BNZAuckland Diwali Festival

The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is New Zealand's premier Indian cultural festival. It's a free, family-friendly event held every year.

  • Date Te rā me te wā

    31 Oct - 01 Nov, 2026

    View all times

  • Price Utu hoko

    Free Entry

  • Location Te wāhi

    Aotea Square
  • Words by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
  • Last updated 01 Oct 2026

Namaste!

The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival, the city’s iconic Festival of Lights, attracts over 65,000 people each year. Since its inception in 2002, it has been a vibrant celebration of culture featuring traditional and contemporary music, dance, crafts, mouthwatering Indian delicacies, an epic public fireworks display and so much more!

BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is a free Auckland Council Event delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, a council-controlled organisation.

Location Te wāhi
Aotea Square
Plan your route
Getting there Te huarahi ki reira

Aotea Square is located in Auckland city centre and is easy to reach by public transport. It’s a three-minute walk from Te Waihorotiu Station, which is served by the South–City and East–West lines, and a 15-minute walk from the Downtown Ferry Terminal. To plan your journey and explore all transport options, head to our Festival Information page from the main menu.

Local tip He tīwhiri mō te rohe

Diwali is also the largest vegetarian festival in New Zealand with an array of food vendors offering mouth-watering Indian dishes including Pakora, Pav Bhaji, and Kulfi.

Social Pae pāpori

Plan your visit to the festival!

Festival Information What's On

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Experience the magic that brings Diwali to life

  • Festival Marketplace

    Festival Marketplace

    Discover handmade crafts, clothing and your next memorable gift.

  • Street Performances

    Street Performances

    Feel the excitement up close as live performances light up the city streets.

     

  • Art Installations

    Art Installations

    Explore immersive works by talented artists inspired by colour, light and culture.

  • Festival Fireworks

    Festival Fireworks

    The highlight of the night, watch the sky sparkle with a spectacular firework display.

  • Authentic Flavours

    Authentic Flavours

    Discover rich tastes and traditional dishes from India and beyond.

  • Creative Workshops

    Creative Workshops

    Get hands-on with interactive cultural and creative experiences.

  • Cultural Celebrations

    Cultural Celebrations

    Enjoy the music, dance and traditions that bring Diwali to life.

  • Family Fun

    Family Fun

    Enjoy playful moments made for all ages to share together.

  • Living Arts Lounge

    Living Arts Lounge

    Relax, connect and enjoy creativity in a vibrant shared space.

  • Projection Shows

    Projection Shows

    See Auckland Town Hall transformed through light and storytelling.

  • Yoga & Wellness

    Yoga & Wellness

    Reconnect and recharge through mindful movement and wellbeing.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

Volunteer at BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival 2026!

How to sign up

What to expect

  • Festival dates: Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026 at Aotea Square and Queen Street.
  • Volunteer shifts are between 12pm and 9pm each day, with specific slots available throughout the day and evening.
  • Volunteers receive a festival T-shirt, meal voucher, water, snacks and access to a dedicated chillout area for breaks.

Watch a Recap of BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival 2025



Dates and Times
  • Sat 31 Oct 12pm - 9pm
  • Sun 01 Nov 12pm - 9pm

Our Partners

Presented By
Community Partner

Interested in becoming a partner for 2026? Email your interest to [email protected]


The BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is an Auckland Council Event delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the region's council-controlled cultural and events agency. The Diwali Advisory Group, representative of Auckland’s Indian communities, supports and advises on the future development and growth of the festival.