Wellington Region Annual Events

Make the most of your stay in the Wellington region. We've compiled a list of cultural events and festivals in region.

January

Tareitanga Sculpture Symposium
Over 45 national and international artists create fascinating sculpture from limestone, marble and andesite at Frank Kitts Park on Wellington's waterfront.
Wellington Cup Week
A week-long carnival of horse racing featuring Wellington Cup Day and the final of Fashion in the Field, and over $1 million in stakes.
Holdsworth Jumbo Trail Race
A mountain endurance running event over 24 kilometre and 12 kilometre courses in the Tararua Forest Park.
Waikanae Garden Trail
A chance to explore the gardens of this Kapiti Coast town.

February

Cuba Street Carnival
New Zealand's largest street festival with music, cultural shows, dance and music. Held mid to late February in Wellington.
Fringe NZ
Wellington's popular fringe festival brings an eclectic range of performers to the city from mid February to mid March, featuring more than 100 artists, musicians, dancers, writers and buskers from around the country. Entertainment includes theatre, comedy, poetry, visual arts, dance and music.
New Zealand Festival
Wellington's biennial festival is the largest arts event in the country. Taking place every even-numbered year, it attracts leading performers from around the world, transforming the city into a spectacle of music, dance, cabaret, opera, comedy and theatre.
Martinborough Fair
A country fair offering arts, crafts and food stalls from across New Zealand set around the town square.
The Big Coast Mountain Bike Event
A fun mountainbike weekend for all ages following the scenic Rimutaka Incline rail route.
Wairarapa Wine & Food Festival
Wine, food and entertainment at the historic Solway Showgrounds in Masterton.
Medieval Market Day, Manakau
Medieval warriors, jousting, jesters and Morris dancers.

March

Vodafone Dragon Boat Festival
A weekend of fun on and off the water with more than 90 teams battling it out in dragon boat races, as well as land-based activities. Held first weekend of March.
Festival of Asia
An Asian street festival bringing the sights, flavours and colours of Asia to the central city with entertainment, food and craft stalls. Biennial, every even-numbered year.
Golden Shears
The world's best shearers compete in the Wairarapa centre of Masterton.
Castlepoint Beach Races - cancelled for 2008
An historic horse race along Castlepoint Beach in the Wairarapa with sheep riding races and a big dig for kids.
It is with much regret the decision has been made to abandon our 2008 Race Day due to changed beach conditions. Unfortunately the last few weeks have seen sand washed away, exposing rocks, making racing unsafe.
Round the Vines Fun Run
A 10km or 21km walk or run around the vineyards of Martinborough, featuring entertainment and food stalls.
Greytown Arts Festival
Music, drama, poetry, opera, mime, history walks, arts and crafts and garden tours in this historic Wairarapa town.
Genesis Wairarapa International Balloon Fiesta
Wairarapa's spectacular five-day balloon fiesta culminates in the Night Glow event at Masterton's Solway Showgrounds.

May

TV2 International Laugh! Festival
Laughter is on the menu during early May as the TV2 International Laugh! Festival brings the cream of national and international comedians to the city.
BrewNZ
A five-day event featuring the best of NZ and international beers in Wellington's bars, cafes and restaurants.

June

Monteith's Wild Food Challenge, Wellington
A chance to sample a selection of wild food menus at the restaurants and cafes of Wellington in this annual competition.
Beck's Incredible Film Festival
Outrageous festival films from around the world.

July

Wellington International Film Festival
Held every July, this popular three-week festival showcases the best of the world of cinema including award-winning documentaries and arthouse films.

September

Carterton Daffodil Carnival
A carnival featuring daffodil picking, stalls, performers and bus excursions to surrounding attractions.
Greytown Founders Weekend
Greytown hosts a weekend of events including lectures, exhibitions, visits to historic homes, wheelbarrow races and a guided walk.
Wellington Fashion Festival
A four-day fashion spectacular featuring promotions and a designer catwalk show which gathers together the new ranges from the city's top designers.

October

Glistening Waters Storytelling Festival
Wairarapa's biennial festival at Masterton attracts national and international storytellers.
Wellington Folk Festival
Held in Wainuiomata over Labour Weekend (mid October) in a beautiful bush setting at Brookfield Scout Camp.
Wellington International Jazz Festival
Kicking off at Labour Weekend (mid October), the festival features a fortnight of city-wide jazz with top national and international acts, jazz on the streets and jazz on the waterfront.
Wairarapa A & P Show
Wood cutting, stud cattle, dressage, show jumping, fairground attractions and family entertainment at Clareville Showgrounds.

November

Taranaki Rhododendron Festival
More than 60 magnificent gardens in the Taranaki region are open to the public during this famous week-long festival.
South Wairarapa Garden Festival
Based at Fernside north of Featherston, the event includes dinner, speakers, workshops, entertainment and gardens to visit.
Toast Martinborough
An exclusive wine, food and music event held at the vineyards around this wine village, and just a 50 minute train ride from the city. A complimentary bus service operates between vineyards. Tickets sell out early so advance booking recommended. Held the third Sunday in November.
Rimutaka Railway Run & Walk
A 17km fun run and walk over the scenic Rimutaka Rail Incline through native bush and rail tunnels.
Opera in the Woolshed
An annual celebration of popular pieces of opera set in rural Wairarapa.

December

Line7 Port Nicholson Regatta
An annual sailing regatta on Wellington's spectacular harbour.
Porirua City Christmas Festival
A range of events to celebrate the festive season.
Boxing Day Demolition Derby
Car racing at Upper Hutt Speedway.
Upper Hutt Santa Parade
A community parade along the main street.
Christmas in the Park, Upper Hutt
A free open-air concert of pop and festive songs.

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