The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival returns to central Auckland on Saturday, 31 October and Sunday, 1 November 2026, with two days of festivities through free music, dance, art, workshops and family-friendly activities, alongside mouthwatering vegetarian food options for purchase.
The main festival weekend will take place across Aotea Square, Queen Street, Rutland Street and surrounding venues, supported by a wider programme of Diwali experiences across central Auckland in the lead-up.
Supported by Auckland Council Events, the festival will run from midday to 9pm on Saturday and midday to 9.10pm on Sunday. Traditional and contemporary Indian performances will feature across multiple stages, alongside vegetarian kai, workshops, exhibitions and activities for the whole whānau.
One of the largest celebrations of Diwali in the Southern Hemisphere, the event joyfully honours Diwali, also known as Deepavali, and its message of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival will be among the city-centre events benefiting from the new City Rail Link, with Te Waihorotiu Station, next to Aotea Square, bringing festival goers directly into the heart of the celebrations.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Festival Event Manager Arnav Taode says the festival creates an opportunity for Auckland’s diverse communities to celebrate together.
“Diwali has always been a joyful time when families and communities come together. That same sense of connection is at the heart of the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival.
“Auckland’s Indian communities have many different traditions and ways of celebrating Diwali, and the festival gives them a platform to share their culture with all of Tāmaki Makaurau.”
BNZ Chief Executive Dan Huggins says the festival has become an important fixture on Auckland’s cultural calendar since its launch in 2002.
“You only need to see Aotea Square filled with people each year to understand what the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival means to Auckland.
“BNZ is proud to continue supporting a free event where people can enjoy Indian music, dance and traditions, explore a wide range of vegetarian food, and experience the festival together in the heart of the city.”
The celebrations extend beyond Aotea Square, with exhibitions, workshops and other Diwali experiences taking place at venues and public spaces across central Auckland, including Central City Library, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Auckland War Memorial Museum.
In the lead-up to and during the festival weekend, the Sky Tower, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and Auckland War Memorial Museum will be illuminated in fuchsia for Diwali, with lighting also extending along Queen Street and Te Ara I Whiti, the Lightpath. Auckland Harbour Bridge will feature vibrant fuchsia and orange colours through Vector Lights. Colourful Diwali artworks will illuminate Auckland Town Hall, while new projection-mapping experiences combining sound, imagery and storytelling will be presented at Auckland Town Hall and Te Waihorotiu Station.
New festival experiences include an Indian art exhibition presented in partnership with India-based Baaya Design and culturally focused workshops in the returning Living Arts Chillout Space at Aotea Centre. The space will also offer headphones and calming visuals, providing a quiet and welcoming environment away from the main festival activity.
The Chalk It Up Rangoli Competition will yet again join other festival favourites, including yoga and meditation sessions and activities for tamariki and the whole whānau.
An expanded programme of cultural activities will complement the main festival weekend, including a free Indian Cinema Showcase and a free three-hour Indian classical music concert in the Concert Chamber at Auckland Town Hall. A wider programme of ticketed events will also take place, with further details to be announced in October.
Vegetarian Indian food and sweet treats will be available to purchase, alongside stalls featuring Indian arts and crafts, fashion, jewellery and henna.
The festival is also part of 100 Years of Unity Through Sport, a year-long national programme led by Sport New Zealand celebrating a century of connections between India and Aotearoa New Zealand through sport, culture, community and business.
Further programme details and visitor information will be announced in October.
Event details:
Saturday, 31 October, 12pm to 9pm
Sunday, 1 November 2026, 12pm to 9:10pm
Aotea Square, Queen Street, Rutland Street and surrounding venues, central Auckland.
Free entry.
For more information, visit the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival website.
