Auckland Live's We The Young returns for its second year from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 11 October, after more than 10,000 people embraced the festival in 2025. The festival will transform the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau into a celebration of children's natural playfulness and imagination, while encouraging their capacity for curiosity, creativity, wisdom and adventure.
Taking over the Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square, and involving activities with Auckland Central City Library and the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the festival brings together more than 25 performances, events and experiences for tamariki aged 0–12 and their whānau. With more than half of the programme completely free, families are invited to build their own festival adventure through an inspiring mix of local and international theatre, music, circus, puppetry, immersive experiences and creative play.
Daniel Clarke, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director at Auckland Live, says one of the greatest gifts we can give children is the freedom to imagine. “We The Young invites tamariki and their whānau to explore, create and discover together through extraordinary shared experiences. We're proud to bring together artists from Aotearoa and around the world for a festival of arts, imagination and adventure.”
Desley Simpson, Auckland Deputy Mayor, says, “We The Young is a wonderful example of Auckland supporting young people and families. As a grandmother to four beautiful grandkids, I know how valuable school holiday activities are for families with young children. With so many free and affordable events across the city centre, the festival makes it extra easy for tamariki and whānau to discover something new together. It's always fantastic to see our cultural venues and public spaces filled with children, discovery, learning and fun."
Leading this year's programme is the internationally acclaimed Mario the Maker Magician, whose fast-paced, feel-good theatrical experience blends DIY robots, cardboard creations, clever magic and vaudeville charm. Fresh from sold-out international seasons and television appearances including Sesame Street and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Mario celebrates creativity, invention and the simple joy of ‘making’ in a high-energy show the whole family will remember.
One of New Zealand's most beloved children's entertainers, Suzy Cato, also joins the festival with Suzy Cato's Animal Antics. Joined by a full band, Cato takes audiences on a joyful musical adventure through the animal kingdom, packed with singalongs, lively percussion and audience participation in her first performance at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre.
Families can also step inside Wonderverse, an immersive journey through light, sound and imagination from Australia's acclaimed Patch Theatre designed for younger children. Travelling through glowing landscapes and interactive environments, children are invited to explore, play and discover together in a playful, accessible experience that blurs the line between audience and performance.
Just weeks before New Zealand heads to the polls, The Kids' Election brings democracy to life through play. Created by Barbarian Productions, the free interactive experience invites tamariki to cast votes, consider what is important to them and step into the shoes of politicians, activists and changemakers, reminding us that when kids speak up, grown-ups should listen.
Inclusivity remains a defining feature of the festival. The Imaginarium returns following a sold-out debut in 2025 with an expanded two-day sensory experience, inviting families to create, move and play through immersive worlds of light, sound and storytelling. Designed by Disabled and non-disabled artists, this event sits alongside a programme that includes relaxed performances, language-free works, music-led experiences, audio described performances and New Zealand Sign Language interpreted events, ensuring more children and families can participate in their own way.
Alongside these experiences, We The Young showcases an outstanding line-up of New Zealand artists. Families can enjoy the magic, mayhem and slapstick comedy of Kitchen Chaos; the uplifting physical theatre adventure Motuhake; the high-energy te reo Māori circus production Kua Rewa Te Aihikirīmi; the gentle theatre experience Bundle Baby for little ones; the heartfelt puppetry and storytelling of The Girl Whose Twin Was a Bird; and the whimsical family fable Betsy Balloon and the Very Great Terrible Flood.
Beyond the theatres, Out There in the Square transforms Aotea Square into a free playground for the curious, the creative and the adventurous. Giant glowing installations, Dance-O-Mat, circus workshops, traditional Māori games, music-making, puppet-making and hands-on creative activities invite families to explore before and after performances, making a day at We The Young an experience in itself.
Free Sunday Sessions bring together some of Aotearoa's award-winning children’s musicians and music experiences, including Spellodies, The 95bFM Kids Show Live and The Stink Bug Band. The Stand Up Stand Out finals return showcasing Auckland's brightest emerging young musicians and dancers as they compete for top honours.
Whether discovering theatre for the first time, wandering through a world of light, cheering on young performers, casting a vote or simply spending time together, We The Young invites tamariki and their whānau to see the world through curious eyes and joyful imaginations.
We The Young runs from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 11 October 2026 across the Aotea Centre, Auckland Town Hall, Aotea Square, Auckland Central City Library and the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
We The Young is proudly supported by Auckland Council Events.
Tickets and the full programme are available at aucklandlive.co.nz/event/we-the-young
