Arts and culture capital of Aotearoa, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, is packed with an eclectic catalogue of epic things to do all year round.
From fresh beats to theatrical masterpieces, cultural workshops and next-level festivals—such as 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.
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What's On In Wellington In 2025—Ongoing
See Who's The Braniest
Various Hours, Days & Venues | Free To Patrons
If you're in a more serious kind of mood, or just like to flex your grey matter every so often, then maybe a midweek quiz night is the right kind of night for you. Here's a selection, in order of day, then time:
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
- Duke of Wellington
- The Cambridge Hotel
- Heyday Beer Co.
- The Office Cafe and Bar
- Eva Beva
- Saint Diablo
- The Residence Bar
Thursdays
Make It A Market Day Morning
Various Hours, Days & Locations | Mostly Free To Enter
Image credit: Riverbank Market Lower Hutt | Instagram
Maybe you're feeling a bit shoppy shoppy this weekend? Wellington’s market scene will surely suffice. From the bustling veggie crate stalls at the waterfront to the suburbia preserves (and more) club, here are the hottest markets in all of Wellywood.
What's On In Wellington In September 2025
The Grogans 'Stagger' NZ Tour 2025
3 September | The Loons, Lyttelton | $$
Image credit: Jardin Dylan | Instagram
The ever-magnetic Aussie garage rock band, The Grogans, kick off their Stagger NZ Tour next week, and they'll be making their way to an iconic Wellington venue that's surely fitting their misfit moxy: San Fran. So, make your way down for an end-of-week hit of energy and stylistic experimentation. It'll be good for ya.
Urban Cocktail Trail
13 September | Multiple Venues | $$-$$$
Image credit: Urban Cocktail Trail | Instagram
Wine wanderers, vino voyagers, cocktail conquistadors; this one’s for you—and, well, everyone over 18—because who doesn’t love a good beverage-inspired adventure? Revamping the drab and sticky-floored concept of pub crawls, Neighbourhood Events Co. have organised a Cocktail Trail to showcase Welly's vibrant beverage scene. It’s all self-guided, so grab your mates, dates and whoever else is keen, but beware: tickets are selling quicker than you can say conquistador.
The Monster In The Maze
12-13 September | St. James Theatre | $$
Fellow Classical Studies nerds will be all over this operatic re-telling of the Minotaur myth (or as the new gens call it, the OG Maze Runner). Brought to life by an all-Kiwi cast and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, this internationally acclaimed community opera is as big and bold as the bust of a Belgian Blue glued to the body of your best bud Bill. Better yet, it's belted out entirely in English.
World of Wearable Art Show
18 September-5 October | 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. World of Wearable Art. 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.
What's On In Wellington In October 2025
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience
10-11 October | Oaks Wellington Hotel | $$$
Image credit: Dani Katy | Eventfinda
Anyone who grew up watching Fawlty Towers, raise your hand. You'll all be amped to see the famous John Cleese-led series brought to life through this one-of-a-kind, comedy-meets-cuisine experience. Following on from a hugely successful season in 2024, audiences can expect a side-splitting, fully immersive improv show complete with '70s-style dinner. How spiffing.
What's On In Wellington In November 2025
Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory
25 November | The Opera House | $$$
Image credit: Tom Ham | Instagram
American singer/songwriter Sharon Van Etten is set to rock Welly this November and for the first time ever with her very own band—The Attachment Theory (who join her on her seventh and latest album). As such, you can expect a slightly different but no less incredible sound from the artist whose haunting vocals had a starring role in Yellowjackets. The group are also set to headline The Others Way 2025 festival in Auckland, later in the month.
What's On In Wellington In December 2025
Kāpiti Coast Food Fair
6 December | Paraparaumu
Sink your teeth into over 200 sumptuous stalls at the Kāpiti Coast Food Fair, 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: João Marcelo Martins.
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