Access Guide: Laneway 2026

If you haven’t been to Laneway before, this year’s iteration is looking to be an amazing starter. The festival is a summer staple in Tāmaki Makaurau, so expect to see some incredible acts (Charli XCX last year? Unreal, so brat, so fun) while running into plenty of old and new friends (one of my personal favourite parts of Laneway!).

Having strong accessibility plans implemented at these large-scale events is vital. Now more than ever, disabled folks need to let loose too, to be in community, to dance together and to refresh our spirits for the big year ahead.

St. Jerome's Laneway Festival (nicknamed Laneway) is a music festival that takes place every February. Laneway began in Naarm Melbourne in 2005 and has since expanded across five major Australian cities, with Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland joining the line-up in 2010.

What to expect

Laneway is loud and bright, vibrant and energetic. The crowd is diverse, though mostly made up of festival-goers aged 18-35. Laneway does not make ticket sale numbers public, but the venue’s maximum capacity is 40,000, with around 20,000 attendees reported in 2024. This year’s festival on Thursday 5 February starts at 12:30pm and finishes at 10pm.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, you can find them here for $250pp excluding booking fees. Laneway is strictly 18+ and ID will be required.

Getting to (and from) Laneway

• Laneway takes place this year at Western Springs, located just 3km from the city centre. Western Springs, next door to MOTAT, is accessible by bus. Standard fares will apply.
• From 9.30pm to 11pm, event shuttle buses will be running from the venue (on Great North Road, outside Western Springs Lakeside) through to Britomart, with one bus dropping off patrons at the Karangahape Road After-Party. However, spaces are limited and shuttle tickets are $10 each — you can book these here.
• There is no parking for bikes or cars, including rideshares.
• There will be a dedicated accessibility car park, as well as accessibility drop-off and pick-up, located next to the Caltex on Great North Road (820 Great North Road — see map below).
• Alternatively, Laneway is walking distance from central suburbs such as Grey Lynn, Morningside, Ponsonby, Pt Chevalier and Westmere — just make sure the distance is doable for you! If you’re walking home, consider your timing as many others will also be walking too after the festival’s 10pm finish.

General Accessibility

• Laneway is cashless, so make sure you have your card or phone wallet with you.
• Bags must be no bigger than A4 paper.
• There is a dedicated entry lane for disabled patrons — there’s no ‘proof’ required for hidden disabilities, but it’s super helpful to have a Sunflower Lanyard on hand, which you can locate here.
• The site is wheelchair accessible. The ground is mostly flat and grassy (though it can get muddy).
• Accessibility volunteers will be wearing blue hi-viz and can assist you throughout the festival.
• If you need a break, there are Chill Out Zone and Low Sensory Zones located on the map where you can rest, recharge, or find a trained volunteer for assistance.
• There are specific disabled bathrooms on-site, but from experience, there are usually only two, and they are the same as the non-disabled toilets on site (i.e not any bigger than a typical portable toilet).
• If you are bringing a Guide Dog or Autism Assistance Dog, you need to make sure your dog is wearing their harness or jacket and has the appropriate support animal registration/accreditation in accordance with Council regulations. Also take care that your dog doesn’t overheat on the day!
• Prescription medicine can be brought into the event, but make sure it is in its original packaging with the dispensary label matching the name of the ticketholder. Over-the-counter medication, like Panadol and Neurofen, are allowed. There will be medical tents on-site, as seen on the map.
• Near the stages, you’ll find some Accessibility Viewing Platforms. These can be used by disabled patrons and their companions. They are two-tiered with movable seats. However, spaces on the platform are limited (in previous years, we could fit about 15pax) and if the platforms reach capacity, priority will be given to wheelchair and mobility aid users. These platforms are not low-sensory and will still be loud and busy.
• Not all staff have received specific disability awareness training, so please keep this in mind and have a companion advocate for you when possible. At music festivals in the past, despite having my Sunflower Lanyard, I have been treated with suspicion by staff as my disabilities are invisible for the most part. Having my partner be able to support me in these moments has been super helpful. 
• Earplugs are recommended! If you don’t bring your own, the medical team usually have some available free of charge.
• There will be a range of food trucks on-site. The organisers advise that there will be “plenty of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options”, although from experience, many of these options are only sides (so expect a lot of fries, basically) . Dietary-specific items do tend to sell out quickly. Small amounts of food/snacks are allowed in clear containers or small pouches — just advise the security team on entry.

But what about the weather?

• In 2023, Laneway was cancelled due to the Auckland Anniversary floods. With Tāmaki’s unpredictable weather, anything is possible, so consider packing a poncho (no umbrellas are permitted).
• Of course it can be hard to make accurate predictions the week of, but Metservice’s extended forecast looks promising, with a current projected high of 25 degrees and a mix of sun and cloud.
• As always, sun protection (hats, sunscreen, sunglasses) are always highly recommended, even when it’s cloudy. There are shaded spots around, but they’re limited. Laneway recommends bringing an empty soft water bottle, with refill stations available throughout the venue.

Laneway Festival is getting better at creating accessibility plans with each passing year, so we hope this year is their strongest yet! Above all, play it safe and look after yourself and your mates — stay hydrated and if you’re planning on taking drugs, make sure you find a drug-checking clinic beforehand for free confidential testing. Wishing you a safe, sunny and stunning Laneway — see you there!