Wellington's summer festivals

There's nothing like an outdoor festival with great food, sweet tunes and refreshing beverages to make it feel like a proper summer. Wellington's summer festival line-up has something for everyone.

E Wellington Pride Festival

Wellington Pride Festival - Tū Whakahīhī e Te Whanganui-ā-Ta

21 Feb – 8 Mar 2020

Waitangi Park, 107 Cable Street , Wellington

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Every year Tū Whakahīhī e Te Whanganui-ā-Tara celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with two weeks full of a diverse range of events, performances and activities organised by groups within the community. The Wellington Pride Festival is organised by an elected volunteer Board from our LGBTQIA+ community, Wellington Pride, who are committed to creating an inclusive festival with and for our diverse queer whanau. Please support their community and Festival by donating via give-a-little. They couldn't do what they do without the generous help from their sponsors. Thank you all!

E Festival of the arts stage decorations

Event

New Zealand Festival of the Arts

21 February - 15 March 2020

For three weeks this summer, the biennial New Zealand Festival of the Arts enlivens the creative capital with astonishing art works of honesty, bravery, beauty, and splendour. Experience theatre, dance, music, literature, and visual arts from some of the world’s leading artists all across the city and region.

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Fringe Fest 2020 Launch CCorlett 0017

See & do

Find your new best friends at the Fringe

For 23 days in March, Wellington's most edgy annual festival takes over the city

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Newtown Festival band

Event

Newtown Festival

8 March 2020

Celebrate the cultural and creative diversity of the suburb of Newtown with a colourful and vibrant street festival featuring live music, delicious street food and a range of market stalls.

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121 Festival Carlucci Land Rave 002

Event

A three-day dance odyssey: 121 Festival

13 - 15 March 2020

A three-day dance odyssey in the idyllic rural setting of Featherston

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homegrown soldout

Event

Jim Beam Homegrown

21 March 2020

End your summer on a high note with Wellington's epic festival of homegrown Kiwi music. Spread across multiple stages in a stunning central waterfront location, Jim Beam Homegrown features rock, dub 'n' roots, reggae, pop and R&B music.

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E Maori land

Māoriland Film Festival 2020

18 – 22 Mar 2020

Maoriland Hub, 68 Main Street, Otaki, Kapiti Coast

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Māoriland Film Festival, the largest Indigenous film festival in the Southern Hemisphere, returns in 2020 to showcase stories that seek harmony in an increasingly discordant world with the theme 'Me Reretau – Be in Balance'. The festival will once again present international premieres and guest filmmakers, a free whānau outdoor screening, NATIVE Minds interactive discussion series, Toi Matarau art exhibition, talks and special events. Keep an eye out for the full programme announcement on Waitangi Day (6 February).

CubaDupa procession on Cuba Street

Event

CubaDupa

28 - 29 March 2020

Round off your Wellington summer of festivals with the queen of all festivals - CupaDupa. CubaDupa transforms Wellington's most iconic street and nearby laneways into an immersive interactive playground of music, dance, circus, theatre and art. Local restaurants and bars open open out onto the street, as lovers of Wellington come out to celebrate the unique creative spirit of the capital of cool.

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6 Degrees Festival

Victoria University of Wellington’s Master of Fine Art's programme in theatre is proud to celebrate the return of the Six Degrees Festival. In January and February 2020, 11 Masters students will present 8 shows in celebration of their achievements and a years worth of learning in the MFA programme.

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