Elemental Hub

This July, Aotea Square is being transformed into the Elemental Hub – a base camp bursting with entertainment, food and unique interactive experiences, and all part of the city’s sizzling new winter festival, Elemental AKL.

Hot in the Hub will be the Aotea Square Ice Rink and Ice Slide, the perennial magical winter playground for kids and grownups, taking its place smack bang in the middle of the city for the eighth year.

From 21 June until 28 July, the Ice Rink will light up the Square with icy adventures, themed parties, skating lessons, plus the enormously popular 35-metre, multi-level ice slide complete with inflatable tubes for guaranteed super slip-sliding fun.

For the coolest new private dining experience in Auckland, foodies should look no further than The Snugs, in the Hub from 1 – 28 July.

Resembling igloos from the outside, the five geodesic domes are kitted out with furniture, blankets and heaters providing the perfect cosy spot for sharing an intimate winter catch-up with friends, team lunches, birthday parties or pre-show meals. People can book a Snug, and pre-order platters, tasting plates, desserts, beverages and even kids’ meals.

Nights in the Hub will be especially chill with the arrival of the Auckland Night Markets for the very first time in Aotea Square.

Visitors can hang out with friends or family over a warming winter post-work snack, or shop ‘til they drop. The city’s favourite immersive food experience will offer authentic cuisine from all over the world, at street-food prices.

Complementing the experience, Auckland Live’s bright red BOX Container Bar will serve tasty morsels and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, both hot and cold. People can grab a table in the new covered courtyard and sit back to the sounds of live house band Fortress Europe, the latest project by Auckland-based musician/composer Leon Radojkovic (Dr Colossus, Live Live Cinema, Silo Theatre’s Peter & The Wolf).

For an interactive experience even the kids will want to sit through, the Auckland Live Digital Stage will screen throughout the day and into the evenings visual delights from the world of the arts, from New Zealand across the globe. The weekly screening schedule is here.

Auckland Live director, Robbie Macrae, says the Elemental Hub is the perfect one-stop, inner city mid-winter experience, offering Aucklanders a little bit of everything of what makes the season so special.

“It’s all about getting together, sharing experiences and enjoying the array of fun, food and camaraderie that comes from getting out and making the most of what winter has to offer.

“Auckland Live is delighted to be in the middle of the Elemental AKL mix,” Macrae says.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) General Manager Destination Steve Armitage says the Elemental Hub is an excellent addition to the vibrant and diverse Elemental AKL programme.

“Auckland is going to be the place to be in July, with Elemental AKL providing the stage to showcase the best of our cuisine, creativity with dazzling lighting shows, entertainment and culture,” he says.

ELEMENTAL HUB
Open daily until late, 1 – 28 July
Aotea Square
For more details and booking information, visit aucklandlive.co.nz

Elemental Hub, in association with Auckland Live and Auckland Tourism, Events, and Economic Development (ATEED), is proud to be part of Elemental AKL. Elemental AKL is a new region-wide festival illuminating Tāmaki Makaurau during winter from 1-31 July 2019.

Further information can be found here: elementalfestival.co.nz