Auckland Live is proud to present the Auckland premiere of Everybody Knows, the new show from award-winning circus comedy trio Laser Kiwi, developed in partnership with Hannah Playhouse in Wellington. Part of the 2026 New Zealand International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo, the season plays in Wellington 5 – 16 May at the Hannah Playhouse and Auckland from 19 – 23 May at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre.

The funniest month of the year is back. The NZ Comedy Trust is thrilled to present the 2026 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo, dishing up non-stop laughs in Auckland and Wellington between 1 – 24 May. Now in its 33rd Auckland edition, and celebrating 30 years in Wellington, this year’s festival brings more than 150 hometown heroes, rising stars and international heavyweights to the stage across more than 550 laugh-out-loud performances.

Bohm Presents and Avalon Promotions are pleased to announce that Greg Davies will be bringing his highly acclaimed show Full Fat Legend to New Zealand in October 2026. This will be Greg’s first New Zealand tour and will kick off in Auckland before heading to Wellington and Christchurch. Tickets go on sale Tuesday 3 March.

Jacob Rajan MNZM is back on stage with the world premiere of Balloon Dog; a deeply affecting and timely new work inspired by one of India’s most beloved stories. Following a sell out preview season, this highly anticipated production from Indian Ink embarks on its Aotearoa tour to Whangārei, Hamilton, Tauranga and Auckland from 16 May – 20 June.

DEPOT has been shaping the creative life of Tāmaki Makaurau for 30 years, backing creatives, building community, and quietly becoming one of the city’s most vital creative hubs. Now it’s time to make some noise as they celebrate this milestone anniversary.

The New Zealand Comedy Trust presents even more acts for this year’s 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala, including the very best international and local comedians, offering up three nights of laugh out loud line-ups. Hosted by Dai Henwood ONZM, the Gala heads to Auckland on 1 May, Wellington on 2 May and Christchurch on 3 May.

Award winning Wellington-based author and illustrator Ruth Paul brings her much loved picture book characters to the stage in HELP! A Monster Ate My Story. This joyful new theatre adventure for children and families stomps through the April school holidays at Circa Theatre, Wellington from Tuesday 7 to Sunday 19 April.

NZTrio He Taonga Wairere is thrilled to announce its 2026 programme Dreamscape, a richly layered season exploring the lyrical warmth and emotional depth of Robert Schumann’s piano trios interwoven with musical gems from Aotearoa. 

The New Zealand Comedy Trust is stoked to announce the latest line-up drop for the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala: Felicity Ward (Aus), Guy Williams, Ivan Aristeguieta (Aus & Venezuela), Angella Dravid, Hoani Hotene and Jessie Nixon (UK). The biggest night in Aotearoa comedy, hosted by Dai Henwood ONZM, heads to Auckland on 1 May, Wellington on 2 May and makes a long-awaited return to Christchurch on 3 May.

The Karangahape Way returns to Karangahape Road on Wednesday 4 February, taking over the strip from 4pm to 10pm as K Road warms up for Laneway Festival and the long weekend ahead.

Aspiring Conversations has announced Adam McGrath as the new speaker for the FEEL THE FEAR session at the 2026 festival, following Mike Chunn’s withdrawal due to unforeseen circumstances. The festival is pleased to welcome another outstanding musician and storyteller to the session.

Bach Musica NZ, New Zealand’s leading combined choir and orchestra, is pleased to announce its 2026 programme, with four concerts across the year at the Auckland Town Hall. The season marks an important new chapter for Bach Musica NZ, welcoming a line-up of distinguished guest conductors to the stage following the retirement of longstanding Music and Artistic Director, Rita Paczian, at the end of 2025.

For the first performance of 2026 on Sunday 19 April at the Auckland Town Hall, Bach Musica NZ welcomes guest conductor Jono Palmer to open the season with a programme that bridges eras and traditions.

Arguably the greatest play of the 20th century, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridgereturns to Tāmaki Makaurau after fifteen years – this searing modern tragedy storms Q Theatre from 9 April – 3 May.

Acclaimed theatre company Nightsong is set to wriggle back onto the stage with their hit family show, The Worm. This thrilling tale, packed with oddball characters, live music and plenty of heart and humour, inches its way into Kerikeri and Whangārei 18 – 22 February and to three Auckland venues for the April school holidays and beyond.