One of the biggest public events on Auckland’s calendar will draw tens of thousands of people keen to welcome the Lunar New Year and the Chinese Year of the Snake.
More than 40,000 free tickets have been snapped up for this year’s BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival, which is at the Manukau Sports Bowl on Te Irirangi Drive from February 13-16.
It’s staged by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited on behalf of Auckland Council and this year it’s a free-ticketed event for the first time to enhance the visitor experience.
“I encourage everyone to get their tickets, take advantage of the free transport options on offer and enjoy the many lanterns, performances and whānau activities on offer at what will be a spectacular event for the region,” Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill says.
The festival will feature delicious food from a range of cultures, a large fireworks display to close out each of the last three nights, more than 500 handmade lanterns, retail stores, grandstand performances, amusement rides, a cultural courtyard with traditional clothing and traditional and contemporary art, a BNZ Basketball Court, and an outdoor movie screen playing family-friendly films.
The move to a free ticketing system and longer opening hours for this year’s festival will help manage the flow of the more than 110,000 people expected to attend across the four days.
Free travel is available for BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival ticket holders to and from the event on Auckland Transport buses and trains for two hours before event opening times and for one hour after the event finishes.
While tickets will be available at the gates throughout the festival, visitors are encouraged to book online to save time at the entrances.
BNZ chief executive Dan Huggins says: “The BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival showcases Auckland’s vibrant cultural diversity.
“We’re excited to support an event that brings communities together to celebrate the Lunar New Year in such a meaningful way.
“We’re delighted to bring back the popular BNZ Basketball Court with free basketballs for the first 300 kids each day, and skills sessions and court time with BNZ Kiwi Hoops.”
The festival is open 3pm-10pm on February 13-14 and 1pm-10pm on February 15-16.
Get your tickets online at www.universe.com.
- There’s also a range of Lunar New Year events being staged at Botany Town Centre from January 29 to February 12 including cultural performances, dragon dance and Chinese cultural crafts.
- Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple in Flat Bush is staging Lunar New Year events until February 9 including vegetarian food stalls and incense offering.
