Auckland Council will launch its annual World of Cultures festival on March 21. The 16-day programme features more than 130 events across the region. The festival begins on International Race Relations Day and runs until April 5. It includes street food markets, traditional dance performances, and art workshops. The festival arrives as volunteers are sought for several major autumn events across the country. Organisers say the schedule aims to give residents a way to experience global traditions within their own neighbourhoods. Most events are either free or low-cost to ensure broad access. Glynn Leggat, Auckland Council’s head of community events, says the festival is a vital part of the city's multicultural identity. Leggat says that each year the event becomes a bigger and bolder stage for the diverse voices of Tāmaki Makaurau. The scale of the 2026 programme includes contributions from dozens of different ethnic groups.
CultureFest moves to mt roskill
The programme's central event, CultureFest, is scheduled for March 29 at Mt Roskill. The one-day gathering will host representatives from more than 70 cultures. Attendees can expect a mix of music, dance, and food stalls from morning until late afternoon. Mt Roskill has long been a focal point for the festival due to its diverse population. This year's event is expected to draw thousands of people to the suburb. This follows a period of heavy event programming for the city, including the Auckland Arts Festival which recently occupied the waterfront. Organisers have included several unconventional satellite events this year. The Bollywood Bike Rave will travel from Avondale to the CultureFest site. In Keith Hay Park, a large kite show will take place. The Ellen Melville Centre in the city centre will host Nowruz celebrations and a dedicated K-Pop culture day.
Regional events and transport planning
The festival is not limited to the central city or Mt Roskill. In south Auckland, the Te Oro Food Market will showcase local vendors. West Auckland will host the Panlasa Filipino festival in New Lynn, alongside "Culture of Clay" workshops. Even the North Shore is included, with programmed activities at Glenfield Library. Council staff are advising attendees to use public transport to manage expected congestion. For those coming from the Hibiscus Coast or North Shore, the NX1 and NX2 bus services connect directly to the Britomart transport centre. From there, trains and local buses link to the major event hubs in Mt Roskill and New Lynn. The transport advice comes as the Auckland Council opens books for its next annual plan consultation. Managing regional infrastructure during major events remains a key point of discussion for local boards. Drivers using State Highway 1 have been warned to allow extra travel time for weekend traffic.
Expanding cultural reach and participation
The diversity of the festival reflects wider trends in New Zealand. Similar efforts to increase participation are seen in other sectors, such as the adaptive trail running series which has seen record numbers lately. World of Cultures similarly aims to remove barriers to entry through its low-cost model. Auckland Council continues to manage a wide range of regional assets alongside these events. Recent reports show the council is investing $47 million over the next three years into regional parks like Te Arai and Mahurangi East. This funding covers facilities such as carparks, tracks, and fencing. The full programme for the festival is available on the official World of Cultures website. Each listing includes specific details on pricing, location, and whether bookings are required. The festival concludes on April 5 after two weeks of regional activity.
