Summer in Wellington 2025–26: Weather, Events, Festivals & Insider Tips

Whether you are headed home for Christmas, taking a much-needed holiday, or simply anticipating whether to host Christmas lunch indoors or out, Wellington's weather can be unpredictable at the best of times. 

If you are anything like us, you've been frantically checking the BOM every day to try and gauge whether that Christmas party/festival/wedding/rooftop drinks with the gals is going to go ahead—after all, rain and gloom have a funny way of sucking the fun out of silly season festivities. 

Luckily for you, we've conducted some major research to narrow down all things Wellington summer: forecasts, events, and our own personal guide—so you can lock in your plans regardless. 

Summer In Wellington At A Glance

Jump to:

• What The Weather Will Be Like In Wellington This Summer
• The Best Things Happening In Wellington Across Summer
• How To Spend A Summer Day In Wellington (Local Style)

What The Weather Will Be Like In Wellington This Summer

Image credit: Wellington NZ | Instagram

Welly weather is typically a little warmer than other South Island locales, but it's a fickle thing to predict, and very temperamental.

Generally, the days are quite mild—between 19°C and 24°C—and you're unlikely to catch any extreme jumps in temperature. Water temps generally max out at about 17°C–19°C degrees—not uncomfy, but definitely not a dip in the tub. 

While it might not be scorching, the sun is still pretty intense in this part of the world—there's a higher likelihood of catching a burn in Wellington than the rest of NZ, and UV is generally hitting 12 or higher. 

Other than the ozone, you'll want to watch out for the wind—it's called the Windy City for a reason. The city sits in a wind tunnel between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific, so between breezy afternoons and classic northerlies, it can get pretty blowy. Southerly changes also roll through a few times a month and can knock temperatures down fast—that sunny 22°C can feel like 14°C in minutes if a chill wind arrives.

So what does this mean for your summer plans? We recommend tuning in to the daily forecast, then using this snapshot guide as a play-by-play for the perfect day:

Low Wind, Warm Day (20–24°C)

• Head for Oriental Bay, Scorching Bay or Princess Bay for a swim, then dry off on the sand or wander the waterfront for gelato. Got the kids with you? We've got a guide for all the best things to do. 

Breezy, Northerly Day

• Stick to sheltered spots—inner harbour walks, Mt Victoria tracks tucked in the pines, or lazy afternoons in a sunny beer garden. These are our favourite walks and hikes to look out for. 

Southerly Change Incoming

• Make it a bar-crawl-and-gallery-hop day. Think Te Papa, City Gallery Wellington, then craft beer at one of Wellington's best breweries, while you watch whitecaps whip across the harbour.

The Best Things Happening In Wellington Across Summer

Image credit: Wellington NZ | Instagram

Wellington absolutely turns it on over summer, with the waterfront, Botanic Garden and Waitangi Park acting as the city’s unofficial festival grounds. Here are the key events to have on your radar:

Gardens Magic

Botanic Garden Ki Paekākā | Tuesday 6–Sunday 25 January 2026

Gardens Magic is a Wellington summer staple. Expect free evening concerts and a nightly light display winding through the gardens.

Pack a picnic, grab something en route from the CBD, and stake out a spot on the lawn before the post-work crowd arrives—concerts are on every Tuesday and Sunday.

New Year’s Eve On The Waterfront

Whairepo Lagoon by Frank Kitts Park | Tuesday 31 December 2025, 8pm–midnight

Wellington City Council will roll out live music and fireworks around Whairepo Lagoon and the harbour edge on NYE. From 3pm, a lineup of food trucks takes over Odlins Plaza, making it easy to build your own picnic before the entertainment kicks off.

At 8pm, covers band Electric Avenue sets the tone with plenty of crowd-pleasers, followed by a 9.30pm kids’ countdown and a short fireworks burst for the little ones. Things ramp up again from 10pm when Orchestra Wellington takes the stage to play through to midnight, leading into the official countdown and a 5-minute fireworks display to welcome 2026.

Maoli Island Vibe Tour

Waitangi Park | 8 January 2026

Hawaiian/Polynesian reggae outfit Maoli is landing in Wellington for a one-night-only outdoor show at Waitangi Park—perfect timing for a warm summer evening by the water.

Led by vocalist and songwriter Glenn Awong, Maoli has built a huge following across Hawaii and the Pacific thanks to their blend of island reggae, soul, country influences and smooth contemporary grooves. The band’s rise from small local gigs to international stages has been steady and well-earned, and their newest album Last Sip of Summer (2025) will feature alongside fan favourites.

Expect a relaxed, high-energy crowd, a park full of sunset-chasers, and a setlist built for dancing barefoot on the grass.

Wellington Pasifika Festival

Waitangi Park | 7 February 2026, 12pm–6pm

A highlight of Wellington’s summer calendar, the Wellington Pasifika Festival draws thousands to Waitangi Park for an afternoon of Pacific food, music, dance and community pride. Expect vibrant performance stages, busy kai stalls, handmade crafts and plenty of space to settle in with friends and whānau for the day.

It’s one of the city’s most colourful, welcoming events—celebrating Pacific languages, art, stories and traditions right on the waterfront. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with something happening in every corner of the park.

Programme details will drop closer to the date, but if you’re in town in early February, this is an absolute must-do.

Wellington Wine & Food Festival

Waitangi Park | Summer 2026, 11am–7pm

Wellington’s signature sip-and-snack festival is back for summer, taking over Waitangi Park with lawn lounges, restaurant pop-ups, artisan stalls and an all-day music line-up. Grab your mates, something cold, and park up in the sun for a long, lazy afternoon.

Expect a huge spread of drinks—from champagne and cocktails to local craft beer, ciders, seltzers and plenty of New Zealand wines, all at standardised festival pricing. Food vendors keep things equally approachable, with menus capped at $15 and options for GF, DF and vegetarian eaters.

With top NZ musicians providing the soundtrack and a waterfront backdrop doing the rest, it’s one of the easiest days out to plan for the summer calendar.

Films By Starlight

Various Locations

A Wellington summer classic, Films By Starlight brings free outdoor cinema to neighbourhoods across the region. Expect a giant inflatable screen, pre-movie music, pop-up markets and a community crowd settling in for a night under the stars.

Launched in 1999, it’s now the country’s longest-running outdoor film series, celebrating Wellington’s role at the heart of Aotearoa’s film industry. The programme mixes indie NZ filmmakers with well-loved blockbusters, and each screening pops up in a different suburb—perfect for exploring somewhere new.

Pack layers (the evening breeze is real), something soft to sit on and your go-to snacks, then let the city handle the rest.

Harbourside Market

Corner Barnett and Cable Street, Te Aro | Every Sunday

Harbourside is the go-to Wellington staple for fresh fruit and veggies—and one of the best markets in Wellington. Celebrate your haul and hang around for live entertainment with a delicious bite to eat (we’re looking at you, orange dim sum truck).

Don’t forget your morning coffee or chai (and real fruit ice cream in the summer while watching the kids do manus off the wharf). These markets run on Sundays, from 7.30am to 1pm (in the winter, or until 2pm in the summer).

Harbour + Ocean Swim Events

Various Locations

If you’re feeling adventurous, Scorching Bay hosts open-water swim distances from 500m to 5km in mid-February, while smaller community swims dot the calendar across the region. Water temps may be brisk, but locals swear by it.

Insider intel

• If you're still on the hunt, our guides for the best things to do in Wellington and what's on should have you covered. 

How to Spend A Summer Day In Wellington (Local Style)

Image credit: Wellington NZ | Instagram

Wellingtonians are pros at reading the weather and pivoting their plans, so we've put together a daily itinerary—built around whatever the wind, UV and temperature decide to do. 

Morning: Walks, Views + Coffee

If It’s Calm:

• Hit Mt Victoria early for panoramic harbour views, then wander back down through the pines for coffee in Te Aro. The summit is spectacular in the morning light, and the climb feels rewarding without being punishing.

If It’s Blowing A Northerly:

• Stay sheltered with a Te Papa visit, a City Gallery wander or a long brunch. Wellington’s cultural circuit is compact enough that you can dart between spots without battling the gusts.

Late Morning: Markets Or Island Time

If It's Calm:

• Matiu/Somes Island: On a still day, jump on the East by West ferry and spend a few hours walking the predator-free island, picnicking by the wharf and soaking in the harbour views.

If It’s Blowing A Northerly:

• Harbourside Market (Sundays): A reliably excellent brunch alternative with fresh produce, baked goods and street food right on the water.

Afternoon: Beach Or Coastal Adventure

If It's Calm:

• Oriental Bay for pontoon swims and sandy sunbathing
   
• Scorching Bay for turquoise water and a postcard-perfect curve of beach
   
• Princess Bay for something more rugged and less crowded

If It’s Blowing A Northerly:

• Walk the Red Rocks coastline from Owhiro Bay. It’s exposed but beautiful, with dramatic cliffs and the chance to spot seals along the way. Wear sturdy shoes and pack water; there’s no shade.

Evening: Sunset + Dinner

If It's Calm:

• Golden hour is where Wellington absolutely shines. Head to the Mount Victoria lookout or Shelly Bay for a takeout picnic, or simply wander the waterfront as the sun sets over the harbour.

If It’s Blowing A Northerly:

• For dinner, the CBD and Te Aro have endless options for relaxed summer dining—think wine bars, cosy neighbourhood restaurants and late-night ramen if the evening cools down.

Main image credit: Wellington NZ | Instagram