Past Event24 Feb - 25 Feb 2023

Pride in the Square

No longer available

Aotea Square

Festivals

About the Event
Tickets & Times

Update Fri 24 Feb, 2.30pm:
Unfortunately, due to the current weather forecast, today’s events for Pride in the Square, as part of Auckland Live Summer in the Square, are cancelled. At this stage, tomorrow’s programme will go ahead as planned, so we hope to see you there!

Auckland Pride is back for 2023 and serving a whole lot of excitement and colour at Aotea Square!

Get that party ‘fit on, strut your stuff and join THE celebration of all celebrations right here in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Dance until you can’t feel your feet anymore, make new friends, celebrate yourself, and embrace all the queer joy at this bold and bright collision of pride, summer, and performing arts.

With two days full of everything you need in your life, catch some of Aotearoa’s finest queer performers. From DJs and drag artists to epic live music acts, including Valkyrie, Miss Geena, Hugo Grrrl, Sharon From Payroll, Jason Parker, and Little Bok Choy to name a few, get ready to jump from spoken words to dance and waacking all in one place.

Plus, there will be plenty of fun to be had for rainbow rangatahi and whānau, including documentaries, community chats and more.

Don’t miss this outrageously fabulous celebration, free in Aotea Square this February!

While you're visiting, make sure you stop by to enjoy a bite or a beverage from the Container in the Square Café and pop-up food trucks provided by Auckland Night Markets. Please note, BYO alcohol is not permitted.

This event is part of the 2023 Auckland Pride Festival. See the full programme at aucklandpride.co.nz

Image credit: Sam Sutherland

Schedule

Friday 24 February | Cancelled

Saturday 25 February | 10.30am – 11pm

Main Stage

11am – 11.30am | Performance: The Carribeanz Southern Stars Steelband – get down and boogie to music from the islands and around the world, with vibrant and eclectic sounds from unique Caribbean instruments

12pm – 1pm | Activation: Art Chemist – experience a unique interactive performance installation, part therapist office, part arts directory and part apothecary

3.30pm – 4pm | DJ: Nic Timms – experience the unique blend of Nic Timms (George FM DJ, Bay Dreams, Big Gay out) from her diverse library of sounds

4pm – 5pm | Performance: [un] ravel – immerse yourself in spoken word poetry courtesy of Action Education, accompanied by DJ ajhoneysuckle

5pm – 6.50pm | Performance: Waack Attack - join a community of elite waackers from across Tāmaki Makaurau, as they showcase their skills, talent and pride

7pm – 7.30pm | Performance: BabyFreekk’s Drag Divas - the best drag artists of Tāmaki Makaurau are taking over! Join BabyFreekk and her stunning line-up including Kohara, Thee Moment, Crystal Quartz, Lala Loopsy, Remi RaMone and Pinkie Promise.

7.45pm – 8.15pm | Performance: Arielwose – join poetic lyricist Ariel Kelly AKA Arielwose, who creates songs with an indie rock/90s dream pop flare, channelling the likes of Kate Bush, Anika Moa, and Alanis Morrissette

8.30pm – 9pm | Performance: Jason Parker - get ready for your energy to soar, as Jason Parker brings a set full of fun pop bangers

9.15pm – 10pm | Performance: Valkyrie – vibe out to this four-piece rock band headliner as they hit our stages hot off their nationwide tour

DJ Stage

7pm – 7.45pm | DJ: Sharon from Payroll – check out queer dancehall DJ, Sharon From Payroll, as they bring sonic joy to the dance floor, with their main goal being to make you feel your oats

7.45pm – 8.30pm | DJ: RNG⸸sus – soak up the tunes as RNG⸸sus delivers a slick set with feminine Asian energy

8.30pm – 9.15pm | DJ: Diesel – get ready for club music weaved with high-energy electronic sets, sure to unlock hips and shed skins across the dance floor

10pm – 11pm | DJ: VERCETTI – don’t miss VERCETTI as he delivers sets derived from his upbringing, intersectional identity and skilful genre-bending

Shade Space

10.30am – 11am & 11.30am – 1pm | Film: Queer and Here – sit back and watch Whakaata Māori’s docu-series exploring different experiences within the queer community

11am – 11pm | Talk: Elder Queers Give Advice – chat, learn and connect with some of the elders of the rainbow community, hosted by none other than Hugo Grrrl

3pm – 3.30pm | Film & Talk: A Gay Rugby Loveletter - take in Kayne Peters’ new short film, followed by a brief artist talk