Auckland Live Kids Returns in 2020 with a line-up of outstanding performances and fun for kids and families

By: Auckland for Kids
Published: 04 Mar 2020

An amazing line-up of live performance, digital play, and good old-fashioned fun are amongst the magical moments in store for kids and their families in the recently announced Auckland Live Kids 2020 programme.

This years programme has lots of FREE and low cost arts and entertainment events especially for kids at Auckland Live’s venues from March to November 2020. Here is our pick of 10 of the BEST things to see with the kids in Auckland Live Kids 2020 programme.

1. Wolfgang's Magical Musical Circus

Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus starts the Auckland Live Kid’s programme in March with a tumbling and twirling mix of thrilling circus and the reinvention of Mozart’s magical music. This mischievous show is a co-presentation with Auckland Arts Festival, Circa Contemporary Circus and Auckland Live, that will be adored by youngsters aged three years plus who love the excitement and vibrancy of colourful live performance and music.

2. String Symphony, a giant illuminated puppet

Kids of all-ages are going to love Spare Parts Puppet Theatre’s FREE giant illuminated puppet which is almost two-stories high as it awaits those lucky enough to bring it to life in Aotea Square during the April school holidays. Children aged 10 years old plus and teenagers can be the String Symphony puppeteer and manipulate the ropes of the giant interactive puppet to create a joyful and visually stunning interactive experience no-one will forget. Kids under 10 years will enjoy watching the giant puppet come to life.

3. FREE Aotea Square Arcade on the Digital Stage

Lighting up the Square at the same time, retro video games and locally made indie offerings will play large and proud on the Auckland Live Digital Stage at the Aotea Square Arcade. Plus there is Dance-O-Mat a FREE outdoor dance floor where kids get to choose their favourite song, crank up the volume and dance like no-one’s watching!

4. Eight FREE weekends of Auckland Live Pick & Mix performances and workshops

Auckland Live’s Pick & Mix programme is a fun way to introduce your kids to the performing arts. There will be eight weekends of FREE performances and participatory workshops for all children of all ages. Pick & Mix events will be on for one weekend each month from May 2020 to November 2020.

5. The Glitter Garden drag show for families

In June 2020, an utterly unique and wonderous drag show for the whole family awaits in The Glitter Garden, where Hugo Grrrl (winner of the inaugural season of TVNZ On Demand’s House of Drag) and friends Skipper the Snail and Honey the Bee will delight in a garden that grows before your eyes. Expect to see sensational costumes, magical movement, song, dance, and hilarity.

6. Live family theatre show, The Lost Letter Office

The Lost Letter Office, from Capital E’s National Theatre for Children, takes the story of magical letters connecting two unexpected soul mates: a young girl who wants to be a magician; and an elderly neighbour who is a world-famous magician. This show is on in June 2020 and is recommended for 2 year olds to 8 year olds

7. Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox

You’ll be chasing your tail to the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna to catch Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox, who’ll go to any lengths to outwit humans and have as much fun as possible with his team of furry friends. The beloved children’s book is brought to brilliant life in July by shake & stir theatre co (Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine, and Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts).

8. Aotea Square Ice Rink

As temperatures drop in June and July, the Aotea Square Ice Rink will return along with the popular Snugs, with their unique dining experience. It’s all part of the winter festival vibe that makes the Square a popular winter school holiday destination, both at day and night.

9. Explore Artchitect of Air's giant domed maze, Daedalum

Ushering in spring in October 2020, Daedalum’s 47-metre long maze of egg-shaped domes will spread out across Aotea Square in patterns creating mysterious sight lines and illuminations influenced by the light and weather outside. Tranquil, calming, and perfect for all ages and abilities, it follows 2015’s sold-out Arboria. Beautiful and unexpected, and saturated in colour, Architect of Air’s Daedalum experience has been likened to walking through a stained-glass window or a futuristic space station.

10. Up and Away and Play Play entertainment at The Civic especially for under 5's

Cubbin Theatre Company’s Up and Away for babies and Play Play for 3-4 year old’s entertains and educates at The Civic in November 2020. Up and Away is a gentle performance exclusively for babies and their grown-ups weaving theatre, play and live music. Play Play goes a step further with an uplifting theatre show for preschoolers that takes a positive, nurturing approach to physical play and the amazing and creative things our bodies can do.