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More than 500 handmade lanterns
More than 500 handmade lanterns light up four evenings for the Year of the Goat.
Festivals & traditions
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A painted-face lantern at the 2009 Auckland Lantern Festival, then held in the city centre; a file photo. · Report image rightsAuckland · New ZealandFestivals & traditions
2027.02.18 — 2027.02.21 · Coming soon
Five hundred lanterns for the Year of the Goat.
BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival 2027
The BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival returns to Manukau Sports Bowl from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 February 2027 for the Year of the Goat. The festival page promises more than 500 handmade lanterns over four days, traditional and contemporary performances on the main stage, 65-plus stalls selling food from many cultures alongside craft and gift stalls, and rides for children; on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights the festival closes with fireworks from the centre of the park at 9.50pm. It is free but ticketed, smoke-free and alcohol-free, and family friendly, delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited for Auckland Council.
GOWOAH / Auckland
A REASON TO GO
A REASON TO GO
Manukau Sports Bowl2027.02.18 — 2027.02.21Festivals & traditionsFree admission
FIND YOUR REASON
What draws you to this experience?
02
Street food from many cultures
More than 65 stalls sell food from many cultures, with craft and gift stalls too.
Festivals & traditions03
Fireworks at 9.50pm
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights the festival ends with fireworks from the centre of the park at 9.50pm.
Festivals & traditionsA LITTLE CLOSER
A closer look.
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2009 · russellstreet · Photo source · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights
MAKE IT YOUR EXPERIENCE
Does this fit what you are looking for?
This could be for you if you are…
- Families with children
- Anyone in Auckland for the Lunar New Year
Before you decide
Tickets are needed, and the release date is not out yet.
Expect crowds, road closures and parking limits; public transport is best.
Lantern, stall and fireworks details may change closer to the time.
FIND YOUR PLACE
Explore the layout. Plan your route.
This edition’s site map is not out yet.
Open official guide ↗FROM AN IDEA TO A PLAN
Make a plan that works for you.
Dates & times
2027.02.18 — 2027.02.21Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 February 2027 (Auckland time): Thursday and Friday 5–10.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 4–10.30pm; fireworks at 9.50pm Friday to Sunday.
Pacific/AucklandMore programme details
- More than 500 handmade lanterns
- Street food from many cultures
- Fireworks at 9.50pm
Venue & travel
Manukau Sports BowlManukau Sports Bowl is in Manukau, South Auckland; the organisers recommend public transport and walking, with road closures and parking limits nearby.
Entry & companions
Free, but tickets are required; how and when to get them is still to come. Smoke-free and alcohol-free. Most of the site is on paved lanes and wheelchair accessible.
Tickets & access
Free (tickets required)
Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.
Sources & image credits
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
russellstreet · CC BY-SA 2.0 Image source
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
A painted-face lantern at the 2009 Auckland Lantern Festival, then held in the city centre; a file photo.
Information checked on 2026-10-16
Suggest a correction ↗Festivals & traditionsAotea Square at dusk in April 2026, where The Choir of Man’s Spiegeltent will stand; the light installation shown is not part of the festival.
Photo source · CC0 · Cropped preview· Report image rights
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