Wellington
Wrap yourself up with what Wellington has to offer this winter. Events Galore!
Yes, the winter chill is bearing down, but be warmed by a wealth of activities in the capital. You’ll keep your circulation flowing — either on your feet cheering at a game, tapping your toes to great music, or filling up at a restaurant. There’s too much happening to stay cooped up inside.
Heading up the action-packed Wellington winter season is exhibition that’ll get the sci-fi fans buzzing. Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder is leaving UK shores for the first time ever. It will bring fans of the hit television series face to face with the iconic characters and on-screen worlds from across the Whoniverse. Explore scientific concepts like time travel, artificial intelligence, DNA manipulation and why the TARDIS is bigger on the inside. Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, Where Science Meets Fiction | Doctor Who Ngā Ao Mīharo, Te tūtakitanga o te Pūtaiao ki te Pakimaero runs for five months from 1 June at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Winter in Wellington also means a busy sporting schedule. If you like being court-side then the netball and basketball seasons are for you. The Pulse 2024 ANZ Premiership Netball Season runs until 22 July, and they have six home games. Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse are looking to improve on last year’s third place in the ANZ Premiership.
At the helm is new head coach Anna Andrews-Tasola. She was born and raised in Porirua 20 minutes north of Wellington, and two of the six games are being played at Porirua’s Te Rauparaha Arena. The other four home games will play out the TSB Arena on Wellington’s waterfront. The Wellington Saints — 2024 NZ NBL Season has a massive nine home games at TSB Arena. Running until 14 July, fans can expect the usual mix of excitement, skills, and spirit from their beloved Mills Albert Wellington Saints. With a record eight sell-out home games in 2023, attendees to the 2024 season will need to book early to catch some of their magic.
With all the shouting and whooping you’ll be doing at the games; you’ll need to build some energy up. Lucky for you, TSB Arena has plenty of places to eat and drink nearby. You can drop in to an eatery beforehand to plan your chants and head to a bar afterwards to celebrate.
Foxglove is a blend of 1930s vintage glamour and West Hollywood lounge. There are two levels of indoor and outdoor seating, and a kitchen that produces food for the bar and restaurant. For share plates inspired by French classics and an extensive wine list, Plonk on Customhouse Quay is a sure bet. Its mix of live DJs, moody lighting, and laid-back atmosphere works for those looking for a relaxed celebration.
A couple of blocks back from the waterfront and beneath the road on Willis Street you’ll find a multitude of pre-event food options. Down the escalators, Willis Lane has a touch of New York subway chic. The tunnels and vaulted brick archways hold licensed bars, restaurants, and quality fast food options. Your tastebuds will be sated with flavours from Malaysia, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Vietnam, China, and more. Willis Lane is also home to a large entertainment complex. Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq provides the arcade games and a 10-pin bowling alley while Holey Moley has created a wild mini golf course.
TSB Arena and surrounding bars and restaurants will continue to hum with activity during the 2024 World of WearableArt Show (WOW): DREAM AWAKE. WOW is Aotearoa’s largest theatrical production and runs 26 September to 13 October. Attracting around 60,000 spectators in 2023, it is undoubtedly a huge fixture in Wellington’s annual event calendar. The show is centred around the World of WearableArt Competition. Entrants from across New Zealand and the globe submit innovative works of art which are showcased each night in a theatrical spectacular. This year’s show ‘DREAM AWAKE’ will take you through six awe-inspiring ‘realms’. Imagination becomes reality as you navigate worlds spun by the mysterious and magical Dream Maker.
Wellington is home to some wonderful concert venues. St James Theatre is one of the grandest. Built in 1912 the Edwardian theatre has a ‘Category I’ historic place classification from Heritage New Zealand. Among the many concerts and shows it is hosting this winter there are some impressive standouts. ‘We Will Rock You’ runs 15 August to 1 September. For the first time one of the most successful musicals in West End history will hit the capital. The blockbuster features 24 of Queen’s greatest hits and promises to rival the scale and spectacle of the band’s legendary live performances. Be one of the 20 million people across 28 countries who’ve experienced “a kind of magic”. The Royal New Zealand Ballet calls St James Theatre home. It is hosting several productions in the theatre this year including ‘Solace: Dance to feed your soul’. Running 1 to 3 August the trio of premieres is a mix of new and recent ballets by some leading choreographers.
Another indoor option, if warm and cosy is your motivator, is heading to one of Wellington’s boutique cinemas. The capital is a film lover’s dream destination. Plush seating, high-end sound systems, and quality food and drinks are standard across the Wellington movie scene. Each has its own unique offering for the cinephile. The Roxy in Miramar was founded by a group of local film industry folk connected to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ franchise. That explains the Oscar statuettein the foyer, Gollum and Gandalf sculptures, and Wētā Workshop artwork on the ceiling upstairs. Light House Cinema just off Cuba Street has two-seater couches in all its theatres while the Embassy Theatre’s three spaces include an epic 820 seat cinema. There is also The Empire in Island Bay, and The Penthouse in Brooklyn. Sit back in a sumptuous chair and view a movie in style.
Rounding out the winter season of activities is the highlight for every gourmand. Visa Wellington On a Plate is one of the country’s biggest and boldest foodie fests. For the month of August, the hospitality industry across the region creates burgers, pop up restaurants, and special events. The public come out in droves to eat, drink, and be merry. The festival theme this year is ‘play with your food’. This exceptional culinary experience gives Wellington’s chefs the opportunity to have fun. Also in August is Beervana. The two-day festival takes over the massive concourse inside Sky Stadium on 23 and 24 August. The yearly event has a brand-new line up of beers, brewers, and bites to enjoy.
As you circle the stadium you will circle around New Zealand’s best bevy of beers, as well as an outstanding selection of international drops. There you go – as promised Wellington has kept your blood flowing during the coldest months. Your ears are full of music, stomach full of food, and eyes full of sights. The capital is an everchanging, creative, beautiful and fascinating place to visit and re-visit. See you here soon.
To begin planning your ideal winter in the Wellington region visit WellingtonNZ.com
