The Auckland Arts Festival has announced its 2026 program. Across 5– 22 March, it offers 18 days stacked with art, culture, music and movement from renowned international and New Zealand artists in a “celebration of joy, resilience, humour and heart.”

Music

Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied

In a 2026 festival highlight, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra stops over on the North Island with a two programs that feature works from Elliot Leung, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Qigang Chen.

American soprano Julia Bullock also makes an exclusive, one-night-only appearance backed by the Auckland Philharmonic on 7 March.

The Auckland Phil also performs in Bartòk’s Bluebeard’s Castle with New Zealand Opera and a cast of internationally renowend vocalists on 13–14 March, and its In Your Neighbourhood series returns with the Phil’s principal quartet and a program of works by Beethoven, Ravel and John Psathas.

Legendary band Moana & the Tribe offers selections from its latest album Ono with a team of visiting musicians including Shellie Morris and Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole.

Performing arts team Te Waka Huia mark 45 years with choral leader Karen Grylls in...