WellingtonEvents

Bring in the New Year with your whānau and friends at Whairepo Lagoon for a fun, free, family-friendly celebration.

A Wellington New Year’s Eve on the waterfront is like no other. To kick off the evening, a court of food trucks will be open at Odlin’s Plaza from 3pm, providing delicious throughout the night. As the light begins to leave the sky, magical lighting illuminates the lagoon. Then the festivities begin with live music at 8pm — all the crowd-pleasers and feel-good tunes to boogie to. After that, little ones can enjoy a kids’ countdown and fireworks at 9:30pm. From 10pm, Orchestra Wellington will take the stage and play us all the way to midnight. The New Year’s countdown will be followed by a 5-minute fireworks display to welcome 2026. 

As the first country on earth to herald in the New Year, it’s our responsibility to do it right. Don’t forget your New Year’s Resolutions and your dancing shoes.

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A family of four sits in the colourful steps leading to Wellington Chocolate Factory in Hannahs Laneway.

Keep the kids entertained these school holidays

Whatever the weather, the Wellington region has plenty to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays.

Joyful CubaDupa Festival attendees wear colourful outfits and throw confetti in the air.

CubaDupa

28 – 29 March 2026Cuba Street Precinct

Two people stroll along Oriental Bay Parade in Wellington holding hands on a sunny day.

Your guide to summer in Wellington

Visit an island, scream in a stadium, or indulge in ice cream. Here’s how to enjoy some of Wellington’s best summer days.

A family of four sitting together sharing some takeaway food outside.

Where to eat with kids

Here’s the scoop on some family-friendly spots within Wellington’s vibrant foodie scene. From cosy cafés to beach breweries, you and your children can enjoy a tasty meal together.

Long ecposure shot of people walking through Willis lane, underneath Lambton Quay.

Willis Lane

Delve below ground and find a bustling world bursting at the seams with entertainment and places to eat.

Three people sit at a bar table at Foxglove Bar on the Wellington Waterfront. They are all drinking a cocktail and a charcuterie board sits between them.

By the seaside: Where to eat and drink on the waterfront

If you’re wandering along Wellington’s waterfront, here’s where you can eat and drink along the way.

Two cyclists wear helmets while riding e-bikes along Wellington's waterfront.

Outdoor activities in Wellington

Getting outside doesn’t have to mean just going for a walk. Wellington has a wealth of outdoor activities that will get your blood (and adrenaline) pumping. When it’s one of those unbeatable good days, get some fresh air on these outside adventures

Festival attendees gather outside of St James Theatre with the Aotearoa New Zealand Arts Festival displayed on the marquee.

Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts

24 February – 15 March 2026

Looking through trees at the Botanical Gardensd at the stage and people sitting on the lawns at Gardens Magic 2023.

Gardens Magic

6 – 25 January 2026Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā, Soundshell

View of Courtenay place from Dirty Little Secret rooftop bar.

Get a taste of Courtenay Place

A hotspot for all things fun and entertainment, there’s plenty to tempt your tastebuds on one of Wellington’s buzziest streets — Courtenay Place.