Auckland Pride 2022: Your guide to the biggest festival events

Tāmaki Makaurau is set to fly the rainbow flag again, as Pride Month approaches.

Over 180 events will take place across the region throughout February for Auckland Pride 2022.

This year will honor 50 years of pride in Aotearoa, with the festival theme “Ki Te Whai-Ao – By the Light of Dawn”.

Big Gay Out is held in Coyle Park in the Auckland suburb of Pt Chevalier.  (File photo)

Abigail Dougherty / Stuff

Big Gay Out is held in Coyle Park in the Auckland suburb of Pt Chevalier. (File photo)

Aucklanders will be able to enjoy dance, theatre, music, cabaret, comedy, live art, cinema, drag shows, ballroom, circus, crafts, literary events and public art exhibitions from February 1 to February 27.

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This year the focus is on the arts, with over 90 events in the category – the highest number of artistic offerings since Auckland Pride began.

Here is an overview of some events not to be missed.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in New Zealand.

RICKY WILSON/Stuff

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in New Zealand.

The main events:

Tuwheratanga

The Pride festival officially opens with a dawn blessing on February 1. It will begin at 6 a.m. at Albert Park Caretaker’s Cottage.

The blessing is a time to recognize mana whenua and takatāpui as well as to reflect on the history of Pride on its 50th anniversary.

Pride Gala

On February 3, the Pride Gala will take place at Auckland City Hall.

The gala, under the direction of Pride’s new creative director, Elyssia Wilson-Heti, will feature a number of performances to get people into the spirit of the month.

Hosted by 2022 Billy T Award nominee Janaye Henry and Pasifika artist Paul Fagamalo, the gala will include ballroom showcases, circus performance previews Carnies and fags, spoken word, songs and poems.

Te Timatanga

A brand new month-long public arts and culture festival will be held to celebrate the talents of Aotearoa’s takatāpui.

It will host an array of Maori artists throughout central Auckland.

End HIV Big Gay Out

Thousands of people usually attend Big Gay Out.

Abigail Dougherty / Stuff

Thousands of people usually attend Big Gay Out.

Big Gay Out returns to Pt Chevalier’s Coyle Park on February 13th.

It’s an all-ages event filled with music, markets, House of Aitu’s Vogue thirst ball and what promises to be “the gayest dance party ever.”

A complimentary event ticket and vaccination certificate will be required for entry.

pride march

Pride Director Max Tweedie during the 2021 Pride March in Albert Park.

RICKY WILSON/Stuff

Pride Director Max Tweedie during the 2021 Pride March in Albert Park.

This year’s Pride will begin in Albert Park on February 26 at noon.

Gay-owned markets, singing practices and a sign-making station will be available in the park before speeches at the rotunda and a march in Aotea Square.

pride party

The Pride Party takes place towards the end of the month in Aotea Square.

SAM SUTHERLAND/Supplied

The Pride Party takes place towards the end of the month in Aotea Square.

Also on February 26 at 6 p.m., the Pride Party will be held in Aotea Square.

Two stages will feature a variety of artists and attendees can enjoy a summer cocktail at one of the area’s licensed bars.

Family events:

Pride Family Picnic

Presented by the Proud Council Centers of Auckland, the Family Picnic takes place on February 12 at 11 a.m., at Craigavon ​​Park in Blockhouse Bay.

There will be bouncy castles, face painting, games and activities. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the entertainment.

pride dance

A free-for-all dance session will be held February 11 at 10 a.m. at the Albany Village Library.

The dance session will be led by two librarians outside in the summer shade. Attendees are encouraged to wear their most festive rainbow attire to show their support for Pride Month.

Theater:

goosebumps

The Creeps is a dark, semi-improvised one-man show rooted in elements of physical clown theatre.

The show will take place at the Q Theater Loft from February 2 to February 5 at 6:45 p.m.

Big screen sirens

Drag <a class=cabaret artists Les Femmes are back with a new show.” style=”width:100%;display:inline-block”/>

SILVERSCREEN MERMAIDS/Provided

Drag cabaret artists Les Femmes are back with a new show.

Drag cabaret sensation Les Femmes is back at Pride with a brand new show.

Accompanied by their seven-piece band, the show goes through a cinematic adventure with musical moments from famous movies.

The show will take place at the Civic Wintergarden on February 10 and 12 from 8 p.m.

The comedy:

No Homo: Queer Comedy

This comedy night will feature some of Aotearoa’s finest queer comedians, including acts from Eli Matthewson, Janaye Henry and James Mustapic.

It will take place on February 10 at the Q Theater Rangatira at 8 p.m.

She crowns

The popular Netflix show The crown has been adapted for the stage in ways you never imagined.

The show will take place at the Basement Theater from February 22-26 at 7:30 p.m.

Free events:

Many events throughout Pride are free – here’s a sampling of a few.

Wildest dreams and game changers

Wildest Dreams and Game Changers is a black-oriented visual arts exhibition featuring artists from the rainbow community.

It runs from 9 a.m. at the Q Theater from February 1 to March 5.

Family portraits

Proud Council Centers Auckland, in partnership with the Corban Estate Arts Centre, is curating a series of photographic portraits of Samora Kake and Edith Amituanai, which focuses on the LGBTTQIA+ BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) communities.

The exhibition will run throughout February at the Corban Estate Arts Center in Henderson.

TO TEASE

Some of Aotearoa’s top voguers – House of IMAN and the Sistrahs – will perform in Freyberg Square in Auckland’s CBD.

The show will take place on February 4 at 7 p.m.

Vaccination passes are compulsory for all events within Pride and details of individual events’ Covid-19 plans are published on their event listing on the Auckland Pride website.

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