The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival will return this winter from 24 June to 5 July, transforming one of the city’s most treasured venues, The Civic, into a glittering playground of late-night spectacle and genre-defying performance. This year’s festival promises a bold celebration of burlesque, circus, music, and comedy, inviting audiences to step into an immersive world of creativity and imagination.
The event has become a cornerstone of Tāmaki Makaurau’s winter arts calendar, known for its vibrant energy and its role in celebrating both established and emerging artists. Building on the success of previous years, which have featured Olivier Award-winning shows like La Clique, the 2026 edition continues to champion daring and innovative live performance.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says the festival brings a unique sense of glamour and personality to the city’s cultural landscape.
International premieres lead the lineup
Headlining the 2026 programme are two major international productions making their Aotearoa premieres. First, from 24 to 28 June, is Cheeky Cabaret, an explosive mix of circus, comedy, and contemporary burlesque. Created by the critically acclaimed team behind global sensations La Clique, La Soirée, and Club Swizzle, the show features a revolving cast of audacious performers in a high-energy spectacle described as bold, outrageous, and impossible to predict.
Following from 1 to 5 July is DANGEROUS GOODS by Polytoxic, a production that stormed onto the scene with rave reviews in 2024. This high-voltage show features a world-class cast of circus artists, aerialists, drag performers, and powerhouse vocalists. Led by a diverse ensemble of formidable femmes, DANGEROUS GOODS is billed as cabaret for a brave new world, designed to challenge expectations and defy categorisation.
Local legends and returning favourites
The iconic Wintergarden at The Civic will once again serve as the festival’s vibrant heart, hosting an eclectic mix of local and international artists who thrive on reinventing tradition. A decade after his festival debut, the celebrated Le Gateau Chocolat returns with Musicals Mayhem, a joyfully chaotic and high-glamour journey through the musical theatre songbook.
In a tribute to a local institution, Aotearoa drag royalty Kita Mean and Anita Wigl’it will lead Caluzzi Cabaret’s 30th Birthday. The show is a glittering celebration of one of New Zealand’s most beloved and long-standing cabaret venues, promising an evening of classic drag spectacle and heartwarming humour. This highlights the festival's deep connection to the local performance scene, from underground clubs to iconic stages.
A showcase of musical and emerging talent
The festival also places a strong emphasis on musical artistry, featuring award-winning names alongside rising new voices. Breakout artist Nikau Grace will premiere her powerful new show, Ko Au, Ko Koe, a work celebrating women, identity, and the courage to take up space. This is one of two new works commissioned by Auckland Live for the 2026 season.
Acclaimed musician Delaney Davidson will launch his nationwide tour with the spellbinding new work Baby Heavyweight, created for his latest album. Audiences can also indulge in nostalgia with two unique shows. Amanda Grace Leo’s Karaoke Heaven, the second Auckland Live commission, offers a Mandopop-infused cabaret, while Simply Brill pays joyful tribute to the iconic songwriters of the 1960s, including Carole King, Burt Bacharach, and Neil Sedaka.
The commitment to fostering new talent is further exemplified by the return of Scratch Night. This popular event gives emerging creatives a platform to test new ideas, unfinished songs, and bold concepts in front of a live and supportive audience, ensuring the continued growth of cabaret arts in New Zealand. This focus on artist development mirrors broader efforts to empower youth, such as the work of one Papatoetoe teacher recently honoured for his work with students.
An immersive world of performance
Beyond the mainstage shows, the festival aims to create a fully immersive environment within The Civic. The entire venue will come alive with pop-up performances, tarot and palm readings, a dedicated Champagne Lounge, and specially curated food and drink menus. The popular Piano Bar will also return, providing an after-hours space where artists and audiences can mingle and celebrate the spirit of cabaret long into the night.
Auckland Live Director Daniel Clarke says the festival offers a uniquely connected experience. “Stepping into The Civic during cabaret season is like entering another world – full of warmth, energy and the unexpected,” he says. The transformation of a major central city venue like The Civic is a significant undertaking, happening alongside key infrastructure projects like the Wellesley Street upgrade that are reshaping the area.
This festival brings artists and audiences together in a way that feels electric and deeply human, with moments that are joyful, provocative and completely unforgettable. It’s a celebration of creativity without limits, right here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Clarke also highlighted the strength of this year’s programme, which includes five world premieres and four Aotearoa premieres. This ambition reflects the health of the arts sector, even as other major cultural projects, like the Pacific Dance Festival, face significant financial hurdles.
Opening the festival is All That Glitters: The Gala Night, a one-night-only showcase of highlights from across the programme. Other boundary-pushing aacts include Tomáš Kantor’s Sugar, a sharp exploration of queerness and power, and The Velvet Lounge, a lush burlesque experience from Michelle Kasey and Kiki Kisses.
From extravagant productions to intimate storytelling, the 2026 Auckland Live Cabaret Festival promises a diverse and unforgettable experience for every kind of arts lover. Tickets go on sale from 10am on Thursday, 23 April via the Auckland Live website, offering patrons a chance to secure their place at one of the city’s most anticipated winter events.
