Join us for a sun-filled day of whānau fun and festival magic!
Experience the excitement of the Festival with dancing, interactive activities and creative zones that bring families together. It’s the perfect way for tamariki and parents to dive into the arts and celebrate through play, movement, and culture.
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Start your Whānau Day journey with games and play downtown. Pop out of Waitematā (Britomart) Station and into Te Komititanga, where you’ll find Open Fort’s ‘Artsy Play Café’, a creative space for play and activities for all the family. Pick up a Whānau Day Activity Passport while you’re there and take a special Festival trail all the way up to Aotea Square, where more adventure awaits.
Check out the lineup of FREE activities and events:
ACTIVITY
WHEN
LOCATION
Open Fort Artsy Play Café
10am–4pm
Te Komititanga, Lower Queen St
DJ Pom – Live music on the ROVA Sound Stage
10am–11am
ROVA Sound Stage, Aotea Square
Giant Bubbles
10am–11am
Pūkana Play Zone, Aotea Square
Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Calligraphy
10am–12pm
Rainbow Rascals
10am–12pm
Te Whainoa Te Wiata – Live music on the ROVA Sound Stage
10.30am–11am
Outside McDonald's, Queen St
Silent Disco
10.45am–11.15am
Upper Grass Terrace, Aotea Square
Hittmen
11.15am–12.15am
ROVA Sound Stage, Aotea Square
Once Upon a Festival: story time with Miriama Kamo
11.30am–12.50pm
Circle Bar, Level 3, Aotea Centre
Sign Language storytelling with Abbie Twiss
12.10pm–12.30pm
Te Whainoa Te Wiata
12.15pm–12.45pm
Outside McDonald's, Queen St
Siva Afi Drummers & Dancers – Live performance on the ROVA Sound Stage
1.00pm–2pm
ROVA Sound Stage, Aotea Square
Korean Society Calligraphy
1pm–3pm
Pūkana Play Zone, Aotea Square
Poi & Moko activities
1pm–3pm
Teung Tek Lion Dancers – Live performance on the ROVA Sound Stage
2.30pm–2.45pm
ROVA Sound Stage, Aotea Square
Te Whainoa Te Wiata
2.45pm–3.15pm
Outside McDonald's, Queen St
Irene Folau – Live music on the ROVA Sound Stage
3.15pm–4pm
ROVA Sound Stage, Aotea Square
Free event
Dates
Sun
09
Aotea Square
10.00am
Sun
09
Te Komititanga
10.00am
Adjacent to Auckland Town Hall 301 - 317 Queen Street
We work with representatives from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, to identify which performances would be suitable for NZSL interpretation. For these performances, trained interpreters, situated on the left or right-hand side of the stage will interpret the performance using NZSL. There are seats reserved for Deaf audience members to provide a clear view of the stage and the interpreters.
Wheelchair accessible
These events have step-free access. Seated venues have specific areas that are accessible for wheelchair users, and provide companion seats.
