Auckland Pride 2020: Your festival event guide

Friday, 17 January 2020

The first Auckland Pride Festival of the new decade is almost upon us and organisers say it will be the 'largest line-up of events in Auckland Pride's history'.

The festival calendar is packed with more than 150 registered events, including everything from theatre and cabaret to sports contests and pageants.

Festival producer Luke Wilson said 2020's programme was all about celebrating 'the excellence of our queer communities'.

It was 'not only our biggest programme ever, but our most diverse and accessible', he said, with an opportunity for the whole region to 'show their pride'.

**READ MORE:

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* Pride march: all the best photos

* Auckland Pride march takes over city**

People walking through Auckland's CBD during the 2019 Auckland Pride march.

It will run from February 1 until February 16.

Here's a list of all the events you won't want to miss during the celebrations.

THE PRIDE MARCH

'Our March' will return for its second year, following a controversial police uniform ban and cancellation of the Pride parade.

The Big Gay Out is held at Coyle Park, Point Chevalier, Auckland.

Auckland Pride director Max Tweedie said he was pleased with how the march had gone in 2019.

'The march is free and there's no barriers like with the parade so anyone can feel free to join in, it's about queer people enjoying themselves and acknowledging the whakapapa of pride in Auckland.'

The march will take place on February 8 from 4pm, starting at Albert Park.

BIG GAY OUT

Hugo Grrl will be hosting the gala (file photo).

The 21st year of Big Gay Out, presented by Ending HIV, will take place in Coyle Park, Point Chevalier on February 9 from 12pm-7pm.

The family friendly event usually attracts more than 10,000 people per year and is a day of sun, friendship, food, music, dance and colour.

Entry is free and there will be on-site collections for Ending HIV.

At last year's Big Gay Out, Labour MP Tamati Coffey announced he was expecting a baby with his partner, Tim Smith, on stage.

PRIDE GALA

'Our gala' will be held on February 1 at Q Rangatira. It will be hosted by HugoGrrrl, the winner of New Zealand reality show House of Drag.

The night will include a range of comedy, drag, music, cabaret, burlesque and more.

The dress code for the night is 'queer excellence'.

TE TAKARANGA ĀNIWANIWA

Previously known as the dawn ceremony, this early morning opening ceremony will take place on February 1 in Aotea Square at 6am.

The ceremony will be a chance for the LQBTQI+ community to remember the 'fallen rainbows' of the community, 'all those who fought for our liberation, paying homage to their memory as pioneers of Pride in Aotearoa, and Ahurea Takatāpui', the Auckland Pride website says.

PROUD CENTRES

Throughout 2020 pride Auckland Council community and event venues will be transformed into proud centres.

A range of different all-inclusive and free events will be held across the venues including sports competitions, rainbow story time, drag competitions and educational talks.

All the activities focus on education, acceptance and celebration of Auckland's LGBTQI+ communities.

You can find out which Pride Centre events are happening in your area here.

OUR PARTY

Following the Pride march on February 8 is a full-on celebration at Aotea Square from 6pm-10pm.

There will be artists, musicians, dancers and food trucks around the square. It isa free event suitable for all ages.

A full programme for Auckland Pride 2020 is available on the Auckland Pride website.