Auckland Pride Month Returns!

Auckland’s Pride festival is back again and planning to take over the summer of 2023 energised and better than ever. It will offer a wide spectrum of events, gatherings and experiences from 1-26 February, a perfect day out for you and your friends! So grab your mates and head over to Auckland’s Pride Parade this summer xoxo

Auckland Pride 2023 boasts an expansive arts programme that transcends mediums, disciplines, and artforms. From drag artistry to the most experimental edges of live art. From plays to improv comedy. To exhibitions to gigs and literary panels. Community events include a fantastic range of workshops, parties, speed dating, and even a little bit of touch rugby. As previously announced, The Pride March has shifted to a standalone major event this year. The new route starting on Lorne Street and marching down Queen Street into Takutai Square, allows for greater capacity and accessibility for this significant event.

“The Pride March will be a powerful display of solidarity and community as we come together once more to demand further progress” says Executive Director Max Tweedie. “We invite all of our communities to come together to share in the excitement and energy of the collective as we uplift the voices that are often forgotten or silenced to allow for an energetic display of liberation and celebration.”

Presented in partnership with Auckland Live, Aotea Square will come alive on the 24 and 25 February with community groups, DJ’s, drag artists and musicians from across the motu. Kicking off the celebrations on Friday night is the joyful Caribbeanz Southern Stars Steel Band followed by BabyFreekk’s Drag Hour of Power. DJ’s RNG-SUS, the iconic Diesel, Little Bok Choy, and Nic Tims follow, bringing the club to the square!

Saturday sees the documentary series, Queer and Here from Whakaata Māori playing throughout the day, an hour-long poetry slam supported by a fantastic DJ. As the night progresses, South Auckland takatāpui rock band Valkyrie will bring their iconic songs, supported by upcoming artists Arielwose and Jason Parker. Two of Tāmaki’s favourite DJ’s will support the lineup with Sharon from Payroll and Vercetti bringing the energy to pump the beats and slay late into the night!

Those looking for a more intimate live music vibe can check out Little Gay In, a showcase of Aotearoa’s most exciting rainbow artists, playing at new music venue, BIG FAN on 17 February. Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki will play host to GALS Auckland Rainbow Choir for an uplifting afternoon concert. There’s also an opportunity for attendees to learn how to crochet their own Rainbow flag to take home or one of the many others that represent LGBTQIA+ identities at their Queer Yarns event. The Bergman Gallery will exhibit The more things change… part 1 and Studio One Toi Tu will host Seen and Heard, Embroidery for Crafty Queers, a Pride Pottery Workshop, and more!

The central city is also home to the popular Silo Cinema Pride Edition with an outdoor screening of the recent cinematic gem Everything Everywhere All at Once. While over at Basement Theatre a vibrant month of queer programming sees the full lineup of F.O.L.A. [AKL] announced alongside the addition of Man Lessons: The Live Show by Adam Rohe, hot off their recent success in the Wellington Theatre Awards (nominated for the New Playwright award), and returning favourite No Homo: Queer Comedy.

Other new programme additions include P.O.P: PEOPLE OF POWER, Irregular Objects, FAFAGANDA, and Self-Made: a trans pride drag showcase, which celebrate the diversity of bodies and expressions of queer identity through drag, ballroom, burlesque and cabaret.

The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) will play host to Waack Attack Vol 3. Performances on the night from Candee Collective, Desi Waacks and Prowl Productions. A fabulous lineup of drag queens and of course a night filled with amazing battles. Will also include Ethnic Rainbow Alliance’s Pride Meet Up, Queer Speed Dating, and Pride at Dung Beetle Space. Those looking to try their hand at acting might want to look at signing up for the Rainbow Actors Workshop. Bear New Zealand Week 2023 is hosting a wide range of events, including Mr Bear New Zealand, Tri-Nations, Wet Fur, Summer Gear Up, Eat it & Beat it, Games Afternoon, and Comedy Night.

All of this joins the first release lineup, including the nine recently successful Pride Elevates projects, Samesame but Different’s takeover of the Ellen Melville Centre into a literary hub, multiple parties, shows and more ready to explode in venues across the city, from Raynham Park and Uxbridge Arts Centre to The Powerstation and Auckland Old Folks Association.

The Auckland Pride Festival 2023 runs from
Wednesday 1 – Sunday 26 February, 2023
The 2023 Auckland Pride Festival is delivered thanks to the generous support of Principal Partner OREO, Core Funder Foundation North, Major Partners Spark and Rocketwerkz, and Strategic Partner Auckland Council.