Spotlight: Auckland Live Summer In The Square 2026

As the summer sun makes its tardy return, Tāmaki Makaurau is truly hotting up as we head into February. Auckland Live have assembled an inclusive, accessible and entirely free array of multicultural live events for Auckland Live Summer in the Square, hosting giants of our music community (and beyond) plus a whole lot more in Aotea Square from this Friday onwards.

Showcasing jazz, hip-hop, DJs, alt-pop / rock, global percussion and even Scottish bagpipes and brass, plus dance, poetry, a circus playground, skateboarding, and pro-wrestling (!), Auckland Live Summer in the Square is a world class festival programme which won't hurt your pocket. Tuck into the full details below, gather the fam and be sure to bring your sunblock...

"Auckland Live Summer in the Square is bringing the heat this February with an incredible line-up of free events that bring sounds, energy and cultures of Tāmaki Makaurau to life! Every Thursday to Sunday, Fri 30 Jan – Sun 22 Feb at Aotea Square."

Auckland Live Summer in the Square
Friday 30th January to Sunday 22nd February 2026
Aotea Square
All events free and all-ages
For more details, visit aucklandlive.co.nz or follow @aucklandlive on social media

Auckland Latin Fiesta
Friday 30th January - 5pm to 11pm
Saturday 31st January - 12pm to 11pm
Sunday 1st February - 12pm to 6pm
Back for its 11th year, Auckland Latin Fiesta brings a three-day explosion of Latin American culture to Aotea Square. Experience the heat of salsa, bachata, reggaeton and samba with DJs, performances and fun dance classes. A joyful celebration of community, rhythm and flavour.

Sunset Sounds
Thursday 5th February - 5pm to 8pm
A fierce wāhine-led music lineup of Club Ruby, Louisa Nicklin, PRINS, DJ Tandra and TUSEKAH takes over Aotea Square with neo-soul, alt-pop and genre-crossing sounds. As the sun sets and the city lights glow, this bold and modern showcase creates the perfect summer night atmosphere.

Somethin’ Else
Friday 6th February (Waitangi Day)
Aotea Square Mainstage - 1pm to 10pm
Aotea Centre Hunua Rooms - 4pm to 9pm
Saturday 7th February
Aotea Square Mainstage - 1pm to 10pm
Aotea Centre Hunua Rooms - 4pm to 9pm
Following its successful debut in 2025, this jazz festival returns with leading Aotearoa musicians and international guests across three stages, including an indoor stage at the Aotea Centre. A relaxed, sun-filled celebration of world-class jazz.
Featuring 30/70 Collective (AUS) Close Counters (AUS), The Circling Sun, Joe Kaptein Band, Flamingo Pier, Christoph El Truento & Lucky Lance, Bikes in Space, Carnivorous Plant Society plus DJs Frank Booker, Nathan Haines, Hudge, Rose Alice, Cian, Lucola, Slippa (UK), Nathan Graves, Sam Harmony and Love Language.

Rumble in the Square
Sunday 8th February - 12pm to 4pm
The ultimate pro wrestling spectacle arrives in Aotea Square. Expect high-flying dropkicks, powerhouse clotheslines and dramatic matchups, all leading to a 20-wrestler Royal Rumble where a new challenger enters every 90 seconds. Big characters, big energy and unforgettable entertainment.

Poetry Takeover
Thursday 12th February - 5pm to 8pm
Aotea Square becomes a vibrant canvas of words, movement and sound as poets from across Tāmaki Makaurau take the mic. MC Renee Liang leads the night featuring slam, Pasifika, te reo Māori, migrant and youth voices. Audiences can explore a kaleidoscope of activities: wander through chalk poetry, browse a market of books and zines, create blackout poetry on the Poet-tree, and craft visual poems with collage stickers and words.

History of Hip Hop
Friday 13th February - 4pm to 10pm
Celebrate more than 50 years of hip hop culture in Aotearoa with an outdoor party featuring legendary DJs Sir-Vere, K Swizz, singer Jess B and more. This event traces the evolution of hip hop through beats, cuts and pure creative energy.

AfroFest
Saturday 14th February - 12pm to 6pm
Returning for its third year, AfroFest celebrates the African diaspora in Aotearoa with music, dance, fashion and food. With thousands attending each year, it is a joyful and energetic celebration of identity and community.

Drum Struck
Sunday 15th February - 12pm to 4pm
Feel the power of global percussion with Caribbean steel pans, Cook Islands log drums, Japanese taiko and more. A high-energy afternoon that connects cultures through rhythm with Steel’n Beats, Anuanua Dance Troupe and Haere Mai Taiko.

ASIAN(SOUND)SCAPES
Thursday 19th February - 5pm to 8pm
Lunar New Year comes alive through soulful jazz, indie pop, alt-rock and contemporary pan-Asian sounds. Bring your friends, wear bright colours or lucky red, and soak up the summer vibes under the evening sky. Dance to pan-Asian beats that redefine contemporary sound with dāndān, Ersha Island, Kin-Kachow, Newko, tee., Raging Flowers, Tei and XPLSV.

Street Fest
Friday 20th February - 4pm to 8pm
Aotea Square becomes a skateboarding playground with best trick competitions, spot prizes, a final boss trick challenge, and live street art painted throughout the day. Raw energy and creativity ripple across Aotea Square as skate culture takes centre stage.

Highland Pulse
Saturday 21st February - 12pm to 4pm
Scottish bagpipes and bold brass band harmonies fill the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau in a celebration of heritage, pride and musical connection. Join Base Auckland Brass, North Shore Brass, Papakura Pipe Band and more, for this lively and colourful event that brings generations together.

Circus Party
Sunday 22nd February - 10am to 3pm
Round off Auckland Live Summer in the Square by entering a circus playground with hands-on workshops with Circability. Perfect for families and tamariki wanting a joyful end to their summer.

Playing at Sunset Sounds, experience The Circling Sun's live performance of 'Kohan' from their 2023 album Spirits...

Here's DJ K-Swizz's mind-blowing set repping Aotearoa for the 2025 Technics DMC Classic World Finals...

Check out Club Ruby's new video for 'What My Bones Know'...