The 2016 Auckland Lantern Festival, which runs from Friday 19 – Sunday 21 February, has a new and bike-friendlier location in the Auckland Domain. To celebrate, there will be secure valet bike parking right at the heart of the festival, with complimentary bike checks.
Even better, there’ll be prizes for the best lit-up and decorated bikes – so light up your ride, bike-rave-style, and bring it along!
The idea is that the collection of gorgeously dolled-up bikes in the secure parking station will form an impromptu display in itself. It’s a nifty concept by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s (ATEED), Augustthe Health Promotion Agency, and festival organizers – and a welcome response to enthusiastic requests over the years to make the festival more accessible to people on bikes.
But wait, there’s more: you know how better, wider walking and biking paths are a key part of the current Domain masterplan consultation?
During the Lantern Festival, people on bikes will enjoy a temporary shared path on Football Rd, “letting them get closer and park closer to the festival action than any other mode of transport bar walking.”
Kathryn King, Auckland Transport’s Cycling and Walking manager, says, “We want to encourage people to leave their cars at home and try cycling to the festival. You won’t have to worry about car parking and it’s a fun thing to do with the family,” she says.
WHEN
Thursday evening features a quiet opening, with the lanterns only (let’s hope the weather plays along).
Friday, Saturday & Sunday evenings there’ll be activities, music, and food from 5pm onwards. Everything ends with a bang on Sunday night with fireworks at 10.15pm.
You can find the full programme here.
Other useful travel info for the festival:
- Both Grafton Station on the Western Line and Newmarket Station on all other lines are a short walk (or bike!) from the festival site in the Auckland Domain.
- Additional train services will be operating on Thursday and Sunday nights to cater to Lantern Festival crowds.
- It’s free to bring your bike on the train… but space isn’t always guaranteed, especially with festival crowds, so be prepared to either wait or wing it.
- The Inner Link bus service (no bikes on buses, sorry) goes to the Domain, with the most convenient festival stops either Hospital or Museum – but please note this bus and most others won’t be running on Friday, due to industrial action.
- You can check bus and train timetables on Auckland Transport’s website, or via the AT mobile apps for iPhone or Android.
- Accessibility parking & drop off is available in Cenotaph Rd.
WHERE
Here’s the map… click to enlarge. The bike parking is at the bottom of Football Rd, near the Wintergardens. (Football Road runs along the crater side of the museum)
