Auckland Council's much-loved entertainment series returns for 2019 with a bumper program of 50 free open-air events. From January to April, sibling events Music and Movies in Parks will see 24 gigs and 26 movies play out under the stars of Tamaki Makaurau.

For its 26th year, more than 70 musical acts will assemble on stages across the city's regional parks and reserves. Highlights on the schedule include rock festival Rock in the Park at Grey Lynn Park on Saturday, 16 March. A record number of horn-throwing Aucklanders turned out for the event in 2017 and 2018 and next year will likely be no different with The Feelers coming out of the shadows to lead the bill alongside Elemeno P and Racing.

Manukau Sports Bowl will play host to the Summer Jam on Saturday, 13 April with performances from Savage and Sons of Zion, while rising rapper JessB will take over Manly Park in Whangaparāoa with special guests Yoko-Zuna. Further acts performing throughout the series include: Ha the Unclear, Boycrush, The Jordan Luck Band, Raiza Biza, New Zealand Opera, Suzy Cato, among plenty of others.

While free movie nights are abundant across the city, the annual Movies in Parks series brings cinema to the leafy suburbs. As per usual the event arrives with a curated selection of big ticket new releases and old favourites. On the bill for 2019 are Solo: A Star Wars Story, Back to the Future 2, Christopher Robin, La La Land, Jumani: Welcome to the Jungle, Ocean's 8, and plenty of others. 

Visit the Movies in Parks and Music in Parks websites for more information.

Image: Auckland Council.

Published on November 30, 2018 by Stephen Heard