Arts and culture capital of Aotearoa, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, is packed with an epic lineup of things to do all year round. From fresh beats to theatrical masterpieces, cultural workshops and festivals like CubaDupa and WOW. Scroll for a bit of you, then get out there and live the good life.
Lights, camera, action. Here’s the lowdown on what’s on in Wellington in 2025.
Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Wellington again—get us in your inbox here.
What's On In Wellington In March 2025
Newtown Festival 2025
2 March | Newton
Every year, Wellington’s suburb of Newtown goes off with for the love of community. During the massive celebration, Newton’s local shops and businesses are joined by 12 music stages, a busking pitch, 3 fairground sites and over 420 stalls. Yesiree, they’re not messing around.
Burger Nation
'til 2 March | Various locations
Bun buffs assemble; come March, there'll be just four burgers to rule them all. That's right, has kicked off this week, and the competitors are coming in hot (fresh off the fryer, in fact). With burger flippers across the motu vying for the highly coveted title of best meat, chicken, seafood and plant-based burgers in all the land, there's a whole lot of burgers to be housed.
From 29 January to 2 March, you can put their burgers where your mouth is and vote for your favourites. The bonus? Every burger will contain McClure's pickles. Yaaas. Head to to get matched to hot burgs in your area then get feastin'.
In Other Words
5-8 March | Circa Theatre
Real-life acting power couple Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst bring their magnetic chemistry to the stage in , a poignant love story set to the timeless tunes of Frank Sinatra—a connection shared by the play’s aging lovers. This critically acclaimed production explores the impact of Alzheimer’s and the transformative power of music with humour, heart, and a touch of magic “to help us remember the past, connect with the present and hope for the future.” Following a sold-out season in Auckland and a highly successful Australasian premiere, the nationwide tour of IOW promises to be a masterclass in storytelling. An unforgettable production that’s equal parts laughter, tears, and hope.
PROWL
6-8 March | Gryphon Theatre
Let’s start things off with something super good. by Prowl Productions—NZ’s premiere waacking and street dance company— is both an award-winning show taking part in New Zealand Fringe Festival this month and “a powerful exploration of femininity through the electrifying lens of street dance theatre.” And because they’re so damn good at explaining things themselves, I’ll let them take it from here: “This dynamic performance features urbanised POC artists taking centre stage to explore the complexities of femininity within themselves and each other, weaving together street dance, spoken word, and song into an unforgettable experience. PROWL is set to deliver an electrifying and fabulous ride. “ You heard them loud and clear—get down to Gryphon Theatre from 6-8 March.
Wellington Pride Festival
7-23 March | Various locations
Image credit: Wellington Pride | Instagram
returns this March with more events than you can shake a rainbow flag at (which we most certainly will be doing). The key shindigs this year include the opening gala (7 March), the Pride Youth Ball (15 March), Out In The City (22 March) and the Pride Hīkoi and Picnic (23 March). It’s a quality and quantity situation, and we rate it.
Champagne High Tea
8 March-27 April | QT Wellington
It's the end of an era. QT Wellington's has become something of an icon over the years. But now, we're raising our glass for the final time. Come 27 April, the Hippopotamus High Tea will be no more, and they're finishing up with a bang, or rather, the pop of Perrier-Jouët. Crème brûlée choux, raspberry and Champagne macarons, cheese puffs and buttery brioche—all this and more awaits.
NZ Fringe Festival
'til 8 March | Various locations
is the largest multidisciplinary arts festival in Aotearoa. Inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland, NZ Fringe was born back in 1990 in Wellington, so while the event is country-wide, catching gigs in the capital is extra special. The eagerly-anticipated arts festival delivers the quirk, the drama and the sass every year in one massive, unmissable event. Brimming with theatre, comedy, dance, poetry, cabaret and circu,s you’re going to have major first-world problems deciding what to go to.
Homegrown
14-15 March | Wellington Waterfront
Party on the waterfront with the biggest local music lineup in the motu. features Synthony, Stan Walker, Lee Mvtthews, Ché-Fu, Shapeshifter, Drax Project, Elemno P, The Beths, Aaradhna, SWIDT, Sin & Brook, Beccie B, Halftime Oranges and so many more.
Urban Cocktail Trail
22 March | Multiple Venues
Wine wanderers, vino voyagers, cocktail conquistadors—this one’s for you and, well, for everyone over 18 because who doesn’t love a good beverage-inspired adventure? Revamping the drab and sticky-floored beer crawl notion, Neighbourhood Events Co have organised a Cocktail Trail to showcase the vibrant cocktail scene of autumnal Wellington. It’s all self-guided, so grab your mates, dates and whoever else is keen. Start the arvo with a bite to eat at your first stop before making your way around the trail to redeem your cocktail vouchers, choosing your favourites from the Signature Cocktail List. than you can say autumnal.
Margot x Welsh Dragon Bar
23 March | The Welsh Dragon’s Courtyard
Ever had Japanese BBQ flamed by a dragon? Neither, but the good darlings at Margot are , so now’s your chance. Hosted by The Welsh Dragon in their courtyard on Sunday 23 March, Margot will be firing up the hibachi grills (Japanese coal barbecues) and sizzling some Yakitori skewers (non-chicken options available), Japanese fried chicken and preparing a Japanese take on Welsh chips and curry with Japanese ‘kare’ sauce. In addition to the Dragon’s usual delights, some Japanese brews will also be on offer and everything’s kicking off from midday. Kanpai! Iechyd Da!
Cuba Street Summer Series—CubaDupa Pre-Party
23 March | Cuba Street
A fantastic finish to the , which has transformed the iconic quarter into an art-centric hub over three weekends this March, is a purpose-built warm-up for the iconic CupaDupa. A healthy dose of music, art, and high-energy celebrations, , will be hitting Glover Park on the 23 March, so be there or be squared cubed.
Rhys Derby: The Legend Returns
27 March | Opera House
Ready to see a legend return? Everyone’s fave funnyman is back with a brand-spankin’ new stand-up show for 2025. After almost a decade without the man himself picking up the mic, Derby is scheduled for come 27 March. Packing out the iconic Opera Theatre, Derby will be giving his take on a changed world, answering the question, ‘In a world full of AI and Robot tech, can a simple dad with slightly tight jeans stay relevant?’ with a resounding YES. Why? Because a touch of very human silliness is more important than ever. He’s both the comic we need and the one we deserve.
An Evening with Bob Geldof: Songs and Stories from an Extraordinary Life
29 March | Michael Fowler Centre
From punk rock rebel to global activist, Bob Geldof is bringing his extraordinary life to the stage. Celebrating 40 years since Live Aid and 50 years of The Boomtown Rats, this intimate evening blends acoustic performances of his biggest hits with raw, unfiltered stories from his journey as a slaughterhouse worker to Nobel-nominated icon. Expect multimedia magic, candid anecdotes, and a dose of his relentless passion for justice. It’s not just a concert; it’s a masterclass in turning chaos into change. Tickets for a rare chance to hear it straight from the legend himself .
CubaDupa
29-30 March | Cuba Street Quarter
Image credit: CubaDupa | supplied
Iconic free festival sees Wellington's Cuba Street transformed into a kaleidoscope of culture, music, performance, and diverse artistry. In short: It's the place to be. This year, the festival is focusing on the concept of communal joy, so you can expect a sense of whimsy woven into every element of this immaculate-created fest. Cruise around over 140 acts including Chelsea Jade, Anna Coddington, Black Comet, COLOSSAL, Mass Frevo Orchestra, TOI, Vera Ellen, Diggy Dupé, Mā & The Fly Hunnies, Hiwa, and more, refuelling all the while at the FreshChoice Street Feast.
New Zealand Summer Cricket 2024-25 Season
Basin Reserve, Mount Cook and Sky Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | 'til 26 March 2025
The Black Caps and White Ferns are making their way to the capital for 4 of the 6 international tours this summer, with tests against England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia between them. go on sale on 1 October, so don’t miss your chance to be a part of the summer cricket action.
What's On In Wellington In April 2025
Bluey's Big Play
19 & 20 April | TSB Arena
Image credit: Bluey | PhotoCo
BAFTA & Emmy award-winning children's TV series Bluey has been adapted into the stage show , and it's coming to Aotearoa. The show, which is set to tour Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland, will feature Bluey, her younger sister Bingo and Mum and Dad with music by Bluey composer Josh Bush. Tickets go on sale at 12pm on 23 October with presales available to One NZ customers, Mastercard cardholders, My Live Nation members and Westfield members.
Fortune
Now 'til 27 April | Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum
Image credit: Bev Moon | Instagram
is the knitted yum cha banquet we never thought we needed (but we were immediately obsessed as soon as we heard about it). Created by during the dreaded lockdown of 2021, it's a mouthwatering spread complete with knitted effigies of wontons, dumplings, pork buns, spring rolls and other dainty delights with recordings from a yum cha restaurant, ensuring you're fully immersed. Head along and feast your eyes on Moon's work, just be sure to have a dumpling spot lined up for afterwards. (We'd suggest the world-famous-in-Wellington chilli oil dumplings from Rams.)
Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery
'til 27 April 2025 | Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro
Pōneke will be one of the first to view the before it heads to Asia, Europe and the United States from spring 2025. Designed and created by the house of Vivienne Westwood and produced by Nomad Exhibitions, the exhibition will tell the story of Westwood across three decades and through a series of rooms to show each decade in the design and journey of this iconic fashion house. Alongside the exhibition, Te Papa has also announced a programme of events covering jewellery, fashion, feminism, sustainability, music and more.
What's On In Wellington In 2025
NZ International Comedy Festival
2-25 May | Various locations
The best and, let’s be real—probably the only festival we’d embrace despite being sponsored by mayonnaise—is back. With gigs dotted all over the motu, the is 23 days of laughter on tap. Kick off the festivities with the Best Foods Comedy Gala hosted by Hayley Sproull at The Opera House on 2 May, then keep those giggles going by snagging yourself a ticket (or six) to your favourite local and international acts.
Winetopia
6-7 June | TSB Arena
If you’re anything like us and a cheeky vino (or three) goes down a treat, you’ll be stoked to hear the much-loved is returning for a triumphant eighth season. The two-day wine celebration will feature 50+ prestigious wineries from all over Aotearoa, which will showcase their wines, serving everything from Albarino to Syrah and plenty of Pinot, too. So, round up your boozy pals, raise a glass or three, and get ready to taste all of the best drops in the motu.
Disney: The Magic Of Animation
'til 13 July Tākina Wellington Convention And Exhibition Centre
Go behind the scenes and discover how all our favourite Disney films, from original Mickey Mouse sketches through to computer-generated masterpieces like Moana 2 and Frozen at . Spanning 100 years of Disney, this all-ages exhibition is sure to be spellbinding with art and design highlights, plus the opportunity to get involved and flex your skills with coloured pencils, dress up, crafting, and spin-off events like the (12 April) and (17 May) where you'll spend a romantic evening perusing the exhibition and then dining on the best spag bol in town, Lady and the Tramp-style. Cute.
Visa Wellington On A Plate
Multiple venues | 1 - 31 Aug
Eat your way from the Kāpiti Coast to Wellington City with . With a vibrant array of festival events and pop-ups and dine and cocktail creations, you’re in store for more culinary excitement than you can shake a fork at. Foodies, consider yourself served.
World of Wearable Art Show
18 Sept-5 Oct | TSB Arena
Image credit: World Of Wearable Arts | Instagram
Quintessentially Wellington, one of the best things to do in the capital is immerse yourself in WOW, a.k.a. . Prepare to be awe-inspired by creativity that knows no bounds, where designers from all over the globe painstakingly combine fashion, art, design and costume in pieces brought to life by dancers, aerialists, and performers. Think of it as your ticket to the future.
Kāpiti Coast Food Fair
6 December | Paraparaumu
Sink your teeth into over 200 sumptuous stalls at the , which is set to pop up in Mazengarb Reserve. From a cooking stage brimming with mouthwatering demonstrations to face-painting, live music and, of course, loads of delicious kai. Forks at the ready.
In Wellington for a good time and a long time? We've rounded up the best things to do in the capital.
Main image credit: CubaDupa | supplied.
OB真人视讯 editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. OB真人视讯 has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.