Warm summer days are about to get even better with the Auckland Live Summer in the Square line-up that is jam-packed with free live entertainment from Thursday 1 February to Sunday 25 February.
Aucklanders of all ages can revel in four curated weekends filled with music, dancing, DJs, food trucks and more in Auckland’s vibrant Aotea Square.
Kicking off the month is String Symphony (Thursday 1 – Tuesday 6 Feb), a large-scale, interactive performance installation by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre that uses puppetry to explore connection, community and collaboration.
A giant illuminated puppet, hand-woven using more than a kilometre of rope is brought to life with the help of twelve aspiring puppeteers from the audience, taking turns pulling the strings to create an animated and enchanting experience.
The next weekend, AfroFest (Saturday 10 Feb) and SUSO in the Square (Sunday 11 Feb) take over Aotea Square.
AfroFest is a whānau-friendly celebration of music, dance and food from across the African diaspora in Aotearoa. From 12pm – 6pm, enjoy DJ sets from Massimo, Ara Chan, Banty, Adechoon and Bunker, live performances from JUJULIPPS, Warren Duncan, Emmanz1, Wildkid, TK Paradza, MazbouQ and more, plus dance and drumming performances from Mavs and crew.
There will be food trucks serving kai from across Africa to keep everyone fuelled on the dance floor, so bring an appetite.
On Sunday 11 Feb, Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) is taking over at SUSO in the Square with an afternoon of incredible live music from some of the best up-and-coming musicians in Tāmaki Makaurau, featuring a stunning line-up of SUSO 2023 participants and a host of past alumni.
From 1pm – 4pm, pull up a deckchair while Amy Mason, Jess Thompson, Elias, Jazmin Ugapo, Rumpus Machine, Charles Lia aka En Passant, and the SUSO Alumni Band present a snapshot into the future of the Aotearoa music scene.
SUSO is an annual Auckland Council-led initiative giving secondary schools a platform for their performing arts stars to showcase their music, dance and songwriting talent.
An Auckland Live Summer in the Square highlight, the Auckland Latin Fiesta (Friday 16 – Sunday 18 Feb) brings the exciting sounds, tastes, and experiences of Latin American culture to the heart of the city.
Enjoy three days of free salsa and tango dance classes, live bands and DJs, Samba parades, dance performances – it’s going to be a party all weekend – and, of course, tasty Latin American foods from the outdoor market.
Bring the whole whānau into the city on Saturday 24 Feb for Auckland Live Outdoor Summer Cinema. Keep an eye on the Auckland Live Facebook page so you can cast your vote to choose what whānau friendly film you want to see on the big screen in Aotea Square.
The final weekend closing out Auckland Live Summer in the Square for 2024 features the Auckland Pride March (Sunday 25 Feb) and Lunar New Year in the Square (Sunday 25 Feb).
The Auckland Pride March is back for another dazzling spectacle of love, acceptance and queer activism. Kicking off at 2pm in Aotea Square, everyone is invited to come together with signs, flags and love to commence the journey down Queen Street to Takutai Square, Britomart.
At Lunar New Year in the Square, get immersed in the vibrant pulse of pan-Asian culture from 10am – 7pm with a celebration of new beginnings. Experience street dance crews going toe-to-toe, join in craft workshops, have your chance to win best dressed, and cheer for your favourite finalist in the Karaoke competition. Have your own taste buds dancing as you indulge in mouthwatering delights from a selection of food trucks.
See the full Auckland Live Summer in the Square line-up of artists and events at aucklandlive.co.nz
Proudly supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
All photos supplied by Auckland Live.
