Theatre and shows for families
Our pick of the BEST upcoming shows, theatre and concerts for kids and families in 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand.
October 2019 family shows
Type:
Theatre
Theatre
All
Art
Christmas
Culture
Environmental
Exhibition
Festival
Free
Markets & Fairs
Movies
Museums and Galleries
Music
School holidays
Science & Tech
Sports
Where:
All
All
Central Auckland
East Auckland
Gulf Islands
North Auckland
South Auckland
West Auckland
Ages:
All
All
All Ages
Babies (up to 1 year)
School age children (5 to 12 years)
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Teens (13 to 18 years)
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Tweens (10 to 12 years)
When
(Saturday) 10:00 am
Where
Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland, 1010
Event Details
Join a fun filled adventure with Touch Compass! When Sina awakes on a mystical, ancient beach, she has no idea how she got there. How will she find her way back?
Event Details
Join a fun filled adventure with Touch Compass!
When Sina awakes on a mystical, ancient beach, she has no idea how she got there. How will she find her way back? What is her connection to Masina?
Using words, song, music and dance including multi-sensory props and experiences, follow Sina and her exploration into reconnecting back to the land, her history and her future.
Workshop: Join a multi-sensory journey with Touch Compass and discover how you can tell a story in many different ways.
Price
FREE ticketed event
Organiser
Buy tickets
Book your FREE tickets hereWhen
(Sunday) 10:00 am
Where
Bruce Mason Centre
Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland
Event Details
Join a fun filled adventure with Touch Compass! When Sina awakes on a mystical, ancient beach, she has no idea how she got there. How will she find her way back?
Event Details
Join a fun filled adventure with Touch Compass!
When Sina awakes on a mystical, ancient beach, she has no idea how she got there. How will she find her way back? What is her connection to Masina?
Using words, song, music and dance including multi-sensory props and experiences, follow Sina and her exploration into reconnecting back to the land, her history and her future.
Workshop: Join a multi-sensory journey with Touch Compass and discover how you can tell a story in many different ways.
Price
FREE ticketed event
Organiser
Buy tickets
Book your FREE tickets here
When
(Thursday) 1:00 pm – 1:55 pm
Where
TAPAC
100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Future dates
Tuesday 15 October 2019 1:00 pm
Event Details
Disappear down the rabbit hole into the whimsical, wacky and wild world of Alice in Wonderland! Join the curious and curiouser Alice on her madcap adventures as she meets White
Event Details
Disappear down the rabbit hole into the whimsical, wacky and wild world of Alice in Wonderland! Join the curious and curiouser Alice on her madcap adventures as she meets White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and other quirky characters from Lewis Carroll’s classic story…
Leading children’s theatre producers, The Stage Company are renowned for their high-energy and hilarious musical pantomimes.
Celebrating the strange and revelling in the ridiculous, this original take on the classic will have kids aged 5-12 in stitches as they become immersed in a fabulous fantasyland where nothing is what it seems. Don’t be late for this very important date!
Show duration: 55 minutes
Price
Children under 12 – $20;
Adults – $26
Families (2 Adults & 2 Children – $75) and Seniors with a Gold Card $10
Buy tickets
Book Here
When
(Monday) 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Where
The PumpHouse Theatre
2a Manurere Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Future dates
Monday 21 October 2019 1:00 pmTuesday 22 October 2019 10:00 amTuesday 22 October 2019 1:00 pmWednesday 23 October 2019 10:00 amWednesday 23 October 2019 1:00 pmThursday 24 October 2019 10:00 amThursday 24 October 2019 1:00 pmFriday 25 October 2019 10:00 amFriday 25 October 2019 1:00 pm
Event Details
Toro Pikopiko Puppets present an interactive eco puppet musical for children, who will learn what is needed to keep our waterways safe and healthy for all the aquatic life that
Event Details
Toro Pikopiko Puppets present an interactive eco puppet musical for children, who will learn what is needed to keep our waterways safe and healthy for all the aquatic life that inhabit them.
Audience (children and adults) become volunteer puppeteers helping animate eels, trout, farm animals, humans and many kinds of marine creatures in an immersive hour-long singing and dancing, environmental adventure.
Toro PikoPiko Puppets are New Zealand’s most established puppet-performance duo, specializing in Māori culture themed musicals and action-learning games for families. This is their 16th theatrical puppet production, to be performed in English with Te Reo Māori waiata.
The premiere season of Mama Long-Fin takes place at the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna, which lies on the edge of Lake Pupuke – itself a major eel habitat. MAMA LONG-FIN is being work-shopped with children from Takapuna Primary School, that also neighbours Lake Pupuke. They will also participate in the show’s premiere performance.
Come swimming with Mama Long-Fin and her skinny finny friends!
Price
Tickets are $12 per person.
Organiser
Toro PikoPiko Puppets
Buy tickets
Book Here
When
(Friday) 7:00 pm – 8:20 pm
Where
TAPAC
100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Future dates
Saturday 26 October 2019 7:00 pmSunday 27 October 2019 7:00 pmMonday 28 October 2019 7:00 pm
Event Details
Written and directed by Tavita Nielsen-Mamea ‘Au Ko Tuvalu’ takes the audience to Tuvalu, the homeland of the world’s first climate change refugees, now on its final day of evacuations… Sitting just
Event Details
Written and directed by Tavita Nielsen-Mamea ‘Au Ko Tuvalu‘ takes the audience to Tuvalu, the homeland of the world’s first climate change refugees, now on its final day of evacuations…
Sitting just metres above sea level, the rising seas are dangerously lapping at the door step of three siblings, who must pack up their lives and flee to “Niu Sila” Aotearoa.
Although Maleko and Lifa try to look to the future and their new lives, Fetau finds it hard to say goodbye…
Au Ko Tuvalu follows a family watching their history, culture, and beloved homeland swept away in front of their eyes.
Suitable for families with children aged 7 years plus.
Price
Adults $20, Children $10, Concession for seniors and students with valid ID $15.
November 2019 family shows
Type:
Theatre
Theatre
All
Art
Christmas
Culture
Environmental
Exhibition
Festival
Free
Markets & Fairs
Movies
Museums and Galleries
Music
School holidays
Science & Tech
Sports
Where:
All
All
Central Auckland
East Auckland
Gulf Islands
North Auckland
South Auckland
West Auckland
Ages:
All
All
All Ages
Babies (up to 1 year)
School age children (5 to 12 years)
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Teens (13 to 18 years)
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Tweens (10 to 12 years)
When
(Tuesday) 10:00 am
Where
The Wintergarden, The Civic
Corner of Queen Street and Wellesley Street West, Auckland 1010
Future dates
Wednesday 13 November 2019 10:00 amThursday 14 November 2019 10:00 amFriday 15 November 2019 10:00 amSaturday 16 November 2019 10:00 amSunday 17 November 2019 10:00 am
Event Details
The baby whisperers. Up and Away is a playful and gentle theatre performance exclusively for babies and their grown-ups. You and your baby will be entranced by this magical interweaving of theatre, play
Event Details
The baby whisperers.
Up and Away is a playful and gentle theatre performance exclusively for babies and their grown-ups.
You and your baby will be entranced by this magical interweaving of theatre, play and live music. Be quick, numbers are limited for this unique theatrical treasure inside a specially crafted tent.
Important information:
Only pre-walking babies (0-18 months approx) may attend, accompanied by a caregiver. Due to the nature of the performance, babies who are walking cannot be admitted.
It’s important the babies feel totally relaxed during the performance, which is why there is no option to bring older siblings or other children along. The babies are the priority and they don’t want the very youngest audience members to be overwhelmed by children who might be slightly too old for the performance.
Due to space restrictions, only one caregiver per baby can be admitted into the tent area. Other adults may purchase an ‘observer seat’ if they wish to attend (seated directly behind your family, just not on the floor).
Price
Baby and adult $22
Observer $15
Single seats, for family members attending without an infant.
Services fees plus credit card charges apply.
Organiser
When
(Friday) 7:30 pm
Where
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Dr, CBD, Auckland
Event Details
The Imperial Russian Ballet Company returns to New Zealand with Swan Lake…one of the most-loved classical ballets of them all. This masterpiece ballet is presented in two Acts and follows the original
Event Details
The Imperial Russian Ballet Company returns to New Zealand with Swan Lake…one of the most-loved classical ballets of them all.
This masterpiece ballet is presented in two Acts and follows the original storyline. Subtle revisions and variations have been introduced by Gediminas Taranda, artistic director of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company.
Swan Lake crosses the world of magic and mystical creatures with that of the real world. It is a story where the virtues of love and forgiveness conquer evil and betrayal.
The Imperial Russian Ballet Company was formed in 1994, headed by the Bolshoi Theatre soloist Gediminas Taranda. It is comprised of 40 dancers from the major ballet schools of Russia.
‘In a night that overflows with all things ballet, you can’t help be swept up by the sheer panache of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company dancers‘ – The West Australian
‘The Russians Know Best‘ – Jenny Stevenson, Dominion Post
Children under 5 are not permitted at this performance.
Price
Tickets: $53 to $93
Organiser
When
(Saturday) 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Dr, CBD, Auckland
Event Details
Nanogirl, Boris (her trusty lab assistant), and CLAIR (Constantly Learning Artificial Intelligence Repository) are back for a brand new action-packed adventure, bringing you science and engineering as you have never seen them
Event Details
Nanogirl, Boris (her trusty lab assistant), and CLAIR (Constantly Learning Artificial Intelligence Repository) are back for a brand new action-packed adventure, bringing you science and engineering as you have never seen them before. In this interactive show filled with experiments, explosions and music – Nanogirl Live! brings science and engineering to life in the coolest ways possible, right before your eyes. There are lots of opportunities to volunteer and do science on stage with Nanogirl too!
After three sellout tours, this brand new show by the internationally touring Nanogirl Live! Team, and starring Dr. Michelle Dickinson features all-new experiments, and all-new explosions – with plenty of extraordinary musical sounds to be enjoyed by the whole family.
“Educational, Entertaining, and Explosions!” 5 stars
“They promised big bangs, and they delivered…Great to see scientific principles being explained.” 5 stars
Organiser
When
(Friday) 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Dr, CBD, Auckland
Future dates
Friday 29 November 2019 7:00 pmSaturday 30 November 2019 1:30 pmSaturday 30 November 2019 7:00 pmSunday 1 December 2019 1:30 pm
Event Details
The National Youth Theatre Company presents “The Wizard of Oz”, an enchanting musical drawn from the all-time classic MGM screenplay that celebrates its 80th birthday this year. With all the much-loved
Event Details
The National Youth Theatre Company presents “The Wizard of Oz”, an enchanting musical drawn from the all-time classic MGM screenplay that celebrates its 80th birthday this year.
With all the much-loved characters and iconic moments from the movie, and beloved songs like “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”, “We’re Off to See The Wizard” and “If I Only Had A Brain” from the Oscar®-winning movie score, this is a perfect event for the whole family to enjoy.
Featuring a cast of over 250 of the finest young performers from all over the Auckland region and a rocking live band don’t miss this opportunity to join Dorothy and her friends as they follow the yellow brick road.
Note: Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied to this event by a caregiver who is 16 years and over. Children under 3 are not permitted entry into this event.
Price
Children $25 to $30
Adults to $40 to 45
Student $25 to $30
Seniors $25 to $40
Family (2 adults and 2 children) $140
Service & credit card fees are additional, Ticket prices are subject to availability.
Organiser
National Youth Theatre Company (NYTC)
Buy tickets
Book your tickets here
When
(Saturday) 5:00 pm
Where
The PumpHouse Theatre
2a Manurere Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Event Details
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents The Santa Claus Show ’19 by Tim Bray and songs by Christine White. About the show: Kelly and Alana are best friends and decide to write to
Event Details
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents The Santa Claus Show ’19 by Tim Bray and songs by Christine White.
About the show:
Kelly and Alana are best friends and decide to write to Santa Claus. But Kelly sends the longest list of things that a child wants for Christmas that Santa has ever seen. Santa flies Kelly to the North Pole so she can learn for herself the true meaning of Christmas.
Enjoy The Santa Claus Show ’19 with your family, school or early childhood centre – or make a booking to share the spirit of Christmas with your staff, clients and their families. Generous group discounts or book your own exclusive performance.
Now in it’s 17th year – a magical, traditional Christmas treat.
Costume Parade: Encourage your children to dress up as their favourite Christmas character for the onstage Costume Parade just prior to the start of the Holiday shows.
Recommended for children aged 3 to 8 years old.
Price
Gala night tickets are $30 per person.
Additional booking fees and credit card fees apply.
Organiser
Buy tickets
Book your tickets hereDecember 2019 family shows
Type:
Theatre
Theatre
All
Art
Christmas
Culture
Environmental
Exhibition
Festival
Free
Markets & Fairs
Movies
Museums and Galleries
Music
School holidays
Science & Tech
Sports
Where:
All
All
Central Auckland
East Auckland
Gulf Islands
North Auckland
South Auckland
West Auckland
Ages:
All
All
All Ages
Babies (up to 1 year)
School age children (5 to 12 years)
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Teens (13 to 18 years)
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Tweens (10 to 12 years)
When
(Saturday) 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where
Concert Chamber – Auckland Town Hall
303 Queen Street, CBD, Auckland
Event Details
A madcap adventure filled with circus, silliness and mystery! Ever wanted to run away with the circus? Join us for the next best thing in this hilariously disastrous tale about two
Event Details
A madcap adventure filled with circus, silliness and mystery!
Ever wanted to run away with the circus? Join us for the next best thing in this hilariously disastrous tale about two failed burglar friends who set their sights on stealing the mighty crown jewels. Will they succeed? Or will Detective Dirk catch them?
Wallace and Ned will have you falling off your seat and into a cartwheel as the story unravels through circus tricks and acrobatic skill!
Workshop: Have a bundle of fun replicating what you’ve just seen in a workshop covering balance acrobatics, juggling, tumbling and slapstick!
About the company:
The Dust Palace is New Zealand’s preeminent circus theatre company. Their aim is to create tour-able circus theatre, taking stories from Aotearoa around the world, and to foster circus and physical performance and practitioners in Auckland and wider New Zealand.
Performances start at 10am, followed by a workshop at 11am.
Auckland Live Pick & Mix events are free, however bookings are essential. Please book your tickets from https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/auckland-live-pick-and-mix-wallace-and-ned#tickets-times
Price
Free
Organiser
When
(Sunday) 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where
Bruce Mason Centre
Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland
Event Details
A madcap adventure filled with circus, silliness and mystery! Ever wanted to run away with the circus? Join us for the next best thing in this hilariously disastrous tale about two
Event Details
A madcap adventure filled with circus, silliness and mystery!
Ever wanted to run away with the circus? Join us for the next best thing in this hilariously disastrous tale about two failed burglar friends who set their sights on stealing the mighty crown jewels. Will they succeed? Or will Detective Dirk catch them?
Wallace and Ned will have you falling off your seat and into a cartwheel as the story unravels through circus tricks and acrobatic skill!
Workshop: Have a bundle of fun replicating what you’ve just seen in a workshop covering balance acrobatics, juggling, tumbling and slapstick!
About the company:
The Dust Palace is New Zealand’s preeminent circus theatre company. Their aim is to create tour-able circus theatre, taking stories from Aotearoa around the world, and to foster circus and physical performance and practitioners in Auckland and wider New Zealand.
Performances start at 10am, followed by a workshop at 11am.
Auckland Live Pick & Mix events are free, however bookings are essential. Please book your tickets from https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/auckland-live-pick-and-mix-wallace-and-ned#tickets-times
Price
Free
Organiser
When
(Sunday) 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Where
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Dr, CBD, Auckland
Event Details
The National Youth Theatre Company presents “The Wizard of Oz”, an enchanting musical drawn from the all-time classic MGM screenplay that celebrates its 80th birthday this year. With all the much-loved
Event Details
The National Youth Theatre Company presents “The Wizard of Oz”, an enchanting musical drawn from the all-time classic MGM screenplay that celebrates its 80th birthday this year.
With all the much-loved characters and iconic moments from the movie, and beloved songs like “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”, “We’re Off to See The Wizard” and “If I Only Had A Brain” from the Oscar®-winning movie score, this is a perfect event for the whole family to enjoy.
Featuring a cast of over 250 of the finest young performers from all over the Auckland region and a rocking live band don’t miss this opportunity to join Dorothy and her friends as they follow the yellow brick road.
Note: Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied to this event by a caregiver who is 16 years and over. Children under 3 are not permitted entry into this event.
Price
Children $25 to $30
Adults to $40 to 45
Student $25 to $30
Seniors $25 to $40
Family (2 adults and 2 children) $140
Service & credit card fees are additional, Ticket prices are subject to availability.
Organiser
National Youth Theatre Company (NYTC)
Buy tickets
Book your tickets hereWhen
(Monday) 10:30 am
Where
The PumpHouse Theatre
2a Manurere Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Future dates
Monday 2 December 2019 10:30 amMonday 2 December 2019 1:00 pmTuesday 3 December 2019 10:30 amTuesday 3 December 2019 1:00 pmWednesday 4 December 2019 10:30 amWednesday 4 December 2019 1:00 pmThursday 5 December 2019 10:30 amThursday 5 December 2019 1:00 pmFriday 6 December 2019 10:30 amFriday 6 December 2019 1:00 pmSaturday 7 December 2019 10:30 amSaturday 7 December 2019 1:00 pmMonday 9 December 2019 10:30 amMonday 9 December 2019 1:00 pmTuesday 10 December 2019 10:30 amTuesday 10 December 2019 1:00 pmWednesday 11 December 2019 10:30 amWednesday 11 December 2019 1:00 pmThursday 12 December 2019 10:30 amThursday 12 December 2019 1:00 pmFriday 13 December 2019 10:30 amFriday 13 December 2019 1:00 pmSaturday 14 December 2019 10:30 amSaturday 14 December 2019 1:00 pmMonday 16 December 2019 10:30 amMonday 16 December 2019 1:00 pmTuesday 17 December 2019 10:30 amTuesday 17 December 2019 1:00 pmWednesday 18 December 2019 10:30 amWednesday 18 December 2019 1:00 pmThursday 19 December 2019 10:30 amThursday 19 December 2019 1:00 pmFriday 20 December 2019 10:30 amFriday 20 December 2019 1:00 pmSaturday 21 December 2019 10:30 amSaturday 21 December 2019 1:00 pm
Event Details
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents The Santa Claus Show ’19 by Tim Bray and songs by Christine White. About the show: Kelly and Alana are best friends and decide to write to
Event Details
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents The Santa Claus Show ’19 by Tim Bray and songs by Christine White.
About the show:
Kelly and Alana are best friends and decide to write to Santa Claus. But Kelly sends the longest list of things that a child wants for Christmas that Santa has ever seen. Santa flies Kelly to the North Pole so she can learn for herself the true meaning of Christmas.
Enjoy The Santa Claus Show ’19 with your family, school or early childhood centre – or make a booking to share the spirit of Christmas with your staff, clients and their families. Generous group discounts or book your own exclusive performance.
Now in it’s 17th year – a magical, traditional Christmas treat.
Costume Parade: Encourage your children to dress up as their favourite Christmas character for the onstage Costume Parade just prior to the start of the Holiday shows.
Recommended for children aged 3 to 8 years old.
Price
Children $22 to $28
Adults $22 to $28
Senior: $20.50 to $25
Additional booking fees and credit card fees apply.
Organiser
Buy tickets
Book your tickets here
When
(Thursday) 7:30 pm
Where
Aotea Centre
50 Mayoral Dr, Auckland, 1010
Event Details
Faint starlight peeps through the dark forest canopy. It is midnight: the witching hour. Alone and lost, two hungry children stumble towards a glowing vision of warmth and comfort, heaven for
Event Details
Faint starlight peeps through the dark forest canopy. It is midnight: the witching hour. Alone and lost, two hungry children stumble towards a glowing vision of warmth and comfort, heaven for any child with an empty belly and an aching heart. But all is not as it seems…
For Christmas 2019, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is proud to present a new two-act ballet by Loughlan Prior, with a specially commissioned score by Claire Cowan. This major premiere brings together many of New Zealand’s creative talents to tell a timeless tale for audiences young and old.
Claire Cowan is at the forefront of compositional talent in New Zealand. She has received significant commissions and awards from orchestras such as the Auckland Philharmonia and the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, recently winning a prestigious Silver Scroll for her Television series soundtrack “Hillary”. Her classical concert work is unique in that it seamlessly merges art music and popular idioms, offering a strong connection to audiences. Since 2010, Claire has directed the popular Blackbird Ensemble, a theatrical orchestra dedicated to performing rarely heard music of all genres. Hansel and Gretel will be the first full length ballet score ever commissioned from a female composer in RNZB’s history, performed live by Orchestra Wellington, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra; a specially-made recording will accompany performances in other centres.
Price
Children $25 to $50
Students and Seniors $36 to $135
Adults $40 to $150
Organiser
Royal New Zealand Ballet
Buy tickets
Evening performances starting at 7:30pm
When
(Friday) 7:30 pm
Where
Bruce Mason Centre
Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland
Future dates
Friday 13 December 2019 7:30 pmSaturday 14 December 2019 1:30 pmSaturday 14 December 2019 7:30 pm
Event Details
Faint starlight peeps through the dark forest canopy. It is midnight: the witching hour. Alone and lost, two hungry children stumble towards a glowing vision of warmth and comfort, heaven for
Event Details
Faint starlight peeps through the dark forest canopy. It is midnight: the witching hour. Alone and lost, two hungry children stumble towards a glowing vision of warmth and comfort, heaven for any child with an empty belly and an aching heart. But all is not as it seems…
For Christmas 2019, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is proud to present a new two-act ballet by Loughlan Prior, with a specially commissioned score by Claire Cowan. This major premiere brings together many of New Zealand’s creative talents to tell a timeless tale for audiences young and old.
Claire Cowan is at the forefront of compositional talent in New Zealand. She has received significant commissions and awards from orchestras such as the Auckland Philharmonia and the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, recently winning a prestigious Silver Scroll for her Television series soundtrack “Hillary”. Her classical concert work is unique in that it seamlessly merges art music and popular idioms, offering a strong connection to audiences. Since 2010, Claire has directed the popular Blackbird Ensemble, a theatrical orchestra dedicated to performing rarely heard music of all genres. Hansel and Gretel will be the first full length ballet score ever commissioned from a female composer in RNZB’s history, performed live by Orchestra Wellington, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra; a specially-made recording will accompany performances in other centres.
Performance Times
Friday 13 December 2019 at 7:30pm
Saturday 14 December 2019 at 1:30pm AND 7:30pm
Price
Children $35 to $45
Students and Seniors $62.10 to $76.50
Adults $69 to $85
Organiser
Royal New Zealand Ballet
