With the silly season coming up, fun, free and whānau-friendly events and festivals are starting to heat up with good vibes, culture, action and entertainment heading to Pōneke over the next few months.

The main events include:

2025 World of WearableArt (WOW) Show: Rise

Until 5 October | TSB Arena

The World of WearableArt Show is celebrating 20 years of WOW in Wellington and attracting thousands to the capital for three weeks of the ultimate creative spectacle. With some tickets still available before it ends, grab yours now at worldofwearableart.com.

The World Press Photo Exhibition 2025

Until 5 October | Tākina

Experience the world through the lens of award-winning photojournalists at The World Press Photo Exhibition at Tākina.

The World Press Photo Exhibition 2025 presents the year’s most important photojournalism and documentary photography, selected by an independent jury from 59,320 entries by 3,778 photographers across 141 countries.

Check out Tākina website for more information about tickets and display times.

Destination Earth

11-19 October | 7am-5pm

Tākina - Tangaroa Foyer

Destination Earth is a multi-sensory interactive art installation that reveals the vital connections between ocean, atmosphere, and human activity. A creative collaboration between art director Salome Bazin from Cellule Studio (UK) and James Renwick from Victoria University Wellington (NZ), Destination Earth aims to inspire climate action through art.

For more information visit www.thegridartspace.co.nz/destination-earth

He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 Years of the Waitangi Tribunal, 1975–2025 
Until 12 October | Te Waka Huia Wellington

Trace five decades of the tribunal’s key moments through 50 photographs, newly displayed taonga and documentary Karanga Rā. Open daily, 10am–5pm. Free entry for NZ residents. International admission fees apply. Learn more.

Messengers 
On now until 20 December | City Gallery Wellington at National Library of New Zealand  

What do an elk riding the New York subway, a flock of carved godwit, and a photograph of a taxidermied elephant standing on a sleepyhead mattress have in common? Find out.

Wellington Historic Theatre tours 

Various Dates | 10am & 2pm

Celebrating our heritage, go behind the scenes and screens and explore two of the city’s most beloved performance spaces, St James Theatre and The Opera House.

Discover hidden stories, architectural splendour, and rich theatrical history behind the velvet curtains as the doors open for a tour of these Wellington icons.

Book tickets and find out more here: Wellington Historic Theatre Tours - WellingtonNZ

The Grand Kiki House of Marama Ball

Saturday 4 October | 6.30pm-12.30am 

Te Papa 

Get ready to strut, slay, and snap – the capital will soon be buzzing with ballroom brilliance.

Te Papa, OVĀ Collective and The Kiki House of Marama have teamed up to present voguing workshops, fierce panel talks and the Grand Kiki Ball – Wellington’s biggest ever Vogue Ball!

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this cultural moment: tepapa.nz/MaramaBall

Show Me Shorts Film Festival

From Thursday 9 October 

This October, check out the annual short film festival kicking-off with a special launch night at the iconic Embassy Cinema. Enjoy a selection of films from Wellington filmmakers and some of the best shorts in this year’s programme, and hear from the filmmakers too. Check out the full programme and ticket info at www.showmeshorts.co.nz.

Diwali Festival of Lights 

Sunday 12 Oct | 2pm-8.30pm 

TSB Arena and Shed 6 

Step into the vibrant world of India and South-East Asia at this year’s Diwali Festival of Lights. Enjoy a lively event filled with music, dance, and cultural performances, plus fun activities for the whole whānau.

Explore Indian fashion and jewellery stalls, try your hand at henna and lantern-making, meet local community groups, and feast on delicious regional cuisine. The night will wrap up with a small fireworks display at approximately 8.50pm.

More information at wellington.govt.nz/diwali

Wellington Jazz Festival

15–19 October | Various locations

It’s time to jazz up your life with a groovy programme of events. Soul, funk, jazz, fusion, rhythm and blues — it’s a celebration of sound across the city this spring. The annual Wellington Jazz Festival is back. The event packs over 200 gigs into five days in venues around the city.

More information at www.jazzfestival.nz.

Wellington Heritage Festival 2025 

Saturday 18 October - Sunday 9 November 

Various times and locations around Greater Wellington 

Discover the people, places, and stories of Te Upoko-o-te-Ika, from Wellington to the Wairarapa. Explore over 150 arts, culture, and heritage events throughout the region. There's something for everyone – find out here: wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz

The Nutcracker 

30 Oct – 8 Nov | 1.30pm & 7.30pm 

St James Theatre 

Celebrate summer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s magical new production of The Nutcracker, the world’s most beloved ballet.

Murder Mystery Feast

Thursday 30 October | 6pm

Everybody Eats, 60 Dixon Street

Kaibosh invites everyone to a chilling murder mystery which unfolds over a hauntingly good three-course Halloween dinner by Chef Max Gordy. Gather your cleverest friends, and see who will crack the case first: the detectives or the villains? Every ticket sold helps Kaibosh ensure that no good food is left to die!

Find out more and book your tickets here.

ODI: BLACKCAPS v England

Saturday 1 November | 2pm

Sky Stadium

Get into the start of the summer season of cricket with the BLACKCAPS taking on old foes England in an ODI at Sky Stadium. Find out more at www.skystadium.co.nz.

Wellington Phoenix Double Header

Saturday 8 November | 4pm & 7pm

Sky Stadium

Get ready to march to Sky Stadium for an epic double header! The Wellington Phoenix Women kick-off their season against Canberra United, followed by the first derby of the season as the Wellington Phoenix Men take on Auckland FC. Find out more at www.skystadium.co.nz.

High Tide Festival 

Saturday 8 November | 1pm–10.30pm 

Waitangi Park 

Locally-grown multi-genre music festival, High Tide, moves from Lower Hutt’s McEwan Park to Wellington’s Waitangi Park for its 2025 event.

Featuring drum & bass, house, grime, hip-hop and UK garage genres, High Tide is expected to be bigger and better than ever – both in size and calibre of performing artists. The R18 event tickets and schedule can be found here.

Christmas in the Quarters 

Saturdays 22 Nov – 13 Dec | 11am–5pm 

Various locations around Wellington 

Celebrate the festive time with ‘Christmas in the Quarters’ – four free whānau-friendly events, found in four different parts of the city.

Whether it’s making Christmas crafts, enjoying Christmas music and performances, being wowed by circus acts, or meeting Santa, there’s a fun range of Christmas activities happening every Saturday. Visit wellington.govt.nz/Christmas for more information.

Cuba Summer Series | Christmas Market

Saturday 29 November | 11am-5pm

Glover Park

As part of Christmas in the Quarters, come and check out the Christmas market and get your shopping done in the lead up to the silly season. The festivities will see nearby businesses selling their wares, so head along and support local.

BLACKCAPS v West Indies Test 

10-14 Dec | 11am | Cello Basin Reserve 

Big hits. Big names. Big series. Feel the electric atmosphere, soak up the summer vibes, and enjoy world-class cricket right here at home.

It’s the perfect day out for whānau, mates, or anyone who loves the game. These matches will be crowd favourites – secure your tickets now, and find out about other fixtures in the season at www.nzc.nz.

Keep an eye on Council’s events calendar and Facebook page for more information and any updates: facebook.com/wellingtoncitycouncil. With events comes some congestion and 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.

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