Members of the Akram Khan Company on stage posing with arms outstretched. The background is black but the floor and the performers are bathed in green light.

Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts

Held every two years since 1986, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts celebrates creativity in all its forms. With a diverse programme of events, the festival covers everything from music, theatre, and dance, to visual arts, literature, and more.

Artists from across Aotearoa and the world descend upon the capital for the three-week programme. The Festival kicks off at the end of summer, spanning various venues across the city. The 2024 programme includes a range of both ticketed and free events.

Creative Director Marnie Karmelita says the Festival celebrates artists exploring the most compelling ideas of our time in innovative and exciting ways. “The Festival programme kaupapa is to bring joy, wholeheartedly welcoming the world back to Aotearoa.”

The full programme is set to be announced in November. A selection of early releases are setting the scene for the Festival to come. With a diverse selection of local and international acts, it’s set to be a spectacular celebration of global talent.