History

Formerly known as the Manukau Festival of Arts, this annual Arts Festival was first held in 2008 to promote and develop creative excellence and innovation that is unique to Auckland South. Since then the celebration of arts has become a much anticipated festival on the annual events calendar.

The Festival is now known as the Southside Arts Festival, reflecting the greater Auckland South area now included. Southside Arts Festival provides an exciting platform to showcase the creative excellence of artists and promote the innovation in arts that is unique to Auckland South.

The Festival is an opportunity for audiences of all ages and backgrounds from around the Auckland region to experience the energy of the arts in Auckland South through a diverse range of exciting events.

The 2011 Festival covers a much larger area encompassing Otahuhu and further south including Pukekohe and the stunning Awhitu Peninsula. The inclusion of these areas enables us to expand the festival programme with an even greater area to showcase creative excellence.

We encourage you to take a look at the programme and attend some of these exciting events.