Wellington’s Top 10 Must-do Events
Otherwise known as the Coolest Little Capital in the World, Wellington is a multicultural arts and culture hub full of festivals, world-class food and drink, and a pumping live music scene.
With the population of Wellington City only around 216,000, this cool little capital has a whole lot of exceptional events that attract people from the world-over.
Have a read at what this hipster city has to offer and go and experience some for yourself.
1. Visa Wellington on a Plate (WOAP)
Wellington on a Plate is Wellington’s premier culinary event.
For an entire month, Wellington cafes, restaurants, bars, and craft breweries create a special menu, event, or experience, such as a Burger Wellington, Cocktail Wellington, or Festival Dish - a flamboyant take on an existing menu item. With special judges, competitions, and sold-out tickets, this is one mouth-watering event that you will want to get in on quick - before the tickets sell out!
2. CubaDupa
Located on one of Wellington’s best known and well-loved streets, Cuba Street, CubaDupa is New Zealand’s most diverse and creative annual street festivals.
This free, family-friendly event is held over the course of 19 hours, showcasing a variety of delicious food stalls, live music, mobile street theatre, installations, entertainment, creative zones, and parades.
A popular event for every age, this is one festival you don’t want to miss.
Wellington Fringe Festival is the capital’s equivalent to the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
For 23 days in February and March each year, over 700 events are staged all over the city, with world premieres, new artists and established companies creating new, cutting edge art.
From comedy, to improvisation, to busking, to poetry, to podcasting, to physical theatre, to dance and fashion, and much, much more, Wellington Fringe Festival is a spectacular event brimming with talent.
Wellington Round the Bays is a family-friendly classic.
In February each year, this fun run/walk takes you round the beautiful Wellington coast. With a choice of a half marathon, 10km, or a 6.5km buggy walk, this is a community event true to its form.
With locals cheering you on from their balconies, lollies offered along the way for a much-needed sugar hit, and dedicated water gun squirters mixed with a whole lot of live music, costumes, and money donated to worthy charities, this is a fun-filled event for everyone, no matter what your age.
5. Beervana
Beervana is a popular craft beer festival held at the Sky Stadium over the course of two days.
With a plethora of visual and interactive activities, delicious beer-paired food stalls, and top craft beer, this is one event to attend purely for the good vibes.
Gardens Magic is held for three weeks each year in January at the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
An outdoor concert series with live music, a magical light display, and picnic blankets galore, this is the perfect place to spend an evening with fresh fish and chips, a glass of wine, live music, and good company.
This world-class event showcases some of the best talent from around the globe.
An internationally recognised design competition that attracts entries from more than 40 countries each year, the show features top-tier wearable art judged on durability, the safety and comfort of the models, and the impact of the design on the stage.
With some of these pieces taking literally years in the making to come to fruition featuring some of the most talented people in the world, this is one experience you do not want to miss.
8. Homegrown
With five massive stages, carnival rides, a variety of food and drink, and all-round good vibes, Homegrown is Wellington’s biggest music festival, situated on the beautiful waterfront.
With over 40 of New Zealand’s best bands and DJ’s held in March of every year, this festival is one of Wellington’s top events for a reason.
This event is a must-do for all alcohol enthusiasts.
Held at the Basin Reserve, a large cricket ground in Wellington, this annual summer festival showcases a host of craft breweries, local wineries, delicious street food, and a variety of music artists.
Sit back on the grass embankment with a cool beverage and listen to some fine tunes while basking in the sun - the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
10. Newtown Festival
Situated in the heart of Newtown’s multicultural and diverse community, this day-long festival features a series of events and performances.
With over 400 food stalls from around the globe and over 15 stages featuring music, dance, performance, and more, this festival is always packed for a reason.
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