Lantern Festival 2026 tickets sell out, visitors urged to plan ahead

While online tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival have sold out, walk-up tickets remain available at the entry gates each day, and staff will assist those who were unable to secure bookings online.

Organisers encourage festivalgoers to plan ahead and use public transport.

The four-day festival returns to Manukau Sports Bowl from 26 February to 1 March, marking its third year at the South Auckland venue. Entry is open until 10 pm nightly, with the event closing at 10.30 pm. Fireworks are scheduled for approximately 9.50 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

A giant moa lantern on display at the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival in Manukau, part of a new Kiwiana-themed series. Photo / Supplied

Road closures are in place around the venue, with organisers urging visitors to allow extra travel time.

Delivered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the free event operates under a ticketing system introduced to manage crowd numbers and reduce congestion. Ticket holders can travel free on buses and trains from two hours before gates open until one hour after closing. Shuttle services will run between Manukau Train Station, Westfield Manukau and the venue.

The festival is expected to attract between 160,000 and 180,000 visitors. Auckland Council contributes $450,000 toward the event’s more than $1 million total cost, with the remainder funded through sponsorship, stallholder fees and grants rather than additional rates.

Supported by Auckland Council Events, the festival is family-friendly, smoke-free and alcohol-free. Highlights this year include a Year of the Horse lantern and a giant moa lantern, the first in a new Kiwiana-themed series.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.