Wellington Jazz Festival
14 – 18 October 2026
Get prepared by listening to some of the musicians coming. They’re travelling from near and far to jazz up your Wellington spring. The festival is celebrating 30 years with a programme of more than 100 gigs. Plug in your headphones (or better yet — some grunty speakers) and click the links to research before you book.
Joey Alexander Trio
14 October, The Opera House
Bali-born Joey Alexander received three GRAMMY nominations before he could legally drink. The 23-year-old pianist, band leader, and composer brings his trio to Wellington for the first time. He will perform tracks from ‘Celestial Keeper’, his latest album that draws on the nature and rhythm of life in his home in Indonesia. He’ll also include highlights from his back catalogue.
Benjamin Clementine
17 October, The Opera House
British singer, pianist, composer and actor Benjamin Clementine combines contemporary classical composition, experimental songwriting, theatrical performance and poetic lyricism. He brings this unique language to New Zealand for the first time with his ‘Back To Basics Tour’. Expect emotional intensity from one voice and one piano.
Rebirth Brass Band
15 October, Meow Nui
The unmistakable sound of New Orleans comes to Wellington when Rebirth Brass Band makes an electrifying Aotearoa debut. For more than 40 years, the legendary ensemble has captivated audiences worldwide with their seamless blend of brass, funk, soul, R&B and jazz. The Grammy Award-winning group pushes the boundaries of the brass band tradition.
Zoe Moon
17 October, Bedlam & Squalor
Hawaiian-born and Kiwi-bred Zoe Moon lends her voice to an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, country, soul, and anything else that makes her feel good inside. Fresh off her debut solo release ‘Bubbles’, she performs a tribute to the soul icon Roberta Flack. Zoe sang on the Grammy Award-winning TajMo tour and performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Hikurangi Schaverien-kaa
18 October, Tawhiri Warehouse
This year’s Wellington Jazz Festival commissioned artist presents a new work — ‘Te Ao Kōhatu’. Hikurangi Schaverien-kaa takes to the stage with jazz quintet The Unknot and experimental collective Bub(z) and da Ouncle$. Audiences head on a journey through loss, reflection, catharsis, and whirling colour, guided by the call of Ruby Hinepunui Solly’s Waitaki lithophone.
Hikurangi Schaverien-kaa’s trailer for Wellington Jazz Festival
Looking for more?
At start of items
Macy Gray Live
15 October 2026St James Theatre
Joey Alexander Trio
14 October 2026The Opera House
Benjamin Clementine — Back To Basics Tour
17 October 2026The Opera House
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