A cult cabaret, interactive gaming experience, acrobatic troupe, bilingual theatre, renowned pianist and a host of musical performances are among the attractions unveiled in the Tauranga Arts Festival 2026 programme.

The festival, running from October 22 to November 1, will feature more than 10 days of performances, literary events and family-friendly activities across Tauranga, Katikati, Te Puke and Ōmokoroa, a media release said.

This year’s line-up includes a pocket orchestra, Hittmen Bucket Drummers performing alongside local school pupils, a zinefest, poetry slam, waiata and a star-studded literary programme.

The festival opens with a sold-out performance by Grammy Award-winning singer Macy Gray and concludes with Craigs Investment Partners’ Escape programme, which focuses on literature, ideas and conversation.

Sarah-Louise Young in cult cabaret show An Evening Without Kate Bush. Photo / Steve Ullathorne

Among those appearing in Escape are financial commentators Mary Holm and Susan Edmunds, resilience researcher and bestselling author Dr Lucy Hone, and authors Dr Hinemoa Elder, Jon Toogood and Anne Cleary.

Festival director Megan Brown said audiences could expect a programme designed to entertain, inspire and connect.

“The festival’s vision is to provide experiences that expand minds, delight audiences and touch all corners of our community and our festival delivers to this,” Brown said.

She said the programme combined internationally acclaimed performers with leading New Zealand artists, offering everything from major ticketed productions to free community events.

Hoani Hotene presents It’s Getting Hot-ene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes. Photo / Afrina Razi

Festival venues this year include Tauranga’s new Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga City Library and Community Hub and the recently revitalised Toi Tauranga Art Gallery.

Tauranga Arts Festival Trust chairwoman Kathryn Lellman said the event continued to attract growing audiences and bring visitors to the region.

Of the 14,055 people who attended last year’s festival, about 2000 came from outside the district, while 39% were first-time attendees.

A post-festival survey found 92% of respondents believed events such as the Tauranga Arts Festival made the city a more enjoyable place to live.

“The festival’s key partnership is with its community, reminding them that there is joy, vibrancy and connection to be found in our city,” Lellman said.

“Arts matter, community matters and together we thrive.”

Tickets are on sale through the Tauranga Arts Festival website, Baycourt and Eventfinda. Twelve events in last year’s festival sold out.