Events and festivals

Explore the many events and festivals that Wellington City Council produces and supports to make our city the vibrant cultural capital of New Zealand.

COVID-19 update – Alert Level 2

COVID-19: Wellington City Council events

During Alert Level 2, many public venues will be open but must comply with public health measures.

  • All public gatherings under alert level 2 are restricted to no more than 100 people.
  • Organisers are required to maintain records to enable contact tracing 
  • Public are encouraged to maintain a record of what events they attend
  • Stay home if you’re sick
  • Wash and dry your hands, cough into your elbow, don’t touch your face

Please get in touch with expressions of interest for future events (both regular annual events and new), email the City Events team at events@wcc.govt.nz. Your request, the current COVID-19 alert level, public health measures and capacity/availability of venues will be taken into consideration.

Information about public events from the Government Covid-19 website.

Anzac Day

The City Arts and Events Team presents a yearly programme of public events to mark Anzac Day commemorations.

Africa Day

With the support of WCC, the African Community Council Wellington celebrates African unity. Go to africancommunity.org.nz

Artsplash 2021

The City Arts and Events Team presents: Artsplash, Wellington's annual primary and intermediate school arts festival.

Chinese New Year

With the support of WCC, the Asian Events Trust brings you an annual celebration of Chinese New Year in Wellington. Go to chinesenewyear.co.nz

CubaDupa

With the support of WCC and a WellingtonNZ partnered major event, a two-day festival celebrating the vibrancy and creative spirit of Cuba Street. Go to cubadupa.co.nz

Diwali

With the support of WCC, Diwali is Wellington's Indian and South East Asian communities' most vibrant cultural celebration.

Gardens Magic

The City Arts and Events Team presents: Gardens Magic. Our iconic free concert series returns to fill your summer nights with the sounds of Aotearoa’s best and brightest.

Homegrown

A WellingtonNZ partnered major event, Homegrown is the biggest party in the Kiwi music calendar. Go to homegrown.net.nz

Island Bay Festival

With the support of WCC, this two-day festival showcases the talent and diversity of the South Coast every February. Go to islandbayfestival.org.nz

Japan Festival of Wellington

Experience the flavours, sights and sounds of Japan under one roof.

Kids' Magic in the Dell

The City Arts and Events Team presents: Kids' Magic in the Dell. Pack a picnic, grab the gang and head to the hills for fun at the Dell!

Māori Language Week

Supported by WCC, Māori Language Week is an effort to raise awareness of te reo Māori in New Zealand.

Matariki ki Pōneke festival

The City Arts and Events Team presents: Matariki ki Pōneke, a Māori cultural celebration that marks the start of the Māori New Year.

MIROMODA

With the support of WCC, MIROMODA returns for its annual fashion design competition and invited designer runway show.

Newtown Festival

With the support of WCC, Newtown Festival brings you a fabulous world of food, music and crafts with 15 stages and 450 stalls. Go to newtownfestival.org.nz

New Year's Eve

The City Arts and Events Team presents: New Years Eve in the capital!

New Zealand Festival of Arts

With the support of WCC, New Zealand Festival of the Arts transforms Wellington into a buzzing culture zone. Go to festival.nz

Pasifika Festival

The City Arts and Events Team presents: The Wellington Pasifika Festival, a standout event in both the Wellington regional, and the national calendar.

ReCut

The City Arts and Events Team presents: ReCut, A free, dynamic, outdoor arts events around the city to showcase Wellington as Aotearoa New Zealand’s Capital of Culture.

Seniors' Week

The Community Services Team presents a series of community-led events for seniors in spring every year.

Spring Festival

The City Arts and Events Team presents: The Spring Festival.

Te Rā o Waitangi and Whānau Film Night 2022

The City Arts and Events Team presents: Te Rā o Waitangi. Join us for a celebration of Aotearoa’s national day.

A Very Welly Christmas

The City Arts and Events Team presents: A Very Welly Xmas. Join us for two days of festive fun on Lambton Quay.

Welly Weekend

The City Arts and Events Team presents: Welly Weekend

World of WearableArt

With support from WCC and a WellingtonNZ Strategic Partner major event, WOW brings together the world’s most incredible works of wearable art in a spectacular show. Go to worldofwearableart.com

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