Tauranga City centre will burst into life next Saturday, January 31 as International Buskers Day Out returns with a full day of free, family-friendly entertainment.
From 11am to 5pm, Masonic Park and Red Square will transform into vibrant performance hubs, hosting a rotating line-up of international street performers from Taiwan, Italy, Japan and Romania. The annual event, now in its second year, is presented by Tauranga City Council and Downtown Tauranga, promising jaw-dropping acrobatics, captivating magic, comedy and artistic performances designed to delight audiences of all ages.
Marble is a Japanese street performance duo blending acrobatics, humour and precision into an unforgettably friendly and contagious act. Photo / Supplied
“We’re proud to be partnering with Tauranga City Council to bring International Buskers Day Out back to the city centre for its second year,” Downtown Tauranga manager Genevieve Whitson said.
New for 2026, the event expands across two main sites, with roaming performers adding surprise moments and more variety and greater flexibility for visitors to catch performances throughout the day.
“The success of the inaugural event showed how much the community values free, quality entertainment in the heart of the city, and this year we’re excited to build on that momentum with an even bigger and more dynamic programme across two sites – Masonic Park and Red Square with roving acts and entertainment between them,” Whitson said.
Italy’s Gipsy Marionettist with one of his hand-carved puppets. Photo / Supplied
Between shows, families can enjoy free face painting, visit the interactive photo booth, and explore Tauranga’s cafés, eateries and retail stores, making it easy to turn the event into a full day out in the city.
The performance schedule will rotate hourly across both sites, featuring acts including Marble, Stefano Florescu, Gypsy Marionettist and Chien Hung Kuo. With staggered show times, audiences can move between Masonic Park and Red Square without missing the action.
“Our city centre is transforming into a vibrant network of people‑focused spaces, and events like International Buskers Day Out show what’s possible,” Te Papa Ward councillor Rod Taylor said.
International Buskers Day Out is free to attend and open to all ages. Accessible facilities and toilets will be available on-site, along with roaming event staff in pink shirts to assist visitors.
Sunscreen and first aid will be available at the Buskers HQ tent, and attendees are advised that photos and videos will be taken for promotional purposes.
Stefan Florescu from Romania, has been performing around the globe for over 15 years. What began as short freestyle football acts has evolved into a world-class performance of skill, creativity, and showmanship. Photo / Supplied
Adding to the ease of attending, Tauranga City centre parking will be free all weekend in all council-operated parking buildings and on-street spaces. Mobility parking is available throughout the city centre.
“Masonic Park and Red Square are changing how we host events, offering flexible urban spaces where community and culture thrive. It’s great to see locals and visitors reconnecting with the city centre as a destination, enjoying revitalised public spaces and supporting local businesses,” Taylor said.
If weather conditions require a change, the event will be postponed to Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Organisers encourage the community to lock the date in and follow the official Facebook event page for performance updates and sneak peeks ahead of the day.
International Buskers Day Out is January 31, 11am-5pm, at Masonic Park and Red Square, Tauranga City.