Auckland Cultural Festivals

Auckland is home to some of New Zealand’s largest and most celebrated cultural festivals, each offering a unique opportunity to experience the city’s diverse communities through art, performances, food, and tradition.

Auckland Lantern Festival celebrates Chinese New Year, bringing together stunning lantern displays, cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, and a variety of traditional Chinese foods. This annual event is one of the largest cultural celebrations in the country, attracting over 130,000 visitors each year to witness its vibrant atmosphere.

Auckland Diwali Festival marks the Hindu Festival of Lights and highlights Auckland’s rich Indian community. It features a variety of Bollywood and classical dance performances, an array of Indian food stalls, a bustling craft market, and a spectacular fireworks display. This festival has grown into one of the most popular celebrations of Indian culture in New Zealand.

Pasifika Festival is the world’s largest celebration of Pacific cultures. It brings together villages, each representing different Pacific nations, showcasing traditional performances, arts, crafts, and authentic Pacific cuisine. The festival serves as an important event for cultural exchange, offering visitors the chance to experience the diverse heritage of the Pacific islands.

These festivals provide a rich cultural experience and are free to attend, making them an integral part of Auckland’s vibrant and multicultural identity.

As the Digital Marketing Lead, I directed in-house campaigns for each festival, using targeted online outreach through Meta and TikTok to celebrate cultural diversity and strengthen community connections. This approach resulted in year-on-year attendance increases and a net benefit of $4.3 million to the region for 2023.