-
25 Sep - 11 Oct, 2026Free
-
View times
Families can enjoy a mix of creative and interactive experiences. You will also find outdoor picnic tables and umbrellas, so whānau can relax, enjoy lunch, and soak up the city’s atmosphere before, after, or in between shows.
Plus, more OUT THERE IN THE SQUARE activities and experiences to be announced soon.
Play Activities
Sat 26 Sep - Sun 11 Oct | 11am - 3pm Daily
Have a go at Ngā Taonga Tākaro (traditional Māori games) or circus workshops with Te Kura Maninirau. Make music with The Nukes in a ukulele jam, create puppets, or craft your own POPS! inspired hat with The Open Fort, amongst other exciting activities.
Dance-O-Mat
Fri 25 Sep - Sun 11 Oct | 8am - 8pm daily
Auckland's iconic outdoor dance floor where you get to show off your moves all day long. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or a little groover, Dance-O-Mat is your chance to dance like no one's watching. Connect your phone, pick your favourite song, push the red button and cut loose to the beat.
In the festival closing weekend (Sat 10 and Sun 11 Oct), between 11am - 3pm, join special guests Projekt Team in a Biggie & Smalls street dance battle and "NZ's Queen of K-Pop" Rina Chae in the ultimate playdate POP Party!
POPS!
Fri 25 Sep - Sun 11 Oct | Open 24/7
Calling Aotea Square home are your new favourite inflatable characters Peep, Pop, Zig, Bloop, Mmph and Ooph, who are POPS! by Vesica. Check out more information here
Location
Te wāhi
Local tip
He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Arrive early and explore the wider Aotea Arts Quarter. The square is surrounded by theatres, galleries, cafés and restaurants, making it easy to pair an event with a meal or another city-centre experience.
Getting there
Te huarahi ki reira
Aotea Square is in the heart of the city centre on Queen Street. Te Waihorotiu Station is around a 2-minute walk away, while Waitematā Station is around a 15-minute walk down Queen Street. Frequent bus services also stop nearby, and The Civic Car Park is directly beneath the square. For more transport information, check out our Getting Around page.
More info
He pārongo atu anō