To celebrate Chinese New Year, Fleet FM and Cross St Studios collaborated on the inaugural Cross Street Carnival: a massive, free outdoor event that fused the spontaneity of a Mardi Gras with the community spirit of a country fair, temporarily transforming the inner city neighbourhood.

Performing across two dedicated stages, musical acts included local bands The Midnites, The Shades, The Stomps, Vietnam War and North Shore Pony Club. The street itself became a beautifully chaotic spectacle, featuring cultural and performance groups such as the Japanese Star Dancers, the Improv Bandits and aerial troupe The Dust Palace, all alongside roving jugglers, unconventional attractions like brothel tours, as well as the biggest drum in the southern hemisphere. The festivities were completed by Craftwerk—the lo-fi arts and crafts initiative born in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington—who coordinated a street full of market stalls, bringing together young and emerging crafters, zine makers and visual artists.

The scale of the Cross Street Carnival was made possible with funding from the Creative Communities Scheme (a partnership between Creative New Zealand and Auckland City Council) and with support from Karangahape Road Business Association, Alt TV and Mukuna Gig Guide.