It’s that time of year to express your identity freely, strut about with our Queer communities, and come together to celebrate Pride 2025. Central Hub has curated a Rainbow packed month that celebrates diversity, all things LGBTQIA+ and collaboration with some new and familiar partners.
Whether you’re looking for a drag makeover, a book picnic, an author talk, or something crafty, Central City Library and Ellen Melville Centre will have something for you! As a hub, we have a programme filled with events for all ages and all identities for all of February; keep an eye out around our Hub, on our social media and across Auckland Pride centres for more information about the events in our spaces.
Queer Creative Residency - Marilyn Waring Room - EMC
1 Feb - 1 Mar | 9:30am - 4:30pm when present
A unique opportunity for one Takatāpui creative to use as a free, public-facing studio during the Pride Festival duration. There to showcase the artist's practice, exploration, and creativity and amplify queer voices in this high-profile space celebrating visibility, connection, and inclusion.
Come and say Hi!
Gay & Proud Too - Central City Library - Ground floor Exhibition Space
1 Feb - 1 March
An exhibition of photographs from the Archives of the Auckland Pride Centre – Auckland’s Inclusive LGBTQ+ Community Centre - 1987-2004.
Polaroid Wall of Pride - Helen Clark Lounge - EMC
1 Feb - 1 Mar | 9:30am - 4:30pm daily
Join our Polaroid Wall of Pride during the festival! Visitors, rainbow allies, and the queer community are invited to have their portraits taken and added to our evolving display. This fun, authentic installation celebrates diversity, connection, and belonging. Images may be shared on social media to amplify visibility, and the display will be archived as a tribute to Tāmaki Makaurau’s vibrant rainbow and ally communities. Come leave your mark!
Steps & Light: Pride Art in Conversation - Freyberg Square Steps - EMC
8 Feb | 10:30am - 12pm
Join us on the Freyberg Square steps for an inspiring kōrero with artists Kahurangiariki Smith and Bobby Park as they unveil their new public artworks for Pride Festival 2025. Smith’s work explores indigenous futurism and mātauranga Māori, while Park’s lightbox series delves into queer identity and intersectionality. This free hour-long event includes insights into their creative processes and an informal Q&A. Celebrate art, identity, and creativity - don’t miss this vibrant conversation at the heart of Pride!
Rainbow Walls - Helen Clark Lounge – EMC [Meeting point]
8 Feb | 3 – 6pm
Join us for a free, creative afternoon celebrating graffiti artistry and activism! Watch as REKSO transforms the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag into a vibrant freestyle mural. Start at Ellen Melville Centre with cold treats, then stroll to the mural site to see the design evolve. Learn about graffiti as a tool for expression, ask questions, and even try spray painting yourself! Celebrate inclusivity, connect, and leave your mark on Pride Festival 2025!
Central Library Queer Bear Booknic - Central City Library (Meeting Point)
9 Feb | 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Come join us for a Booknic to celebrate PRIDE. All ages are welcome, and we will provide some catering and library books. The meeting point is Central City Library before we venture up to Albert Park.
Bring your favourite book and blanket and come have fun with other LGBTQ+ book lovers!
Queer Voices Zine Launch - Central City Library Event Space
12 Feb | 5:30 – 7:30 pm
This collaborative zine highlights ‘Queer Voices’ through the process of healing, representation, and creativity – ranging across the silly, challenging, and awkward moments of being a young Queer person. This publication looks at not only the experience but as an opportunity of representation, where we give a foot in the door to a range of Queer creatives and their own expressions and stories of Queerness and Pride. This launch spotlights and celebrates this collaboration and offers a sneak preview of the zine prior to its distribution at Big Gay Out 2025.
Drag On You - Betty Wark Room + Helen Clark Lounge - EMC
13 Feb | 1:00 – 6:00pm
Unleash your inner diva! Lucky participants will enjoy a free 50-minute drag makeover with a skilled makeup artist. Transformations include bold makeup, contouring, and dramatic looks - just bring your outfit, wig, and all the accessories your heart desires! Friends and whānau can mingle, awaiting the red-carpet runway reveal where participants step out, ready to dazzle. Celebrate the artistry of drag in this fun, inclusive event. Spots are limited - email leela.bhai@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to register ASAP and get ready to sparkle with pride!
Pride author Talk: Amy Marguerite in Conversation with sherry Zhang - Central City Library - Whare Wānanga
26 Feb | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Come and join us for an evening with local poet Amy Marguerite and writer Sherry Zhang!
Having been featured in various literary journals and poetry anthologies such as Spoiled Fruit and white-hot heart, Amy has established herself as one of Aotearoa's newest and freshest voices. Her forthcoming debut poetry collection Over Under Fed explores the themes of unrequited love, hunger and immoderation.
All welcome to this evening of discussion and poetry as part of our Pride programming!
Queer Asian Arts Market (QAAM) - Helen Clark Lounge - EMC
21 Feb | 4pm – 9pm
Celebrate the creativity of queer Asian artists at this vibrant evening market! From 4 - 8pm, explore unique artworks like illustrations, zines, ceramics, and more, created by queer Asians for queer Asians. QAAM provides a safe, inclusive space for marginalised voices to shine. Enjoy an indoor-outdoor flow, chill seating and a relaxed vibe with a live DJ who will continue to play till 9pm. Open to all, this Pride Festival event celebrates art, culture, and community. Don’t miss it!
Queer Zine Workshop with HB Pencil crafts - Central City Library Event Space
22 Feb | 12:00 – 3:00 pm
In partnership with HB Pencil Crafts, local artists Brandon and Hara will be facilitating a zine workshop all about pride, inclusivity, and the exploration of identity. With vast experience within the local art scene across markets and creative events, this duo will lead our zine making workshop, where we supply all the materials, and you come to join in. This event is about self-expression, creative flare and bringing together our Queer art Collab (in association with Central art Group).
Central City Library Makerspace
23 Feb | 12:00 -3:00 pm
Collaborative creativity is a Pride 2025 event aligned with the existing Community Art Group, but bringing a greater sense of connection, silliness, and collaboration to the way we work! You have five minutes, a canvas, and a random theme to start a work of art, the cycle continues with the next person until the masterpieces are complete – we provide the materials, so all you need to bring is yourself. Canvases will be passed around the group, expecting each person to work on each piece to produce works of art that express the diverse talents, skills, and styles of the participants.