Wellington Culture City
Wellington lays claim to the title of New Zealand's cultural capital, with a host of concerts, plays, operas, shows and live entertainment.
The New Zealand Festival forms a highlight of the city's cultural calendar every two years, drawing leading performers from New Zealand and around the world. At night, the curtains go up on a myriad of professional theatre productions featuring homegrown and international material. Wellington is also the headquarters of New Zealand's key national arts organisations including the Royal New Zealand Ballet, NBR New Zealand Opera, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the National Dance & Drama Centre, the New Zealand School of Dance, the Wellington Sinfonia and Chamber Music New Zealand.
Theatres
- BATS Theatre
Considered New Zealand's foremost developmental theatre.
- Circa Theatre
Professional theatre from New Zealand and around the world.
- Downstage Theatre
Producing a mix of classics, drama, musicals and comedy.
- Opera House
A historic building which caters for touring shows and community events.
- Westpac St James Theatre
A fully restored heritage building presenting a mix of opera, ballet and musical shows. This 1912 Edwardian building is regarded as one of the finest lyric theatres in Australasia.
Cinemas
- Embassy Theatre
A restored art deco movie theatre, which also hosts the city's annual International Film Festival in July.
- Paramount Theatre
- Penthouse Cinema
- Rialto Cinemas
Going Out
- Theatre
Enjoy a night at the opera or catch a homegrown production at one of the city's five professional theatres.
- Shows and Concerts
Take in a show or concert at the Michael Fowler Centre, in Civic Square, or at the beautifully refurbished Westpac St James Theatre at Courtenay Place. This 1912 Edwardian building is one of Wellington's architectural gems and regarded as one of the finest lyric theatres in Australasia. It's also the headquarters of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
- Art Deco Embassy theatre
Catch a movie at the Art Deco Embassy theatre. This famous Wellington icon has been restored to all its original glory, and hosts the city's annual International Film Festival in July.
- Classical Music
Classical music buffs can take in regular free lunchtime concerts at St Andrew's on The Terrace (on Wednesdays), at the University School of Music (Thursdays), at the Conservatorium of Music in the Polytechnic (Fridays) and, occasionally, at Old St Paul's in Thorndon.
- Summer City
During summer, catch one of the free Summer City concerts at Wellington's beautiful Botanic Garden. Pack a picnic, find a shady spot and relax to the music.