Discover the line-up of what’s on and easiest way to get to the celebrations
With hundreds of performers, vegetarian kai, Indian art, classical music, wellbeing experiences and fireworks on offer, Aucklanders are being encouraged to plan ahead to make the most of the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival on Saturday, 31 October and Sunday, 1 November.
The free festival will fill Aotea Square, Queen Street, Rutland Street and surrounding venues with two days of traditional and contemporary music and dance, food, art, workshops and activities for the whole whānau.
This year, festivalgoers will also have a new way to reach the celebrations, with Te Waihorotiu Station bringing train passengers to within a two minute walk of Aotea Square.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Festival Event Manager Arnav Taode says with so much happening across the weekend, it is worth checking the programme before heading into the city.
“There is so much to experience, so I’d encourage people to look at the programme before they come and make a day of it. Come hungry, explore some of the performances and activities you might not have experienced before, and stay into the evening when the lights come on and the festival takes on a whole new atmosphere.”
What to see and do
Across the weekend, multiple stages will showcase traditional and contemporary Indian and South Asian music and dance, alongside street performances and cultural experiences.
At Auckland Town Hall, audiences can experience Indian classical music in the Concert Chamber, with three free 45-minute concerts offering an introduction to one of the world’s oldest musical traditions. The programme will also include the Ramayan Live Stage Drama through live acting, costume, characters and storytelling.
A new Indian art exhibition at Aotea Centre will sit alongside culturally inspired workshops exploring Indian art, design and creative traditions.
Festival favourites will also return, including the Chalk It Up Rangoli Competition, henna artists, the festival marketplace and activities for tamariki and whānau.
The celebrations also extend beyond Aotea Square, with exhibitions, workshops and other Diwali experiences taking place at Central City Library, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Come hungry
Food remains at the heart of the festival, with a wide range of Indian dishes and sweet treats available to purchase throughout the weekend including crowd favourites: samosas, curry with roti, vada pav (deep-fried potato fritter inside a soft bread bun) and momo (dumplings). All food stalls at the 2026 festival will serve vegetarian food made without eggs, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to sample different flavours and dishes as they explore the festival.
Take some time out
For those looking for a quieter festival experience, the free Living Arts Centre at Aotea Centre will be open from midday to 9pm on both days. The space will offer headphones and calming visuals alongside culturally focused workshops and talks, providing a welcoming place to take a break from the main festival activity.
Five free 45-minute wellbeing sessions will also take place at Aotea Centre on each day, led by Reha Kumar and featuring yoga, meditation and breathwork, alongside the history of these ancient Indian practices.
Stay for the lights and fireworks
The celebrations begin before the festival weekend, with Diwali lighting and projections appearing across central Auckland. From 24 October, Auckland Town Hall will be illuminated with vibrant Diwali artworks, while Te Waihorotiu Station will feature a new projection-mapping experience combining sound, imagery and storytelling.
Auckland Harbour Bridge will also feature fuchsia and orange through Vector Lights from 26 October to 1 November, with other city landmarks and spaces illuminated for Diwali in the lead-up to the festival.
On Sunday evening, the festival will culminate with fireworks at approximately 8.50pm, followed by an audiovisual projection show on Auckland Town Hall.
Getting to the festival
With limited parking and road closures in the city centre on both days, festivalgoers are encouraged to consider public transport and plan their journey before leaving home.
Standard bus services will run into the city centre, while train passengers can travel to Te Waihorotiu Station next to Aotea Square. Both the South City and East West train lines stop at Te Waihorotiu, with six carriage trains providing additional train capacity planned on both lines over the festival weekend.
The Auckland Marathon takes place on Sunday, 1 November, with road closures and parking restrictions across parts of the North Shore, waterfront and city centre. Some restrictions begin on Saturday. Auckland Harbour Bridge will remain open in both directions, but two southbound lanes will be closed during the marathon and motorists should expect delays.
Festivalgoers should check Auckland Transport (AT)'s dedicated sites for the festival Day One and Day Two, as well as the AT Journey Planner or AT mobile app before travelling for the latest bus, train and ferry information.
The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival runs from 12pm to 9pm on Saturday, 31 October and 12pm to 9.10pm on Sunday, 1 November at Aotea Square, Queen Street, Rutland Street and surrounding venues.
Entry is free.
For the full programme and to plan your visit, go to BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival website.