The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival returns, lighting up Aotea Square, Queen Street and Rutland Street with vibrant colour and joyful celebration on 31 October and 1 November 2026.
Dive into a lively celebration of culture and creativity at this free family-friendly festival, where traditional and contemporary performances light up stages alongside art installations, markets, and various food vendors serving up the best of India's vegetarian cuisine. Make sure you stay for Sunday's firework show, kicking off at 8:50pm.
The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is one of the largest Diwali celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere, making this an event you don't want to miss!
Light Shows
Town Hall Projection | 24 Oct - 29 Nov & 31 Oct - 1 Nov | From 5pm
See Auckland Town Hall illuminated with vibrant artworks, bringing stories of light and celebration to life through projections.
Vector Lights | 26 Oct - 1 Nov | From 8pm
See the Auckland Harbour Bridge light up for Diwali every 30 minutes from 8pm - 12am. Featuring vibrant colours and artistic rangoli-inspired patterns, gather your friends and whānau for this captivating display.
Light Shows Around the City | 23 Oct - 2 Nov | From 8pm
Experience Auckland light up in fuchsia! Keep an eye out for the festival colours dancing across major city landmarks, including Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Queen Street, and Te Ara I Whiti - The Lightpath.
On at Aotea Centre
Indian Art Exhibition: Under one Sky, Upon one Earth | 28 Oct - 1 Nov | From 12pm
Visit the QBE Gallery to walk through an exhibition connecting India and Aotearoa through art, nature, and shared symbolism. Explore Warli, Bhil, Gond, and Madhubani traditions alongside contemporary works by Shibani Jain of Baaya Design.
Festival Performances | 31 Oct - 1 Nov | From 12pm
Bringing together 100+ performances in Aotea Square across two jam-packed days, expect everything from dance schools, fusion bands and DJ sets to classical singing, street dance battles, and even performances from the New Zealand Police.
Living Arts Chillout Space | 31 Oct - 1 Nov | From 12pm
If you're needing a break from the main events, come visit the living arts space. Here you'll find all the essentials to pause and recharge during the celebrations, including headphones, calming visuals, and a soft music experience and space ideal for quiet meditation.
Yoga Classes | 31 Oct - 1 Nov | From 12pm
Renowned yoga instructor Reha Kumar will lead free yoga workshops in the Waihorotiu room, where you will be guided through flows, meditation, and breathwork. No prior experience is required and mats are provided if you don't have your own, just show up and give it a go!
Art Walkthrough: Living Traditions of India | 31 Oct - 1 Nov | From 4pm
Join Shibani, curator from Baaya Design, at the QBE Gallery for a guided walkthrough of the exhibition. Discover the stories behind the 16 artworks and gain insights into their themes, concepts, and artistic traditions while Shibani walks through the diverse Indian art forms they represent.
Fireworks Display
Watch the Diwali festival sign off for 2026 with a show-stopping fireworks display in Aotea Square. Starting at approx. 8:50pm, the fireworks display will be followed by an audiovisual projection show on the outside of Auckland Town Hall.
Go Beyond Aotea Square
Train Station Performances | 13, 21, 30 Oct | 5:30pm
Brighten your commute with flash performances at Te Waihorotiu Station and Te Komititanga Square, bringing the sounds and energy of Diwali across the city centre.
Lunchtime Music Series | 28 - 30 Oct | From 1pm
Celebrate Diwali at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki with a free lunchtime live music series celebrating the sounds and traditions of South Asia.
Diwali Talk: The Epics and Their Others | 31 Oct | From 2pm
Join Auckland-based artists and curator Balamohan Shingade at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki for a conversation exploring South Asian mythology, storytelling, and art. While this exhibition is free, tickets are required and can be booked here.
Classical Indian Music | 1 Nov | From 2pm
Experience the beauty of Classical Indian Music in an intimate setting at Auckland Town Hall, showcasing the depth and elegance of one of the world's oldest musical traditions.
100 Years of Unity Through Sport
In addition to the Diwali Festival, Auckland will come alive with sport, culture, community and business across October and November as part of 100 Years of Unity Through Sport – a national celebration marking a century of sporting connection between Aotearoa New Zealand and India.
Featuring a jam-packed sporting events lineup, prepare to see some of our best national sporting teams battle head-to-head against India in cricket, football, lawn bowls, hockey, and e-sports.
To see the full events lineup and secure your tickets, click here.
With our finger on the pulse for the best parking rates and tips, plus details on public transport, click here to learn more.