Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand – A brand-new indoor light festival is lighting up Auckland these April school holidays.
Dreamer goes on sale from Thursday 5 March, running from Friday 3 April to Sunday 12 April 2026 at the spectacular new New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in central Auckland.
For 10 days only, the NZICC will be transformed into a glowing, interactive world of colour, light and sound - creating an easy, weatherproof school holiday outing right in the heart of the city.
Set inside the vast Ariki Hall (roughly the size of Eden Park’s pitch), Dreamer invites visitors to wander at their own pace through large-scale light installations and interactive moments designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Expect pathways of illumination, playful spaces, and environments designed to spark wonder, imagination, and magical shared experiences.
Dreamer has been designed with families front of mind. It’s fully indoors, open all day, and timed perfectly for the school holidays - meaning no late nights, no weather worries, and no squeezing into short evening sessions.
Event Producer Jamie Newman says the move indoors opens up new possibilities.
“Outdoor light festivals are incredible, but they’re at the mercy of the weather and limited to a few dark hours each evening. By bringing Dreamer inside the brand-new NZICC, we’ve got over 6,000 square metres to create magic in - all day long. We can’t wait for Aucklanders to experience it.”
Whether you’re planning a family day out, meeting friends in the city, or looking for something a little different these holidays, Dreamer promises a shared experience filled with colour, creativity and wonder.
Cheyne Stevens, Head of Major Events at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says, “These school holidays, Aucklanders and visitors alike will be able to experience a number of immersive events across the city centre supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, each offering something complimentary and distinct. Dreamer is part of our programme to profile Auckland’s creativity and encourage visitors to the city centre”
Dreamer lands at the NZICC from 3 - 12 April 2026. School holidays just got brighter.
Dreamer is proudly supported by Auckland Council Events and the City Centre Targeted Rate, with support from the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).
DREAMER
NZICC, TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND
Friday 3 - Sunday 12 April
10:00am - 4:00pm daily
Tickets:$12 for children, $18 for adults, $35 for families, plus booking fees. Under 5’s enter free.
Tickets are now available at dreamer.nz
Event Details
Tickets: https://www.dreamer.nz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamer_experience
We are located at 101 Hobson Street, Auckland Central. The venue sits between Hobson Street and Nelson Street. The Exhibition Hall is located on Level 3, Hobson Street ground level, and the Theatre is located on Level 5, accessible via escalator and lifts.
NZICC’s street address is 101 Hobson Street, Auckland Central - meet outside the revolving doors for the public opening day. The best place to drop off passengers by car is Federal Street, which is a short walk across Hobson Street to the venue.
If you’re travelling by public transport, we are just a 20-minute walk from Britomart Transport Centre, Waitematā Train Station, and Downtown Ferry Terminals. Later this year, the new Te Waihorotiu City Rail Link Station is set to open with entrances on Victoria Street and Wellesley Street. Learn more here.
Our paid carpark is located underneath the venue with the entrance located at 46 Nelson Street. There are 1,327 parking spaces on site and exits available on both Hobson Street and Nelson Street. Our car park directly connects through to the SkyCity car park for additional parking. Learn more here.
The casual rate for parking is $8 for 0-30 minutes, $16 for the first hour and $8 every hour after. The maximum parking charge per day (up to 24 hours) is $48.
We are committed to being an accessible venue for all visitors. Both the Hobson Street and Nelson Street entrances have accessible access ramps. Lifts are available to all parking and venue levels, and there are 28 accessibility spaces on parking level B1. Learn more here
