With March (and the arrival of spring) comes a slew of fascinating, fulfilling and immersive cultural experiences. From epic exhibitions to design festivals to theatre, comedy, live music and more, our comprehensive March Culture Guide is here to detail everything you need to attend over the month ahead.
A Mixtape for Maladies
When & Where: Tuesday 4th — Sunday 23rd March, ASB Waterfront Theatre
Ahi Karunaharan’s A Mixtape for Maladies is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of music. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Sri Lanka, Sangeetha’s world revolves around family, romance, and a love of songs — until civil war shatters their lives. Now, decades later living in Aotearoa, her son Deepan discovers a mixtape, uncovering the layered memories of his mother’s past. This intimate and powerful work offers both a new understanding of identity, and a testament to resilience through time and melody.
Olafur Eliasson Late Night
When & Where: Thursday 20th March, Auckland Art Gallery
Step into a world of colour, light, and elemental forces at Olafur Eliasson Late Night, presented with Auckland Arts Festival. Explore Your Curious Journey — the first solo exhibition of the acclaimed artist in Aotearoa, showcasing over 30 years of work from immersive installations to thought-provoking sculptures. Enjoy live performances, insightful conversations, and a drop-in workshop, before unwinding with a drink beneath Eliasson’s mesmerising Under the Weather in the gallery’s atrium.
Auckland Design Week
When & Where: Monday 3rd — Sunday 9th March, various locations city-wide
Auckland Design Week returns this March, bringing a dynamic celebration of design to Tāmaki Makaurau. This year’s theme, Chance + Change, explores the transformative role of emerging technologies in design. With internationally renowned designer Karim Rashid headlining as keynote speaker, and countless workshops, exhibitions, and satellite events citywide, ADW25 promises to inspire, connect, and showcase the best in local and global design.
Champions Day
When & Where: Sunday, 8th March, Ellerslie Racecourse
Featuring over $9 million in total stakes and prizes on offer across the day, New Zealand’s richest-ever sporting event — Champions Day, is set to be a standout in the racing calendar. This brand-new spectacle introduces the sport’s first-ever slot race with a record $3.5 million prize pool, and plays host to The Ned Prix de Fashion — New Zealand’s answer to the Melbourne Cup’s most stylish fashion moments. With premium hospitality, free children’s entertainment, and an epic afterparty featuring UK sensation DJ Jax Jones, Champions Day is a racing experience like no other.
A Streetcar Named Desire
When & Where: Thursday 20th — Sunday 23rd March, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre
For the first time in Australasia, iconic Scottish ballet A Streetcar Named Desire is being showcased — the original score performed live by the Auckland Philharmonia. This adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play is a contemporary narrative ballet, injecting dance into the beating heart of the famed tale, in a vital, achingly intense tribute.
Mānuka Phuel Synthony Festival
When & Where: Saturday 29th March, Auckland Domain
Mānuka Phuel SYNTHONY Festival returns to Auckland in 2025, with the global premiere of Synthony No.6 with the Auckland Philharmonia conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams, and performances by Cyril, Example (UK), and more. This electrifying fusion of live orchestra, electronic beats, and immersive visuals promises a festival experience like no other.
Freida Market
When & Where: Saturday 1st March, Freida Margolis, Auckland
Kickstart your weekend at the lively Freida Market, held on the first Saturday of every month at Freida Margolis in Grey Lynn. Discover a curated selection of pre-loved and vintage clothes, unique finds, freshly baked goods, seasonal flowers, ceramics, handmade crafts, and more. Enjoy tasty bites as vinyl spins in true Freida’s style, adding to the warm, community feel.
Auckland Arts Festival
When & Where: Thursday 6th — Sunday 23rd March, various locations Auckland-wide
This March sees the always anticipated return of the Auckland Arts Festival to the beating cultural heart of the city. Featuring what might be the event’s biggest programme yet, full of some of our greatest national talents, and visiting guests from further afield, Aucklanders are treated to 17 days of immersion in the arts. Think exhibitions, live performances and workshops, of which the complete programme can be discovered here.
Kelmarna Farm Festival
When & Where: Sunday 16th March, Kelmarna Farm
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a day of live music, delicious local food, and hands-on farm experiences at Kelmarna Community Farm’s much-loved annual festival. On Sunday, March 16th between 12 — 5pm, explore lush gardens, enjoy workshops, and sip on drinks from the licensed bar — all while supporting a regenerative food system. ‘Pay-What-You-Can’ tickets are available via Humanitix, here, or grab one at the gate.
SIX The Musical
When & Where: Thursday 27th February — Sunday 23rd March, The Civic
A global phenomenon, SIX the Musical reimagines history with a high-energy, 80-minute spectacle where the six fierce Tudor wives of the infamous monarch, Henry Vlll, reclaim their stories. Winner of 35 international awards, including Tonys, this electrifying show — which has captivated millions worldwide — is a spectacle not to be missed. Secure tickets here.
Black Grace — This Is Not A Retrospective
When & Where: Saturday 22nd March, Auckland Town Hall
Celebrating 30 years, Black Grace — This Is Not A Retrospective closes the Auckland Arts Festival with an electrifying, interactive dance party at the Great Hall. Expect high-energy performances, dynamic connections between artists and audience, and a night of movement, music, and celebration — continuing late into the night.
Deep Roots, Tall Poppies by Katherine Throne at Sanderson
When & Where: Wednesday 5th — Sunday 30th March, Sanderson
Katherine Throne’s Deep Roots, Tall Poppies at Sanderson Gallery reimagines floral painting with bold compositions and expressive brushwork. Inspired by her Wānaka garden, Throne’s still lifes subvert tradition, celebrating individuality and resilience. Her vibrant, untamed blooms reject conformity, embodying nature’s exuberance and the freedom to flourish.
