Show description
Get ready for an epic afternoon as Auckland's best secondary school emerging artists battle it out in the Finals of Stand Up Stand Out 2026.
Following a competition that saw more than 2,000 students take part from across the region, the top finalists are going to showcase their talents across six performance categories in front of a live audience and expert judges.
From powerful vocals and dynamic dance routines to outstanding original performances, this is your chance to see the future stars of Auckland. Plus, enjoy a special performance from the Stand Up Stand Out Alumni Band.
Celebrate the talent, creativity and passion of our rangatahi.
About Stand Up Stand Out:
Stand Up Stand Out aka SUSO is an Auckland Council-delivered programme for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland secondary school music and dance students. SUSO has its roots in the Ōtara community, originally conceived by local college students who advocated for an arts centre that became Ōtara Music Arts Centre (OMAC) over 30 years ago. SUSO was a foundation programme at OMAC and has been an annual fixture servicing the wider region of Tāmaki ever since.
Each year, over 1,500 participants from up to 50+ secondary schools around Auckland come together to perform across 13 events in one of the six categories: Solo Vocal, Group Vocal, Solo Instrumental, Band, Dance and Originals. All this in addition to the online-based SUSO E section
This show is just the beginning. There’s plenty more to discover for curious young minds and their caregivers, with lots of FREE activities and experiences to enjoy throughout the festival. Explore them here.
