Auckland Pride Festival 2022

Definitely a pride worth visiting – despite the distance!

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!

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.

The Big Gay Day Out

• 2022 event cancelled – Returns 2023
• 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. In 2022 the Big Gay Day Out takes place on the 13th of February.

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.

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.

Tuwheratanga

• Tue 01 Feb, 6:00AM, Albert Park Caretaker’s Cottage  – The Auckland Pride Festival 2022 opens with a dawn blessing, acknowledging mana whenua and our takatāpui whānau. As the very first event of a month-long programme, Tuwheratanga offers a chance to open the space for the Festival, to take stock and reflect back on our shared history.

Tīmatanga

• Tue 01 – Sun 27 Feb, 12:00PM, Albert Park Caretaker’s Cottage – This year, alongside celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first Gay Liberations march lead by Ngahuia Te Awekotuku in 1972, Auckland Pride is launching its first ever Takatāpui Festival, commissioning 7 Takatāpui Artists to showcase their work through Public Art installations across, Aotea Square, Albert Park, Britomart, Commercial Bay, Viaduct Harbour & Silo Park.

Pride Gala

• Thu 03 Feb, 8:00PM, Auckland Town Hall – The Pride Gala returns in 2022 in the historic Auckland Town Hall to bring you an incredible lineup of the finest queer artistry in Tāmaki Makaurau. Grab a table with your friends, nab a seat down the back, or sit up in the circle to catch all of the incredible performances Auckland’s queer artists have to offer.

Auckland Pride Parade

• Cancelled 2022 – Returns 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. The Parade route travels in a south direction down Ponsonby Road from Three Lamps towards Western Park. Ponsonby Road will be closed to traffic from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Pride party

• Sat 26 Feb, 6:00PM, Aotea Square – 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.

Ponsonby Street Festival

• Awaiting confirmation of dates.
• 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.

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.