Lanterns, Light And Community Spirit To Shine At BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival 2026

Nĭ hăo and kia ora – the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival will once again bring light, colour and celebration to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Manukau Sports Bowl, running from Thursday, 26 February to Sunday, 1 March 2026.

The celebration will transform Manukau into a vibrant wonderland of lanterns, live performances and fireworks – marking the end of Lunar New Year festivities in Aotearoa New Zealand and honouring the Year of the Horse.

The Horse, a zodiac sign known for energy, independence and creativity, inspires this year’s theme. A newly designed lantern will take pride of place, symbolising passion, courage and forward movement for the year ahead.

First held in 2000, the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival has grown to become New Zealand’s largest cultural festival, attracting more than 110,000 visitors each year to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of Chinese and Pan-Asian culture.

The four-day festival is delivered on behalf of Auckland Council Events by the region’s cultural events and destination agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Chief Executive, Nick Hill, says the festival continues to play an important role in Auckland’s cultural identity.

“The BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival is a celebration that truly reflects the spirit of Tāmaki Makaurau – creative, diverse and connected. Each year, it brings our communities together to share stories, traditions and the joy of experiencing something uniquely special under the glow of lanterns.”

BNZ Chief Executive Dan Huggins says the bank is proud to continue its partnership with the event.

“This festival is a highlight of Auckland’s summer calendar, drawing families and communities together in a truly special way. We’re honoured to play our part in bringing this celebration to life for another year.”

Festival-goers can look forward to more than 500 illuminated lanterns, around 900 performances, and 70 food and craft stalls offering flavours and experiences from across Asia. A fireworks display will close the festival on each of its final three nights – Friday 27, Saturday, 28 February and Sunday, 1 March – at approximately 9.50pm.

The BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival 2026 is a free ticketed event, with ticketing and transport information to be announced later this year.

The festival is family-friendly, smoke-free and alcohol-free, and offers something for everyone –from traditional Chinese arts and crafts to modern performances and kai that celebrate the best of Auckland’s cultural diversity.

Event details
BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival 2026
Thursday, 26 February – Sunday, 1 March 2026
4:00pm – 10:30pm daily
Manukau Sports Bowl, Te Irirangi Drive, Manukau

Free ticketed event – further details to come, aucklandnz.com/lantern

Notes:

• 2026 celebrates the Year of the Horse.
• The BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival will showcase more than 500 handmade lanterns across the Manukau Sports Bowl.
• Around 70 food, craft and retail stalls will offer delicious kai, art and gifts representing cultures from across Asia.
• A spectacular fireworks display will close the festival each night on Friday, 27, Saturday, 28 February and Sunday, 1 March.
• The first Auckland Lantern Festival was delivered in 2000 by the Asia New Zealand Foundation in partnership with the former Auckland City Council at Albert Park.
• In 2023, BNZ became the naming rights partner of both the Auckland Lantern Festival and the Auckland Diwali Festival. The announcement of the partnership can be found HERE.

About Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s cultural, events and destination agency. It is an Auckland Council-controlled organisation that works to make Auckland a vibrant place to live and visit, through events, experiences and taonga (treasures). 
aucklandunlimited.com

About Auckland Council Events

Auckland Council Events are events supported by the Auckland Council Group, including local boards and council-controlled organisations, recognising events supported by Auckland ratepayer funding. This support can include investment, delivery or promotion of events, to bring our communities together, celebrate Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s identity and deliver social and economic benefits.

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