Your guide to winter in Wellington

A winter trip to Wellington is always influenced by the weather. Come armed with information about both indoor and outdoor experiences. You’ll be free to choose what suits the day, and you’ll never be disappointed. 

If the southerly’s howling or the rain’s coming down, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. At the top of the Wellington Botanic Garden, you’ll find Te Ara Whānui ki te Rangi Space Place. It’s home to a digital full-dome planetarium, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope, and interactive galleries and exhibitions. On the waterfront, you’ll find Wellington Museum. Housed in a beautifully restored former cargo warehouse, it tells the stories of Te Whanganui a Tara and its people. You’ll learn about early Māori settlement, maritime history, and the city’s evolution into the bustling capital it is today.

Lōemis, running 9 to 21 June, is a transformative performance showcase. It traverses the worlds of food, sculpture, art, music, poetry, film, and more. Amongst the lineup this year are Japanese psychedelic rock collective Acid Mothers Temple, British post-punk band Snapped Ankles and American electronic musician Chanel Beads. From Aotearoa, Shayne P Carter performs with the NZSO for the first time, and Troy Kingi presents Night Lords, his foray into hip-hop. 

Nighttime is the right time to dive into Wellington’s renowned hospitality scene. You can order a cocktail at one of the city’s hidden bars or a delicious meal at a local favourite. Wine aficionados will love Puffin, a stylish hideaway on the ground floor of The Intrepid Hotel. It serves organic and minimal-intervention wines in an elegant space. For top-tier cocktails and a 1920s speakeasy vibe, head to Hawthorn Lounge on Tory Street. The curious can perch at the bar for a history lesson on their favourite tipple or unwind fireside with a classic in hand. 

On the sporting front, Wellington delivers an adrenaline-pumped game of international rugby in Winter. Say ‘sì’ to a match between the All Blacks and Italy at Hnry Stadium. It’s Italy’s first test in Wellington and only the fourth time they’ve met in New Zealand since the 1987 Rugby World Cup. With a 5:10pm kick-off, the match is designed to be family-friendly. This 11 July fixture is part of the inaugural Nations Championship. 

More family fun can be found at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre. Coming from a galaxy far, far away is LEGO® Star Wars™: The Exhibition. Epic battles, gargantuan spaceships, and breathtaking landscapes from the Star Wars universe will be on display from 27 June. Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught and The Brickman team have spent 25,000 hours and used more than 8 million LEGO bricks to create the largest-known collection of life-sized LEGO Star Wars™ models ever. 

Come August, one of the city’s most beloved annual festivals offers the ultimate taste of local flavour. Visa Wellington On a Plate brings a feast of events. There are pop-ups, themed dining experiences, and the much-anticipated Burger Wellington. This is where restaurants, big and small, battle it out to create the city’s best burger. The month also hosts Beervana, a two-day celebration of craft beer. With hundreds of brews, food stalls, and live entertainment, this is a must for new and old beer lovers. 

Don’t forget to keep an eye on entertainment listings. Wellington’s live music, theatre, and film scenes stay in full swing throughout the cooler months. There are indie gigs in intimate venues, through to bold new theatre productions and boutique film festivals. Bundle up, step out, and see for yourself — winter in Wellington is alive with energy and creativity.