Your guide to winter in Wellington

Wellington might not seem like a traditional destination for the coldest months, but what it lacks in snowy slopes it more than makes up for in other ways.

Winter in Wellington is all about celebrating the great indoors. When the weather’s less-than-ideal, locals embrace all things cosy, warm, rich, delicious and creative. With an incredible events line-up, including the Southern Hemisphere's biggest food festival and Aotearoa's biggest beer festival, Matariki celebrations and more, there's no excuse for staying at home.

Art to warm your soul

The city’s thriving gallery scene offers an escape from the cold. Head to City Gallery, a contemporary gallery that displays work from the most exciting artists from New Zealand and around the world. Then explore the dealer galleries scattered around quirky Cuba Street, including Bartley & Co, McLeavey and Bowen Galleries. And if you fancy a stroll, rug up and spot street art around the same area, with amazing street art to be discovered in laneways and alleys.

Cosy eateries

Wellington eateries really turn on the charm during winter and do some wonderful things with local ingredients and seasonal produce. Set in a charming cottage just outside of the city centre, Rita serves up a short and sweet set menu that changes by day, mood and weather. Or fill up on spicy fare at Little Penang. This unassuming Malaysian eatery is a cult classic in Wellington, serving up Penang street food that keeps locals coming back and back and back.

Cosy spots for a drink

And for that pre and/or post-dinner tipple, plenty of cocktail bars and excellent craft beer haunts will welcome you in from the cold. Hawthorn Lounge is one of Wellington’s best-kept secrets. A speakeasy-style bar at the top of an unmarked staircase, this is a spot you need to be in the know to find, but the incredible cocktails and clever staff will make you glad you hunted it out. Or head to Noble Rot, a specialist wine bar staffed by welcoming experts, where you’re likely to drop in for one glass of wine and end up getting to know the menu over plenty more.

Warming winter events

Visa Wellington On a Plate is a culinary extravaganza that takes over the city and the wider Wellington region for the whole of August. You might struggle to choose between the hundreds of pop-ups, events, special menus, burgers, cocktails and exhibitions in the programme, but you certainly won’t be going hungry. And during one August weekend every year, beer enthusiasts descend on Wellington for Beervana. This huge celebration of all things beery is a must-do whether you consider yourself a seasoned expert or don’t know your Simcoe from your Amarillo (hops, that is).