🐝 WellyBuzz: Taco Fests, Rock Tributes & 60+ events!

👋 Kia ora Wellington!
From taco fiestas and Taylor Swift tributes to salsa balls, coastal markets, and a wedding expo - this weekend’s all about culture, kai, and connection. Whether you’re dancing till 1am or fossicking through books and handmade crafts, there’s plenty happening across the capital.

💡 Into science, start-ups, or shaping a more connected Wellington? Check out WellyForge - a newsletter bringing together innovation, community, and big ideas. Worth a read (and a subscribe!).

Let’s get buzzing! 🐝

🔥 Quick Picks This Weekend

🌮 Miramar Tacover at Double Vision Brewing - Celebrate Mexican flavours with tacos, mariachi, and a family-friendly vibe in Miramar.
💃 Wellington Salsa Ball - Latin beats, live band, and 4+ hours of dancing at Harbourside’s midwinter fiesta.
🍽️ Visa Wellington On a Plate Launch - Month-long food festival kicks off with events across the city
🎉 Vogelmadness - Celebrate 10 years of community magic with food, music, and surprises at Vogelmorn Precinct.
🏉 Wellington Lions vs Canterbury - The NPC kicks off with this classic clash in Porirua with family fun, giveaways, and free entry for kids.
🎤 Forever & Always: A Celebration of Taylor - Swifties unite at San Fran for the ultimate Taylor Swift dance night
🌟 Salmonella Dub SoundSystem - Epic dub journey with Whirimako Black at Meow

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🐾 Pet of the Week – Meet Matilda, a fluffy film buff who loves bush walks and action flicks
🕰️ Welly's Time Machine – Olivier & Leigh wow Wellington in 1948 with a flying theatre tour.
🌟 Local Legends – Cuba Mall’s beloved indie bookstore celebrates rare finds and literary gems
🍽️ Food & Drink – Newtown’s sunny new café serves up soulful sandwiches and sweet treats
🎉 Events – 60+ amazing things happening across Wellington this weekend
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – Winter showers giving way to clearer skies
💝 Extra Sprinkles – Kiwi Community Assistance rescuing surplus food for those in need

🐾 Pet of the Week – Meet Matilda McLean 🐾✨

Meet Matilda, the majestic floofball who loves action flicks, surveying her garden kingdom, and chatty bush walks with her human, Valerie. With a purrsonality as grand as her coat, Matilda is fluff, grace, and sass rolled into one glorious sidekick.

Got a pet that steals the show? 🐾 Nominate your furry, feathery, or scaly friend for Pet of the Week by emailing a photo and blurb to [email protected]!

🕰️ When Olivier & Leigh Took Centre Stage in Wellington

In 1948, Paraparaumu Airport saw a touch of theatrical royalty. Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh - then the most famous acting couple in the world - landed north of Wellington as part of their whirlwind New Zealand tour with London’s prestigious Old Vic theatre company. Their arrival caused quite the stir, with fans flocking to catch a glimpse.

It was the first time a theatre troupe had toured Aotearoa entirely by air. Five planes carried not just the actors, but every last costume and prop for their acclaimed performance of The School for Scandal.

🎭 Lights, camera, propeller.

🌟 Local Legends – Small Biz Gems to Check Out:

Pegasus Books (Cuba Mall, Te Aro)

A labyrinth of rare, literary, poetry, and philosophical titles tucked inside Left Bank. Staff know their shelves like friends, and each room feels like stepping into another world. A haven for book lovers and curious minds alike. Rated Wellington’s top secondhand and boutique bookstore by local critics including The Spinoff and LitCrawl veterans.

🍽️ Food & Drink – Must-Try Spots This Week

Newday (12 Constable St, Newtown)

Sun-drenched and super welcoming, Newday is Newtown’s new go-to café. Large windows and simple menus - think generous sandwiches and top-shelf cookies - make it perfect for relaxed hangs or sunny solo mornings. They brew with local People’s Coffee and also sell Wellington food goodies to take home.

🎉 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🌟

Thursday 31 July:

🌙 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

Friday 1 August:

🔥 Wellington On A Good Night
Flames, cocktails, and shared plates on the Sky Stadium pitch. A feast under the stars.
📍 Sky Stadium | 🕕 Fri 6pm–Late & Sat 5:30pm–Late | 🎟️ Tickets via iTICKET

🎭 The Sound Inside
A gripping Broadway drama about loneliness, writing, and a life-altering request. Starring Dulcie Smart in her NZ return.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕗 8:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ From $30–$60 | R13

🌙 Friends of Karori Cemetery – Evening Tour
Twilight stories, local legends, and the odd Morepork. Bring a torch!
📍 Karori Cemetery Main Chapel | 🕗 8pm–9:45pm | 🎟️ $10 + fees | Ages 12+ | Limited spots

🎲 Dungeons and Decades: Time Is Just A Number
Time-travel D&D meets 80s chaos in this wild tabletop comedy.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕗 Fri & Sat 6:30pm–8:30pm | 🎟️ From $15–$40 | R13

🎨 Botanical Art Worldwide 2025
Explore New Zealand’s native plant stories through botanical artwork in this global exhibition hosted at the gardens.
📍 Wellington Botanic Gardens | 📅 1 Aug–30 Sep 2025

🎸 Kapiti College Battle of the Bands
Student bands go head-to-head in a night of original tunes, fierce covers, and local talent on full blast.
📍 Te Raukura, 34a Raumati Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕗 6:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $5.12 | All Ages

🎤 Kylie Night
A drag-powered tribute to Kylie Minogue featuring blink-and-you’ll-miss-it glamour, camp classics, and disco sparkle.
📍 Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba St | 🕗 10:00pm | 🎟️ $16.58 | R18

🎶 Winterlude
An intimate night of original music and poetry with Barry Saunders, Caroline Easther, Nikki-Lee Birdsey, and more.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕗 7:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ $28.92 | All Ages

🤣 Friday Laughs at Fringe Bar
A two-hour showcase of top Kiwi comedians, hosted by a rotating MC. New acts every month, guaranteed laughs every time.
📍 Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕗 8:00pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ From $25.81 | R18

🎸 STONE TEMPLE PILOTS / RADIOHEAD / NIRVANA Tribute Show
Christchurch’s Dead Circus leads a triple tribute to 90s rock icons with full-throttle energy and classic hits.
📍 San Fran, Wellington | 🕖 7pm | 🎟️ $38–$48 | All ages (minors with guardian)

🎷 Jazz Orchestra Composer Series: Callum Passells
An explosive jazz suite from one of Auckland’s boldest composers. Three trios. One unforgettable set.
📍 Bedlam & Squalor, 18 Garrett St | 🕖 7:00pm–8:30pm | 🎟️ $15–$20 | R18

🎶 Salmonella Dub Soundsystem
Dub legends return with Rudeboy, Whirimako Black, and dancehall-fuelled horns. Big bass, big energy.
📍 Meow, 9 Edward St | 🕗 8:00pm–11:55pm | 🎟️ From $40 | R18 (U18 with parent OK)

🎸 The Manuelitos
Laid-back folk, blues and soul with Vic Manuel and friends. Music for wine in hand and mellow company.
📍 Thunderbird Café, Featherston St | 🕠 5:30pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🎶 Kpop Party – Friends of Korea x Kick Back Events
Dance to your favourite Kpop hits all night in this high-energy fan celebration with DJs and visuals.
📍 Circus Bar, Te Aro | 🕗 8pm–11pm | 🎟️ R18 | ID required

🕺 Funky Friday Vol. 6 @ Moon
A night of house, disco and bass beats with Not My Sister, Mi Casa Su Casa, and SorchaLula.
📍 Moon, Newtown | 🕘 9:00pm–2:00am | 🎟️ $10 presale / $15 door

🎶 Altared States: Ludus – Ambient Sound at Old St Paul’s
An immersive sonic experience beneath stained glass, blending electronic textures in a sacred setting.
📍 Old St Paul’s, Thorndon | 🕢 7:30pm–8:30pm | 🎟️ Limited tix available

🤸‍♀️ Central Champs 2025 – NZ Gymnastics Showcase
See the best gymnasts from across NZ in three days of flips, flair and family-friendly competition.
📍 39 Randwick Rd, Lower Hutt | 🗓️ Fri–Sun 1–3 Aug | 🎟️ $5 adults, U16s free

Saturday 2 August

🌮 Miramar Tacover at Double Vision Brewing
Taco lovers unite! A vibrant fiesta of Mexican street food, mariachi music, and festive vibes for the whole whānau.
📍 Double Vision Brewing, Miramar | 🕚 11:00am–7:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | Family-friendly

🎷 Boomtown Live at Meow
Get down to funky brass, hip hop rhythms, and horn-driven grooves from Boomtown’s latest EP release.
📍 Meow, 17 Edward St, Te Aro | 🕘 9:00pm–1:00am

🎤 Forever & Always: A Celebration of Taylor
Swifties, assemble! DJs spin Taylor’s biggest hits and deep cuts in a joyous, all-night pop party.
📍 San Fran, Wellington | 🕘 9pm | 🎟️ $16.99–$35 | 18+

🎉 Vogelmadness: 10 Years of Community Magic
10 years of Vogelmorn magic - enjoy workshops, performances, local eats, and surprises all day long.
📍 Vogelmorn Precinct, Brooklyn | 🕛 12:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🌏 Upper Hutt Multicultural Festival
Cultural performances, colour, and local school groups sharing dance and music from across the globe.
📍 Whirinaki Whare Taonga | 🕐 1:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🎨 Toi Tiki Workshop with Shannon Te Rangihaeata Clamp
Create your own tiki face in this hands-on session led by artist Shannon Te Rangihaeata Clamp.
📍 Shed 11 | 🕚 11:30am–1:30pm | 🎟️ $10 unwaged / $20 waged

🏉 Wellington Lions vs Canterbury – Bunnings NPC
Watch the Lions battle Canterbury at Porirua Park. Family fun, club colours, and NPC trophy photos!
📍 Porirua Park | 🕔 2pm | 🎟️ Kids 15 & under FREE

🌺 Cook Islands Constitution 60th Celebration
Join the Cook Islands NZ Society for a vibrant cultural celebration of 60 years of their Constitution!
📍 Cook Islands Society Hall | 🕚 11am–2pm

💃 Wellington Salsa Ball
Join the biggest Latin dance social of the year with live salsa music, DJ beats, and 4+ hours of dancing!
📍 Harbourside Function Venue | 🕗8pm–1am | 🎟️ Tickets available – grab yours now!

🛍️ Plunket Wellington Secondhand Sale
Great chance to buy or sell kids’ gear your tamariki have outgrown. Perfect for stocking up for your whānau!
📍 Johnsonville Community Centre | 🕙 10am–11:30am | 🎟️ Free entry

🧙‍♂️ Harry Potter Quiz Night – Gee Quiz
Magic, trivia, and prizes – grab your wands and your team.
📍 1852 Pub & Kitchen | 🕖 7:00pm | 🎟️ $90 per team of 6

🐾 Walking with Alpacas
Stroll, feed, and snap selfies with cuddly alpacas against the epic Kapiti coast backdrop.
📍 Cantharis Alpacas, Paraparaumu | 🕑 2:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ From $21 | All ages

🎶 InDuna – Go High – EP Release
Afro-Kiwi artist InDuna celebrates resilience and roots with bold beats and joyful energy.
📍 Moon, 167 Riddiford St | 🕗 9:00pm–late | 🎟️ From $16.58 | R18

👑 Caburlesque – Insufferable Crown Wearing
Fierce, funny, and fabulous - burlesque royalty brings sass, sparkle, and a best-dressed comp.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕗 8:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ From $34.05 | R18

🎷 Troy Roberts Quartet
Grammy-nominated saxophonist leads a world-class jazz performance in an intimate Te Aro space.
📍 Bedlam & Squalor | 🕖 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ From $28.30 | All ages licensed

🎸 The Fleetwood Mac Experience
A full-throttle live tribute capturing the drama, harmony, and hits of Fleetwood Mac.
📍 Wairarapa Events Centre, Carterton | 🕖 7:00pm | 🎟️ From $57.50

🛍️ Explore the Stores
Street stalls, live music and retail deals across Martinborough village. One day only!
📍 Martinborough Square | 🕙 10:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All ages

🎺 Bojack Funkman
Funk meets jazz fusion with horns, grooves, and serious rhythm at Rogue & Vagabond.
📍 Rogue and Vagabond | 🕤 9:30pm–11:30pm | 🎟️ Free | R18

🎤 Cantina Comedy
Twelve comics, one mic, and no safety net. Raumati’s rawest and funniest open mic night.
📍 Sunday Cantina, Raumati | 🕖 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $10 | All ages

🎷 1920s Jazz Dance Party
Live swing bands, vintage flair and flapper vibes. Dress up, dance, and BYO.
📍 Aro Valley Community Centre | 🕗 8:00pm–11:30pm | 🎟️ Koha | All ages

🕺 Ceilidh (Celtic Dance)
Traditional Celtic dances taught and called. All welcome - bring a plate and a smile.
📍 Ngaio Union Church | 🕗 7:00pm | 🎟️ Koha | All ages

🎶 Welcome to the Sven’s!
Chamber-pop meets quirky Kiwi storytelling in this Featherston evening of music and charm.
📍 Kiwi Hall, Featherston | 🕗 7:30pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🎤 Kaumātua Kapa Haka Festival
Celebrate elders with kapa haka, choirs, hip hop, art, and community spirit. Starts with pōwhiri.
📍 Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, Paraparaumu | 🕗 8:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🧘 Takurua Hauora: Pocket Shrine Workshop
Create a heartfelt mini shrine as part of this winter wellness workshop. Materials provided.
📍 Wellington Museum, Queens Wharf | 🕑 2:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ $15 | All ages

🛍️ Paekākāriki Market Day
A vibrant coastal market packed with local food, art, crafts, ceramics, books, and beach-town charm.
📍 Paekākāriki, Beach Rd & Ames St | 🕘 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All ages

🧵 Te Aro Zero Waste Just Sew Repair Café
Fix clothes, learn to sew, and take climate action with free tools, guidance, and a friendly vibe.
📍 Sustainability Trust, CBD | 🕐 1:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages | Booking recommended

💍 Wairarapa Wedding Expo 2025
Bridal gowns, local vendors, honeymoon inspo and live entertainment at this charming annual showcase.
📍 Copthorne Solway Park, Masterton | 🕙 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Koha | All ages | Door sales only

🐶 Top Dog Film Festival 2025
Heartwarming shorts about dogs, loyalty, and adventure.
📍 Coco at the Roxy, Miramar | 🕧 12:30pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ $19–$29 | All ages

Sunday 3 August:

🎷 Sunday Jazz at The Undercurrent
Classic 1940s–50s jazz in a cosy setting with complimentary snacks and smooth vibes.
📍 The Undercurrent | 🕡 3:30pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ $16.20 | All ages

🎨 Art/Craft Workshop for Children (5–13yrs)
Creative hands-on fun for tamariki - painting, sculpting and making masterpieces.
📍 Moera Community House | 🕒 3:15pm–4:15pm | 🎟️ $30.30 | Under 12

🎸 Barry Holt in Concert – Classical Guitar Society
Cinematic guitar from Barry Holt in an intimate Cuba Street setting.
📍 Thistle Hall | 🕠 5:45pm–6:30pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🌿 Nature Journaling at the Botanic Garden
Learn to sketch and connect with nature alongside botanical artist Sandra Morris.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden | 🕑 2pm–4pm | 🎟️ $44.30 | All Ages

🤖 Sci-Fi Sundays: Robocop
Cult classic screening with popcorn and an optional live star talk after.
📍 Space Place, Kelburn | 🕕 6pm-8pm | 🎟️ $25 | R17 | Doors open 5:30pm

🎶 Pataka Friends Winter Music Series – Hobnail
Award-winning Celtic-country-folk sounds in a warm Sunday session.
📍 PATAKA Art + Museum | 🕑 2pm–3pm | 🎟️ $5 (Free for Friends) | All ages | Pay at door

🎸 Sunday Jazz – Callum Allardice
Soulful, funky Sunday jazz with some of Wellington’s finest musicians.
📍 Rogue and Vagabond | 🕔 5:00pm–7:00pm | 🎟️ Free entry (koha encouraged) | All ages licensed

🎻 Ghost Trio – Chamber Concert
Beethoven, Shostakovich and more performed by top NZ chamber players.
📍 Waikanae Memorial Hall | 🕝 2:30pm | 🎟️ $10–$50 (door sales only) | All ages

🪐 Low Sensory Hour – Space Place
A gentle, inclusive planetarium session with low lights and sound.
📍 Space Place | 🕙 10:00am–11:00am | 🎟️ Free–$16 | All ages | 1st Sundays

🎷 Sunday Jazz Club – Parrotdog Bar
Smooth sounds and good vibes in this fortnightly jazz session by the sea.
📍 Parrotdog Bar | 🕒 3:00pm–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages | Fortnightly series

🌱 Planting and Track Maintenance – Working Bee
Help restore native bush and tracks at this feel-good Sunday community project.
📍 Manawa Karioi Reserve | 🕐 1:00pm–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages | Weekly in August

🧺 Ōtaki Craft Market
Handmade goods, kai, music, and relaxed market energy.
📍 Ōtaki Market | 🕙 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free | Fortnightly

📚 Fiona Kidman & Tracy Farr – Book Launch
Two celebrated authors launch new novels in this cosy Wairarapa literary event.
📍 Carterton Courthouse | 🕒 3:00pm–4:30pm | 🎟️ Free (koha welcome)

🌦️ Welly Weather Watch

🌧 Friday: A few showers, mainly in the afternoon. Strong southerlies. High 10°C, low 7°C
⛅ Saturday: Partly cloudy. Southerlies developing. High 11°C, low 7°C
⛅ Sunday: Partly cloudy. Southerlies. High 10°C, low 7°C

💕 Extra Sprinkles – Kiwi Community Assistance

Each week, the KCA team turns surplus into support – rescuing food, clothing, and goods for frontline agencies across Wellington. Based in Tawa and run by volunteers, they reduce both waste and hardship. Last month alone, they delivered 2,000 food boxes, 580 non-food parcels, and saved nearly 88,000kg of CO₂.

They’re now seeking warm clothes, blankets, cots, heaters – plus volunteers and generous local businesses to help out.

From tacos to Taylor, it’s a weekend made for exploring. See you out there!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve 🐝