Rainbows at the ready, Pride month is coming to Auckland from February 1. There are over 100 events taking place around the region – with a particular focus on highlighting the arts and celebrating the artistic range and versatility of the LGBTQI+ community.

Seen and Heard
Photographer Fiona Clark’s courageous documentation of the queer scene in 1970s New Zealand saw her censored and shunned by the art world. But the importance of her work is increasingly being recognised in recent years, and this new exhibition celebrates the lesbian and sapphic communities with new portraits and a selection from her archive. The exhibit is running for around a month, with a complementary program that includes a screening of director Lula Cucchiara’s Fiona Clark: Unafraid at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
January 26–February 23, Studio One Toi Tū

Pride March
Get in the spirit of Pride’s activist roots, and make sure your voice is heard at the Pride March. Bringing the community together to elevate LGBTQI+ stories (and as a reminder that the fight for equality is not over), this year’s march will be gathering on Lorne Street outside the Central City Library at 2pm, allowing everyone to connect and mingle before heading down Queen Street, across Tyler Street and into Takutai Square.
February 18, Queen Street

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No Homo: Queer Comedy
Get cracking on booking tickets for this one, as they often sell out in advance. Regular favourite No Homo: Queer Comedy returns for 2023 for a Pride special with a stellar line-up. Hosted by Eli Matthewson, winner of the comedy festival’s 2021 Fred Award, the show features James Mustapic (a two-time nominee of the Billy T emerging comedic talent award), along with Jadwiga Green, Liv McKenzie and Jacqui Hooper.
February 23 & 24, Basement Theatre

Queens Down Under
Kita Mean and Anita Wigl’it – two of Aotearoa’s favourite drag performers, and stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under – are hosting a three-course dinner at iconic Karangahape Road cabaret bar Caluzzi. So for a side of drag-tastic entertainment with your chicken breast, steak or tofu curry, book a seat for this one-night event.
February 16, Caluzzi Cabaret

Samesame but Different Literary Festival
This five-day festival celebrates the evolution of Aotearoa’s queer literary community. It was founded in 2016 by the late Peter Wells to amplify the voices of a diverse range of queer writers – and the issues they’re passionate about. Events, happening across various venues, include a book launch, a poetry open mic, play readings, a panel discussion exploring biography and storytelling, and a presentation with New Zealand’s poet laureate Chris Tse.
February 21–25, various locations

Pride in the Square
Near the end of the month, Auckland Pride will be throwing a two-day party to send off the festival in colour and style for another year. Head to Aotea Square to be part of the fun, along with community groups, DJs, drag artists and musicians from around the country.
February 24 & 25, Aotea Square

Aucklandpride.org.nz