Auckland's Month-Long Festival of Food, Music and Culture Is Back for 2020

Cultural festival Elemental AKL first landed last year in an effort to make the city a more vibrant and compelling place to visit during the rain-soaked winter. The event presented by Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development saw more than 40 events take place across Tāmaki Makaurau, including a lineup of light shows, culinary events and cultural performances.

Elemental AKL's month-long festival of arts, eats and beats returns from 1–31 October, this time in an entirely different season and with more than 30 free and ticketed events from Matakana to Mangere, Onehunga to Oneroa.

A handful of events have previously appeared as part of Matariki Festival, including interactive light playground Tūrama which will illuminate Albert Park for four nights. Elsewhere, Aucklanders can sample a variety of fire-cooked food at Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae from hāngi to umu. Fire dancing, waiata, kapa haka, and a marketplace celebrating Māori artisans round off the festivities.

Max Burgess.

Live Nation has curated a concert series to showcase emerging and high-profile artists. Performing between Hopetoun Alpha, Hollywood Avondale, St Mary's-in-Holy Trinity and The Civic's underground ballroom will be Leisure, Avantdale Bowling Club, Troy Kingi, and a lineup by way of Laneway Festival.

Food is another major element of Elemental AKL with culinary crawls, farm-to-fork cooking classes and cocktail foraging on the menu for food lovers. Chef Ben Bayly will celebrate producers from around Tāmaki Makaurau who have helped shape the dishes of his new restaurant Ahi. Also on the menu: Hotel Grand Windsor is throwing a 1920s-themed degustation, chef Josh Emmett is hosting an oyster masterclass on Waiheke, and new nose-to-tail eatery and pub Churly's will intro guests to the art of beer and butchery.

All that plus the smash-hit musical Mary Poppins, a full orchestra performing dance floor bangers, and roaming silent discos.

Elemental AKL will take place across Tāmaki Makaurau from 1–31 October, 2020. For the full program, head to aucklandnz.com/elementalfestival.

Top image: Vincent Shaw.