WHANGĀREI PRIDE FESTIVAL 2026
March is Here, Love it Queer!
Join us for the fourth annual Whangārei Pride Festival – a fabulous celebration of love, diversity, takatāpui, and our beautiful rainbow community.
The festival runs throughout the entire month of March, wrapping up on Saturday 28 March with our epic Whangārei Parade and Gaÿla.
GET INVOLVED!
There are endless ways to show your pride and get involved:
Volunteer!
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Be a hero and help us create an entire month of fabulousness.
Support the Parade & Gaÿla!
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Register your food, market, or craft stall and bring the flavour.
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Dress up, drag up, glitter up and strut your stuff in the Parade!
Support the Events!
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Party with us! Come along to every event and soak up the full spectrum of our rainbow performers and entertainers.
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Chill Out & Connect! Relax and connect at your own pace, with creative arty activities, board games, film nights, and conversation.
WHANGĀREI PRIDE FESTIVAL EVENTS 2026
QUEER CREATORS
Sunday 1 March
1pm - 4pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE
Make some colour to flash during the parade. Rainbow ribbon wands - easy peasy all ages project.
Fabric folding fans - A more advanced project which requires some attention to detail.
The reward will be a beautiful splash of colour to flutter while you keep cool on parade day
All ages welcome!
PRIDE MONTH - OPENING NIGHT
Sunday 1 March
6pm - 9pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Kick off Pride Month in Whangārei with a chill evening down at Pride HQ. Meet your queer community, eat, drink, be merry and gay.
Bring something to share if you can. All ages welcome!
SESSION CLASS - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 2 March
4pm - 6pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via eventfinda
An inclusive, drop‑in folk music gathering that celebrates community, cultural connection, and joyful music‑making, offering welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ participants and allies to learn tunes, explore melody and rhythm roles, build ensemble skills, and join a growing repertoire of session‑worthy folk music.
All musicians welcome!
GIANT DROP IN CHOIR - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 2 March
6.30pm - 8pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via eventfinda
The Giant Drop-In Choir is a community singing experience where anyone can take part - no auditions, no experience needed.
Celebrates diversity, self-expression, and belonging through song, for the rainbow community and allies to connect, make some noise, and experience the power of many voices becoming one. All ages welcome.
SHOUT!
Friday 6 March
5pm - 7pm
Yvonne Rust Gallery, 21 Selwyn Ave, Whangārei
SHOUT OUT to all Rainbow artists in Northland!
Join us at the opening of the annual Pride Exhibition on March 6th and and support all our fabulous queer creatives!
The exhibition runs until March 27th at the Yvonne Rust Gallery - Quarry Arts Centre. All ages welcome!
QUEERAOKE!
Friday 6 March
5.30pm - 11pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Whether it's a bit of Whitney Houston, Bohemian Rhapsody, Adele or Beyonce... Brush up on those Karaoke favs @ Queer Karaoke - Queeraoke!
This will be a night to remember so dig out your best dress, slick suit or sparkly number and don't forget your dancing shoes and karaoke faves! Bring your own drinks and snacks :) All ages welcome!
THE WANDERING GAYS
Saturday 7 March
10am - 3pm
Amalin Drive Carpark, Pukenui Forest Loop
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Hiking OutVenture for Gay, Bi, Trans & Queer Men who love the outdoors and want to connect with active mates. Join us for a medium to challenging hike through the Pukenui Forest. While our focus is on male bonding, all members of the LGBTQIA+ community are warmly welcome. Please bring all your own appropriate gear, food, drinks and prepare for weather changes. This track requires a reasonable level of fitness and ability. Wet weather back-up date: Sunday 22 March R18+
PRIDE @ PASIFIKA
Saturday 7 March
11am - 2pm
Kensington Sports Park, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
A low key MVPFAFF+ event where we meet up and go to The Northland Pasifika Fusion Festival together, have some pasifika style lunch there, talk to people, hand out pride festival flyers and connect with each other. There will be at least 2 of us at the table by the kids playground near the netball courts at 11am. Meet us there to join the group, we'll head into the event by 11.30am so if you are going to be later than that, please get in touch Hanariki 02108278140.
Queer Connecting -providing an opportunity for our community to come and connect in a relaxed and informal setting, quiet music, low lighting, accessible. BYO snacks and drinks if you want them.
R18+
More details to come
QUEER CREATORS
Sunday 8 March
1pm - 4pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Our Queer Creation Crafternoons are a wonderful way to get involved in the festival and get creative with other artists and makers. There’s equipment and gear to use, sooooo many boxes of fabric, paints, rollers, sewing machines, and plenty of space to make decorations or work on your Parade and Gayla outfit and accessories.
All ages welcome!
SESSION CLASS - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 9 March
4pm - 6pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via Eventfinda
An inclusive, drop‑in folk music gathering that celebrates community, cultural connection, and joyful music‑making, offering welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ participants and allies to learn tunes, explore melody and rhythm roles, build ensemble skills, and join a growing repertoire of session‑worthy folk music.
All musicians welcome!
GIANT DROP IN CHOIR - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 9 March
6.30pm - 8pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via Eventfinda
The Giant Drop-In Choir is a community singing experience where anyone can take part - no auditions, no experience needed. Celebrates diversity, self-expression, and belonging through song, for the rainbow community and allies to connect, make some noise, and experience the power of many voices becoming one. All ages welcome.
CHICKFLIX & CHILL
Wednesday 11 March
4.30pm - 9pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
From the dark ages of lesbian cinemas, Imagine Me and You is a true rarity of heartwarming fluff. Experience one of the Great Classics in Lesbifriend Romance Cinema with the ever cringe in love with you straight best friend trope. Comedy, antics and wholesome feelings do actually ensue in this, so come rewire your inner homophobe with a bunch of yummy cuties. Bring pillows and blankets if inclined, snacks and drinks cash sale. Movie starts at 6pm. Rated M - recommended 15 years and over.
WAIATA PRACTICE
Thursday 12 March
5.30pm - 7.30pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Come join us for a singalong with Reo & Te Aroha Morunga- you may remember them when they welcomed the last Whangārei Pride Parade to Pūtahi Park for the Gaÿla
These practices are open to everyone, and if you are keen to join voices to kick off the next Gaÿla, you can be part of the group stationed at Pūtahi Park or join in when you arrive with the pride parade.
CLAY NIGHT
Thursday 12 March
The Quarry Arts Centre warmly invites all to join us for a welcoming Clay Night as part of Whangārei Pride Festival. Whether you’re curious about clay or already have a creative streak, we’ll have clay, tools, and friendly guidance ready for you to enjoy this hands-on drop in experience and social evening. No experience necessary. Bisque Kiln Firing included.* $20 | 16yrs+
WHANGĀREI PROUD POOCH PARADE
Saturday 14 March
10.30am-12pm
Hatea Loop, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Let your pooch take you for a gentle Queer friendly walk starting at HQ and heading along the Hatea Loop ending at Kai Toi for Coffee and cake (or similar). Bring as many of your rainbow humans as you like. For those looking for a longer walk, they can keep going after Kai Toi if they want to.
All Ages
BEARDS, BEARS, BEERS & QUEERS
Saturday 14 March
8.30pm - 12.30am
Beer & Loathing, 7 Vine Street, Whg
$15 + booking fee Eventfinda
An event for the full Rainbow spectrum, and all our loud & proud allies!
Come an be part of a body positive night of genderqueer f#%kery. Fun, games & Performances from 9pm!
Sign up on the night: BEST BEDAZZLED BEARD & BEST DRAG KING, QUEEN and IN BETWEEN
R18+
QUEER CREATORS
Sunday 15 March
1pm - 4pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Our Queer Creation Crafternoons are a wonderful way to get involved in the festival and get creative with other artists and makers. There’s equipment and gear to use, sooooo many boxes of fabric, paints, rollers, sewing machines, and plenty of space to make decorations or work on your Parade and Gayla outfit and accessories.
All ages welcome!
SESSION CLASS - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 16 March
4pm - 6pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via Eventfinda
An inclusive, drop‑in folk music gathering that celebrates community, cultural connection, and joyful music‑making, offering welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ participants and allies to learn tunes, explore melody and rhythm roles, build ensemble skills, and join a growing repertoire of session‑worthy folk music.
All musicians welcome!
GIANT DROP IN CHOIR - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 16 March
6.30pm - 8pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via Eventfinda
The Giant Drop-In Choir is a community singing experience where anyone can take part - no auditions, no experience needed. Celebrates diversity, self-expression, and belonging through song, for the rainbow community and allies to connect, make some noise, and experience the power of many voices becoming one. All ages welcome.
RAINBOW SIGNS 🤟
Wednesday 18 March
6pm - 8pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
NZSL Club is offering a one off New Zealand Sign Language workshop to learn signs connected with the LGBTQIA+ community. No prior sign language experience necessary as this workshop caters to all levels. We will go over the alphabet, get to know each other and play some games too.
Expand your communication ability, connect to new people and have a good time. This workshop is the quietest fun you'll have all festival - voices off! Under 18's to be accompanied by an adult
QUEER CREATORS
Thursday 19 March
1pm - 4pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Our Queer Creation Crafternoons are a wonderful way to get involved in the festival and get creative with other artists and makers. There’s equipment and gear to use, sooooo many boxes of fabric, paints, rollers, sewing machines, and plenty of space to make decorations or work on your Parade and Gayla outfit and accessories.
All ages welcome!
QUEER CONNECTING
Friday 20 March
6pm - 9pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Queer Connecting -providing an opportunity for our community to come and connect in a relaxed and informal setting, quiet music, low lighting, accessible. BYO snacks and drinks if you want them.
R18+
QUEER CREATORS
Sunday 22 March
1pm - 4pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Our Queer Creation Crafternoons are a wonderful way to get involved in the festival and get creative with other artists and makers. There’s equipment and gear to use, sooooo many boxes of fabric, paints, rollers, sewing machines, and plenty of space to make decorations or work on your Parade and Gayla outfit and accessories.
All ages welcome!
SESSION CLASS - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 23 March
4pm - 6pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via Eventfinda
An inclusive, drop‑in folk music gathering that celebrates community, cultural connection, and joyful music‑making, offering welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ participants and allies to learn tunes, explore melody and rhythm roles, build ensemble skills, and join a growing repertoire of session‑worthy folk music.
All musicians welcome!
GIANT DROP IN CHOIR - PRIDE EDITION
Monday 23 March
6.30pm - 8pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
Pay what you can via Eventfinda
The Giant Drop-In Choir is a community singing experience where anyone can take part - no auditions, no experience needed. Celebrates diversity, self-expression, and belonging through song, for the rainbow community and allies to connect, make some noise, and experience the power of many voices becoming one. All ages welcome.
UNDERSTANDING GENDER & SEXUALITY
Tuesday 24 March
11am - 12pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Come with your questions about gender and sexuality. An interactive session, non-judgemental and fun!
All ages welcome!
GAYMES NIGHT
Wednesday 25 March
6.30pm - 9.30pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
BYO snacks and refreshments and your favourite board game, or come and play one of ours!
NEURODIVERGENT HANGOUT
Thursday 26 March
4pm - 6pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Safe and inclusive gathering for neurodiverse and gender diverse people of all ages.
WAIATA PRACTICE
Thursday 26 March
5.30pm - 7.30pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Come join us for a singalong with Reo & Te Aroha Morunga- you may remember them when they welcomed the last Whangārei Pride Parade to Pūtahi Park for the Gaÿla
These practices are open to everyone, and if you are keen to join voices to kick off the next Gaÿla, you can be part of the group stationed at Pūtahi Park or join in when you arrive with the pride parade.
TAKATĀPUI KATOA
Friday 27 March
6pm - 9pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Nau mai, haere mai ki tēnei hui mō ngā tāngata takatāpui kei Whangārei PROUD. He hui whanaungatanga, kōrerotia, whakanuia hoki tēnei.
Come along for a Friday night kai, inu & waiata with our Māori board members, community and manuhiri from out of town. We will have kōrero about the best way to create safe and inclusive spaces for Takatāpui and anything else relevant. All welcome - see you there
WHANGĀREI PRIDE PARADE & GAŸLA
Saturday 28 March
3pm - 7pm
Pohe Island to Putahi Park, Whangārei
FREE
SAVE THE DATE & GATHER YOUR WHĀNAU
Get ready to brighten up the Hatea Loop once again! Join us for the fourth annual Whangārei Pride Parade, a celebration of love, diversity, takatāpui and community, followed by the fabulous Gaÿla at Pūtahi Park.
FULL PARADE & GAŸLA DETAILS follow this link
THE GLORIA GAŸLA AFTER PARTY
Saturday 28 March
7pm - 12pm
Pride HQ, 65 John Street, Whangārei
FREE | Register via Eventfinda
Bring your rhythm to HQ for a mix tape of Retro Disco, Funk and Soul to celebrate surviving our month long festival.
R18+