A Celebration in the Heart of Auckland

Auckland’s city centre will come alive this October with the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival. Aotea Square, Queen Street, and Rutland Street will host vibrant celebrations of Indian culture through music, dance, food, and art.

For the first time, the festival begins early with ticketed events starting on 7 October, followed by the free weekend festival on 11 and 12 October.

What You Can Expect at the Weekend Festival

From midday to 9 pm on both days, visitors will be treated to a wide range of performances and experiences. The festival showcases traditional and modern Indian culture with something for all ages.

Highlights include

  • Live music, theatre, and exhibitions
  • Bollywood Dance Battle with prizes
  • Art installations and Rangoli light projections on the Auckland Town Hall until 11 pm
  • Performances by Tamil New Zealand School of Dance and the Basant Madhur Ensemble
  • Retail stalls with crafts and cultural goods
  • Delicious vegetarian Indian food such as pakora, pav bhaji, kulf,i and a special Diwali ice-cream flavour
  • A spectacular fireworks display on 12 October at 8.50 pm

Ticketed Events from 7 October

Ahead of the free weekend festival, audiences can enjoy exclusive ticketed performances at Auckland Town Hall, Aotea Centre and Q Theatre. The line-up features Bollywood Meets Jazz, a Lucky Ali concert, Miss IndiaNZ, and dance productions including Ram Leela and Kundalini: The Awakening.

Plan Your Travel

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead as road closures and parking restrictions will be in place. Auckland Transport buses and trains are the easiest way to reach the festival. Keep an eye out for the decorated double-decker Diwali bus.

Complimentary rickshaws will be available from Waitematā Station on 11 and 12 October. Bike Auckland will also offer a valet service and free safety checks for those cycling in. Accessibility is provided through paved pathways with designated mobility parking at Wakefield Street and the Civic Car Park.

Things to Bring and Things to Leave at Home

Bring along family and friends for this group-friendly event. An empty refillable water bottle is recommended, as water stations will be available on site. Auckland weather can be unpredictable, so it’s advisable to pack sunblock, layers, and a raincoat.

The festival is smoke-free, alcohol-free, and family-friendly. Alcohol, cigarettes, vapes, drones, and dogs (except service dogs) are not allowed.

Beyond the Festival Grounds

The spirit of Diwali extends across the city. Bollywood dance activations will take place in Te Komititanga Square on 2 and 9 October. Vector Lights will illuminate the Auckland Harbour Bridge with a rangoli-inspired light show from 6 to 12 October, every 15 minutes from 8 pm to midnight.

Who Makes the Festival Possible

The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the region’s cultural, events and destination agency, on behalf of Auckland Council. Since 2023, BNZ has been the naming rights partner of both the Diwali Festival and the Auckland Lantern Festival.

Event Details at a Glance

  • Dates: 11 – 12 October 2025
  • Time: 12 pm – 9 pm both days
  • Location: Aotea Square, Queen Street and Rutland Street, Auckland city centre
  • Cost: Free entry

For full schedules, maps, and ticketed event details, visit the official website: aucklandnz.com/diwali

✅ Reference: Media Release – Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, 1 October 2025