This summer's epic events

One-in-a-lifetime arts experiences, fabulous festivals, big hitters, and bright stars – here are Wellington's unmissable summer events

Hilma af Klint Photo Asa Lunden Moderna Museet Stockholm

Hilma af Klint: The Secret Paintings

4 Dec 2021 – 27 Mar 2022
City Gallery
$22.50

Your chance to see radically abstract paintings by the Swedish artist who rewrote art history at this New Zealand exclusive exhibition

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Destination Mars

Destination Mars

11 Dec 2021 – 20 Mar 2022
Te Papa

Head into outer space on this interactive experience where gaming wizardry plus captivating live action equals high-stakes adventure!

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NZCIS Wellington Cup Day by Paul Maka Kea Photography 18 01 2020 482

NZCIS Wellington Cup Day

29 Jan 2022
Trentham Racecourse

Get set for summer’s greatest spectacle on the Champagne Turf of Trentham Racecourse

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Tauherenikau Summer Races

7 Feb 2022
Tauherenikau Racecourse
$20.00

Tauherenikau's annual Waitangi weekend race day is held at the stunning, historic Tauherenikau racecourse

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Rita Angus Central Otago 1953 561969 oil on canvas. Gift of Douglas Lilburn 1972. Reproduced courtesy of the Estate of Rita Angus. Te Papa 1972 0030 1

Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist

18 Dec 2021 – 13 Mar 2022
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Dive into the colour, skill, and intensity of Rita Angus’ paintings
Wellington Wine and Food Festival Jeff McEwan

Wellington Wine and Food Festival

12 Feb 2022
Waitangi Park

One part food, one part delicious drinks and a hefty dollop of music and entertainment at Wellington's summer foodie fest

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Fringe Fest 2020 Launch CCorlett 0017

New Zealand Fringe Festival

18 Feb – 12 Mar 2022
Various locations

Expect edginess, flare, heart, and soul at this exciting, city-wide festival that celebrates all forms of creativity and art

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Belle

Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts 2022

21 Feb – 20 Mar 2022
Various

Join a celebration of creativity as the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts returns to the capital in 2022

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Fried Chicken Festival 1

Wellington Fried Chicken Fest

25 – 26 Feb 2022
Frank Kitts Park

Sometimes all we want is epic chicken fried to perfection – this upcoming festival has us sorted

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121 Odyssey Stage

A Three Day Dance Odyssey: 121 Festival

11 – 13 Mar 2022
Tauherenikau

Experience the Wairarapa's newest dance festival in the idyllic rural setting of Tauherenikau

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Womens Cricket World Cup v2

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

13 – 30 Mar 2022
Basin Reserve

The best female cricketers in the world compete for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup at Basin Reserve in March 2022
CubaDupa JohnnyHendrikus CubaStreet3

Wellington's Most Colourful Street Festival: CubaDupa

26 – 27 Mar 2022
Cuba Precinct

A two-day celebration of Cuba Street, Wellington's best-loved and best-known street and Aotearoa's most creative and diverse festival

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