Wellington Festivals

January

SummerSalt Circus Fun at Capital E
Ever dreamt of joining the circus? Why not try it out these holidays and come along to Capital E for some SummerSalt Circus Fun!
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.

February

Cuba Street Carnival
New Zealand's largest street festival, with music, cultural shows, dance and music. Held mid to late February.
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 threatre, comedy, poetry, visual arts, dance and music.
New Zealand Festival
Held mid-February to mid-March, this 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.
NZ Sevens Tournament
A fast paced spectacle of rugby and partying. The NZI Sevens involves 16 international teams competing for points that go towards the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens series. Eight tournaments make up the IRB series.
Asia Pacific Festival
The Asia Pacific Festival is a music festival it will include eight days of exclusive concerts and performances by leading New Zealand and international performers.

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.
Capital E National Arts Festival
Be part of New Zealand's biggest arts festival for children. The impressive line-up of shows will thrill, delight and excite you with artists from New Zealand , Australia and USA .

May

BrewNZ
A five-day event featuring the best of NZ and international beers in Wellington's bars, cafes and restaurants.

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

Wellington Fashion Festival
A four-day fashional spectacular featuring promotions and a designer catwalk show which gathers together the new ranges from the city's top designers.
World of Wearable Art
The Montana World of WearableArt Awards Show is a non-stop spectacular! Artists from throughout New Zealand and around the world enter truly amazing garments that are presented in a two hour show of movement, sound and light.

October

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.

November

Toast Martinborough
The Wairarapa is the place to be in mid-November for 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 is recommended. Held on the third Sunday in November.

December

Line7 Port Nicholson Regatta
An annual yacht regatta on Wellington's spectacular harbour.

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