Mega weekend coming to the capital

From the hills to the harbour, there’s something for everyone next weekend. There’ll be lots of visitors to the city as well, so we can expect a bit of congestion around the place, especially along the waterfront. Let’s be patient, welcoming, and celebrate the occasion.

New Zealand Fringe Festival
16 Feb - Sat 9 Mar | Various locations
NZ Fringe Festival returns in February for the 34th year as the leading open-access arts festival in Aotearoa. The festival features 800+ artists from Aotearoa and abroad, performing at 50 venues across Pōneke. More info at fringe.co.nz

Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts
23 February – 17 March | Various locations
A world-class selection of contemporary arts experiences returns to the capital in 2024. Held every two years since 1986, Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts (ANZFA) celebrates creativity in all its forms. 
www.festival.nz

Vantage National Masters Hockey Tournament
25 February – 2 March
National Hockey Stadium | Mt Albert Park \ Berhampore
A record 98 teams comprising 2000 athletes aged 35-70+ compete for national bragging rights in this week-long tournament.

International Cricket Australia Test
29 Feb – 4 March | Cello Basin Reserve
The BLACKCAPS play their first test against Australia at the iconic Cello Basin Reserve. 
www.nzc.nz

Frank Kitts Park play area
Thursday 29 February – Blessing and opening
Weekend 2 & 3 March – Opening weekend celebrations and activities
Celebrate the opening of the new look playground with an official opening and a weekend of family friendly fun and activities. 

Botanic Garden ki Pāekaka play area
Friday 1 March – Blessing and opening
Sun 3 March – Botanic Garden play area activities
Celebrate the opening of the new look playground with an official opening and a day of family friendly fun and activities.

Queens of the Stone Age: The End is Nero
Fri 1 March | 7pm
TSB Bank Arena | Queens Wharf
Queens of the Stone Age are heading to Pōneke with ‘The End Is Nero’ Summer 2024 Australian and New Zealand tour, the band’s first appearance in Australasia since 2018.

Dragon Boat Festival
1-3 March | Wellington Waterfront
Teams from around the country and the world descend on Wellington for the festival in March and enjoy racing with a backdrop like no other – the buildings of Wellington City sitting right alongside the harbour. 
dragonboatfestival.org.nz

Wellington Pride Festival 2024
1-17 March | Various locations
Celebrate the LGBTQI+ communities with events and activities all around Pōneke. Full festival programme at wellingtonpridefestival.com/festival2024

Cruise ships
Sat 2 March
Cruise liners The Grand Princess (3100) and Pacific Encounter (2600) will be in town.

PARK(ing) Day
Sat 2 Mar | 9am-5pm | Cuba Street
Enjoy a day where creatives and community groups take over Cuba Street car parks. PARK(ing) Day's mission is to improve the quality of the urban human habitat… at least until the meter runs out! Check out the details at fringe.co.nz/show/parking-day-2024

Children’s Day celebrations
Sun 3 Mar | Queens Wharf
Play your way this Children’s Day! The waterfront is full of activities for tamariki and whānau to play and celebrate all it means to be a child.
wellington.govt.nz/childrens-day

Newtown Festival
Sun 3 March | 9.30am – 5pm
Side-streets until 8.30pm, venues until late
Aotearoa’s greatest FREE music festival and street fair – 16 outdoor stages, 8 local venues, 1000+ performers. One magnificent day, a family friendly cultural extravaganza of music, dance, circus, parades, free kids’ rides, street cafés, 420+ stalls selling arts, crafts, fashion, treasure, including a vast range of international street food! 
Newtownfestival.org.nz

Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United
Sun 3 March | 5pm
Sky Stadium
The Phoenix men are ready to conquer the field as they face off against Adelaide United at Sky Stadium. 
wellingtonphoenix.com

Marvel: Te Whakaaturanga Mārohirohi o Te Ao
Tākina | until 28 April 2024
Marvel fans (and yet to be Marvel fans) still have time to immerse themselves in the franchise’s 85-year comic and film history. Don’t miss out on this exclusive to the capital exhibition, featuring rare artifacts, original comic art, film props, costumes, immersive designs and exclusive memorabilia, getting fans up close with iconic Marvel Heroes, films and comics.

With lots of events comes congestion and some street closures for organiser access, set-up, pack down, and primarily for the health and safety of all.

It’s recommended that car users consider alternative routes or modes of transport during some of the major events, and pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters should take extra care due to the changes.

Full details of street closures can be found at: wellington.govt.nz/road-works.