Event Update
The Auckland Lantern Festival 2023 scheduled for 2 –5 February has been cancelled.
Following the severe weather event in Auckland, it is no longer safe to proceed with the festival. Find out more at aucklandunlimited.com
· Thank you to our dedicated, committed and supportive stallholders, performers, volunteers and every person involved in the planning of the event this year.
New Zealand's largest cultural festival celebrating the Chinese New Year, and our Auckland Chinese communities. Family-friendly, free and suitable for all ages, join us at the Manukau Sports Bowl on 2 – 5 February as we welcome in the 2023 Year of the Rabbit!
Most of the festival is accessible for wheelchair users via paved laneways.
If you require any assistance, please approach one of our friendly volunteers or staff, who will be happy to help.
We encourage you to plan your journey in advance to avoid busy traffic, delays and train line closures. The best way to get to the Auckland Lantern Festival is to use public transport and walk.
Visit Auckland Transport to see the public transport options for travelling to and from the Manukau Sports Bowl, and plan your trip with Auckland Transport’s Journey Planner. Half Price Discount fares/passes apply for all services.
The Eastern line will be running as usual, between Britomart and Manukau Station. The Manukau Sports Bowl is a 15-minute walk from the Manukau Station.
For children and families: With a registered AT HOP card, children aged 5-15 years can travel for free on Auckland buses, trains and ferries* on weekends and public holidays. More information at at.govt.nz.
* Excludes Waiheke Island ferry services.
The festival will be held at Manukau Sports Bowl
Te Irirangi Drive, Manukau City Centre, Auckland 2023
We recommend you plan your journey to avoid delays to avoid busy traffic and train line closures.
The best way to get to the Auckland Lantern Festival is to use public transport and walk.
The Eastern line will be running as usual, between Britomart and Manukau Station.
The Manukau Sports Bowl is a 15-minute walk from the Manukau Station.
Find out more information on the rail closures here, and plan your trip with Auckland Transport’s Journey Planner.
Pedestrian entries are from Gate A on Te Irirangi Drive and Gate B on Boundary Road, indicated on the festival map (coming soon).
Diorella Drive, the road through the Manukau Sports Bowl, is closed to traffic. All other roads are open.
Street parking in the surrounding area is restricted.
Paid parking nearby:
- 432 paid parking spaces are available in the AT Ronwood Avenue Car Park.
- Location: Corner of Ronwood and Davies Avenues
- Cost: View parking rates
- Hours: The carpark will be open until 10:30pm every night of the festival.
- 130 paid parking spaces are available at St Peter Chanel Parish.
- Location: 42 Boundary Road
- Cost: Check on-site
- Hours: Open during festival operation
Free parking nearby:
- 300+ free parking spaces are available in the Manukau Supa Centa Car Park
- Location: Corner of Lambie & Cavendish Drive
- Cost: Free
- Hours: From 8pm on Thursday, or 6pm every other night of the festival. Please do not use the carpark before these times.
Most of the festival is accessible for wheelchair users via paved laneways. Accessible drop-off points, parking and toilets are indicated on the map (coming soon).
Some of the entertainment and activations are on green fields with undulating terrain and kerbs, which may be difficult to manoeuvre over for wheelchair users.
Auckland Lantern Festival will be delivered in line with Ministry of Health guidelines. If you are coming to the festival, please remember to:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and dry properly.
- Pack some hand sanitiser or use the sanitation stations in the festival precinct.
- Stay home if you’re feeling unwell and take a test if you display COVID-19 symptoms.
Service dogs are welcome. The festival gets busy, and we recommend that pets are left at home.
No, the festival is a free event. You do not need a ticket to enter.
The fireworks display on Sunday 5 February at around 10pm will be inside the velodrome, which means that you’ll get a great view of this amazing display from anywhere in the Manukau Sports Bowl. We recommend the main stage and food stall areas for the best experience.
There are over 800 lanterns on display at this year's festival, including a brand-new rabbit lantern to mark the Year of the Rabbit in 2023. You can also see the lanterns for 2022’s Year of the Tiger, 2021’s Year of the Ox and 2020’s Year of the Rat on display for the first time.
Some stallholders will have Eftpos available. Cash points will be available on-site.
Bags must remain on you, there is no bag check available. If bags or belongings are left around they will be taken to lost property.
You can report lost children property at the Information Booth located on the festival map (coming soon).
St John medical teams are on site every day of the festival. If you or someone in your group suffers a medical emergency at the festival, please alert a volunteer or staff member who will call for assistance. The St Johns tent location is indicated on the festival map.
The seating by food stalls is a great spot to sit down and enjoy your food. You can also bring a picnic blanket, settle by the main stage and enjoy the live performances on show!
Yes, this is a family-friendly event. Please note that some of the entertainment takes place on green fields with undulating terrain and kerbs.
The Auckland Lantern Festival is an alcohol-free event.
The Auckland Lantern Festival is a smoke-free event. That includes vaping.
- We aim to divert 70% of festival waste from landfill.
- Eco warriors will be onsite manning the bins to make sure waste goes where it’s meant to.
- 100% of food serve-ware at the festival is recyclable or compostable.
If you’d like to volunteer at this year’s festival, email us at lantern@aucklandnz.com to register. You’ll need to provide a few details about yourself, so don’t leave it to the last minute!
We’d love to hear your feedback on your festival experience. Please contact us at lantern@aucklandnz.com to share your thoughts.
For media inquiries please contact Issie Hallwright at issie.hallwright@aucklandnz.com