Events
The Art of Banksy
Until 20 January
Blockbuster exhibition The Art of Banksy is coming to an end following a hugely successful exhibition at Tākina Events and Convention Centre. Attendance has increased recently, so we recommend visiting on weekdays when it's usually quieter. With high attendance expected in the final week, especially over the weekend, please be prepared for possible queues and wait times, due to the exhibition's limited capacity.
Gardens Magic
7–26 January
Gardens Magic, the iconic summer event, continues with its free Concert Series, Light Display, Kids Garden Trail, and Kids Explorer Days all set amongst the natural beauty of the Botanic Garden ki Paekākā.
Website: wellington.govt.nz/gardens-magic
Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery
17 January – 27 April
This summer, Te Papa is 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.
Website: tepapa.nz/westwood
Great Big Waterfront Clean-Up
Wednesday 22 January
You can't beat Wellington on a good day but you can do your part in keeping our waterfront beautiful. Be the ultimate tidy Kiwi and register for Wellington Museum’s annual Great Big Waterfront Clean-Up.
Website: museumswellington.org.nz
Welly Walks
25-26 January
Discover hidden prizes on Wellington's trails. From 9am on the final weekend of January, six trails across the Wellington region will have specially marked Welly Walk boxes filled with treats from local businesses. Grab the whānau and get outdoors!
Website: wellingtonnz.com/visit/trails/welly-walks
World Manu Champs
25-26 January
The Z Manu World Champs are coming to Pōneke Wellington, featuring a SUPER QUALIFIER event at Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.
Website: manuworldchamps.com
Khandallah Pool's 100th Birthday
Sunday 26 January
Celebrate Khandallah Pool's 100th Birthday with a fun, family-friendly Garden Party. Head to the pool and Khandallah Park next door for summer vibes and birthday activities. Entry to the outdoor Garden Party will be free, but charges will apply for some activities and food vendors.
Lunar New Year Festival - Paint The Town Red
29 January – 16 February
Food, family reunion and the colour red are synonymous with Lunar New Year celebrations for Asian communities. Join the party and experience an absolutely positively celebration of the Lunar New Year in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington.
Website: lunarnewyearfestival.co.nz
Sssip & Sssavor
29 January – 16 February
Celebrate the Lunar New Year by indulging in the best eating and drinking experiences Wellington has to offer. Over the Lunar New Year festival period, Courtenay Precinct venues are painting the town red, coming together to present a drink and/or dish inspired by the colour red, the snake, or the Lunar New Year in their menu.
Website: lunarnewyearfestival.co.nz
Sssidewalk Sssideshow
Saturday 1 February
Firecrackers, street performers and music will bring Lunar New Year celebrations to Courtenay Precinct. This will be a fantastic celebration for families, foodies, or festival goers, finishing with a fireworks display on Wellington’s Waterfront to welcome in the Lunar New Year of the Snake.
Website: lunarnewyearfestival.co.nz
Market Day at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre
Saturday 1 February
Head to Toi Pōneke for an art market, live music, a Zine making workshop, open artist studios, workspaces, jewellery studios and check out current Toi Pōneke Gallery Exhibition: Bent.
Website: toiponeke.nz
Te Rā o Waitangi
Thursday 6 February
Come along to a free whānau-friendly event to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and Aotearoa’s national day. Bring your friends and whānau, and enjoy live multi-cultural performances, māori culture, kai.
Website: wellington.govt.nz/waitangi
Wellington Pasifika Festival
Saturday 8 February
Experience the sights, sounds, and flavours of the Pacific with this free whānau-friendly festival which celebrates our unique Pacific communities.
Website: wellington.govt.nz/Pasifika
Island Bay Festival – Day in the Bay
Sunday 9 February
Come along to the start of the Island Bay Festival with the always popular parade, live music, food trucks, entertainment and the traditional blessing of the boats.
Website: islandbayfestival.org.nz
Valentine’s Night at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
Friday 14 February
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in a memorable way this year by treating your loved one to Valentine’s Night at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo. The Zoo will be open until 8.30 pm for adults only (18+), with live music from Crash Bandihoot, an outdoor bar, and love-themed animal talks and Close Encounters.
Website: wellingtonzoo.com
Fringe Festival
14 February – 8 March
Dive into a kaleidoscope of awesome arts, performances, and entertainment with the 2025 New Zealand Fringe Festival returning to the city this summer for its 35th anniversary.
Website: fringe.co.nz
Round the Bays
Sunday 16 February
The capital’s largest fun run hits the streets with new course options, each packed with entertainment, making the iconic event Wellington’s biggest action-packed street party.
Website: roundthebays.co.nz/wellington
Community Gardens Open Sundays
16 February – 30 March
Community gardens are the hidden gems of our city. Ever wondered what happens at a community garden? Open Sundays are your chance to find out.
Website: wellington.govt.nz/community-gardens
Disney: The Magic of Animation | Ngā Tāoreore Tūmatarau
From 20 February
The internationally acclaimed exhibition Disney: The Magic of Animation | Ngā Tāoreore Tūmatarau is coming to Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre for its New Zealand exclusive debut. The exhibition will feature more than 600 exceptional art pieces from original sketches of timeless characters to today’s CG-animated masterpieces.
Website: WellingtonNZ.com/Disney
The Performance Arcade
21 February – 2 March
The Performance Arcade is an annual exhibition and festival programme of events based on the Wellington Waterfront, where artists gather to share work in a free public event.
Website: theperformancearcade.com
Postmodern Jukebox
Sunday 23 February
It’s a popular hit with a vintage treatment. It’s like ‘Back to the Future’ for music. The Magic and Moonlight Tour will fill the Michael Fowler Centre with the nostalgic sound of 1920s jazz, Swing, doo-wop, and Motown.
Website: wellingtonnz.com/visit/events/postmodern-jukebox
Cuba Street Summer Series
23 February – 23 March
The iconic Cuba Street (between Ghuznee and Vivian St) is coming alive over three weekends this summer with the Cuba Street Summer Series. From the team behind CubaDupa, NZ Fringe, and Classical on Cuba, there’ll be an atmosphere reminiscent of a summer of creativity, highlighting the unique, diverse, independent, and iconic retail and hospitality experiences that Cuba Street has to offer.
Website: cubadupa.co.nz/celebrate-summer-on-cuba-street-with-the-cuba-street-summer-series/
Fringe on the Street
Sunday 23 February
As part of the Cuba Street Summer Series, experience the edgy, the eclectic, and the extraordinary with this Fringe-themed extravaganza as Cuba Street transforms into a Fringe takeover of unconventional performances and quirky creativity.
Website: cubadupa.co.nz/celebrate-summer-on-cuba-street-with-the-cuba-street-summer-series/
Neighbours Aotearoa
March
Neighbours Aotearoa is a national campaign that encourages everyone around Aotearoa New Zealand to do something to connect with their neighbours.
Website: neighboursaotearoa.nz
Local Food Week
1-9 March
A festival celebrating Wellington’s local food scene and the community that flourishes when we grow, cook and eat together.
Website: wellington.govt.nz/local-food-week
Dragon Boat Festival
1-2 March
Teams from around the motu and the world descend on Wellington for the festival in March and enjoy racing with a backdrop like no other.
Website: dragonboatfestival.org.nz
Park(ing) Day
Saturday 1 March
PARK(ing) Day is an annual event where creatives take over central city car parks around Cuba Street to engage, entertain and ask how we can better use public spaces.
Website: sculpture.org.nz/park(ing)-day
Newtown Festival
Sunday 2 March
Aotearoa’s biggest free music festival and street fair is back with a huge line-up of local talent, entertainment and kai for its 31st anniversary.
Website: newtownfestival.org.nz
Groove Armada
Friday 7 March
For over two decades, Groove Armada has reigned as one of the planet’s best-loved electronic dance acts. They’re coming to TSB Arena for Wellington for one night only, so book now.
Website: groovearmada.com
Pride Parade
Saturday 8 March
Check out the Pride Parade programme to find out all that’s going on and how you can celebrate the rainbow community in the capital.
Website: wellingtonprideparade.co.nz
HOMEGROWN
14-15 March
For the last time in Wellington, head along to the biggest festival of New Zealand music with a line-up of Aotearoa’s best bands and DJs from roots and hip hop to rock, pop, electronic, and drum & bass, there’s something for everyone at this epic waterfront event!
Website: homegrown.net.nz
FIFA World Cup 26™ - Oceania Qualifiers Semi-Finals
Friday 21 March
Wellington plays host to two semi-finals at Sky Stadium as New Zealand plays Fiji for a spot in the final, and one step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Website: skystadium.co.nz
CubaDupa Pre Party
Sunday 23 March
What better way to gear up for Wellington’s free street festival than with a taste of what’s to come? Expect music, art, and a high-energy celebration that’s pure CubaDupa magic in Glover Park.
Website: cubadupa.co.nz/celebrate-summer-on-cuba-street-with-the-cuba-street-summer-series/
BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS doubleheader T20i
Wednesday 26 March
The BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS play a doubleheader T20i against Pakistan and Australia respectively at Sky Stadium.
Website: cricketwellington.co.nz
Boyzlife
Friday 28 March
Members of two of the most successful boy bands have joined forces. Boyzlife is the high-powered hybrid supergroup of Westlife and Boyzone. As part of an Australasian tour, they are playing The Opera House in Wellington.
An Evening with Graham Norton
28-30 March
From television sofa to live stage – a night with the best British host. Some of the world’s biggest celebrities have sat on Graham Norton’s couch to talk. Now, the chat show host is visiting The Opera House in Wellington to reflect on some of his most memorable moments.
Website: wellingtonnz.com/visit/events/an-evening-with-graham-norton
An Evening with Sir Bob Geldof
Saturday 29 March
He’s an icon who has had a significant impact in the worlds of music, activism, and global change. For the first time, Sir Bob Geldof will share his life story live on stage at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre.
Website: wellingtonnz.com/visit/events/an-evening-with-sir-bob-geldof
Cuba Dupa
29-30 March
Experience Wellington’s most creative and diverse free arts and music festival for a weekend of whānau-friendly fun and food.
Website: cubadupa.co.nz
Road closures and transport
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.
Full details of street closures can be found at wellington.govt.nz/street-event-closures.
Full details of cruise boats arriving in the capital: centreport.co.nz/what-we-do/cruise-ships.
Check out metlink.co.nz for updates on public transport, visit the Council's event section for more events and information, and wellington.govt.nz/street-event-closures for more details about road closures.