Waikato Queer Arts Festival 2026 Attracts International Performers

WQAF will launch in April, delivering a three-day celebration of queer creativity, community, and pride across venues in Hamilton.

Produced by accessible arts charitable trust LOUD Creative, WQAF will showcase local, national, and internationally recognised LGBTQIA+ artists across drag, theatre, music, cabaret, and community programming. The festival aims to create a visible, professional platform for queer voices while strengthening connection and belonging across the region.

“WQAF exists because queer people still don’t always feel safe or seen in public cultural spaces,” says Mel Martin-Booker, Festival Director for WQAF. “This festival is about visibility, excellence, and joy, bringing queer artistry onto big stages, in our own region, without apology.”

The festival’s headline event, The Royal Revue, will anchor the programme with a high-glamour, large-scale performance at the Clarence Street Theatre. Additional events will include intimate cabaret, artist talks, theatre and community gatherings designed to support both emerging and established artists.

WQAF has been developed in collaboration with local artists, community organisations, and accessibility advocates, and reflects LOUD Creative’s long-standing commitment to inclusive arts practice. The inaugural festival is expected to attract more than 2,000 attendees across three days, with broader reach through media and digital engagement.

“This is about more than one weekend,” Martin-Booker adds. “We’re laying the foundations for an annual festival that celebrates queer creativity and makes the Waikato louder, prouder, and more inclusive year after year.”

For tickets and full festival details, visit www.wqaf.co.nz and follow Waikato Queer Arts Festival on social media.

Festival dates: April 16-18
Locations: Last Place Bar, CaliLou's Tattoos, Biddy Mulligan's, The Atrium (at Wintec), and Clarence St Theatre.
Website: www.wqaf.co.nz
Instagram: @waikatoqueerartsfest / @loudcreativenz

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