Auckland Mushroom Festival

The Auckland Mushroom Festival has unveiled its full programme, with events taking place across Karangahape Road from 12–15 August.

The four-day micro-celebration will see K’ Road transformed into a vibrant mushroom trail that invites Aucklanders to discover the extraordinary world of fungi through food, creativity, science and community.

Festival-goers can explore specially created mushroom dishes from local restaurants, hear from scientists and mushroom experts, browse markets, enjoy family-friendly activities, art installations, creative events and the city’s inaugural Giant Puff Ball – an evening packed full of local music, art, fashion and comedy talent including Johanna Cosgrove, Hun Lynch, Half Queen, Carnivorous Plant Society and more.

Festival co-organiser Liv Sisson says the response from the community has been overwhelming. "It's been incredible seeing so many businesses, artists, chefs and mushroom enthusiasts come together to create something genuinely unique. Whether you're already obsessed with fungi or simply curious, there's something for everyone across this programme."

The Auckland Mushroom Festival Programme is live on our website - Highlights include:
Exclusive mushroom-inspired menus and dishes from K'Road restaurants including Lebanese mushroom dumplings at Gemmayze Street, mushroom pasta specials at Coco’s Cantina and Pici, special dishes at Merge Cafe and Alla Prossima, a huitlacoche-inspired quesadilla at Sagrado Cantina, a truffle tamal at Tempero and more.

The inaugural Giant Puff Ball. This one-of-a-kind party MC’d by Johanna Cosgrove will feature Carnivorous Plant Society, Hun Lynch, Half Queen, and more, plus fungi-themed party games and immersive visual projections by Pareidoliavisuals & Unclegrayvisuals. Hosted at and in collaboration with Whakamana: the Cannabis Museum of Aotearoa located inside Hopetoun Alpha.

A special Spore Speakers series. Sessions will include ‘The magic of mushrooms’ with plant medicine guide Raquel Minh, ‘Funky fungi on the big screen’ with photographer and author Jay Lichter, ‘Mushrooms and mental health’ with scientist Sam Lasham. All facilitated by ‘Fungi of Aotearoa’ author Liv Sisson. Hosted at and with support from Abstract Hotel.

A family-friendly Mushroom Extravaganza presented by SMALL RAVE! Join this workshop to create your own fungi-inspired costume with their treasure trove of craft materials. Then wear it in the whānau and dog-friendly mushroom costume parade.

MushROOMs at Abstract Hotel, including a festival discount code and special mushroom dishes in Abstract’s restaurant, Alla Prossima.

A micro-mushroom market featuring growers, makers and local producers.

Fungi flash tattoos at Easy Tiger Tattoo.

A ‘shroomy’ collage night at Coco’s Cantina – craft supplies provided.

Art and creative installations from local artists, including Hannah Shim, Virginia Frankovich and Thomas Press.

The festival will shine a spotlight on the remarkable role mushrooms play in our world while celebrating the creativity and diversity of Auckland's Karangahape Road community.

SUPPORTED BY Auckland By Night and the Auckland City Council, Abstract Hotel and The Karangahape Road Business Association.

With huge thanks to Meadow Mushrooms for supplying mushrooms.