With registrations closed, planning for the World Choir Games 2024 is well underway.

From 10 to 20 July, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will resonate with the sounds of singers from all corners of the world as they move between their competition, workshop and concert venues, and out to the Friendship Concerts at some of Auckland's most iconic cultural destinations.

With over 250 choral groups from 40 countries and six continents taking part, there really will be something for everybody. The many competition categories will showcase a wide range of singing styles and include traditional and more modern choral pieces, as well as lively cultural performances.
 

Ceremonies

The Games open on Wednesday 10 July with a spectacular Olympic-style Opening Ceremony at Spark Arena, complete with a flag parade, anthems and a very special ‘show’ that welcomes the international choirs to Aotearoa. Large awards ceremonies, for both Open and Champions categores will take place at the end of each Part of the Games, before the curtain finally comes down on Saturday 20 July with a rousing Closing Ceremony that farewells our visitors, hands the Games over to the next host, and ends with a performance of iconic songs from the specially-assembled massed stage choir of 750 (including our ‘Single Singers’!) and the Auckland Philharmonia.

Opening Ceremony - 10 July
Awards Ceremonies - 13, 14, 19, 20 July
Closing Ceremony - 20 July
 

Competitions

Choirs will compete in one or more of the 28 competition categories, based on the age, size or vocal range of the group and/or the type of music they like to sing. Competitions will take place concurrently across several central-Auckland venues and purchasing a day pass gives you the run of that day’s competition, from the start of the first session to the end of the last.

Since almost all venues are within walking distance, by moving between them you can hear various categories and a lot of choirs every day. And each choir will be giving its very best performance to our panel of internationally-renowned jurors... and you!
 

Celebration Concerts

On each evening of the Games, you can buy tickets to premium performances from the cream of the international choirs attending, as well as kapa haka and Pasifika showcases from here in Aotearoa. A very special offering will be a new multi-choir, multi-composer work written especially for WCG2024 to celebrate Matariki. These concerts promise to be among the absolute highlights of the Games.

A Choral Kaleidoscope - 11 & 17 July, Auckland Town Hall

Bringing together eight of the finest choirs at the 2024 World Choir Games, these two concerts convey the wide variety of choir types and music styles that will be on glorious show throughout the Games. 

A Night of Song and Dance - 12 & 18 July, Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre

Two magical evenings featuring the power and passion of kapa haka and the lyrical beauty of choral music. Each concert, held in conjunction with and supported by Te Matatini, will begin with a spellbinding performance from one of Auckland's, and indeed Aotearoa's, most celebrated kapa haka ropu. 

Night of the Dragon - 12 & 17 July, Holy Trinity Cathedral

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon, as we bring together the most outstanding choirs of the many from China who have entered the World Choir Games 2024. Expect highly polished, beautiful and moving performances from the featured groups, who are all celebrated within the vast choral world of mainland China. 

Pacific Spirit - 13 July, Auckland Town Hall

Pacific Spirit features heritage and contemporary Pacific performing arts, from Samoan Siva to Cook Island drum dancers, with songs and sounds performed by intergenerational artists and curated by the creative powerhouse Pacific Underground (PU), Aotearoa's longest running Pacific performing arts collective. 

Matariki He Kahui Reo - 15 & 16 July, Holy Trinity Cathedral

Manawatia a Matariki! Eight choirs, five composers, three lyricists, and a kapa haka ropu will all feature in Matariki He Kahui Reo (Matariki, a constellation of voices), the ground-breaking choral work that is Aotearoa New Zealand's signature offering at the World Choir Games 2024. 
 

Friendship Concerts

An important aspect of the World Choir Games is its focus on participation and accessibility for all. To bring this to life, daily Friendship Concerts will be free to attend and take place in 14 venues right across Tāmaki Makaurau. No ticket or pass required; just turn up and enjoy!

How you can be a part of the World Choir Games 2024:

Join the audience - tickets go on sale on April 24!

Volunteer - if your choir isn’t coming but you still want to be part of the Games, why not join our volunteer team? Find out more here. 

Collaborate - some of our visiting choirs may be keen to collaborate in shared concerts with local choirs around the country. If your choir would be keen to collaborate, please contact cathryn.wyllie@wcg2024.co.nz

Stay tuned - find the World Choir Games 2024 on Facebook or Instagram.