New Zealand Fringe Festival in Wellington

The New Zealand Fringe Festival brings a burst of creativity and culture to the capital. This arts festival takes place across various venues in Wellington during the summer. It includes theatre, comedy, dance, music, visual arts, and more. Many events are accessible, often with affordable tickets or koha entry.

A stage performer dressed in makeup and a sparkly outfit blows a kiss at camera.

A performer in a mask and long dress hands out accessories to the crowd under peachy lights at the Fringe Festival.

Dancer up on their toes with knees forward and arms outstretched.

Three actors/singers are in the middle of a scene. An acoustic guitarist is in the background while a group of three are in the foreground.

The festival is open-access, rather than curated, meaning anyone can register an event. This allows artists to be bold and push creative boundaries. Audiences can discover unique and often daring performances and exhibitions. There’s experimental theatre, stand-up comedy, captivating dance, and innovative musical acts. Art also appears in unexpected places across the city. It’s not unusual for a Fringe show to take place in a van, a café, or even your own living room. The possibilities are endless.

Each year brings new themes, groundbreaking works, fresh talent, and memorable moments. Since it started in 1990, the festival has launched countless artistic careers. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement first performed as Flight of the Conchords at the 1998 festival.

“The New Zealand Fringe Festival enabled us to start our journey that has led to a full-time career in the arts. Without New Zealand Fringe Festival, Flight of the Conchords wouldn’t exist.”

Bret McKenzie

Aerialist balancing from a large suspended ring. They are holding on with one hand and doing the splits.

Wellington is the ideal home for the festival. The city has a supportive arts infrastructure, talented artists, and passionate audiences. “Wellington embraces the Fringe like no other city,” says Festival Director, Vanessa Stacy. “Our audiences are curious and open-minded. They are eager to engage with new ideas. This creates an incredibly supportive environment for artists to thrive.”

The compact city layout also contributes to the festival’s success. Most venues are within walking distance, so attendees can easily wander from one show to the next. You could start the night at the theatre, then stroll over to a pop-up gallery. Between shows, you’ll catch a street performance and feel the buzz from other festival-goers. The whole city feels like one big festival stage.