Wellington is set to host a dynamic week of events, balancing solemn remembrance with a vibrant celebration of arts, music, and community. As the city continues to navigate the aftermath of recent challenges, including severe weather events, its cultural heart beats as strongly as ever, offering a diverse calendar for residents and visitors alike.
The upcoming week provides a snapshot of the capital’s multifaceted identity. It is a city that pauses to reflect on its history while simultaneously embracing the new and experimental. From poignant Anzac Day services and historic tours to electrifying concerts, thought-provoking theatre, and a sprawling landscape of art exhibitions, there is a rich tapestry of experiences to be found. This programming underscores a collective desire to engage with stories, both past and present, as the city confronts its future.
Whether it involves tracing the footsteps of soldiers at Te Papa, exploring a WWII fortress, discovering a new favourite cocktail on a city-wide trail, or immersing oneself in the groundbreaking work of local and international artists, the week ahead is a testament to Wellington's enduring spirit and its thriving cultural sector.
Lest we forget: Anzac Day commemorations
This Anzac Day, Wellington offers several opportunities for reflection and remembrance. Te Papa will host a special early-bird guided tour of its landmark exhibition, Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War. This powerful and moving experience, created in partnership with Wētā Workshop, explores New Zealand’s role in the Gallipoli campaign through the monumental, hyper-realistic figures of ordinary New Zealanders caught up in the conflict. The 9:30am tour offers a quiet, intimate viewing of an exhibition that has been a must-see for nearly a decade. Tickets start from $50.
For a different perspective on the nation’s military history, the Wrights Hill Fortress in Karori will hold its Anzac Day Open Day. The historic fortress, built in 1942 as part of a network of coastal defences to protect Wellington from naval attack, will be open for self-guided tours between 10am and 4pm. Visitors can explore the extensive network of tunnels and gun emplacements, with maps provided. A torch and sturdy footwear are recommended for the underground exploration. Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for children, or $20 for a family, with cash payment only. The day’s commemorations will also include a musical tribute, with the Anzac Day Comfy Concert at The Long Hall in Te Waiherere/Point Jerningham from 4pm. The fundraising concert for Arohanui Strings+ will feature acclaimed musicians Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten, joined by flutist Bridget Douglas, violist Nicholas Hancox, and two young violinists. Such community arts funding is vital, echoing initiatives across the country like the $1.5 million boost for Canterbury youth. In a similar vein, Art of Remembrance returns to honour veterans with music and stories. The following day, on April 26, Futuna Chapel will host an afternoon of reflective new music by composer Eve de Castro‑Robinson at 2pm.
Curtain up on city stages
The capital’s stages are alive with a diverse range of performances, from blockbuster tributes to intimate local stories. Fans of the King of Pop can head to The Opera House on Anzac Day for the 'King of Pop Show. Michael Jackson Live Concert Experience' at 7:30pm, a globally renowned show celebrating his music and choreography. Later in the week, disco legends Boney M, led by original member Maizie Williams, will bring their 'Final Curtain Tour' to the St James Theatre for two nights from April 30.
For theatre lovers, Circa Theatre presents the darkly funny and wildly imaginative musical Ride the Cyclone. The cult hit follows the story of six high school choristers whose lives are changed by a fateful rollercoaster ride. The show runs until May 9. Meanwhile, BATS Theatre offers a pair of intriguing new works from April 30 to May 2. As We Do is a staged reading that offers a frank and funny glimpse into the secret world of gay cruising in 1987, while Staunch sees performer Anji Kreft blend humour and heart in a reflection on family and her relationship with her mum.
Classical music aficionados are also well catered for. St Andrew’s on The Terrace hosts two lunchtime concerts this week: Brahms Horn Trio on April 29 and a selection of songs and arias with NZSM Classical Voice Students on April 30. On May 1, Chamber Music New Zealand presents Symposium Brass at the same venue, performing an ambitious programme that blends symphonic brass with jazz influences.
Explore the capital's creative trails
For those eager to explore the city, the Wellington Gin Trail offers a spirited adventure until April 26. Over 30 CBD venues are participating in the city-wide celebration of cocktails, tastings, and creative food pairings. Participants can collect stamps in a Gin Trail Passport to enter prize draws while discovering the best of the city’s bars and local distillers, a scene well-documented in Wellington's guide to bars and nightlife.
Meanwhile, the City Nature Challenge (April 24–27) invites Wellingtonians to become citizen scientists. This global event encourages people to discover and document local biodiversity by recording sightings of wild plants, animals, and organisms. It is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and families to engage with the natural world around them. More information can be found on the official City Nature Challenge website.
Film enthusiasts can look just beyond the city for the Te Waiwhakaata Wairarapa Film Festival, running until May 3. The region-wide festival showcases local and international stories with screenings and events across Masterton and Carterton.
A feast for the eyes: Art across the region
Wellington's galleries and museums are showcasing a stunning variety of exhibitions. At Te Papa, the immersive digital art experience Breathe | Mauri Ora takes visitors on a journey into the natural world, running until April 27. Also at the national museum, Slow Burn: Women and Photography presents a major survey of works by 50 women and non-binary photographers, tracing six decades of image-making in Aotearoa.
In a unique live art event, artist Todd Atticus will design a book cover from scratch in the window of Unity Books on Willis Street. The week-long performance, titled Cover Story, runs from April 28 to May 4, offering a rare, real-time glimpse into the creative process.
At the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, Yuki Kihara’s exhibition SALOME: An Angel of History explores Pacific histories, identity, and cultural legacy. At Pātaka in Porirua, two exhibitions focus on the work of senior Māori artist Fred Graham. Enjoy Contemporary Art Space on Cuba Street features two new shows: What happens if it’s broken? which considers the home as a site of repair, and Lily Worrall’s moon iron wings, exploring place and memory.
Other notable exhibitions include Jeff Thomson’s playful corrugated tin toy sculptures in Rocket Racer at Bowen Galleries, Jenny Robinson's large-scale architectural prints at Nine Fathom Deep Art Gallery, and Richard Gray's intricate wire bird sculptures at Zealandia. For those interested in New Zealand's foundational documents, the permanent exhibition He Tohu at the National Library offers a chance to see Te Tiriti o Waitangi, He Whakaputanga, and the Women’s Suffrage Petition.
With dozens of events and exhibitions running, the coming weeks provide a powerful reminder of the city's creative energy and its capacity to both remember its past and imagine its future.
