WellingtonEvents
Orchestra Wellington performs on stage at the Michael Fowler Centre.

Some of the grandest works from the 20th century feature in local orchestra’s schedule.

Orchestra Wellington is New Zealand’s oldest professional regional orchestra. Its busy concert series includes music from classical, romantic, and contemporary periods. You’ll also see it regularly performing with the Orpheus Choir, Royal New Zealand Ballet, and New Zealand Opera.

For its 2025 season, ‘The Dictator’s Shadow’, the orchestra focuses in part on Dimitri Shostakovich. The programme includes masterpieces that symbolise the artist’s struggle and resilience under repression and political control. Coupled with works from other composers, the concerts feature local and international soloists.

Orchestra Wellington 2025 Season

An illustration of a man in a coat kneels and prays to his violin case.

The Artist Repents

22 November 2025Michael Fowler Centre

New Zealand composer Victoria Kelly premieres her Requiem. It uses poetry by Bill Manhire, Sam Hunt, Chloe Honum, Ian Wedde, and James K Baxter. Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 is possibly his most famous and frequently performed symphony. It could be viewed as a sincere expression of Soviet ideals or a subversive critique of totalitarianism. Whichever it is, it continues to captivate audiences with its emotional depth and structural brilliance.

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Sir Cliff Richard.

Cliff Richard

17 November 2025Michael Fowler Centre

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performing at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington, New Zealand.

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 2025 Season

7 March – 5 December 2025Michael Fowler Centre

Oversized artificial octopus with people on a boat in front

Fat Freddy’s Drop

1 – 2 May 2026Michael Fowler Centre |

Ludovico Einaudi

1 February 2026Michael Fowler Centre

A portrait of two people. One being Hollie Smith, and the other, a player from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, holding a trumpet.

Air Force in Concert Featuring Hollie Smith

9 November 2025Michael Fowler Centre

A singer in a dark gown performs in The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight concert.

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

26 February 2026Michael Fowler Centre

Kirk Franklin.

Kirk Franklin — The World Tour

12 December 2025Michael Fowler Centre

Kaylee Bell crouching down while holding an electric guitar.

Kaylee Bell — Cowboy Up Tour

4 November 2025Michael Fowler Centre

A Pub Choir performance.

Pub Choir — Average at Best

10 November 2025Michael Fowler Centre | 18+

Bill Bailey.

Bill Bailey — Vaudevillean

11 – 12 November 2025Michael Fowler Centre