Auckland Pride Festival is back this February, offering a month-long celebration of Tāmaki Makaurau’s Takatāpui and Rainbow communities.
The Big Events
Auckland Rainbow Parade – 15 February
While not officially part of Auckland Pride, the Rainbow Parade remains the city’s largest Rainbow event, bringing together thousands of marchers and spectators along Ponsonby Road. Featuring vibrant floats, community groups, and performers, the parade is a major spectacle of visibility and pride.
Although separate from the official festival, the Rainbow Parade continues to be a cornerstone event for many in the community. Attendees can expect a high-energy atmosphere as the streets come alive with music, dance, and rainbow colours.
Big Gay Out – 16 February
Held at Coyle Park, Big Gay Out is the festival’s second-biggest event, attracting over 10,000 attendees. This year’s headline act is Kiwi musician Paige.
Organisers have opted to keep the main stage for talent only, meaning no speeches from politicians—a position that seems to flip-flop from year to year. While politicians are ‘officially’ banned from the stage, we suspect an exception will be made for the Green Party and its leader, Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick.
Family-Friendly Highlights
Proud Centres – Community-Led Events
Auckland Council’s Proud Centres initiative returns with a range of family-friendly events, ensuring that Pride celebrations are inclusive for all ages.
Highlights include the Starlight Disco at Onehunga Oranga Community Centre (14 February), an evening of dancing and celebration designed especially for young people and their families.
Another key event is Rainbow Whānau Day at Mt Albert Library (15 February), which offers a fun-filled day of storytelling, music, and creative activities where children and families can come together to celebrate diversity. Families are encouraged to dress in their brightest outfits and create their own rainbow-themed crafts.
Similarly, Auckland Museum presents Pride Whānau Fun Day (22 February), welcoming LGBTQ+ families and their allies to a day of craft activities and entertainment, including drag queen storytime with Kita Mean and Anita Wigl’it.
Arts and Theatre Focus
While Auckland Pride once included large-scale parties, its modern incarnation leans towards a curated arts and theatre festival.
Standout productions this year include What Happened to Mary-Anne? (11-15 February), a rock-and-roll-infused play about a trans woman’s journey, exploring themes of family, resilience, and music. The show features the works of legendary artists like Stevie Nicks and Led Zeppelin and stars former YOUR EX cover girl Brady Peeti.
Another major highlight is Mā (25 February – 1 March), a moving exploration of motherhood, chosen family, and Samoan queer identity by Jonjon Tolovae.
The Auckland Art Gallery will also host an Open Rehearsal and Performance from the GALS Rainbow Choir (22 February)—a free event celebrating music and community, inviting attendees to experience the powerful harmonies of one of Auckland’s most beloved Rainbow choirs.
Festival Closes – 1 March
Auckland Pride 2025 will conclude with Waimahara at Myers Park, a reimagined Pride March and closing celebration. Attendees will gather at Aotea Square before marching through the Waimahara public art installation by Graham Tipene.
This will be a much shorter march than in previous years and will not conclude with a party. Instead, this four-hour event will focus on connection, learning, and organising around shared advocacy goals.
