Highly acclaimed US comedian, Josh Wolf, has just announced he is heading back to New Zealand this coming February. After a sold-out tour in 2023, Wolf will be bringing his hilarious show, the ‘High On Life Tour’, to more cities in 2025, including new locations he has not performed in previously.

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is delighted to announce the first international and local acts taking to the stage at next year’s Best Foods Comedy Gala – Felicity Ward, Tape Face and Eli Matthewson. The ultimate night of laughs will be hosted by Hayley Sproullon 2 May in Auckland and 3 May in Wellington, kicking off the annual 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo.

Te Uru is thrilled to announce the 2024 Portage Ceramic Award last night went to Wendelien Bakker for her work Sea of Grass. This year’s Merit Award winners are Terry Bell for The Clay Pulls You In, Ted Kindleysides for Figure Bottle Form (set of two) and Raukura Turei for Nau mai e hine.

Auckland Live Christmas in Aotea Square is back and so is summer. While Santa is getting Christmas ready, we are transforming Aotea Square into the ultimate pre-Christmas summer hangout. From Friday 29 November to Sunday 22 December the Square will be dressed up for Christmas with The Christmas Pavilion and The Illuminating Light Forest by Angus Muir. Experience an array of free entertainment and performances – from live music to circus, visual arts to karaoke, and even an outdoor cinema.

Auckland Theatre Company proudly announces the world premiere of a mixtape for maladies, an evocative new work by acclaimed Sri Lankan writer Ahi Karunaharan. Presented in collaboration with Agaram Productions and Te Ahurei Tōi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, this powerful story of love, loss and legacy presses play at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 4 to 23 March.  

The 25th annual Auckland International Buskers Festival is set to bring a world-class lineup of street performers to the city for Auckland Anniversary Weekend. From 24 – 27 January, the Waterfront and CBD will be bursting with an exciting blend of extraordinary talent, from thrilling fire tricks, high-flying extreme pogo, hilarious clowning and breathtaking acrobatics.

Now in its 29th year, Auckland Shakespeare in the Park, Auckland’s only outdoor Shakespeare experience, is set to bring Shakespeare to the stage like you’ve never seen before. This summer enjoy the Bard’s The Taming of the Shrew performed by an all-female-identifying cast, and Richard III, presented as a hard-hitting gang drama. Experience Shakespeare timeless tales at The PumpHouse Theatre’s Outdoor Amphitheatre from 18 January – 15 February 2025.

Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready for a night of comedy brilliance as the New Zealand Comedy Trust proudly presents the Best Foods Comedy Gala for 2025, hosted by multi-talented comedy sensation, Hayley Sproull. This unmissable night serves as the curtain-raiser for the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo, for over three weeks of laughter, and an incredible selection of what’s hot in comedy, from 2 – 25 May.

Bach Musica NZ, the country's leading combined choral and orchestral ensemble, are thrilled to be joined by one of Australia’s most versatile tenors, Henry Choo for their upcoming 1 December performance of Bach’s famous Christmas Oratorio (parts 4 - 6) at the Auckland Town Hall.

NZTrio He Taonga Wairere cellist Ashley Brown has announced that he is stepping aside from his work with the trio in April 2025, marking a time of transition for the captivating and much-loved ensemble.

With the end of the year approaching at lightspeed, Stardome has some unmissable events celebrating all things space.

Tim Bray Theatre Company is excited to celebrate the 20th season of their cherished end-of-year festive production, The Santa Claus Show ‘24. This beloved family favourite rings in the holiday season from 1 – 22 December at The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna.

Comedic voices have a new opportunity to bring their talents to the airwaves, with the launch of the Aotearoa Comedy Podcast Development Fund—a collaboration between RNZ and the New Zealand Comedy Trust (NZCT). The fund is designed to support the development of original, inclusive, and engaging comedy podcasts that reflect Aotearoa’s cultural diversity and creative innovation.

Russell Peters celebrates 35 years as a stand-up comic and will be bringing his brand new RELAX WORLD TOUR to New Zealand in March 2025.

Auckland Theatre Company have announced their 2025 Season featuring six beautiful, big plays that will captivate, entertain and challenge audiences. These works promise heartbreaking poignancy, murder and mystery, challenging historical truths, national treasures, thunderous bolts of lighting and big, loud laughs.