It’s time to turn up the volume and celebrate our local sounds this May in the city centre! This New Zealand Music Month, the city centre is the place to be, with an exciting lineup of free live performances, outdoor gigs, talks with industry leaders, morning raves and a vibrant Midtown Street Party, all supported by the city centre targeted rate.
From soulful tunes to opera classics, from homegrown favourites to fresh emerging gems, there’s something for every music lover. Whether you’re catching a live band at an iconic music store, experiencing the magic of opera in the Strand Arcade, or soaking up the electric energy of the Midtown Street Party, it’s all about celebrating the creativity and diverse sounds that make Auckland, a proud UNESCO City of Music, so unique.
Don’t miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in the pulse of NZ’s music scene this May.
- Week One: 01-May – 04-May
- Week Two: 05-May -11-May
- Week Three: 12-May – 18-May
- Week Four: 19-May – 25-May
- Week Five: 26-May – 31-May
Week 1
Opera in the Strand
Thursday 1 May 6 - 9pm. The Strand Arcade, 227 Queen Street.
New Zealand Music Month kicks off with the return of Opera in the Strand on 1 May. After a successful debut in 2024, this free event will feature top New Zealand opera singers performing in the historic Strand Arcade, with no tickets or bookings needed. Enjoy the glorious colour, costumery and melody in this iconic setting.
More detail on Opera in the Strand.
NZ Music Month light box exhibition
Thursday 1 May – Tuesday 20 May. Te Komititanga Square.
Check out a shortlist of photographs submitted for the 2024 Aotearoa Music Photography Award! This exhibition showcases stunning works from both professional and amateur photographers, capturing the energy and diversity of music events across Aotearoa and abroad. Showcasing a multitude of genres and styles, the photographs are presented in the outdoor lightboxes in Te Komititanga Square, coinciding with New Zealand Music Month and the 2025 Aotearoa Music Photo Awards.
Images shortlisted by 2024 Judge Federico Monsalve, and compiled by Daniel Ho. Many thanks to all the photographers who took part.
Music in the city centre
Wednesday and Fridays 12 – 1:30pm and 4:30 – 6pm. Queen Street, Elliot Street, Vulcan Lane.
Local talent is taking the streets with live performances every Wednesday and Friday afternoon in the city. Catch rock classics from Rumpus Machine outside JB Hi-Fi and smooth jazz tones from Joe Kaptain and Fruju Peak in Vulcan Lane. Liven up your afternoons with emerging New Zealand bands in Real Groovy and local singer-songwriters cropping up across Elliott Street, Wellesley Street, Queen Street and more.
More detail and performance times for music in the city centre.
Afrokin Youth Fest
Saturday 3 May 12 – 4pm. Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place.
Bringing the rhythms of African heritage into harmony with NZ Music Month, Afrokin Youth Fest will showcase artists of African descent who are bringing fresh sounds and global influences to Aotearoa’s music scene.
More detail on Afrokin Youth Fest.
Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha
Saturday 3 May 5:30 - 8pm, Academy Theatre, 44 Lorne Street: Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha 2025 theatrical release.
Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Ahau, named after the whakatauki loosely translating to "walking backwards into the future," is a multi-faceted program that champions diverse musical talent from across Tāmaki. Experience the magic of Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha through the theatrical release of their recent season of online performances – interviews with talented local artists. Featuring five incredible local artists including hip hop lyricist, Idol Essence, Stand Up Stand Out 2024 winner TEMA, soul/ funk singer Romi Wrights, acclaimed jazz pianist Joe Kaptein and Tui award winning artist Bailey Wiley.
Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi
Every Saturday in May 11am – 12pm. Te Wharekura and Te Wānanga, 117 Quay Street.
Join us every Saturday in May at Te Wharekura and surrounding Te Wānanga for a vibrant, interactive performance celebrating Māori music and movement as part of NZ Music Month. Led by Te Whare Karioi, from the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, these free, whānau-friendly events invite you to connect with Tāmaki Makaurau’s rich whakapapa through live performance and hands-on experiences. Feel the pulse of the haka, hear the call of ancient instruments, and move to the rhythm of poi.
NZ Music Month on Karangahape Road
Saturday 3 May 12 – 6pm, Karangahape Road
Celebrate NZ Music Month with 19 acts performing live outdoors on three stages spread across the length of Karangahape Road! Featuring Tom Lark, HINA, Edie VC, dān dān, Finn Johansson, Samara Alofa and many more.
Coinciding with the first ever FAM festival — the street will be alive and a very good time is guaranteed.
Downtown Days
Saturday 3 May, 10am – 3pm, Queens Wharf Village, 89 Quay Street
Head to Queens Wharf for Downtown Days - a vibrant series of events celebrating the future of Auckland’s downtown wharves! Experience a lively mix of live music, DJs, theatrical time-traveling walks, creative workshops, and hands-on fun for all ages.
Alongside the fun and festivities, Downtown Days is also your chance to learn about exciting plans to open up Auckland’s central wharves for more public use.
Featuring Anna Coddington, Love Square and more.
Check out the full lineup here.
Week 2
Morning People NZ Music Month Party feat. Pixie Lane x Kazi Flip
Wednesday 7 May 6:30am. Il Brutto, 27 Victoria Street East.
Join us for a special NZ Music Month edition of Morning People, featuring Pixie Lane x Kazi Flip at Il Brutto, one of Auckland’s finest dance dens – all for free! Expect a high-energy morning rave with crisp sound, deep grooves, and a morning rave that’ll leave you buzzing. Plus, enjoy complimentary Altezano Brothers coffee, All Good bananas, and Karma Drinks to keep you fuelled.
Get your tickets to Morning People here.
Access code: MPOURAUCKLAND
Aotearoa Music Awards Photography Exhibition
Thursday 8 – Saturday 10 May 9am – 5pm. Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place.
Visit the annual pop-up photographic exhibition celebrating NZ Music Month, showcasing the talent of music photographers across Aotearoa. Presented by the Auckland Festival of Photography Trust, explore compelling images from gigs, festivals, and community events, where artists and audiences connect through the lens of photography.
Silo Sounds presented by Audio Foundation & Noa Records
Sunday 11 May 3 – 5pm. Silo 6, Silo Park.
Local sonic artists fill the unique architecture of Auckland's Silo 6 with an array of acoustic sound and music. Featuring a clarinet sextet, a large improvising 'conduction' ensemble and roaming Taonga Puoro players, this event is sure to amplify the senses and engage the ears!
NZ Music Month light box exhibition
Thursday 1 May – Tuesday 20 May. Te Komititanga Square.
Check out a shortlist of photographs submitted for the 2024 Aotearoa Music Photography Award! This exhibition showcases stunning works from both professional and amateur photographers, capturing the energy and diversity of music events across Aotearoa and abroad. Showcasing a multitude of genres and styles, the photographs are presented in the outdoor lightboxes in Te Komititanga Square, coinciding with New Zealand Music Month and the 2025 Aotearoa Music Photo Awards.
Images shortlisted by 2024 Judge Federico Monsalve, and compiled by Daniel Ho. Many thanks to all the photographers who took part.
Music in the city centre
Wednesday and Fridays 12 – 1:30pm and 4:30 – 6pm. Queen Street, Elliot Street, Vulcan Lane.
Local talent is taking the streets with live performances every Wednesday and Friday afternoon in the city. Catch rock classics from Rumpus Machine outside JB Hi-Fi and smooth jazz tones from Joe Kaptain and Fruju Peak in Vulcan Lane. Liven up your afternoons with emerging New Zealand bands in Real Groovy and local singer-songwriters cropping up across Elliott Street, Wellesley Street, Queen Street and more.
More detail and performance times for music in the city centre.
NZ Boutique Music Makers Salon at the Guitar Gallery
Friday 23 May 4 – 6pm, Guitar Gallery, 95 Queen Street.
The Guitar Gallery, Aotearoa’s premier boutique guitar shop, is renowned for featuring a curated collection of small-batch, artisan Kiwi-built gear—from high-end guitars and effects pedals to hand-wound pickups. They're hosting a special in-person meet-up with these talented builders, complete with product demos, a Q&A session, and more. Swing by their Auckland shop, tucked away on Exchange Lane just off Queen St, and meet the makers behind the gear.
Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi
Every Saturday in May 11am – 12pm. Te Wharekura and Te Wānanga, 117 Quay Street.
Join us every Saturday in May at Te Wharekura and surrounding Te Wānanga for a vibrant, interactive performance celebrating Māori music and movement as part of NZ Music Month. Led by Te Whare Karioi, from the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, these free, whānau-friendly events invite you to connect with Tāmaki Makaurau’s rich whakapapa through live performance and hands-on experiences. Feel the pulse of the haka, hear the call of ancient instruments, and move to the rhythm of poi.
Week 3
Midtown Street Party – NZ Music Month
Thursday 15 May 5 – 9pm. Elliott Street, Elliott Stables, The Strand Arcade.
This May, Midtown is throwing a street party for everyone with fresh tracks and the best of Auckland’s homegrown musicians on repeat. Celebrate NZ Music Month with live DJs spinning slick beats in the Strand, an epic merch market and a rare exhibition of archival photography from some of NZ's most popular artists from the 80's to the present day. Don’t miss special performances from Jack Moser, Club Ruby and more across the night.
Mark your calendars and make sure you get to Elliott Street and vibe with our local music scene – it’s the ultimate party you won’t want to miss.
More details and performance times on May Midtown Street Party.
Lunchtime Live: Pop, Rock + Daydreams
Friday 16 May 1 – 2pm. Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place.
Day Dreamer band will ignite the city with their electrifying fusion of punk, indie rock, and funk in a free lunchtime performance at the Ellen Melville Centre. Designed to bring live music to the heart of the city, this high-energy event offers an accessible, all-ages space for workers, students, and locals to gather, unwind, and connect. So, take a break, soak in the sound, and lively up your Friday!
The Sounds of the City: How Music Shapes a Thriving Auckland
Tuesday 20 May 5 – 7:30pm. Wintergarden, The Civic, Cnr of Queen Street & 269-287 Wellesley Street West.
What role does music play in shaping a thriving and healthy city? Join us at this special NZ Music Month x Auckland Conversations event for a facilitated panel discussion with key music industry leaders about the influential role music has in shaping our city. From cultural growth to energising economy, music is more than just entertainment – it's a catalyst for change. Join us as we delve into music’s transformative role and discover how Aucklanders can help shape a vibrant, music-enhanced future.
Panel speakers include Dan Bali, Ladyhawke, Malcolm Lakatani, Lucy Macrae and Gene Rivers. MC’d by award-winning broadcaster Charlotte Ryan and featuring a special performance from singer-songwriter TEMA from 5pm, before the panel commences.
Register for The Sounds of the City: How Music Shapes a Thriving Auckland.
NZ Music Month light box exhibition
Thursday 1 May – Tuesday 20 May. Te Komititanga Square.
Check out a shortlist of photographs submitted for the 2024 Aotearoa Music Photography Award! This exhibition showcases stunning works from both professional and amateur photographers, capturing the energy and diversity of music events across Aotearoa and abroad. Showcasing a multitude of genres and styles, the photographs are presented in the outdoor lightboxes in Te Komititanga Square, coinciding with New Zealand Music Month and the 2025 Aotearoa Music Photo Awards.
Images shortlisted by 2024 Judge Federico Monsalve, and compiled by Daniel Ho. Many thanks to all the photographers who took part.
Music in the city centre
Wednesday and Fridays 12 – 1:30pm and 4:30 – 6pm. Queen Street, Elliot Street, Vulcan Lane.
Local talent is taking the streets with live performances every Wednesday and Friday afternoon in the city. Catch rock classics from Rumpus Machine outside JB Hi-Fi and smooth jazz tones from Joe Kaptain and Fruju Peak in Vulcan Lane. Liven up your afternoons with emerging New Zealand bands in Real Groovy and local singer-songwriters cropping up across Elliott Street, Wellesley Street, Queen Street and more.
More detail and performance times for music in the city centre.
Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi
Every Saturday in May 11am – 12pm. Te Wharekura and Te Wānanga, 117 Quay Street.
Join us every Saturday in May at Te Wharekura and surrounding Te Wānanga for a vibrant, interactive performance celebrating Māori music and movement as part of NZ Music Month. Led by Te Whare Karioi, from the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, these free, whānau-friendly events invite you to connect with Tāmaki Makaurau’s rich whakapapa through live performance and hands-on experiences. Feel the pulse of the haka, hear the call of ancient instruments, and move to the rhythm of poi.
Week 4
Mighty
Tuesday 27 May – Friday 30 May, 11am - 1:30pm and Saturday 31 May - Sunday 1, 10am - 3pm, Te Komititanga
This NZ Music Month, step into Mighty - a10-foot container transformed into an intimate theatre in the heart of Te Komititanga. With a ticket booth, red carpet, and velvet-draped interior, this pocket-sized venue sets the stage for unforgettable one-song performances.
The lineup is stacked with some of Aotearoa’s most talented musicians, but there’s a twist—you won’t know who you’re seeing until you step inside. With space for just a handful of people at a time, Mighty offers a rare, up-close encounter with live music in its purest form.
Line up, step in, and experience the magic of music in a whole new way.
Music in the city centre
Wednesday and Fridays 12 – 1:30pm and 4:30 – 6pm. Queen Street, Elliot Street, Vulcan Lane.
Local talent is taking the streets with live performances every Wednesday and Friday afternoon in the city. Catch rock classics from Rumpus Machine outside JB Hi-Fi and smooth jazz tones from Joe Kaptain and Fruju Peak in Vulcan Lane. Liven up your afternoons with emerging New Zealand bands in Real Groovy and local singer-songwriters cropping up across Elliott Street, Wellesley Street, Queen Street and more.
More detail and performance times for music in the city centre.
Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi
Every Saturday in May 11am – 12pm. Te Wharekura and Te Wānanga, 117 Quay Street.
Join us every Saturday in May at Te Wharekura and surrounding Te Wānanga for a vibrant, interactive performance celebrating Māori music and movement as part of NZ Music Month. Led by Te Whare Karioi, from the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, these free, whānau-friendly events invite you to connect with Tāmaki Makaurau’s rich whakapapa through live performance and hands-on experiences. Feel the pulse of the haka, hear the call of ancient instruments, and move to the rhythm of poi.
Week 5
Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha
Saturday 31 May 6:30pm. Auckland Central City Library, 44/46 Lorne Street: Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha Live Concert
Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Ahau, named after the whakatauki loosely translating to "walking backwards into the future," is a multi-faceted program that champions diverse musical talent from across Tāmaki. Experience a spectacular live concert in a displaced library setting. Featuring five incredible local artists including hip hop lyricist, Idol Essence, Stand Up Stand Out 2024 winner TEMA, soul/ funk singer Romi Wrights, acclaimed jazz pianist Joe Kaptein and Tui award winning artist Bailey Wiley.
More detail on Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Live.
Mighty
Tuesday 27 May – Friday 30 May, 11am - 1:30pm and Saturday 31 May - Sunday 1, 10am - 3pm, Te Komititanga
This NZ Music Month, step into Mighty - a10-foot container transformed into an intimate theatre in the heart of Te Komititanga. With a ticket booth, red carpet, and velvet-draped interior, this pocket-sized venue sets the stage for unforgettable one-song performances.
The lineup is stacked with some of Aotearoa’s most talented musicians, but there’s a twist—you won’t know who you’re seeing until you step inside. With space for just a handful of people at a time, Mighty offers a rare, up-close encounter with live music in its purest form.
Line up, step in, and experience the magic of music in a whole new way.
Music in the city centre
Wednesday and Fridays 12 – 1:30pm and 4:30 – 6pm. Queen Street, Elliot Street, Vulcan Lane.
Local talent is taking the streets with live performances every Wednesday and Friday afternoon in the city. Catch rock classics from Rumpus Machine outside JB Hi-Fi and smooth jazz tones from Joe Kaptain and Fruju Peak in Vulcan Lane. Liven up your afternoons with emerging New Zealand bands in Real Groovy and local singer-songwriters cropping up across Elliott Street, Wellesley Street, Queen Street and more.
More detail and performance times for music in the city centre.
Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi
Every Saturday in May 11am – 12pm. Te Wharekura and Te Wānanga, 117 Quay Street.
Join us every Saturday in May at Te Wharekura and surrounding Te Wānanga for a vibrant, interactive performance celebrating Māori music and movement as part of NZ Music Month. Led by Te Whare Karioi, from the heart of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, these free, whānau-friendly events invite you to connect with Tāmaki Makaurau’s rich whakapapa through live performance and hands-on experiences. Feel the pulse of the haka, hear the call of ancient instruments, and move to the rhythm of poi.
