Wellington is set to burst with creative energy this autumn, as a packed calendar of events offers something for everyone across the city. From massive pop-culture gatherings and blockbuster exhibitions at Te Papa to world-class musical performances and captivating local theatre, the capital is cementing its reputation as New Zealand's cultural hub.
The city will be alive with music, art, and performance in the coming weeks, providing a perfect excuse to explore the vibrant street life and perhaps duck into one of the city's famed cafes. The recent reopening of the central library has already seen a surge in inner-city activity, and this autumn programme is expected to build on that momentum, drawing locals and visitors alike into the heart of Wellington.
Pop culture and film fans rejoice
Kicking off the season in spectacular style, the Armageddon Expo returns to Hnry Stadium from April 3-5, promising a huge weekend of gaming, cosplay, and celebrity appearances. The pop-culture extravaganza is a highlight for fans of film, television, anime, and YouTube, offering a packed schedule of panels, interactive challenges, and family-friendly fun. As seen in Wellington welcomes Armageddon Expo for pop culture weekend.
For those inspired by the magic of filmmaking, Wētā Workshop is running a junior sculpting course for children aged 6-11. The hands-on workshop, held at their Miramar premises, gives kids the chance to sculpt their own creature. It's a peek into the world-renowned studio that brought films like The Lord of the Rings to life. Film buffs can extend the experience by visiting Wētā's public-facing Weta Cave, or even journeying to filming locations like Mount Victoria and Kaitoke Regional Park, which famously stood in for Rivendell.
A feast for the ears
The city’s soundscape will be transformed this April as more than 1,000 musicians from 40 bands descend for the New Zealand Brass Band Championships. The event runs from April 8-12 at various venues, culminating in a spectacular Gala Concert, Brilliant Brass – In Concert, at the Michael Fowler Centre. The concert will feature the prestigious National Band of New Zealand.
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra also returns to the Michael Fowler Centre on April 9 for Resonance. Renowned conductor André de Ridder will lead the orchestra through Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 8, a sombre reflection on war. The concert also features the New Zealand debut of Bryce Dessner’s Trombone Concerto, performed by the NZSO’s own Section Principal trombonist, David Bremner.
For more intimate musical experiences, St Andrew’s on The Terrace hosts two lunchtime concerts. On April 8, rising star Otis Prescott-Mason will perform a solo piano programme of Mozart, Liszt and Chopin. The following day, the Wellington String Academy will have its inaugural showcase, featuring talented student musicians aged 8-23 playing alongside leading professionals in a vibrant celebration of ensemble music.
On the stage
Wellington’s theatre scene is thriving with new and exciting productions. Circa Theatre presents 'Thirty-Six', a new romantic comedy for the Tinder generation that explores the hope and hesitation of a first date, running until April 4. For younger audiences, Circa also stages 'HELP! A Monster Ate My Story' from April 7-19, a playful adaptation of Ruth Paul’s beloved children's books.
At BATS Theatre, UK storytellers present 'SELENE', a radical retelling of the myth of the moon goddess, from April 7-11. For those seeking laughter, the long-running 'Alien Comedy' night continues at the Vogelmorn Bowling Club with monthly shows. For a bigger night out, Scottish international comedy superstar Daniel Sloss brings his edgy and dark humour to The Opera House on April 9 with his show, 'Bitter'.
A city of galleries
Art lovers will find a sprawling collection of exhibitions across the capital. Our national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, hosts two major exhibitions. 'Breathe | Mauri Ora' is a mind-bending digital art experience taking visitors on a journey into nature, while 'Slow Burn' is a major survey of works by 50 women and non-binary photographers from the last six decades. The National Library also has 'He Tohu', its permanent exhibition of our nation's founding documents, and 'Future Proof', an exhibition exploring the art of conservation.
Across the city, galleries are showcasing a diverse range of artists. Webb’s Wellington presents 'Future Relics', a solo exhibition by Levi Hawken influenced by skater culture and modernist architecture. At Toi MAHARA in Waikanae, 'Further revelation' places works by Frances Hodgkins alongside her British modernist contemporaries. The gallery also hosts 'Lotus Rising', an exhibition of works from a creative wellbeing centre in Raumati Beach, and 'Fluid Bodies', a mixed-media installation by Charlotte Crichton.
Community and place are explored in 'Our City: A Wider Lens' at Thistle Hall Gallery, a photographic "love letter" to Wellington, while the Beehive’s Te Papakura Gallery hosts 'Showing the City', a collection of over 100 on-location sketches of the capital. Meanwhile, Enjoy Contemporary Art Space features two new exhibitions: Lily Worrall’s 'moon iron wings' and Katoa’s 'What happens if it’s broken?', which considers the home as a site of repair.
The final exhibition at Toi Pōneke's Abel Smith Street gallery, 'Shadow Signals', opens on April 23. The immersive and interactive sound installation by Daniel Beban and Tim Barlow, which is activated by visitors' mobile phones, will serve as a fittingly innovative farewell to the space.
