For me, the best thing about Auckland Arts Festival is that you can be as involved as you want to…read morebe. If you want to go to watch a performance, there are loads of plays to choose from (this year, I'm going to see Hui) as well as Opera, ballet, dance-theatre...the list is endless and there's enough variety to suit everyone. Alternatively, if you don't want to be that involved, you can go sit for free in the Festival Garden on Queen Street (where I spent almost all of Saturday afternoon) watching live music performances on wooden benches with a glass of the Stoneleighs wine that is available on-site. And if you're not even up for the that, just walk down Dominion Road and you'll find loads of free street performances from the Auckland Theatre Company on at various times throughout the festival. An annual event that takes place over three weeks every year, the Arts Festival is such a fantastic event and great way for everyone in the city to appreciate local and international theatre right here in the city. It's something really worthwhile to get involved in.

Auckland to me is like a flashy magician or something. It's always pulling something out of its hat…read moreand acting all come hither like, 'Don't you want to get involved Sophie? Why yes Auckland I do thanks. The Auckland arts festival is just one of Auckland's many white rabbits. Being staged from the 6th of March through to the 24th it is an all inclusive tour de force. To kick it off one of the biggest fire shows of the year was put on in the domain, this show entitled 'Breath of the Volcano' was inspired by the Volcanic cones of Auckland, and was an outdoor theatre spectacular like nothing I've ever seen. The fireworks were able to be seen city wide. One of my favourite events of this festival and I've been to a few was 'White Night' , where Auckland's cultural epicentres like its museums and art galleries stayed open after dark, till late. It was a remarkable opportunity to explore my new city from a wholly different perspective. Honestly I couldn't recommend this festival enough.

Unequivocally my FAVOURITE venue in Auckland! There is something quite magical about this place…read more From the beautifully themed entrance lobby to the star covered ceiling in the theatre itself the Civic never fails to impress. Their line up of musicals, orchestral performances, theatre and Opera are the best of the best too! Close to public transport and parking close by it is an easy place to get to as well which is a convenient bonus

I have a special bond with the Civic, when I was a kid my grandmother worked there and I would…read moreoften get to go into the Civic and the Wintergarden theatres and run through the back halls and rooms, this was during the days of the St James theatre when no-one had even heard of a multiplex. I've been up to the top and seen the stars, I've played with the glowing eyed lions. In part I think the bond I have with the Civic is a little more intense but no less symbolic then the one the rest of Auckland has with it. The Civic is possibly more iconic than the Auckland Town Hall and it seems to sit astride the heart of the Auckland CBD. Inside the Civic, the entrance hall remains mostly unchanged with the exception of the candy bar that used to sell Tangy Fruits, with a glass of wine or beer being the order of the day. Yes folks the Civic ascended from its cinema roots and matured to be an actual Theatre. In all its changes, its not lost its Grandiose 1940's charm and while the seats are still packed in there, you can sit in the Civic and know you're part of Auckland's long history with the Arts. Wellington is still considered the cultural capital of New Zealand, but its got competition here.