Our top Auckland Arts Festival 2026 picks: From cabaret to rock gods reborn

Dust off the sequins, clear your calendar, and prepare to be entertained - Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival is back, and the lineup is looking absolutely world-class.

Whether you’re after high-octane cabaret, performances that push the limits of physics, a rock ‘n’ roll masterclass in tribute to legends we lost too soon, or a soul-stirring celebration of Māori performing arts, this year’s program is a total heater.

We’ve sifted through the schedule to bring you just a few of the must-see shows that are guaranteed to be the talk of the town. From the Spiegeltent to the open-air vibes of Aotea Square, here are our top picks for the 2026 AAF season.

La Ronde | Thu 5 - Sun 22 March

The five-time Festival favourites Strut & Fret are back, and they’ve dialled the glamour up to eleven.

La Ronde is a high-voltage collision of cabaret, comedy, and gravity-defying circus. 

Expect jaw-dropping aerials, world-class pole acts, and choreography dripping with pure sass - all backed by powerhouse vocals and a soundtrack that fizzes like top-shelf champagne.

One critic called it "a glitter-soaked invitation to lose yourself in sequins, sass, and sound”, which sounds like a pretty good night out to us.  

Grab your best-dressed crew, pair it with another show, and lose yourself in the sequins. This is the ultimate Arts Festival night out.

27 Club | Wed 18 - Fri 20 March

Five legends, one age, and a legacy that never dies.

The spirits of key members of the infamous 27 Club are resurrecting to take the stage at the Spiegeltent this March. 

This isn't just a tribute to Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and Jimi Hendrix; it’s Aussie rock royalty - featuring members of The Superjesus, Jebediah, and more - delivering a masterclass in rock and roll history.

Part high-octane concert, part live rockumentary, you'll hear all the hits from 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' to 'Piece of My Heart' and everything in between in this "festival within a festival". 

Come as you are and get ready for one hell of a belter night out.

Ten Thousand Hours | Thu 19 - Sun 22 March

Ever wondered what 10,000 hours of honing a skill looks like? Gravity & Other Myths are here to show you - and trust us, it’s a big flex.

Their latest global hit, Ten Thousand Hours, is part elite spectacle, part hilarious hangout with the most insanely talented mates you wish you had. They make the impossible look so effortless you’ll swear you could do it yourself (spoiler alert: you definitely can’t).

The audience helps guide the performers, meaning no two shows - and no two jaw-dropping moments - are ever the same.

If you love a night out that leaves you grinning and questioning the laws of physics, this is your squad.

Ihi. Wehi. Mana. | Fri 20 & Sat 21 March

This one isn't just a concert; it’s a milestone. Ihi. Wehi. Mana. celebrates 45 years of Te Waka Huia - the five-time national kapa haka champions who have spent decades taking Māori performing arts to the world stage.

To celebrate, they’re reuniting with the legendary Karen Grylls (CNZM) and a bespoke invitational choir for a performance that’ll give you goosebumps from the first note.

Past and present members of the ropu will return to the stage, rekindling a musical partnership that famously began at the Sydney Opera House in ’96.

Prepare for a powerful fusion of Te Reo and world-class vocal talent. It’s an uplifting, soulful collision of cultural connection.

DON'T MISS: The rova Sound Stage

Located in the heart of Aotea Square, the rova Sound Stage (part of the Festival Garden) is the ultimate social hub for the Auckland Arts Festival.

Running for the entire festival, we're bringing you this free, open-air space with a rotating lineup of live DJs and musicians, spanning everything from neo-soul and alt-pop to hip hop and electronic beats. 

Whether you’re stopping by for a casual lunchtime singalong, a sunset session, or a late-night weekend dance, it’s the perfect spot to soak up the festival energy with food, drinks, and world-class local talent. And it won't cost you a cent! 

This article was written in partnership with Auckland Arts Festival.