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News | 31 October 2024
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Pōneke is set to sleigh this festive season

Pōneke will be kicking-off the start of the festive season with a busy schedule of whānau friendly, accessible, fun and entertaining events and activities for all to enjoy.

Members of Wellington Phoenix celebrating at Sky Stadium credit Hagen Hopkins
Wellington Phoenix at Sky Stadium

There’s 'noel' time like the present to get into the festive spirit, so check out what’s coming up and be there with bells on – the more the merrier.

Wellington Heritage Festival
26 October – 17 November
Various locations

The Wellington Heritage Festival has over three weeks of events and activities celebrating the people, places, and stories from Pōneke to the Wairarapa. Check out the many tours and events on during the Wellington Heritage festival at wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz.

Wellington Phoenix v Auckland FC
5pm, Saturday 2 November
Sky Stadium

The inaugural local derby, and a first for football in Aotearoa, the Wellington Phoenix men will host their Auckland counterparts in an epic match at Sky Stadium.

Metlink will be putting on additional buses and trains on some routes to accommodate the expected crowds.

Visit wellingtonphoenix.com for more information and to book tickets for all upcoming Phoenix matches.

Wellington Go Green Expo
10am-5pm, Saturday 2 and 10am, 4pm, Sunday 3 November
TSB Arena

New Zealand's largest sustainable lifestyle show brings together the best Kiwi eco-friendly brands, and discover all you need to know to create a lifestyle that benefits you.

Get free tickets to come along at gogreenexpo.co.nz.

Show Do Café
7.30pm, Tuesday 5 November and Wednesday 6 November
Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Terrace

Best in Fringe 2024 Show do Café returns to Wellington's Hannah Playhouse this November. Artfully blending dance, theatre, music and coffee, this immersive production traces the cultural impact of coffee from Brazil to Aotearoa. For more information visit eventfinda.co.nz.

Verb Readers and Writers Festival
Thursday 7 – Sunday 10 November
Various venues

Discover some of the world’s finest writers at the 11th annual Verb Readers and Writers Festival. Highlights include LitCrawl – Wellington’s favourite Saturday night lit party set among the city’s bars, bookshops and cafés – plus a fantastic list of guest writers from across Aotearoa, Australia, USA, China, Ireland and Scotland. 

For tickets and information, visit verbwellington.nz.

How Far Do Your Arms Reach?
7.30pm, Friday 15 November
City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi

A collaborative performance between artist Tobias Allen and Footnote New Zealand Dance commissioned by City Gallery Wellington to mark the exhibition Derek Jarman: Delphinium Days. This one-night-only performance will take place in the vacant City Gallery Wellington building in Te Ngākau Civic Square.

For tickets and information, visit citygallery.org.nz.

Group sitting on bank watching Beers at Basin in front of them with grandstand in background.
Beers at the Basin

Courtenay Precinct Block Party
3pm-11.30pm, Saturday 16 November
Allen Street

Courtenay Precinct Block Party is a vibrant and lively street party designed to bring the Courtenay Precinct community together for a day of music, dance, food, and fun. This event will transform Allen Street into a festive and inclusive space where residents and visitors of all ages can enjoy live performances, engage in interactive activities, and celebrate the local culture and talent.

More information at courtenayprecinct.nz.

Julian Hooper, Megan Dunn and Billy Bartley-Nees in Conversation
11am, Saturday 16 November
National Library of New Zealand 

On the final day of his exhibition, Julian Hooper will be in conversation with curator Megan Dunn and the Director of Envy Gallery, Billy Bartley-Nees. The three will discuss Julian's recent alphabet frieze and his new paintings seen on display at both the National Library and at Envy Gallery.

Learn more at citygallery.org.nz.

Tokomanawa Queens
2pm, 17 and 24 November
TSB Arena

Local women’s basketball team the Tokomanawa Queens host a couple of games at TSB Arena in November. Show your support as the team of all-stars look to take back the champions trophy that just alluded them in 2023.

For more information and tickets, visit queens.nz.

Beers at the Basin
11am-7pm, Saturday 23 November
Cello Basin Reserve

Hosted at one of Wellington’s iconic venues, Beers at the Basin is a one-day festival including some of New Zealand’s top craft breweries, wineries, street food and local music talent, while backyard games provide endless entertainment as well. 

Live music from Lady Hawke, DJ Sir-Vere, 1 Drop Nation, White Chapel Jak & The Relatives will be playing all day to keep the party going.

More information and tickets available at beersatthebasin.co.nz.

Polish Christmas Market
11am-6pm, Saturday 16 November
257 Riddiford Street, Newtown

The Polish Christmas Market kicks-off the festive season with its always popular event with amazing food, local crafts and gift items, live music, dancing, kid’s activities and Mikołaj (Father Christmas).

For more information visit: polishcommunity.org.nz.

Christmas in the Quarters
Every Saturday from 23 November to 14 December, 11am-5pm
Various places around the city centre

Wellington City Council is celebrating Christmas with four free whānau-friendly events, in four different parts of the city this year:

  • Kids can make Christmas crafts on Saturday 23 November in Midland Park.
  • Enjoy Christmas music and performances on Saturday 30 November in Glover Park.
  • There will be circus acts and street busking under the sails at Queens Wharf on Saturday 7 December.
  • Be at Waitangi Park on Saturday 14 December to meet Santa and enjoy a fun range of Christmas activities.

For more information, please visit our Christmas in the Quarters page.

Flower thrower Banksy artwork at exhibition
Banksy artwork - Flower thrower

The Art of Banksy

Tākina Convention and Events Centre

28 November 2024 – 20 January 2025   

 

Blockbuster exhibition The Art of Banksy is coming to Wellington following a highly successful exhibit in London, UK.   

 

More than 150 pieces, including prints, canvases, unique works and fascinating ephemera will be on display in this Museum-quality exhibition.

 

Buy an Earlybird ticket to the blockbuster exhibition and go in the draw to win an authentic Banksy Di Faced Tenner artwork.

 

For more information and bookings visit: theartofbanksy.nz.

 

Thorndon Fair

Sunday 1 December | 10am-3pm

Tinakori Road and Hill Street, Thorndon

 

The first Sunday of December each year, the Thorndon Fair comes to town. This huge street fair that highlights the charms of historic Thorndon, hosts over 20,000 people and 250 stallholders for the first major event of the summer season.

 

For more information, including how to get there and street closures, visit thorndonfair.nz.

 

BLACKCAPS v England Test

Fri 6 – Tues 10 Dec | Cello Basin Reserve

 

The summer cricket season kicks-off with a Test against England. Show some home support at the second match of the series in the home of cricket, the Basin Reserve. 

 

Visit nzc.nz for more information and to book tickets.

 

Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery

14 December 2024 to 27 April 2025

Te Papa

 

This summer, Te Papa will be the first venue to kick-off the global tour of Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery, a retrospective exhibition celebrating the iconic jewellery of renowned British fashion house Vivienne Westwood.

 

Tickets go on sale Monday 4 November at tepapa.nz/Westwood  

 

White Ferns v Australia ODI

19, 21, 23 December | Cello Basin Reserve

 

Fresh from a hugely successful overseas tour, head to the Basin Reserve to show your support for the White Ferns cricket team as they host Tasman rivals Australia in a three-peat one-day series in the capital. 

 

Visit nzc.nz for more information and to book tickets.

 

New Year’s Eve 2024

Tue 31 Dec | 8pm-12 midnight

Whairepo Lagoon, Wellington Waterfront

 

Join us with friends and whānau this New Year’s Eve for a free, fun evening of toe-tapping music, kai and entertainment on Wellington’s Waterfront.  

 

There’ll be food trucks and live music, a Kids Countdown with fireworks at 9.30pm, and entertainment continues until midnight where you can see in 2025 with a fireworks display lighting up the harbour.

 

Find more information at wellington.govt.nz/newyear

 

Courtenay Carnival

Tuesday 31 December | TIME TBC

Courtenay Place

 

Get ready for Wellington’s first Courtenay Carnival! This vibrant all-inclusive dress up event is set to become one of the city’s annual New Year’s Eve draw cards bringing thousands of people to celebrate in style.

 

Combining world class hospitality with a diverse line-up of entertainment, outdoor dining, and show stopping acts to ring in the New Year – and everyone is welcome.

 

Check out courtenayprecinct.nz/new-years-eve for more information, and keep an eye on metlink.co.nz for updates about public transport diversions.

 

Please note:

 

A number of roads around the city will be closed for some of these events, and town will get busy for the major ones, so please consider taking public transport, cycling, scooting or walking to events, and allow extra time for your journey.  

 

Check out metlink.co.nz for updates on public transport, visit Council's events section for more events and information, and wellington.govt.nz/street-event-closure for more details about road closures.