Ngā mahi whakangahau Put it on the calendar
Check out some of the exciting events the Council is supporting over the winter months. For more information, visit our events and festivals page.
Note: This information is current as of the date of the original publication of 25 August 2023. Please check the individual event websites and social media pages to see whether an event is on, has moved online, and for up-to-date venue and entry information.
The Barbie Collector: Toy Theatre
Sat 2 Sep | Wellington Museum
Light, camera, action! Tamariki tour The Barbie Collector exhibition then learn how to produce a short film featuring their own dolls. Suitable for ages 9–12. Tickets $60. wellingtonmuseum.nz
Wellington Museum Low Sensory Hour
4pm–5pm, first Thu of every month | Wellington Museum
Featuring low light and sound throughout the museum. wellingtonmuseum.nz
Classical on Cuba: Delightfully Offbeat
Sat 2–Sun 3 Sep | Various locations
Discover classical music in contemporary Cuba Street culture. Pair your experience of fine music with some of the coolest bars and eateries in Pōneke. classicaloncuba.co.nz
Garden Walks
3, 8, 10, 17, 25 & 27 Sep
Botanic Garden ki Paekākā | Free
Embrace the beauty of spring in our garden. Explore blooming bulbs, sculptures, trees, and the secret life of bees. Join us for enchanting walks filled with delightful discoveries. wellingtongardens.nz
Sci-Fi Sundays: Cult Classics
6pm, Sun 3, 10 & 17 Sep | Space Place
Be immersed in the iconic worlds of Dune, Blade Runner and 2001: A Space Odyssey with Space Place’s full-dome planetarium. Tickets include popcorn. spaceplace.nz
TAHI – NZ Festival of Solo Performance
Wed 6–Sat 16 Sep | Various venues
TAHI supports the showcasing of Aotearoa's most innovative solo performance. tahifestivalnz.com
ONO
Thu 7–Sat 16 Sep | Circa Theatre
A collection of six new monologues by Māori and Pasifika writers. tahifestivalnz.com/ono
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Māori Language Week
Mon 11–Sun 17 Sep
Celebrate Aotearoa New Zealand's indigenous language. Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori/Māori Language Moment will take place at 12noon, Thu 14 Sep, to acknowledge the time and date Te Petihana Reo Māori was submitted to Parliament in 1972. Kōrero (speak), waiata (sing), pānui (read) – whatever you do, do it in te reo Māori. Visit reomaori.co.nz and wellington.govt.nz/maorilanguageweek for more details.
Suitcase Show – Development Showing
Wed 13–Sat 16 Sep | BATS Theatre
A traveller unpacks a stack of suitcases – from within them whole worlds will emerge. tahifestivalnz.com/suitcase-show
Te Hui Ahurei Reo Māori o Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Mon 11–Sun 17 Sep
The Māori Language Festival of Wellington – Te Hui Ahurei Reo Māori o Te Whanganui-a-Tara, is returning this Hepetema/September, to celebrate and showcase te reo Māori through the arts. tereofest.nz
Scots College Wearable Design Showcase
Thu 21 Sep–Wed 11 Oct | Treehouse
Botanic Garden ki Paekākā | Free
Scots College students exhibit their wearable design concepts and garments, exploring natural dying and sustainable textile practices. wellingtongardens.nz
Scarcity & Abundance
On now until Sun 3 Sep
Thistle Hall, Cuba Street
Group exhibition partnering with Kaibosh Food Rescue and The Free Store. kaibosh.org/thistle-hall-2023
Tuatara Open Late
5pm–10pm, Thu 7 Sep, 5 Oct, 2 Nov
City Gallery Wellington
Every first Thursday of the month, enjoy our current exhibitions afterhours while exploring our ever-changing programme of late-night events. Tickets $10. citygallery.org.nz
Masons Screen
On now until Mon 25 Sep
Masons Lane steps
Bledisloe Bebop (2020), by Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, brings the Bledisloe House (Auckland) rooftop mural, an abstract mosaic frieze (Guy Ngan), to ground level in this video. Learn more about Masons Screen.
Te Wiki Kaumātua/Seniors’ Week
Sun 1–8 Oct | Various venues
A series of community events and activities for our older people. Learn more about Seniors' Week.
2023 Korea Week
Fri 6–Sun 8 Oct | Embassy Theatre
A variety of cultural events, including K-Pop performances, K-Movies, K-Food, and more. Learn more about Korea Week.
Kaibosh Food Rescue turns 15!
Sat 14 Oct | Kaibosh, 11 Hopper Street
Since 2008, Kaibosh has distributed over 10 million meals to the community, stopping tonnes of food being needlessly wasted. Join Kaibosh for a party and to celebrate World Food Day. kaibosh.org.nz
NZIA City Talks
6pm–8pm, Mon 18 Sep, 16 Oct, 20 Nov
City Gallery Wellington | Free
Lectures exploring the space and places Kiwis live, work, and play. Initiated by the New Zealand Institute of Architects Wellington Branch. citygallery.org.nz
Jurassic World by Brickman®
On now until Mon 16 Oct | Tākina
Get ready for an adventure like no other as Ryan (Brickman) McNaught re-imagines Jurassic World in NZ’s largest-ever LEGO® brick exhibition. wellingtonnz.com/takina
Wellington Children’s Art Exhibition
Fri 22 Sep–Sun 8 Oct | Wellington Museum
Celebrate our city’s youngest artists at the seventh Children’s Art Exhibition developed by Capital E and the Wellington Sakai Association. wellingtonnz.com
Astronomy on Tap
8pm–10pm, Tue 26 Sep & 31 Oct | Space Place
Sit back and relax in our digital full-dome planetarium as we explore the night sky. spaceplace.nz
Ōtari Raranga Weavers
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush
Learn about traditional Māori weaving and healing practices using native plants. otariraranga.wordpress.com
Family Day
11am–4pm, Sun 1 Oct
City Gallery Wellington
Enjoy fun, free, family-friendly activities at City Gallery Wellington’s Family Day. Donation appreciated. citygallery.org.nz
Ceramicus exhibition
9am–4pm, Wed 4–Sun 15 Oct
Begonia House, Botanic Garden ki Paekākā | Free
Visit the Wellington Potters' Association's annual Ceramicus exhibition in the Begonia House Foyer. wellingtongardens.nz
Sugar Rose Workshop
Thu 5 & Fri 6 Oct
Botanic Garden ki Paekākā
Learn how to make a sugar rose stem out of gum paste during this two-day rose workshop at the Discovery Pavilion. wellingtongardens.nz
Pop-up Pottery Market
Sat 7 & Sun 8 Oct
Botanic Garden ki Paekākā | Free
Visit the Wellington Potters' Association's pop-up pottery market in the Dell, with 20 stallholders. Weather dependant. wellingtongardens.nz
WXV 1 Tournament
Fri 20 & Sat 21 Oct | Sky Stadium
The world's top six international women's rugby teams will play in Wellington in an inaugural international women's rugby tournament this Labour weekend. wellingtonnz.com
Wellington Heritage Week
Mon 23 Oct–Sun 5 Nov | Various venues
Experience Wellington’s people, places and stories. wellingtonheritageweek.co.nz
Heritage Week with Wellington Gardens
Mon 23 Oct–Sun 5 Nov | Various venues
Guided tours, behind-the-scenes looks, and captivating stories await. Explore, discover, and immerse yourself in the history of our spaces. wellingtongardens.nz
Shadow Windows Art Walk
6pm–7pm, Wed 1 Nov
Glover Park on Garrett St | Free
Join artist Andrew Beck for a walk and talk through his artwork 'Shadow Windows' exploring the social heritage landscape of Te Aro’s historic Swan Lane and Garrett Street. wellingtonheritageweek.co.nz
Wellington Jazz Festival
Wed 25–Sun 29 Oct | Various locations
Te Whanganui-a-Tara will be abuzz again this October, as the city's beloved Jazz Festival returns with a line-up of exciting international names in jazz and celebrated homegrown musicians. jazzfestival.nz
Diwali Festival of Lights & Fireworks
2pm–8.30pm, Sun 29 Oct
TSB Arena and Shed 6
Sample the colours, tastes, and sounds of India and South-East Asia, with non-stop cultural entertainment, food, and Indian cultural activities. The evening ends with a fireworks display. Learn more about Diwali.
Semi Permanent
Wed 8–Fri 10 Nov | St James Theatre
Semi Permanent is back, connecting world-class talent and global brands with Aotearoa's creative audiences. semipermanent.com
Verb Readers & Writers Festival
Thu 9–Sun 12 Nov | Various venues
Join one of Aotearoa’s best readers and writers festivals with conversations and performances with writers from all over the country. verbwellington.nz
Christmas Celebrations
Each Sat (Sun rain day) from 25 Nov–16 Dec
Various locations
Visit the Council website in October to find out where Christmas celebrations and activities will be popping up around the CBD – including arts and crafts, live performances, and kids’ activities!