What's On In Wellington In October 2025

Typewriter Cafe

11 October & 22 November | Raglan Roast Coffee Shop (Chafers Dock) | $

Image credit: Kyrie Isaac

A collection of colourful typewriters, some quality paper, and a cosy café overlooking the harbour—that's just about everything you need to indulge your love of writing the good old-fashioned way. Welcome to Typewriter Café Season 3, where every middle Saturday of the month, you can join fellow key enthusiasts to type to your heart's content in a welcoming space. Book quickly, though—sessions often sell out.

Wairarapa Bookshop Hop 2025

11 October | Various Locations, Wairarapa Wide, Greytown | Free Admission

The Wairapa Bookshop Hop is upon us this weekend. A chance to celebrate New Zealand Bookshop Day, where the best booksellers in Wairarapa have come together for the ultimate book-lovers day out. Collect stamps from 13 new and used Wairarapa Bookshops on what is essentially a bookworm's idea of a pub crawl, and enjoy a range of other bookish events all day long. Very nice indeed.

Nutcracker High Tea

11 October (& Every Sunday) | Hippopotamus Restaurant and Bar | $$

Simply put, one can not get more elegant than combining an afternoon of high tea with a touch of classical ballet. And QT seem to agree, with turning high tea into a sun-drenched ballet fantasy with QTea: The Nutcracker edition at Hippopotamus Restaurant and Bar. In partnership with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, this festive fairytale perched above the harbour reimagines plated treats as a sugar plum dreamland—think raspberry-layered delights, golden pistachio choux, smoked salmon cups, and piroshki that pirouette on your palate. Sip The Mouse King's Toast (Prosecco and Guignolet with festive sparkle), The Storm Master's Tipple for something nuttier, or the Sugar Plum Fairy Fizz for pure summer magic in a glass. It's Christmas meets choreography with a Kiwiana twist.

Car Maintenance—The Basics Course

11 October | Wellington High School | $$$

Image credit: Wellington High School Community Education Centre | Eventfinda

Ever been to the mechanic and come home with an invoice stacked dieth items like "blinker fluid", flux capacitor" and "winter air for tyres"? Never again, I say. And so do Wellington High School Community Education Centre and Rob Gibson with their basic course on car maintenance this weekend. Get to grips with basic maintenance of your vehicle, find out what to look for in the event of a breakdown and more—including servicing a vehicle, checking fuses and changing a tyre. How good.

Candle Making Workshop

12 October, 2 November & 7 December | Wellington Candle Co. | $$

Image credit: Wellington Candle Co. | Instagram

Once a month for the next three months, Wellington Candle Co. is hosting a relaxing and creative workshop designed to help you uncover your inner candle maker (because trust me, we all have one inside us, somewhere deep down there waiting to hand-pour beautiful fragrant candles).

Sunday Jazz

12 October (& Every Sunday) | The Undercurrent | $

The only thing better than a Sunday spent listening to jazz is a Sunday spent listening to jazz from the charming bohemian old-world confines of The Undercurrent. Swinging tunes from the 40s and 50s, complementary snacks and drinks to boot, for only $15. Every Sunday from 3.30pm.

Douse Your Crack Chicken Addiction In Heinz's Latest Creation

'TIl 12 October | Crack Chicken Willis Lane | Free

Image credit: Heinz x Crack Chicken x Eat Lit Food | Instagram

Heinz's cult-favourite Fried Chicken Sauce has finally landed in Aotearoa, and it's making a pop-up debut at Crack Chicken (nationwide) for one week and one week only. Think Supreme Chicken Burger (crispy fried chicken, slaw, pickles, and a generous slather of sauce), Crack Chicken's golden Blooming Onion made for dipping, all paired with the creamy, sweet and spicy kick of this famous sauce, plus the option to add it to literally anything on the menu. But once it's gone, it's gone, so get in quick.

Social Sundays: Sunday Roast + Board Games

12 October (& Every Sunday) | Cambridge Hotel | Free Admission

Board games, beer and a $25 Sunday Roast. Yep, it's Social Sundays at The Bridge, a weekly matter simply too good not to get around. 

Pottery: Wheel Throwing Lessons

13 October (& Every Monday) | Inverlochy Art School | $$$

Another gem from Inverlochy Art School, every Monday they throw down a 90-minute pottery wheel lesson as part of a four-lesson package. Get behind the wheel and learn the techniques behind throwing clay in a historic wee workers' cottage, with materials and firing included in the price.

Rob Beckett: Giraffe

13 October | St James Theatre | $$

Image credit: Rob Beckett | Instagram

From Bromley to Brisbane (and Auckland too), multi-faceted laugh merchant Rob Beckett is touring his new show, Giraffe, worldwide. His quest is simple: "Expectations on me: put on 3 stone from takeaways and post-show drinking. Expectations of you: leave the gig happier than when you arrived." If you know Beckett, you need no more convincing. If you don't, check out this.

Moon Jam Nite

14 October (& Every Tuesday) | Moon | Free Admission

Midweek open mics make the world go around. They're the lifeblood of the grassroots music scene, and Moon down on Riddiford Street know this all too well. They host weekly jam night on Tuesdays, showcasing the local talents of Newton and beyond, where you can come share your original tunes, jam with other musically inclined folk, or just sit back and enjoy the show with a drink special in hand. Instruments, mics, lights and mixer and support from our in-house sound tech Billy, all provided. BYO gear, cymbals, songs, & poems.

Weekly Paekākāriki Potluck and Artistic Exchange

15 October (& Every Wednesday) | St Peters Village Hall | Free Admission

Each and every week on a Wednesday, an artist's potluck goes down at St Peters Village Hall in Paekākāriki (well, it alternates on the first Wednesday of the month with the Memorial Hall). It's the Paekākāriki Potluck, no less, and it's well worth the wander out there to get amongst a free feed (just bring something to share), and listen to one local artist of any discipline presenting their own performance, workshop, game, discussion or other kind of engagement.

Wellington Jazz Festival

15-19 October | Across Wellington | Varied Pricing

More than 200 gigs of silky, soulful, delicious Jazz across 50 venues meant for that music amongst a city that breathes it. From swing to soul, jazzhop to funk, fusion to electronic—Wellington Jazz Festival is almost upon us. Oh, and if you want to pair all these refined sounds with some indulgent eats, then don't miss their Notes & Nibbles events.

Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker '25 World Tour

17 October | Michael Fowler Centre | $$

Multi-Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ryan Adams is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breakthrough solo debut Heartbreaker with an intimate, acoustic world tour hitting New Zealand this October. Known for emotionally charged performances and a genre-defying sound that's equal parts country, rock, and heartbreak, Adams will be delivering stripped-back sets to a stadium near you.

Pillars & Links

19 October | Ascot Bar | $

Cocktails and sausages? Who would've thunk it? Four Pillars Gin, apparently. They're partnering with three iconic NZ bars for three charity sausage sizzles on steroids. Something a bit more than you're classic Bunnings sidewalk arrangement, on 19 October, Wellington's Ascot Bar (the legends who paired wine with hotdogs) teams up with local butcher Cameron Harrison for a bespoke sausage infused with Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin in classic Irish pork. All proceeds go to Kaibosh Food Rescue, who connect good kai from local businesses to 140 charities and community groups supporting people in need.

Wings of Fire Challenge 2025

'Til 31 October | The Tasting Room | Free Admission

'Til the end of the month, The Tasting Room is testing you. Well, they're testing how much heat you can handle with their Wings of Fire Challenge back for another year. It's simple, really. Just five hot wings that get hotter as you go, and if you polish off all five, you get your picture on the Wings Hall of Fame board. Emersons are handling the beverages—you can go a bit extra, really upping that ante, with their Ghost Chilli Farmhouse Ale, or cool off those taste buds with Mango Lassi Sour. Available every day from 11.30am. Keep a medic on speed dial.

Sir Dave Dobbyn: Selected Songs

31 October | The Opera House Wellington | $$ 

Image credit: Sir Dave Dobbyn | Facebook

One of Aotearoa's most treasured voices is going on a roadie through the regions. Taking a hint in the form of a sold-out Auckland Town Hall show, Sir Dave Dobbyn is bringing his Selected Songs tour to five cities across the country. Wellington—you'll catch your very own Slice of Heaven come 31 October at The Opera House. Just make sure you're Loyal and grab a ticket early, why don't ya.

What's On In Wellington In November 2025

Cure Kids NZ - Quiz Night with "Dark Destroyer"

10 November | Copthorne Solway Park | $$/$$$
 

So I do have my pick of the best weekly quiz nights in Wellington below, but this one's a bit special. Ever seen the Chase? Love The Chase? Me too. And one of my favourite of the brainy juggernaughts up there high above the chase board is, of course, Shaun Walls, AKA The Dark Destroyer, and he's coming to Wellywood! Catch him at Solway Park for a night of laughs, competition, community spirit, and, of course, trivia, all in support of Cure Kids. 100% of profits go their way.

Bill Bailey—Vaudevillean

11 November | Michael Fowler Centre | $$$

Image credit: WellingtonNZ | Website

Laughs, music and multifarious skills. Ever heard of Vaudeville? Before streaming, TV, cinema, and radio, there was Vaudeville and the bona fide comedic legend that is Bill Bailey is returning to the Chur with a show that celebrates this great tradition. A versatile multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, purveyor of humour and musical prowess—old Billy Boy could lay claim to being, quite possibly, the foremost practitioner of this tradition. But don't take my word for it, go see for yourself.

Pub Sing—Shed22

13 November | Shed22 | Free Admission

The pub. A choir. A live band. Ninety minutes of harmonising out three old bangers, belting it out with a few like-minded souls. It's Pub Sing. Sound like fun?

Cake Decorating Workshop

15 November | Wellington High School | $$$

Image credit: Wellington High School Community Education Centre's | Eventfinda

Another one of Wellington High School Community Education Centre's nifty workshops—this one's all about hands-on cake building and decorating with cake expert Lina. Perfect oven amateurs and frosting savants alike, and you'll even leave with a tall 6” decorated cake in its own cake box. Just bring an apron and a couple of tea towels.

Paint Your Pet

22 & 29 November | Inverlochy Art School | $$$

Our four-legged companions deserve all the pomp and circumstance any of us do, so why not spend a few bob rendering their likeness for all the world to see? Inverlochy Art School are putting gon two two two-hour workshops (choose from either) on learning to paint your bestie. I can picture it now, hanging above the mantle piece or maybe even the master bed. Glorious. Just bring in a photo of your pet to copy—all other materials included.

What's On In Wellington In December 2025

Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest

Entries Open December, Grand Final 11 July 2026

New Zealand's premier classical singing competition is entering a new era with a fitting rebrand: from 2026, it'll be known as the Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest. The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation has taken on principal naming rights for the 69-year-old competition, which has launched the careers of some of Aotearoa's brightest operatic stars, including Dame Kiri herself. It's a full-circle moment. Entries open December 2025, with the Grand Final Gala set for 11 July 2026.

What's On In Wellington In 2026

Soweto Gospel Choir Returns

31 March 2026 | St James Theatre | 

Image credit: Soweto Gospel Choir | Stefan Meekers Concertphotography

The three-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir is bringing their globally acclaimed show to Wellington's St James Theatre, and if you missed them selling out two nights in Auckland earlier this year, now's your chance. This powerful program celebrates Nelson Mandela's Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights era with South African liberation songs, gospel classics, and contemporary hits from legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Sam Cooke. Dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music, it's an all-ages affair.

What's On In Wellington In 2025—Ongoing

See Who's Braniest—The Best Quiz Nights In Wellington

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

• Moon

Tuesdays

• Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
• Amador
• Dakota Bar
• Kelburn Village Pub
• Shady Lady

Wednesdays

• Duke of Wellington
• The Cambridge Hotel
• Heyday Beer Co.
• The Office Cafe and Bar
• Eva Beva
• Saint Diablo
• The Residence Bar
• Dakota Bar (feud night)
• 7 Bar

Thursdays

• Parrotdog Bar
• Blend Bar & Bistro

Have A Good Laugh—The Best Comedy Nights In Wellington

Various Hours, Days & Venues | Free To Patrons

• Raw Meat Monday—The Fringe Bar
• Dragon Comedy Night—The Welsh Dragon Bar
• Comedy Club—Fringe Bar
• Laugh On Draughts—Baylands BreweryIvy Bar & Cabaret

Have A Good Sing—The Best Karaoke Nights In Wellington

• Ivy Bar & Cabaret
• The Residence Bar
• Saint Diablo
• Eva

Make It A Market Day Morning

Various Hours, Days & Locations | Mostly Free To Enter