🐝 WellyBuzz: Moonlight, Markets & 50+ Ways to Warm Your Weekend 🌕🔥

👋 Kia ora Wellington!

This weekend’s serving up a full dose of winter delight - croissants and comedy, firelight and food trucks, moonlit drumming, and bookish adventures. From Hataitai’s fairy-lit Winter Fest to burger pop-ups and jazz jams, there’s warmth, wonder, and plenty to explore across the city and coast.

Let’s get buzzing. 🐝

⭐ Quick Picks This Weekend

🤣 Friday Laughs – Jeremy Corbett and Jo Prendergast deliver a comedy double-hit at The Fringe Bar.
❄️ Winter Fest – Mulled wine, fairy lights, Greek eats, and marshmallows in cozy Hataitai.
📚 Carterton Monster Book Fair – Thousands of books, two big days, and all for a good cause.
🥁 Full Moon Drumming – Dance, drum, and connect under the stars at Princess Bay.
🛍️ The Pines Market – Sea views, local crafts, and treasures at this coastal Houghton Bay gem.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🐾 Pet of the Week – Cokes the ragdoll
🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – When Wellington packed Athletic Park for a US Marines baseball game.
🌟 Local Legends – Petal & Twig grow sustainable, seasonal flowers in their urban Alicetown backyard to create bouquets full of colour and fragrance.
🍽️ Food & Drink – Glou Glou’s perfected pastries and warm vibes.
🎉 Events – 50+ fresh happenings this weekend.
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – Cool, showery, and crisp. Fortunately we’ve got plenty of indoor activities to choose from to suit the weather!
💝 Extra Sprinkles – Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring local tamariki.

🐾 Pet of the Week – Cokes the Ragdoll🐾✨

With hypnotic blue eyes and a floofy winter coat, Cokes is a total scene-stealer in Kylie’s household. This curious ragdoll cat loves sneaking up to give the family a fright - then immediately demanding a warm cuddle. A true master of drama and affection. 🐱💕

📸 Got a pet with personality? Send us a pic and maybe a fun fact to [email protected] – they might be next week’s WellyBuzz star!

🕰️ Time Machine

In 1943, 25,000 Wellingtonians gathered at Athletic Park to watch US Marines play baseball – a rare wartime treat that thrilled locals and troops alike (Video: Archives NZ)

🌟 Local Legend – A Small Biz Gem to Check Out:

Petal & Twig (Alicetown, Lower Hutt)

Susannah grows seasonal blooms right in her urban backyard, crafting vibrant, fragrant bouquets full of colour and texture. Her arrangements are artful, eco-friendly, and clutter-free - the kind of gift you’d love to give or receive. You’ll find her selling at Forage Merchants on Saturdays, or you can DM her directly to order.

🍽️ Food & Drink – A Must-Try Spot This Week

Glou Glou (17a Allen Street)

Just off Courtenay Place in The Exchange building, this airy and stylish café serves Coffee Supreme espresso, creative house-made crumpets, and colourful matcha, turmeric & ube lattes. The pastry menu – including buttery croissants and pastry cubes perfected over months of trial – is a weekend highlight but now available daily (often sells out fast). A warm, stylish space that feels like a hidden treat - with a wine bar coming soon.

🎉 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🌟

Thursday 7 August:

🎨 Vincents Annual Group Show
Celebrate 40 years of creativity with 100+ handmade artworks by local artists in this inclusive exhibition.
📍 Tākina, 50 Cable St | 🕙 7–24 Aug, 10am–5pm daily | 🎟️ $10 | All ages

🌙 Hutt City Night Market
Kick off the weekend early with global street food, handmade goods, and a buzzing local vibe in Lower Hutt.
📍 Dowse Square, Lower Hutt | 🕓 4:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎥 Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour
One-night-only screening of six epic short films featuring fearless women scaling peaks, diving caves, shredding slopes, and more. Pure inspiration.
📍 Embassy Theatre, 10 Kent Tce, Mount Victoria | 🕕 6pm–9pm | 🎟️ Tickets & info | All ages

🎙️ Kiwi Yarns & The Girls Uninterrupted LIVE
Two of NZ’s top podcasts team up for a one-night-only live show packed with laughs, yarns, and unfiltered chat.
📍 San Fran, 171 Cuba St | 🕖 7pm | 🎟️ Presale & info | All ages

Friday 8 August:

🍔 Interislander Pop-Up Burger
Grab The Love Ferry burger – a smoky, spicy brioche beauty with fries – no ferry ride needed!
📍 Wellington Railway Station | 🕛 11am–2pm | 🎟️ $20 burger & fries

🎭 Revelation Valley
Lisa Maule’s poetry premiere with guest artists each night, blending personal and political themes.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕢 Tue–Sat 7:30pm–8:30pm | 🎟️ $15–25 | All ages

🍔 Wellington On A Plate Burger: Cheeky Tikka Thigh High
Grilled tikka masala chicken thigh in a charcoal bun with zesty sides - a bold burger experience.
📍 Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery, 1 Memorial Square, Martinborough | 🕔 Tue–Sat 5:00pm–8:30pm | 🎟️ $30 | All ages

🎭 Wellington Opera’s A Masked Ball / Un Ballo in Maschera
Verdi’s dramatic opera with a fresh take on love and fate, performed by Aotearoa’s top stars.
📍 The Opera House, 111-113 Manners St | 🕢 Wed & Fri 7:30pm–10:30pm, Sun 2:30pm–5:30pm | 🎟️ $20–$190 | All ages

🤣 Friday Laughs with Jeremy Corbett and Jo Prendergast
A hilarious two-hour comedy show featuring NZ comedy legend Jeremy Corbett and the witty Jo Prendergast.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕗 8:00pm–9:45pm | 🎟️ From $34 | R18

🎸 The Bitter Brothers Come Home
Wellington’s five-piece alt-folk band returns with a mix of old favorites, new songs, and surprise guests.
📍 Vogelmorn Bowling Club, 93 Mornington Rd, Brooklyn | 🕢 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $23.25 | All ages

🤣 Tony Lyall - Talking...When I Should Be Listening
NZ’s top comedian shares hilarious stories from outrageous situations and celebrity interviews.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕡 6:30pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ From $29 | R18

🤣 Airhorn! Comedic Carnage – In Newtown!
A wild night of laughs with Wellington’s funniest, including Lily Catastrophe and Lesa MacLeod-Whiting hosting.
📍 Newtown Community Centre, Corner Rintoul & Colombo St | 🕗 8:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ From $18 | R16

⛳ Hey Mates: Pizza & Mini-Golf
Casual mini-golf, delicious wood-fired pizza, and good vibes – a perfect way to meet new people.
📍 Wellington Waterfront | 🕡 6:30pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ $17.50 | R20

🎸 Ringlets Album Release Tour
Post-punk band Ringlets celebrate their sophomore album with a headline show in Wellington.
📍 Meow, 9 Edward St, Te Aro | 🕗 8:00pm | 🎟️ Tickets via ringlets.co.nz | R18

🎭 Cringeworthy: The 90’s
A high-energy celebration of ’90s music, fashion, and culture with Kiwi classics and cheesy comedy.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕗 Fri & Sat 8:00pm–10:00pm, Sun 4:00pm–6:00pm | 🎟️ $25–60 | All ages

Saturday 9 August

❄️ Winter Fest
Cozy winter vibes with mulled wine, braziers, marshmallows, Greek food, and fairy lights. Free entry!
📍 Hataitai Bowling Club, 157 Hataitai Rd | 🕓 4:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All ages

🌕 Takurua Hauora: Winter Wellness series
A three-part series embracing wellbeing with workshops and celebrations based on Māori health models.
📍 Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay | 🕖 7:00pm | 🎟️ $25 | All ages

🍔 Burgers Across the World
A weekend-long burger bonanza with live music, dog yoga, sumo wrestling, kapa haka, crafts, petting zoos – and burgers galore!
📍 Kai Tahi, 20 Parumoana St, Porirua | 🕘 Sat 9 – Sun 10 Aug, 9am–9pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🕺 MD: A Down Under Untucked Drag Show
Drag Race Down Under stars Mandy Moobs and Olivia Dreams bring their boldest, unfiltered live show to Ivy Bar.
📍 Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba St | 🕣 8:30pm | 🎟️ From $29 | R18

🤣 Sanjay Patel - Stupid
Comedian Sanjay Patel returns with a no-theme, hilariously unpredictable show.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕡 6:30pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ From $16.58 | R18

🎸 The Carol Bean Band – Sturgeon Moon House Concert
Jazz-blues mix with original songs performed up close in a cozy Kelburn home concert.
📍 Hilltop, 17 Upland Rd, Kelburn | 🕖 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $34.05 | All ages

🎸 The Beat Retreat – Live 80’s Music Event
Dance the night away to high-energy ’80s hits performed live by Urban Ersha, with food trucks and cash bar.
📍 Martinborough Town Hall, 8 Texas St | 🕖 7:00pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ $32.75 | R18

🎶 Kāpiti Chorale presents: Wellington Composers
Enjoy an afternoon of music by Wellington-area composers, featuring choir performances and soloists in a stunning church setting.
📍 St Paul’s Church, 1 Langdale Ave, Paraparaumu | 🕓 4:00pm–6:00pm | 🎟️ From $16.58 | All ages

🤣 Saturday Laughs with Michelle Wiley and Sanjay Patel
A lively comedy showcase featuring top Kiwi talents including Michelle Wiley and Sanjay Patel.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕗 8:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ From $25.81 | R18

🎶 I Love Reggaeton
Wellington’s first Reggaeton fiesta with DJs spinning hits from Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Karol G and more.
📍 The Garden Hotel, 63 Courtenay Pl | 🕙 10:00pm–3:00am | 🎟️ $10 | R18

🎻 Downtown: New Zealand String Quartet & Friends – Classical on Cuba
Chamber music collaboration featuring NZ String Quartet, Antipodes Quartet & NZ School of Music students.
📍 Bedlam and Squalor, Upstairs, 18 Garrett St, Te Aro | 🕔 5:00pm–6:00pm | 🎟️ $30 | All ages

🚑 Wairarapa Ambulance Station Community Open Day
Explore the new ambulance station, learn CPR and AED use, plus enjoy free coffee and BBQ.
📍 Corner Russell & Queen St, Masterton | 🕚 11:00am–1:30pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

📚 The Carterton Monster Annual Book Fair
Thousands of books for sale with proceeds supporting the community – perfect for book lovers.
📍 Wairarapa Events Centre, Holloway St, Carterton | 🕙 Sat & Sun 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | All ages

🎧 Unfolding ft. Eli Høff
Deep, hypnotic techno night featuring Aotearoa’s Eli Høff and live sets from ikona.
📍 Moon, 167 Riddiford St, Newtown | 🕘 9:00pm–2:00am | 🎟️ $12 presale / $20 door | R18

🌕 Night of the Full Moon
Celebrate the final full moon of winter with moon journaling, mask-making, and group howling under the Moon Dome.
📍 Space Place, 40 Salamanca Rd, Kelburn | 🕖 7:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ $25 | All ages

🎺 Niko Ne Zna Live
High-energy Balkan brass with infectious rhythms and soaring vocals at Vogelmorn Hall.
📍 Vogelmorn Hall, 11 Vennell St, Brooklyn | 🕕 6:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ Tickets via Humanitix | All ages

📚 Bookmark Kāpiti: Book & Story Festival
Kāpiti’s first-ever book festival with workshops, talks, and performances across the district for all ages.
📍 Kapiti District, Paraparaumu | 🕤 Sat & Sun 9:30am–5:00pm | 🎟️ From $0 (koha) | All ages

🚴‍♂️ Porirua Pump Track Opening
Join the opening ceremony with blessings, speeches, raffles, and community cycling info.
📍 Postgate Park, 27 Postgate Dr, Whitby, Porirua | 🕙 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🎸 Retro Pack – The Fabulous 50s Show!
Celebrate ’50s rock’n’roll classics with live vocals, sax, guitar, and drums in a high-energy throwback.
📍 Kapiti Playhouse, 7 Ruahine St, Paraparaumu | 🕢 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $43.30 | All ages

🎶 Sheree Freeman & Special Guests!
Soulful grooves and powerhouse vocals in a fundraiser supporting NZ’s Tiaki Freeman at the World Powerlifting Champs.
📍 Abandoned Taproom Petone, 38 Fitzherbert St, Petone | 🕗 8:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | RP18

🥁 Full Moon Drumming
Gather by the fire for a magical night of rhythm, dance, and community under the full moon – no alcohol, no rubbish, just good vibes.
📍 Princess Bay, Wellington | 🕠 5:30pm–2am | 🎟️ Free | All ages | Weather permitting | BYO drum, warm gear & koha firewood

🎻 Classical on Cuba 2025
Classical music with a twist – award-winning performers blend visuals, rock covers, and chill-hop across Cuba Quarter venues.
📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett St | 🕙 Sat 9 Aug 10:00am–11:00pm, Sun 10 Aug 10:00am–8:00pm | 🎟️ $10 door sales | All ages

🎤 Homegrown Road Trip Tour – Wellington Show
Top Kiwi artists Hori Shaw, Shane Walker & Te Wehi unite for an epic homegrown tour.
📍 The Grand, 69 Courtenay Pl, Te Aro | 🕗 8:00pm | 🎟️ Check website

♻️ Echo Tech NZ Electronics Recycling Drive-Thru
Drop off unwanted electronics for recycling with convenient staff unloading at Hutt Intermediate.
📍 Hutt Intermediate School, 7 Kauri St, Lower Hutt | 🕘 9:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🎮 Epic Video Game & Anime Music Night
Enjoy iconic soundtracks from Zelda, Studio Ghibli, Mario & more with cosplay encouraged!
📍 Aotea College, Okowai Rd, Aotea | 🕖 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $16.81–22.20 | All ages

Sunday 10 August:

🛍️ The Pines Market
Winter market with stunning coastal views, local art, plants, crafts, and unique treasures in Houghton Bay.
📍 The Pines, 50 The Esplanade, Houghton Bay | 🕙 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All ages

🎷 Sunday Jazz
Swinging ’40s and ’50s jazz tunes in a cozy bohemian setting with The Undercurrent All-Stars.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕞 3:30pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ $16.20 | All ages

🎶 Pataka Friends Winter Music Series
Sunday afternoons filled with Celtic, folk, pop, and student performances – free and welcoming to all.
📍 PATAKA Art + Museum, Cnr Parumoana & Norrie St, Porirua | 🕑 2:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | All ages

🚀 Sci-Fi Sundays: 2025
Watch cult sci-fi classic Signs on the planetarium screen with popcorn and star talks.
📍 Space Place, 40 Salamanca Rd, Kelburn | 🕕 6:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ $25 | All ages

🎭 Wellington Opera’s A Masked Ball / Un Ballo in Maschera
Verdi’s dramatic opera with a fresh take on love and fate, performed by Aotearoa’s top stars.
📍 The Opera House, 111-113 Manners St | 🕢 2:30pm–5:30pm | 🎟️ $20–$190 | All ages

🎷 Zanzibar Jazz Ensemble (Rodger Fox Jazz Ensemble) with Erna Ferry
A joyful jazz celebration led by Erna Ferry with musicians from the late Rodger Fox’s ensemble.
📍 St Peters Village Hall, Cnr Beach Rd & Ames St, Paekākāriki | 🕝 2:30pm–4:15pm | 🎟️ $15–35 | All ages

☀️ Home Care with Natural Remedies – 9:30am–12:30pm (includes morning tea)
👶 Children’s Care with Natural Remedies – 1:15pm–4:15pm (includes afternoon tea)
📍 Paekākāriki | 🎟️ $75 each | 🔗 Register here

📚 Author Alley
Meet local authors and creatives at this book-lovers market inside Big Mac Slabs Creative Centre.
📍 289 Mazengarb Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕙 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🎷 Swing Jazz Jam
Toe-tapping open jam night with piano, guitar, bass, and drums—musicians and listeners welcome.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕠 5:30pm | 🎟️ Koha | All ages

🎸 Love and Tax
Bob Dylan tribute by The Zimmermans and Lake South supporting Better Taxes for a Better Future.
📍 MEOW, 9 Edward St | 🕖 7:00pm | 🎟️ $20–50 | All ages, licensed

🛍️ The Waikanae Beach Indoor Market
Community market with handmade crafts, local art, plants, books, and fun for the whole family.
📍 Waikanae Beach Community Hall, 22a Rauparaha St | 🕙 10:00am–1:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | All ages

🎤 Maddy Low: Dragons – Single Release Show
Rising indie star Maddy Low celebrates her new single with an intimate acoustic set.
📍 Underworld Tavern, 13 Pirie St | 🕟 4:30pm–6:30pm | 🎟️ $15 | All ages

🌦️ Welly Weather Watch

🌦️ Friday: A few showers with strong northerlies. High 14°C, low 5°C
🌦️ Saturday: A few showers. Strong southerlies. High 9°C, low 5°C
🌧 Sunday: Occasional rain, clearing. Strong southerlies, easing. High 9°C, low 6°C

💕 Extra Sprinkles – Big Brothers Big Sisters Wellington

Big Brothers Big Sisters Wellington matches caring adult volunteers with tamariki aged 6–12 for mentoring friendships. Their supportive relationships help kids build confidence, skills, and brighter futures. The organisation is seeking more volunteers to become “Bigs” and make a meaningful difference.

That’s your weekend wrapped Wellington! Whether you’re moon dancing, book hunting, or burger devouring - have a brilliant one. Stay dry, stay warm, and most importantly, stay buzzing. 🐝

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve

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