SAVE THE DATE: AUCKLAND PRIDE ANNOUNCES KEY DATES FOR 2022 FESTIVAL
Ending HIV Big Gay Out 2021. Photo Credit: Neptunia Moon
Auckland Pride are pleased to announce the dates for the 2022 Festival’s landmark annual offerings, all taking place across the month-long celebration from 1 – 27 February throughout Tāmaki Makaurau.
Alongside the return of festival favourites, Auckland Pride is introducing two new annual takatāpui focused events to the fast growing programme to reflect and amplify the voices of tangata whenua, starting with He Whakawhārikihia on 1 Feb to weave together our Pride Hapori, acknowledging the foundations of which were laid out for us by those who have come before in our 50 years. Te Tīmatanga running throughout Pride from 1 - 27 Feb acknowledges the first Auckland Pride Takatāpui Festival in 2022, embracing the opportunity to embark on a journey together in using the arts as a technology for our whānau to express their Pakiwaitara (personal histories/stories). The Pride Gala returns with a focus on celebrating pride whakapapa and queer creative excellence on 3 Feb Directed by Auckland Pride’s newly appointed Creative Director Elyssia Wilson-Heti.
Auckland Pride and Proud Centres are excited to announce the return of the F.I.N.E Festival which showcases renowned MVPFAFF/LGBTQIA+ Pasifika activists, artists, and community leaders from 10-12 Feb! Ending HIV Big Gay Out is back on 13 Feb as Auckland's biggest harbourside celebration of rainbow communities with over 10,000 people gathering in Coyle Park for queer music, dancing and for the third year the Thirst Trap Vogue Ball with House of Aitu. Then from 16-20 Feb the Samesame but Different returns to celebrate and uplift queer literature and writers.
On 26 Feb the community will gather in Albert Park before the Pride March begins for queer-owned markets, chant practice, sign making, and a space for community advocacy groups to create the energy needed to echo through the city. The March route remains the same, we will march, walk, and wheel down Bowen and Victoria Streets, then up Queen Street, and through the Waharoa into Aotea Square. After demanding more for our communities we will reconnect with queer joy at the Pride Party in Aotea Square. Featuring two stages packed with talented rainbow artists, there will be something safe and accessible for every energy level as we party into the evening.
These events are just a taste of what’s to come, with the first release Auckland Pride programme set to be announced in December.
2022 also sees a refresh of the Auckland Pride brand, including an update to the iconic logo to celebrate intersectionality and diversity of Pride. “Our modern brand identity reflects the organisation that we’ve evolved into, and sets our intentions for the future of intersectional and bold Pride Festivals to come. We’re proud to be a community-centred Pride Festival that reflects our diverse communities in Tāmaki Makaurau, and we’re looking forward to delivering our 10th Auckland Pride Festival.” says Executive Director Max Tweedie.
Auckland Pride Festival 2022 Key Dates:
1 Feb: Te Whakawhārikihia
1-27 Feb: Te Tīmatanga
3 Feb: Pride Gala
10-12 Feb: F.I.N.E. Festival
13 Feb: Ending HIV Big Gay Out
16-20 Feb: Samesame but Different
26 Feb: Pride March
26 Feb: Pride Party