Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts
February to March 2026
annual
event
Early 2026
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
entry.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.”
Roc Torio
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.
February to March 2026
18 September – 5 October 2025TSB Arena
22 – 23 August 2025Sky Stadium
1 – 31 August 2025
March 2026
6 – 10 August 2025The Opera House
12 – 13 September 2025St James Theatre
8 February – 1 November 2025Circa Theatre
14 March – 8 November 2025St James Theatre
4 July – 10 August 2025Odlin’s Plaza, Wellington Waterfront | Not suitable for under 13s. Those aged 13-15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.