Here’s our hand-picked a selection of events taking place across Aotea Arts Quarter.

Spring Awakening

7 Nov - 9 Nov 2024, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre

A group of teenagers – silenced and controlled by a censorious society – discover a new world of feeling and freedom outside the classroom. The consequences are beautiful and devastating. 

Winner of the Tony and Olivier awards for Best Musical, Spring Awakening tells a story of adolescent anarchy, set to one of the most loved scores of the 21st century. Featuring UNITEC’s graduating actors, it is a poignant and thrilling ride that stings with resonance for today’s world.

More information and tickets here

Play in the Square

2 November, Aotea Square  

During Play Week head into the city centre to join in the fun, with a range of options to suit all ages.

In Aotea Square, jump into the mini-soccer Hungerball arena and test your skills in this fast-paced communal game of frantic footwork. Stretch your imagination with the expansive loose parts playground from Junky Monkeys and Conscious Kids. Sit down with the folks from The Open Fort at their Play Cafe and make some new friends while playing games, running around on some secret treasure hunts or buzzing as bees in their giant BeeGarden game.

More information and tickets here

Lauren Daigle 

4 November, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre

Like many before her, singer Lauren Daigle’s journey has not been without its challenges and the route often not as planned. But beneath her feet lies the road upon which she has traveled, and at its core is a determined, infectious spirit, whose deep-seated love of music reveals a singular talent.

Lauren’s next chapter opens on September 8th, when the 2x Grammy Award winner releases the full 23-track self-titled album, which Lauren explains, “is the completion of a journey that began when we first started writing for the album. I knew all along that we’d need to release these songs in two parts. This second part not only adds a lot of intensity, but it also reveals music that’s just as deep and meaningful to me.”

More information and tickets here

Hungarian Rhapsodies

5 November, Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

An Evening with cimbalom virtuoso Jenő Lisztes

Born in Hungary, Jenő Lisztes is an extraordinary cimbalom virtuoso whose musical journey began at the age of four, following a family tradition passed down from his father and grandfather. He studied at the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, graduating as a cimbalom player and teacher.

Lisztes will showcase the versatility of the cimbalom with a diverse and captivating programme, featuring Liszt’s fiery Hungarian Rhapsodies and a unique arrangement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, offering fresh interpretations of these classical masterpieces.

One of the evening's highlights will be a dazzling performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Flight of the Bumblebee — a whirlwind of rapid notes that perfectly displays the cimbalom's incredible speed and precision.

More information and tickets here

The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale

5 November - 1 December, The Civic

Embark on a new journey, as this timeless tale unfolds in an intimate, yet breathtaking theatrical production. The Lord of The Rings returns home to Middle-earth to capture our imaginations and hearts, like never before.

Experience Tolkien’s masterpiece in a brand-new environment, one meticulously crafted and enhanced by stunning world-class theatrics and captivating music.

Take your seat, in the company of Hobbits, and join us for a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event that will enchant both lifelong fans and new generations alike.

More information and tickets here