Auckland Biannual Ceilidhs

20/02/2026

Next Gen Trad (NGT) is a new initiative aimed at youths who love ceili dancing, and want to learn to play music for, or call instructions for ceili dances.

Ceili dancing has gained popularity recently as a great way to socialise and enjoy live music with friends and family. Over the past decade or so, Auckland Biannual Ceilidhs (ABC) have had a huge and growing attendance at our regular events, accompanied by a growing number of people interested in learning how to hold their own ceili dances. So from an idea prompted by ABC friends and family, and supported by the NZ Gaidhealtachd, we have started NGT!

Interested? Sign up here!

Please use this form to sign up for info about Next Gen Trad ceili band/caller workshops!

05/02/2026

Photos up from our Outdoor Ceilidh by the Bay!

Thanks so much to Reinoud VanderWee and a few others for taking these. What an amazing magical night!

02/02/2026

Who had an awesome time at our first ever outdoor ceilidh!? Wasn't the setting just absolutely amazing - we loved it!

Thanks so much to our helpers for the day:
Reinoud VanderWee, Joel Hardie, Jesse Lawton, Summer Lawton, Markmarita Lawton, Steven Gaskell, Campbell Holt, Violet Holt, Helen Lappin, and the Pendergrasts.
We couldn't have done it without you!

Thanks also to Daniel for jumping in and calling some dances!

Got some pics? Post them below, we'd love to see what you've got! ☺️

Until next time...!
Shayna and the ABC crew

31/01/2026

Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of hours!

Another reminder of details that you need to know:

- Parking is VERY limited at Mill Bay, therefore we will have parking wardens onsite to direct those first in first serve to the two reserve carparks. Overflow carparking is just down the road at Cornwallis (Pine Ave). We request that you carpool if at all possible.
- We will have shuttles to shuttle people back and forth from the overflow parking. Shuttle pick up (and drop off after the ceilidh) is at this location here on Pine Ave https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Ja8GTJbvJGSPhmC7. The shuttles are Hirepool, and will have an orange ribbon on the wing mirror to identify. It is possible to drop people off at Mill Bay before parking at Cornwallis, just let the parking wardens know.
- DO NOT park on Huia Road, this is a high speed dangerous road and Council does not want cars parked there.
- DO NOT walk down Huia Road, for the same reasons as above.
- The ceilidh starts at 6.30pm - slightly earlier than our usual time! Arrive with plenty of time to park, shuttle if necessary, and get settled before we start.
- There are no gate sales of tickets available
- The Movenpick Ice Cream van will be on site if you need a cold treat in between dances!

What to bring:

- A picnic blanket! There is no seating at Mill Bay.
- A plate to share for supper - we've managed to nab some tables for food. Finger food that requires no prep only, please!
- Your drink bottle - there are no kitchen facilities at all on site so ensure you have plenty of water! We will have some punch as usual, but you will need water too.
- Any shoes and/or changes of clothes you want.
- Your tickets - on your phone or printed. These will be scanned at the gate.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Mill Bay, Huia
6.30pm - 10.30pm

30/01/2026

TICKETS ALL SOLD OUT!

Remember there are no door sales tonight, you'll only be let in if you have a Humanitix ticket.

Please read previous posts for details on parking etc (very important!)

See you soon!

6.30 - 10.30ish
Mill Bay, Huia

Outdoor Ceilidh by the Bay

30/01/2026

Today is the DAY!
We're so excited for our FIRST EVER outdoor ceilidh! Isn't the weather mint!

Please remember, no door sales. You will only be let in if you have a ticket from Humanitix.

We can't wait to see you later on. Please ensure you have read the Facebook posts and email with details, especially in regards to parking.

31st Jan
6.30pm - 10.30pm
Mill Bay, Huia

See you soon! 😁

30/01/2026

Tomorrow is the day!!!
If you have tickets, please ensure you have read the details below to be fully prepared for the ceilidh.

Please remember, NO gate sales available. Tickets were online only.

📅 Saturday 31st January
⌚ 6.30pm - 10.30pm
📍 Mill Bay, Huia Rd, Huia (Location here https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AfYoRgtPmAmNVuM9)

There are a few details that we need you to remember:

🚗 Parking is VERY limited at Mill Bay, therefore we will have parking wardens onsite to direct those first in first serve to the two reserve carparks. Overflow carparking is just down the road at Cornwallis (Pine Ave). We request that you carpool if at all possible.
🚌 We will have shuttles to shuttle people back and forth from the overflow parking. Shuttle pick up (and drop off after the ceilidh) is at this location here on Pine Ave https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Ja8GTJbvJGSPhmC7. The shuttles are Hirepool, and will have an orange ribbon on the wing mirror to identify. It is possible to drop people off at Mill Bay before parking at Cornwallis, just let the parking wardens know.
⛔ DO NOT park on Huia Road, this is a high speed dangerous road and Council does not want cars parked there.
🚷 DO NOT walk down Huia Road, for the same reasons as above.
⌚ The ceilidh starts at 6.30pm - slightly earlier than our usual time! Arrive with plenty of time to park, shuttle if necessary, and get settled before we start.
🎫 There are no gate sales of tickets available, if you have friends intending on coming they need to purchase online tickets before we sell out.
🍦 The Movenpick Ice Cream van will be on site if you need a cold treat in between dances!

What to bring:

🥐 A picnic blanket! There is no seating at Mill Bay.
🍽 A plate to share for supper - we've managed to nab some tables for food. Finger food that requires no prep only, please!
💧 Your drink bottle - there are no kitchen facilities at all on site so ensure you have plenty of water! We will have some punch as usual, but you will need water too.
👞 Any shoes and/or changes of clothes you want.
🎫 Your tickets - on your phone or printed. These will be scanned at the gate.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Shayna and the ABC team

29/01/2026

Not long to go now!
Those of your who have tickets, please ensure you read the details below to be fully prepared for the ceilidh.

📅 Saturday 31st January
⌚ 6.30pm - 10.30pm
📍 Mill Bay, Huia Rd, Huia (Location here https://maps.app.goo.gl/1AfYoRgtPmAmNVuM9)

There are a few details that we need you to remember:

🚗 Parking is VERY limited at Mill Bay, therefore we will have parking wardens onsite to direct those first in first serve to the two reserve carparks. Overflow carparking is just down the road at Cornwallis (Pine Ave). We request that you carpool if at all possible.
🚌 We will have shuttles to shuttle people back and forth from the overflow parking. Shuttle pick up (and drop off after the ceilidh) is at this location here on Pine Ave https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Ja8GTJbvJGSPhmC7. The shuttles are Hirepool, and will have an orange ribbon on the wing mirror to identify. It is possible to drop people off at Mill Bay before parking at Cornwallis, just let the parking wardens know.
⛔ DO NOT park on Huia Road, this is a high speed dangerous road and Council does not want cars parked there.
🚷 DO NOT walk down Huia Road, for the same reasons as above.
⌚ The ceilidh starts at 6.30pm - slightly earlier than our usual time! Arrive with plenty of time to park, shuttle if necessary, and get settled before we start.
🎫 There are no gate sales of tickets available, if you have friends intending on coming they need to purchase online tickets before we sell out.
🍦 The Movenpick Ice Cream van will be on site if you need a cold treat in between dances!

What to bring:

🥐 A picnic blanket! There is no seating at Mill Bay.
🍽 A plate to share for supper - we've managed to nab some tables for food. Finger food that requires no prep only, please!
💧 Your drink bottle - there are no kitchen facilities at all on site so ensure you have plenty of water! We will have some punch as usual, but you will need water too.
👞 Any shoes and/or changes of clothes you want.
🎫 Your tickets - on your phone or printed. These will be scanned at the gate.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Shayna and the ABC team

28/01/2026

Please note that tickets are limited this Saturday, with NO gate sales whatsoever.

Parking is at a premium at the reserve, and we'll have parking wardens onsite to direct you (first come first serve for reserve parking, and then overflow parking with shuttles to the ceilidh at Cornwallis). More details will be sent via Humanitix emails.

Grab your tickets now before they go!
https://events.humanitix.com/outdoor-ceilidh

28/01/2026

Our tickets are very limited and we're not far from being sold out - have you got yours yet!?

https://events.humanitix.com/outdoor-ceilidh

19/01/2026

Remember to still bring suitable footwear for our outdoor ceilidh! (that could be barefoot if you want - but we don't know the prickle status of the grass!)

We can't wait to see you soon!
31st Jan, 6.30pm onwards at Mill Bay, Huia

Tickets available here! https://events.humanitix.com/outdoor-ceilidh