The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival returns to The Civic from 3–15 June 2025, promising a dazzling fusion of music, drag, theatre, and comedy. With over 100 artists from Aotearoa and beyond, this year’s festival offers a vibrant celebration of diversity, creativity, and queer excellence. Here are our standout shows that are sure to captivate queer audiences and allies alike.
Reuben Kaye: The Party’s Over
Australian cabaret icon Reuben Kaye returns with The Party’s Over, a razor-sharp, politically charged performance blending biting satire, soaring vocals, and unapologetic queerness. Fresh from international acclaim, Kaye’s show is a must-see for those who appreciate bold, boundary-pushing artistry.
Dates: 7–8 June | Tickets from $45*
Image of Rueben Kaye by Jax Moussa.
The Tīwhas: A Matariki Spectacular
Celebrate te tau hou Māori with The Tīwhas, a dazzling cabaret honouring Matariki through waiata, storytelling, and humour. This celestial journey pays tribute to mana takatāpui, weaving cultural pride with queer celebration in a uniquely Aotearoa experience.
Dates: 4–6 June | Tickets from $38*
The Divine Miss Bette
Award-winning performer Catherine Alcorn channels the legendary Bette Midler in The Divine Miss Bette, a joyous tribute filled with music, comedy, and camp. Alcorn’s powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence make this a night of pure entertainment.
Dates: 4–5 June | Tickets from $45*
La Clique
The Olivier Award-winning sensation La Clique makes its triumphant return to Auckland, bringing its signature blend of cabaret, circus, and burlesque to The Civic stage. Expect jaw-dropping acrobatics, risqué humour, and a rotating cast of international performers in a show that redefines variety entertainment for the 21st century. Seated on stage, audiences become part of the spectacle in this immersive experience.
Dates: 3–14 June | Tickets from $69*
Battle Chorus: Disco Inferno
Dust off your ’70s flares and join the ultimate disco singalong in Battle Chorus: Disco Inferno. Led by Jason Te Mete and Jodie Langdon, this interactive experience invites audiences to belt out classic hits in a celebration of music, community, and unabashed fun.
Date: 14 June | Tickets: $35*
The Velvet Rebels: Celebrating the Rat Pack Era
The Velvet Rebels is where old-school swagger meets Pacific flair. Māori crooner Rutene Spooner and suave soul singer Shea Kokoua, backed by the Coco Concert Band, reimagine the Rat Pack era with a distinctly Aotearoa twist. Expect silky harmonies, sharp suits, and Vegas-style jazz infused with South Pacific soul – all served with a cheeky wink and irresistible charm.
Dates: 6 & 8 June / Tickets from: $30*
Monster Songs
Embrace your inner outcast with Monster Songs, a high-energy mash-up of power ballads and anthems celebrating individuality and resilience. This electrifying performance is a rallying cry for those who dare to be different.
Dates: 7–8 June | Tickets from $38*
Georgia Lines: Under the Stars with Friends
Conclude the festival with an enchanting evening featuring Georgia Lines, joined by Hollie Smith, Louis Baker, and Nikau Grace, alongside musicians from the Auckland Philharmonia. This showcase of Aotearoa’s finest voices promises breathtaking vocals and masterful storytelling under The Civic’s starlit canopy.
Date: 15 June | Tickets from $55*
The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival runs from Tuesday 3 to Sunday 15 June at Auckland’s The Civic. Tickets available at ticketmaster.co.nz and more information can be found at aucklandlive.co.nz *additional booking fees apply.
