5 Shows Perfect For Your First Night of Cabaret
Published: Thursday 4 June 2026
If you’ve never been to cabaret before, Auckland Live’s 2026 festival is the perfect place to dive in. Returning to The Civic from 24 June to 5 July, the programme promises a bold mix of burlesque, circus, music and comedy, plus late-night atmosphere, cocktails and a few delicious surprises along the way.
All That Glitters: The Gala Night
New to cabaret and not sure where to begin? This festival opener is the perfect sneak peek - a night of icons, energy, and unapologetic fabulousness directed by Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand and hosted by Luke Bird. It handpicks tasters from Simply Brill, Sugar, Caluzzi Cabaret’s 30th Birthday, The Velvet Lounge and Karaoke Heaven, letting you sample cabaret’s sass and spectacle and discovering all the styles.
Simply Brill
If you and your friends want a first cabaret experience that is upbeat, stylish and easy to love, Simply Brill is a great place to start. With its feel-good energy and polished stagecraft, it’s the kind of show that gives you all the intimate experience and sparkle of cabaret without feeling too edgy or intimidating. It’s an ideal opener for anyone dipping their toes into the Cabaret for the first time.
Musicals Mayhem – Le Gateau Chocolat
If you like your cabaret with a dose of big musical theatre energy, this is a great entry point with am artists that hits the high notes and just a touch of Cabaret high jinx. Musicals Mayhem brings a glamour-packed romp through the musical canon, making it an easy crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves powerhouse vocals and theatrical flair.
Caluzzi Cabaret’s 30th Birthday
This one is pure celebration. Led by drag royalty Kita Mean and Anita Wigl’it, the show brings together comedy, high drama and glittering stage presence in a way that feels welcoming, joyful and instantly accessible. This is the best choice if you want your first cabaret night out to be more like a party than a performance.
Ko Au, Ko Koe – Nikau Grace
Looking for something more intimate and emotionally resonant, Nikau Grace, nominated for this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards. offers another side to cabaret. A powerful live music gig that celebrates identity, courage and storytelling, ideal if you are looking for a powerful evening of an artist coming into her own with songs and substance.
Cabaret works best when it surprises you, and this year’s festival is built around exactly that feeling. Whether you’re after laughs, live music or full-throttle spectacle, these five shows are a brilliant first step inside the magic.
