Kia Ora, IKEA Is Here: Secret Kiwi Housewarming Parties Hit Auckland Before Opening

Auckland, New Zealand – IKEA is officially joining the neighbourhood, and before its opening on 4 December, the Swedish home-furnishing brand is throwing three secret Kiwi housewarming parties across Auckland during the weekend, from 28–30 November.

Created with UK pop-up party innovators, Lab54, the three parties will appear across Auckland in three secret locations. Each event celebrates different aspects of Kiwi life, from backyard gatherings to late-night garage jams and sunny mornings by the sea.

These parties aren’t just about home-furnishing; they’re about connection, community, and celebrating the best of New Zealand life at home. They’re how IKEA is saying thanks for the excitement that’s been shown since announcing plans to open its first-ever store.

“IKEA is moving in, and as part of our desire to be a good neighbour, we wanted to host a series of housewarming parties,” says Patricia Routledge, Head of Communications for IKEA in Australia and New Zealand. “Sparked from the insights found in our Life at Home Report, these parties celebrate some of the unique elements of New Zealand’s life at home — including carpeted garages and beloved backyard BBQs. The parties are not about our store experience. They’re about connection, music, kai, and the things that make a house feel like a home. We can’t wait to celebrate the way Kiwis do — together.”

The house party

Friday, 28th November

UKG/Bassline

Beer pong, kings cup, and late-night chats on the deck... sounds like a housewarming to us. Exams are over, vibes are high, time for a good old-fashioned house party. IKEA is taking over a CBD villa for a wall-shaking, floor-rumbling, bass-powered line-up of international and local DJs.

The garage party

Saturday, 29th November

RNB/Hip-Hop

Unlike the rest of the world, for New Zealanders, the garage is far more than just a space — it’s a unique hub of carpeted creativity. IKEA wants to celebrate the humble garage, evoking nostalgic memories of family BBQs, singing Slice of Heaven at birthday parties, almost finished DIY projects, and lockdown gyms. Set to become the most iconic garage in Auckland, IKEA and Lab54 will bring the garage to life with local and international R&B and hip-hop acts. This party celebrates community, connection, and joy, with hundreds of Kiwis coming together for one unforgettable party.

The beach party

Sunday, 20th November

Indie/Surf Rock

To close the weekend, IKEA’s final Aotearoa housewarming brings the ultimate, laid-back, beachside vibe with good tunes, good mates, and great kai. It’s set to be a feel-good finale with a line-up of top indie and surf rock musicians and DJs from Aotearoa and Australia, the perfect soundtrack to welcome in summer.

Expect the unexpected

The Kiwi Housewarmings build on the success of the IKEA pop-ups in London earlier this year, created with UK event partners Lab54. Known for transforming unexpected locations into high-impact experiences, Lab54, together with IKEA, brings that creativity to Aotearoa — celebrating connection, community, music, and the little things that make a home alive. Artists included UK-house DJ and producer Hannah Wants, Scottish DJ and BBC Radio 1 presenter Arielle Free, and British grime MC Jammer.

“Since our inception, Lab54 has been redefining party culture, throwing the most unforgettable parties in the most unexpected places. Today's young people want more from their nightlife, seeking meaningful ways to connect. As these shifting habits have evolved, we've created spaces all over the world and built a community along the way. We've long wanted to bring this spirit to Aotearoa

and celebrate with Kiwis — call it our take on no.8 wire,” says Jessica Suo, Head of Content for Lab54.

The housewarmings are open to all Kiwis (over 18). Sign up for text updates about the event you want to attend, and IKEA will let you know when free tickets drop and reveal the secret locations.

Friday, 28th November | The house party sign-up

Saturday, 29th November | The garage party sign-up

Sunday 30th November | The beach party sign-up

Tickets to events will be free to attend for all in the IKEA Family. Make sure to sign up before the events!

#IKEA #IKEANZ #kiwihousewarmings #Lab54

About Lab54:

Instagram | TikTok | Website

Leading a new wave of music-led parties, Lab54 transforms unexpected locations, like libraries, kitchens, skateparks, and castles, into immersive experiences. Their creative ethos and “anywhere but a club” moniker have resulted in many impactful viral moments with headlining artists in unforgettable locations. Their events are a cultural touchpoint for the experience-seeking generation.

About IKEA:

Instagram | Tiktok | Website

IKEA offers well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing products, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies with different owners, working under the IKEA Brand, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.

About Inkga Group

Website

Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled entities) is one of 12 different groups of companies that own and operate IKEA retail under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres.

Ingka Group is a strategic partner in the IKEA franchise system, operating 392 IKEA stores in 32 countries. These IKEA stores had 657 million visits during FY21 and 4.6 billion visits to IKEA.com. Ingka Group operates business under the IKEA vision – to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford it. 11am until close. No minimum spend or adult purchase required to redeem offer.

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