Rainbow Celebration Big Gay Out Is Returning as Part of Auckland Pride Festival This Month
The city's harbourside celebration of rainbow diversity is back, baby.
Auckland's biggest harbourside celebration of rainbow diversity is back, baby. Annual one-day party Big Gay Out is making its hotly anticipated return to this year's stacked Pride Festival, after being sadly cancelled last year amid Aotearoa's Omicron outbreak.
Taking over Coyle Park in Point Chevalier on Sunday, February 12, this year's Big Gay Out will feature a little something for everyone. Classic staples including the giant market, Big Gay Out bar and chilled family-friendly picnic area will all return, alongside House of Aitu's Thirst Trap Ball and R18+ dance party zone Nympho World. Free HIV and STI rapid testing will be available on-site.
Julia Franchino Dubor
On the entertainment roster? A lineup of local and international talent that includes Kita Mean, Theia, Parson James and even the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra —as well as the annual crowning of Mr Gay NZ. Political figures like the Prime Minister also regularly take the stage for a speech.
A crowd of more than 15,000 members of Aotearoa's rainbow community and allies are expected at the one-day event, so make sure you book your spot — tickets are free and can be booked here along with buses from various spots around the city.
Of course, the elephant in the room is Auckland's ghastly summer weather that has seen flash flooding across the region and major events cancelled. Should there be weather issues, organisers say the backup date will be Sunday, February 26.
Big Gay Out returns to Coyle Park in Point Chevalier on Sunday, February 12, with entertainment kicking off at 11am.
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