Join FREE, fun and playful pop-up experiences at Aotea Square!
Families can enjoy a mix of creative and interactive experiences. You will also find outdoor picnic tables and umbrellas, so whānau can relax, enjoy lunch, and soak up the city’s atmosphere before, after, or in between shows.
More Out There in the Square activities and experience to be announced soon.
Play Activities | 26 SEP - 11 OCT | Daily | 11AM - 3PM
Try your hand at Nga Taonga Taakaro (traditional Māori games), or circus workshops with Te Kura Maninirau. Make music with The Nukes, create puppets, make your own POPS! inspired hat and build a Bee Garden with The Open Fort, amongst other exciting activities and surprises.
Dance-O-Mat | 25 SEP - 11 OCT | Daily | 8AM - 8PM
Auckland's iconic outdoor dance floor where you get to show off your moves all day long. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or a little groover, Dance-O-Mat is your chance to dance like no one's watching. Connect your phone, pick your favourite song, push the red button and cut loose to the beat.
In the festival closing weekend (Sat 10 and Sun 11 Oct), between 11AM to 3PM, join special guests Projekt Team in a Biggie & Smalls street dance battle and "NZ's Queen of K-Pop" Rina Chae in the ultimate playdate POP Party!
POPS! | Heart of the City | 25 SEP - 11 OCT | Open 24/7
Calling Aotea Square home are your new favourite inflatable characters Peep, Pop, Zig, Bloop, Mmph and Ooph, from POPS! by Vesica.
Discover more We The Young 2026 events, here.
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