Auckland Live proudly presents the inaugural We The Young, a festival of arts, imagination and adventures, created for Auckland’s tamariki and rangatahi. Running from Tuesday 16 September to Sunday 28 September 2025, this inclusive festival that celebrates young people and their loved ones will feature over 19 live performances, creative workshops, interactive art experiences, and free outdoor fun.

We The Young marks Auckland Live’s first ever arts festival exclusively for young audiences, with shows to entertain six month olds, to sixteen year olds. The festival will take over some of the city’s most iconic venues, Auckland Town Hall, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Civic and Aotea Square.

Daniel Clarke, Director of Performing Arts at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, leading Auckland Live says: “We The Young is our response to enhancing Auckland’s cultural offering, giving tamariki and rangatahi the chance to experience and participate in imaginative, world-class artforms. This festival is about recognising their place in our creative community today, while nurturing the artists and audiences of tomorrow. Our vision is to see We The Young become a signature annual event on Auckland’s arts calendar, complementing our existing performing arts programme.”

Rosa Strati, Creative Producer at Auckland Live, says: "We The Young is a vibrant celebration of our incredible young people in Tāmaki Makaurau and we are committed to ensuring high-quality, age-specific arts experiences are accessible for everyone. Our programme includes multiple highly-visual, sound-based and NZSL interpreted events, every single show has a relaxed session available and we even have a digital work you can enjoy without leaving your home. We The Young has been designed with families in mind - over half of our shows are completely free and prices for those shows that are ticketed, have been set to be accessible and affordable.”

Young audiences can expect a diverse line-up of shows and experiences, including Creation Creation, a playful, big-hearted theatre work from Australia for ages 10+. The show tackles life’s biggest mysteries like “Are aliens real?” and “Is it possible to lick your elbow?” through interviews with people aged 8 to 102. Full of laughs, Creation Creationwill show at Herald Theatre from 25-28 September.

Paper Planet is an enchanting international installation where children and families have the opportunity to build a forest from cardboard and paper, transforming it into a living, breathing world of creatures, costumes, and stories. Presented at the Aotea Centre from 25-28 September.

The Tantrum, a joyous dance-theatre work for 3-8 year olds, exploring big emotions and the creative chaos of childhood. With shows on 20-21 September at Herald Theatre, The Tantrum uses music, dance and the imagination to tackle big, unruly, hard-to-figure-out emotions.

Up and Away is a gentle, sensory performance designed for pre-walking babies, offering a unique first theatre experience. Presented at the Aotea Centre from 16-21 September, Up and Away creates a cosy, safe space in an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.

Waiata, whānau, and the wonders of Te Taiao (the natural world) will be brought to life at Pīpī Paopao on 27–28 September at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall. Created by Rutene Spooner, this vibrant, interactive performance for kids aged 3-7 years celebrates the beauty of te reo Māori.

The Imaginarium is a playful and welcoming one-day event for Disabled and non-disabled young people alike. Led by an experienced team of artists and support crew, attendees will be guided through hands-on, inclusive workshops that celebrate individuality, imagination, and joy. Taking place on 20 September in the Hunua & Waitākere Rooms at the Aotea Centre.

Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) is the thrilling grand final of Auckland’s premier youth talent competition, showcasing the city’s most promising singers, musicians, and dancers. Happening at Auckland Town Hall on 20 September, this free, ticketed event sees Auckland’s rising stars go head-to-head in five finale categories.

Massive Company will be running physical theatre workshops for ages 12-16, helping young people unlock confidence and creativity through movement and storytelling at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall on 23 and 25 September.

The Valentina is an audio adventure available online, blending theatre, illustration, and sound to whisk young listeners on a cosmic journey alongside Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space. Ticket holders will be given six month access to this YouTube performance.

We The Young also features a vibrant free programme designed to transform Aotea Square into a hub of playful activity. Families can dance up a storm at the Dance-O-Mat, unleash creativity at A Taste of Art Battle – Young Guns, discover global tales in the Little Language Lounge, or join in the fun of a live broadcast of the beloved 95bFM Kids Show.

During the festival, Aotea Square will come alive daily with free, hands-on fun for the whole whānau from Saturday 20 to Sunday 28 September. Surrounding the ticketed events, families can make a full day of it with a lively mix of creative activities, from imaginative Junk & Craft sessions and whimsical Tea Parties, to Circus Workshops with Te Kura Maninirau and traditional Māori games with Ngaa Taonga Taakaro. These playful, interactive experiences are designed to spark imagination, get tamariki moving, and create joyful memories, all at no cost.

Adding to the festival’s mission to make arts accessible for all, many events are relaxed performances, highly visual, or audio-based, welcoming neurodiverse audiences and ensuring young people of all abilities can participate.

The festival will also feature Stage Play, a specially curated, subsidised schools programme offering primary school groups a day-long adventure through performances, workshops and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into The Civic’s magical world.

With tickets across the festival priced to keep experiences accessible, and many free activities on offer, We The Young promises to be a landmark new fixture on Auckland’s arts calendar.

Tickets and programme details at www.aucklandlive.co.nz/event/we-the-young.