UPDATED: 9 April, 2021: This article previously listed Western Springs Stadium as the venue for Pasifika Festival. It has moved to Mount Smart Stadium for 2021.

After a three-year absence — the last cancellation due to concerns around COVID-19 — Auckland's much-loved Pasifika Festival is back, celebrating all aspects of Pacific Island culture at Mount Smart Stadium.

Head along for quintessential performances, food and drink, workshops and more. Feast your senses on displays from Aotearoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawai'i, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tokelau, Tonga and Tuvlau.

Each of the different cultures are shared in a village setting, with each 'village' having its own performance stage and market stalls. You'll see both traditional and contemporary dance and can take your pick of signature dishes and crafts from each nation.

Since the first version of this event happened 28 years ago, Pasifika has grown to become the biggest Pacific Island festival of its kind in the world. Today, it attracts up to 60,000 visitors over two days, and features upwards of 200 local and international performance groups as well as more than 200 food and craft stalls. This year the event runs 10–11 April and is free to enter, although it's a good idea to take your wallet if you want to grab a bite or take home some artisan crafts.