Transforming Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s sensational venue, The Civic, into a playground of late-night delights and genre-defying performance, this year’s festival invites audiences to step inside a world within a world, where imagination reigns, and anything can happen.
Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says, “The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival brings a real sense of sparkle and personality to our city. It celebrates bold creativity and invites people to experience the magic of live performance in one of our most iconic venues. It’s events like this that build pride in Tāmaki Makaurau and showcase the richness of our arts and culture.”
Leading the 2026 programme are two electrifying international sensations making their Aotearoa premieres. Cheeky Cabaret takes over The Civic stage from 24 – 28 June with an explosion of circus, comedy and new burlesque. From the creators of global hits La Clique, La Soirée and Club Swizzle, this ever-evolving spectacle delivers a rotating cast of daring, dazzling performers in a high-energy night of deliciously unrestrained entertainment. Bold, outrageous and impossible to predict, Cheeky is cabaret at its most playful and provocative.
Hot on its heels, DANGEROUS GOODS by Polytoxic ignites The Civic stage from 1 – 5 July. Premiering to rave reviews in 2024, this is a world-class lineup of circus, aerials, drag, burlesque and powerhouse vocals. This is cabaret for the brave new world, with a crew of diverse, multi-talented, super-powered femmes ready to blow minds and shift paradigms.
The Wintergarden once again becomes the beating heart of the festival, hosting an eclectic lineup of local and international artists who thrive in the space between tradition and reinvention. Returning to the festival a decade after his debut, Le Gateau Chocolat delivers Musicals Mayhem, a joyous, high-glamour romp through the musical theatre canon, while Aotearoa drag royalty Kita Mean and Anita Wigl’it lead the glittering celebration of Caluzzi Cabaret’s 30th Birthday, a once-in-a-generation tribute to one of New Zealand’s most iconic cabaret institutions.
Award-winning and emerging voices shine throughout the programme in a dynamic lineup of musical acts. Breakout artist Nikau Grace premieres Ko Au, Ko Koe, a powerful live show celebrating women, identity and the courage to take up space, while musician Delaney Davidson brings his haunting new work Baby Heavyweight to life in a spellbinding night of artistry, as he kicks off his nationwide tour for his brand new album. Audiences can also dive into nostalgia and storytelling with Karaoke Heaven, a vibrant Mandopop-infused cabaret from Amanda Grace Leo, or revel in the sounds of the 60s in Simply Brill, paying joyous tribute to the icons such as Carole King, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, and more.
Pushing boundaries and expectations, Sugar – starring Tomáš Kantor, delivers a chaotic, hilarious and razor-sharp exploration of power, queerness and transactional relationships, while The Velvet Lounge seduces audiences with a full-bodied, joyfully cathartic burlesque starring the devastatingly glamorous Michelle Kasey and Kiki Kisses.
Opening the festival in style, All That Glitters: The Gala Night offers a dazzling preview of the programme, bringing together a hand-picked lineup of artists for one unmissable evening of music, drag, comedy and spectacle. Meanwhile, Scratch Night returns with a fresh batch of new creatives ready to take a bold leap into the spotlight. Songs are still being written, acts are taking shape, and ideas are just daring enough to test in front of a crowd.
Beyond the stage, The Civic comes alive with tarot and palm readings, late-night pop-up performances, a Champagne Lounge, specially curated cabaret-inspired platters and beverages, and the ever-popular Piano Bar – where audiences and artists collide in a joyous after-hours celebration of cabaret culture.
Daniel Clarke, Director of Auckland Live, says: “Stepping into The Civic during cabaret season is like entering another world – full of warmth, energy and the unexpected. This festival brings artists and audiences together in a way that feels electric and deeply human, with moments that are joyful, provocative and completely unforgettable. It’s a celebration of creativity without limits, right here in Tāmaki Makaurau. This season presents five World Premiere performances and four Aotearoa Premieres including two shows that have been commissioned by Auckland Live; Karaoke Heaven and Ko Au, Ko Koe”
From outrageous spectacle to intimate storytelling, the 2026 Auckland Live Cabaret Festival celebrates artists who refuse to fit into a box – inviting audiences to experience work that bends genre, expectation and imagination.
Whether you’re drawn to late-night mischief, breathtaking musicality, or daring feats of performance, this year’s programme promises something unforgettable for every kind of cabaret lover. Step inside. Take your seat. And prepare to be part of the magic. Tickets are on sale from 10am tomorrow, Thursday, 23 April via aucklandlive.co.nz.
