8 Events to Heat Up Your Summer
Published: Thursday 15 January 2026
Our venues are turning up the heat, bursting with epic events and experiences to make your summer truly unforgettable. Check them out below then grab your tickets and we’ll see you there!
Auckland Live Summer in the Square
Fri 30 Jan – Sun 22 Feb
📍 Aotea Square and Hunua Rooms, Aotea Centre
Your favourite summer hangout is bringing back the heat and taking over Aotea Square for an action-packed month of music, culture, and entertainment. Dance your way into Auckland Latin Fiesta, groove to jazz, see the ultimate wrestling showdown, celebrate African cultures and more!
Jimmy Carr
Thu 29 – Fri 30 Jan
📍 Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre
Ready to fill your summer days with laughter? Jimmy Carr is returning to Auckland, bringing his infamously fast-paced dark brand of comedy with edgy one-liners. Tickets are selling fast – don't miss out!
Auckland Spirits Festival
Fri 30 Jan – Sun 1 Feb
📍 The Cloud, Queen’s Wharf
Rally your crew and embark on a unique spirits journey. Your ticket to spirits heaven awaits with 150+ premium creations from Kiwi and Aussie craft distillers that you can sip, savour and celebrate.
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Thu 5 Feb
📍 Western Springs Stadium, Auckland Stadiums
Music fans throughout the Motu - this one’s for you. Your favourite Trans-Tasman event is returning to bring you the finest selection of live music to Tāmaki Makaurau, which include Chappell Roan, BENEE, Role Model, PinkPantheress, Alex G, The Dare, Lucy Dacus, and more.
ANITO
Thu 12 – Sat 14 Feb
📍 Rangatira, Q Theatre
Presented by Auckland Pride in partnership with Q Theatre and Auckland Live, ANITO combines collective craft, puppetry, dance and experimental electronic music to reimagine these myths and stories for the now. It’s a work rooted in Sydney’s underground queer and diasporic club scenes.
New Zealand Opera
Mon 23 Feb
📍 Bruce Mason Centre
Performing as part of Auckland Live Morning Melodies for the first time, New Zealand Opera will delight you with a selection of beloved opera arias and duets performed by soprano Maia Amosa, New Zealand-born Samoan tenor Ipu Laga’aia and Samoan bass-baritone Joel Amosa.
BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival
Thu 26 Feb - Sun 1 Mar
📍 Manukau Sports Bowl
The BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival will glow with hundreds of handcrafted lanterns, captivating performances, incredible food and spectacular fireworks, in a vibrant tribute to Chinese and Pan-Asian culture and the Chinese New Zealand community.
The Rocky Horror Show
Thu 26 Feb – Sun 8 Mar
📍 The Civic
Get ready for a wildly fun night of cheeky thrills! Richard O'Brien's iconic rock 'n' roll musical celebrates 50 years of non-stop partying! The Rocky Horror Show has been seen by 35 million people – don't miss your chance to do the Time Warp again!
