Auckland Pride Festival 2023

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!

• 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.