Darklight to unveil hidden worlds of light in TSB Showplace takeover

Acclaimed immersive light experience Darklight: The Hidden World is set to transform NPDC’s TSB Showplace from Friday 25 September to Sunday 4 October 2026.

In a first for the 100-year-old venue, every corner will be completely reimagined, as visitors of all ages are invited to step into vivid worlds of light and sound.

Presented by New Plymouth Partners and created by the Darklight creative team, explorers can touch, play and interact as they journey from giant glowing gardens to beneath reflective pools and out into the cosmos, with surprises along the way.

Tickets go on sale from Monday 6 July and TSB Showplace Lead Fraser Ross says people will want to be quick.

“Darklight sessions sell out fast, so we’re expecting plenty of excitement as it comes to Taranaki for its first season outside of Auckland,” says Fraser.

“The Hidden World is playful, joyful and reflective, and unlike anything seen here before.”

He says what makes it even more special is how it takes over the entire venue.

“Every space in the newly refurbished TSB Showplace becomes part of a giant light and sound experience, including areas people wouldn’t normally get to step inside.”

Darklight has rapidly become a standout on Auckland’s events scene. Darklight was created by Angus Muir Design, the creative force behind some of New Zealand’s favourite TSB Festival of Lights installations, in collaboration with event producer Dan Move, as a platform for ambitious, artist-led immersive installations.

Angus Muir, founder of Angus Muir Design, says New Plymouth has become a special place for their team.

“We've delivered a number of projects across the region over the years, so bringing Darklight here feels like a natural next step. We're thrilled to share this experience with a community that has embraced so much of what we do,” says Angus.

“Working with a venue like the TSB Showplace has been a dream of ours for a long time. It's an iconic and character-filled venue, and we're excited to transform it into a world of light, sound and imagination unlike anything we've created before.”

Darklight: The Hidden World isn’t just for kids, with grown-ups sure to get a buzz out of it too, especially with a newly revamped hospitality space providing the perfect spot to catch-up and relax.

Tickets will be available at darklight.co from Monday 6 July.

Family passes will be $60 for two adults and two children, adult tickets $27, children’s tickets $10 (five and under are free) and student tickets will be $15.

When booking, visitors can select a start time, then explore the experience at their own pace on the day.

With a distinctive creative vision and limited season, Darklight is set to be the must‑experience event of the year - drawing visitors from across the region and beyond for a unique journey into The Hidden World.

At a glance

• Darklight: The Hidden World is an indoor light exhibition that reimagines how audiences engage with light and sound, using minimalism, mood and spatial design to evoke a deep emotional response.
• TSB Showplace is the Taranaki region’s premiere main theatre, conference and events venue.
• The venue includes the TSB Theatre, Theatre Royal, backstage, and meeting and event spaces.
• Around 66,000 people visit the Showplace each year for comedy, musicals, plays, classical concerts and more.
• The Showplace reopened last week after a nine-month refurbishment to celebrate its centenary later this month.

Caption: A young explorer at Darklight: The Hidden World, set to take over the TSB Showplace this September school holidays.