Auckland Pride Festival 2024

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

• 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!

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

• Awaiting dates – Typically on a 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.

Opening Party – Little Gay in

• Awaiting Dates – Celebrating queer musicians at Big Fan, a multi-purpose music space located in Morningside.

Auckland Rainbow Pride Parade

• Awaiting Dates – The Auckland Gay Pride main parade is packed full of love, light and colour; Aotearoa’s largest and loudest carnival of change and diversity.
• This year’s march has a brand-new (and newly accessible) route — kicking off on Lorne Street and marching down Queen Street into Takutai Square.
• The parade leaves from Lorne Street outside the Central City Library at 2 pm.

Ponsonby Street  Parade and Festival

• Awaiting 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.
• From 5.30 pm, Ponsonby Road will come alive with a range of pre-parade activations, and from 7.30 pm, it’s time to start the engines, kick your dancing heels together and hit play on those sound systems.
• Starting at Tole Street, the parade will travel south along Ponsonby Road past Western Park and conclude at the Crummer/Hopetoun Street intersection.
• Stay in the CBD, just a 4-minute ride to the the parade at the Sofitel Auckland, rated “Fablous” by guests, with designer rooms, delicious breakfasts and a superb pool and spa.

 Arts and Cultural festival

• Awaiting Dates – In the Albert Park Caretakers Cottage
• Te Tīmatanga is returning for the whole month of Pride to celebrate the work and achievements of Aotearoa’s takatāpui (queer) community through a series of public art installations.

Pride in the Square

• Awaiting Dates – Auckland Live’s Pride in the Square features community groups, DJs, drag artists and musicians from across Aotearoa descending on Aotea 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.
• 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.

Bear & Leather Events – Bear New Zealand Week

• 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.
• Awaiting Dates- Summer Gear Up at the Eagle Leather, presented by Leather Up Auckland at GAY from 6 pm to 9pm.

Other Gay Parties

• Awaiting Dates- Circuit Neon arty at G.A.Y – with guest DJs. Enjoy special drag performances and more. Enjoy a night of heavy EDM and Tribal house tunes where you can feel the bass in your body.
• Awaiting Dates – Auckland’s ultimate sophisticated, late night club party experience, at Everybody’s Downtown – a central bar,  great for a cocktail or fun night out.

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.