Auckland Pride Festival 2026

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

• 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.

The Festival

• Next Edition: February 1st to March 1st, 2026 – Parade confirmed for Saturday 21st February, 2026.
• Auckland Pride 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!
• Note there are two parades on different dates; The Pride Pride and March Party by Auckland Pride in Aotea Square and the Auckland Rainbow Parade on Ponsonby Road

Auckland Rainbow Pride Parade

• Saturday 21st February, 2026 –  The Auckland Gay Pride main parade is packed full of love, light and colour; Aotearoa’s largest and loudest carnival of change and diversity.
• The Auckland Rainbow Parade, returns to Ponsonby Road on Saturday in mid February, from 7.30 pm to 9 pm.
• Stay in the CBD, just a 4-minute ride to the the parade at the Sofitel Auckland, rated “Fabulous” by guests, with designer rooms, delicious breakfasts and a superb pool and spa.

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.

Opening Party

• Awaiting dates – Celebrate the start of the festival with an extraordinary opening event at Seasons Gallery.
• Te Tīmatanga celebrates the spirit of connection through our provocation, Tētahi Ki Tētahi – We Exist Because We Relate, brought to life by emerging artist Louie Zalk-Neal and senior artist Neke Moa.

The Big Gay Day Out

• Awaiting dates – Sunday from Midday to 7pm – 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.
• The event takes place in Coyle Park in the heart of Auckland, just a 15 minute drive from the CBD.

 Pride Elevates – Arts and Cultural festival

• Dates to be confirmed.
• Multiple cultural and artistic events take place over 3 weeks during the Pride celebrations.

Bear & Leather Events – Bear New Zealand Week

• Wednesday to Sunday in Early February – Awaiting dates – The annual Bear New Zealand Week kicks off a the start of Auckland’s pride celebrations with a series of parties and events culminating in the election of Mr Bear New Zealand.

Theta Project Presents – Homo House Auckland

• Awaiting dates – Dive into Pride with a special edition of Homo House! Get ready for a night of non-stop, hands-in-the-air club anthems and pulsating house beats. Homo House is landing at Mothership.

Pride March and Waimahara Closing Party

• Awaiting dates – Auckland Pride Festival will close with Waimahara at Myers Park, a reimagined gathering that shifts the traditional Pride March and Pride Party to an activation that reflects on the strength within our communities and galvanises our shared vision of queer liberation and social justice.
• Beginning with a rally in Aotea Square Grass Terraces, attendees will march to Myers Park through the public art installation Waimahara by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu) for a day of connection, learning, and organising around shared advocacy goals.
• Myers Park is a city central oasis, a hisorical park linking the diverse and colourful Karangahape Road with Aotea Square and Queen Street.
• Stay just steps from the party at the Airedale Boutique Suites, rated “Fabulous” by guests, featuring stylish and spacious rooms, a modern gym and great lication.

Misbehaviour Party

• Awaiting dates –  MISBEHAVIOUR: PARADISE – Auckland’s ultimate sophisticated, late night club party experience, at Everybody’s Downtown – a central bar,  great for a cocktail or fun night out.
• Featuring your favourite MISBEHAVIOUR DJs, dancers and performers, MISBEHAVIOUR is Auckland’s ultimate sophisticated, late night club party experience for the LGBTQI+ community and their allies.

Loud and Proud

• Awaiting dates – Loud and Proud is a one-day music festival across Karangahape Rd, starting in the Pitt Street Church and ending at Whammy. Presented by the Audio Foundation.

Auckland Pride Party

• Awaiting dates – PARTY – Takutai Square from 4.30 pm
• Auckland Live’s Pride in the Square features community groups, DJs, drag artists and musicians from across Aotearoa gathering on Takutai Square and turning it into a club of epic proportions.
• 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 the bars and party all night or make memories with your friends in a quieter space and grab something delicious from a range of  food trucks. 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.

Recommended 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.