Lightpath Festival 2018

Overview

It's been three years since Auckland's beloved Te Ara I Whiti (pink path) was unveiled to the public. For the second year running (or should that be cycling?), Bike Auckland is throwing a block party with bells on. Lightpath Festival 2018 is a free, family-friendly evening celebrating the hyper-colour addition to our city and the joy of people-friendly streets.

On Saturday 1 December, the path will be taken over by roving entertainers, music, interactive art, food and all kinds of fun with bikes. The festivities will kick off with a bike parade at 6pm from the Canada Street entrance of the path. It will be launched with a dance number from the YMCA Auckland-City Y Gold dance troupe. Paraders will be joined on the pink path by jazz band the Auckland City Scoundrels and percussion collective AKSamba.

Elsewhere, Ijebu Pleasure Club and MC Slave's Logg Cabin will take the main stage; Mercury Plaza's car park will be transformed into an open-air food court with cuisine from Olas Latin Food, Madame George, Nata Portuguese Bakery, The Pie Piper and Bow and Tie Micro Roastery; Brothers Beer will be serving local craft drops at a pop-up beer garden including Bike Auckland's new Bike Brew beer; plus there will be dedicated chill-out zones, bike maintenance stalls and free bicycle trials.  

Festival-goers are encouraged to leave the car at home and explore on foot and by wheels. 

To the tune of $18 million, the city's most ambitious cycleway opened in December 2015. Led by hot pink thoroughfare and a string of interactive lights, it runs offers safe and quick access from Upper Queen Street to Nelson Street.

Image: Bike Auckland.