator and an en suite bathroom
Four Points by Sheraton Auckland offers accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a fitness centre and a bar. This property also provides guests with a terrace, a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange. The Rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk.
Featuring free WiFi, Ramada Suites offers modern apartments that are air conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. There is also a kitchen or kitchenette, fitted with a dishwasher, microwave and toaster. A refrigerator and kettle are also featured. Every unit is fitted with a private bathroom with free toiletries. Towels and bed linen
Special coverage of the Auckland Pride Parade
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Expedia
We have chosen hotels in Auckland that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Along with 15 restaurants, this smoke-free hotel has a full-service spa and a casino. Additionally, an indoor pool, 3 bars/lounges, and a fitness center are onsite. All 312 rooms feature thoughtful touches like pillow menus and bathrobes, plus free WiFi and plasma TVs with satellite channels. Other amenities available to guests include 24-hour room service, minibars, and coffee makers.
A restaurant, 2 bars/lounges, and a fitness center are available at this smoke-free hotel. Additionally, coffee/tea in a common area, 24-hour room service, and a business center are onsite. All 25 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and pillowtop beds. Guests can enjoy heated floors, and other standard amenities include 24-hour room service, minibars, and LCD TVs.
A restaurant, 2 bars/lounges, and concierge services are available at this smoke-free hotel. Other amenities include dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk, and a lobby fireplace. All rooms are soundproofed and offer free WiFi and hair dryers. For a bit of entertainment, guests will find LED TVs with digital channels, and other amenities include sitting areas and rainfall showerheads.
Along with a 24-hour fitness center, this smoke-free hotel has a business center and conference space. Other amenities include dry cleaning, and a 24-hour front desk. All rooms are individually decorated and offer free WiFi and hair dryers. For a bit of entertainment, guests will find Smart TVs with digital channels, rainfall showerheads and coffee makers.