🐝 WellyBuzz: Wellington’s Big Christmas Countdown Weekend

👋 Kia ora, Wellington! This is it - the final full-noise weekend before Christmas, and the city is absolutely stacked. From waterfront markets and festive carols to late-night dance floors, family fairs, pantomimes, Phoenix footy and even solstice celebrations, Wellington is squeezing every last drop out of 2025 before the holidays arrive.

Whether you’re chasing Christmas cheer, summer sunsets, live music, or one last big night out, we’ve rounded up the very best of Friday 19 – Sunday 21 December across the region. Sunscreen recommended… umbrellas optional. 🌞🌦️

Let’s get into it. 🐝

🔥 9 Quick Picks This Weekend

🎄 Kai Tahi Kiwiana Christmas Market (Sat) – Waterfront stalls, great kai and festive family fun in the heart of Porirua.
🎄🎶 Christmas at Te Korōria (Sat) – A relaxed Christmas afternoon with live music, games and a Father Christmas cameo.
🍹 Taste Kāpiti (Sat) – Sip and snack your way through a laid-back food and drink festival at Southward Car Museum.
🎬 Love Actually In Concert (Sat) – The ultimate Christmas rom-com, on the big screen with a full live orchestra.
🛍️ Artisan Craft Market Christmas on the Lawn (Sat) – Local handmade gifts, carols and festive browsing in Riddiford Gardens.
🎄 Titahi Bay Christmas Fair (Sun) – A classic community fair with rides, stalls, food trucks and Christmas buzz.
⚽ Phoenix Double Header Weekend – The Phoenix women vs Sydney FC light up Porirua Park on Saturday with festive Nixmas vibes and 2-for-1 tickets, before the Phoenix men vs Central Coast Mariners clash at the Cake Tin on Sunday in a big A-League showdown.
🎄 Christmas Market at The Pines (Sun) – A seaside Christmas market filled with local makers, treats and festive cheer.
🎄 Christmas Carols Back At Brewtown (Sun) – Big singalongs, food trucks and feel-good Christmas vibes for the whole whānau.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – Sun, sand and sea have drawn Wellingtonians north for over a century!
🌟 Local Legends – The Undercurrent: Tory Street’s bohemian bookshop-by-day, music venue-by-night.
🍽️ Food & Drink – Gibbons Hotel: A brand-new pub bringing fresh life to the historic Hope Gibbons Building.
🎉 Events – From reimagined pantos to beach raves, see below for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday events across the Wellington region.
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – This weekend looks changeable.
💝 Extra Sprinkles – A Wellington-only charity supporting young people.

🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine

🌟 Local Legends – The Undercurrent – 118 Tory Street

Wade into this bohemian underground haven where literature, art, and music collide. By day, The Undercurrent operates as a carefully curated independent bookshop. By night, the space regularly transforms into an intimate performance venue, hosting live jazz, poetry readings, and eclectic music events. We visited for the first time last week as part of a Wellyforge meet-up and instantly got why people love it - with its vintage aesthetic and unmistakable “undercurrent” energy, this Tory Street gem is a gathering place for Wellington’s creative souls to browse, listen, and linger.

🍽️ Food & Drink – Gibbons Hotel - 52 Taranaki St

Gibbons Hotel has reopened as a newly revitalised, new-generation Kiwi gastro pub in the historic Hope Gibbons Building, following an extensive renovation of the former Jack Hackett’s site. Blending heritage character with lively, contemporary energy, it’s designed for everything from long lunches and after-work drinks to late-night kick-ons.

• The Vibe: A relaxed yet polished social hub with timber panelling, warm lighting, sports screens, and a strong focus on elevated takes on classic Kiwi pub fare.
• Worth Trying: The wagyu beef burger and refined pub snacks, best enjoyed with a cold pint while catching the game.

🚢 Cruise Ship Arrivals at the Waterfront

It’s cruise season in Wellington - time to welcome visitors (and plan your waterfront strolls accordingly!).

✨ Sponsored by ViewFromTheRoom.com
See the view before you book the room.

🎉 Events: What's On This Weekend

Friday 19 December:

🎭 Robin Hood – The Pantomime
A cheeky, high-energy pantomime packed with sword fights, archery, big dance numbers and plenty of laughs as Robin takes on the Evil Sheriff.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕗 6:30 pm–8:30 pm | 🎟️ $25–$60 | 🎟 All Ages

🎭 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
A fast, funny and family-friendly take on the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic, performed with a live band in the intimate Gryphon Theatre.
📍 Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee St | 🕗 7:30 pm–8:40 pm | 🎟️ $23–$34 | 🎟 All Ages

🎧 Skeleton Clique: Twenty One Pilots Appreciation Night
A massive late night dance party celebrating Twenty One Pilots with DJs spinning all eras plus emo and pop punk anthems till late.
📍 San Fran, 171 Cuba St | 🕘 Doors 9:00 pm | 💰 $21.62 | 🔞 R18

🤣 Dan Boerman – Work In Progress
Fresh from London and the Edinburgh Fringe, Dan Boerman tests sharp new stand-up in an intimate one-hour set - catch him before he heads back to the UK.
📍 The Cavern Club, 22 Allen St | 🕕 6:00 pm–7:00 pm | 🎟️ $14 | 🎟 R18

⛳ Free Christmas Mini Golf at Johnsonville
A fun, festive mini golf course popping up inside Johnsonville Shopping Centre, perfect for families, kids and anyone keen on a lighthearted holiday challenge.
📍 Johnsonville Shopping Centre, Shop 31 Food Court Entrance | 🕙 10:00 am–4:00 pm | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎾 Sip & Serve for 2025
A relaxed, social tennis evening with drinks, laughs and zero pressure, perfect for beginners, regulars or anyone keen for a fun Friday hit.
📍 Newlands Paparangi Tennis Club, 26 Black Rock Road | 🕕 6:00 pm | 💰 $5 members, $10 non members | 👥 All abilities welcome

🎧 Ghost Media Xmas Party
A heavy end of year club night with UK headliner Phasmid, stacked local DJs and a full Banshee soundsystem bringing dark, high energy electronic heat.
📍 Moon Bar, Newtown | 🕘 From 9pm | 💰 $27 | 🔞 R18

👻🔥 Sexy Ghost of Xmas Boy
A wildly unhinged, interactive Christmas spin-off blending clown, burlesque and wordless comedy - chaotic, cheeky and very much not your standard festive fare.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕢 7:30 pm–8:30 pm | 🎟️ $20–$40 | 🎟 R18

🤣🎄 NZ Comedy School Holiday Extravaganza
A year-end comedy blowout featuring NZ Comedy School grads and special guests, with roasts, awards, surprises - then drinks and karaoke to finish it off.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕢 7:30 pm–9:30 pm | 🎟️ $16–$23 | 🎟 R18

🎧🕺 Beats Party Night with DJ Reyneil
Kick off the festive season with groovy house, nu-disco and high-energy beats as DJ Reyneil brings the dancefloor vibes to Raumati.
📍 Sunday Cantina, 31 Poplar Ave, Raumati South | 🕗 8:00 pm–11:00 pm | 🎟️ $15 | 🎟 R18

🪄🎄 The Pantoloons: A Spell Before Christmas
A laugh-filled, family-friendly pantomime where festive magic goes wrong in Santa’s workshop - packed with songs, silliness and a post-show photo with Santa.
📍 Wairarapa Events Centre, Holloway St, Carterton | 🕐 1:00 pm | 🎟️ $17 | 🎟 All Ages

🎄✨ Friday Night Christmas Market
A relaxed festive market set among Luna Estate’s gardens, with local stalls, live music and the perfect excuse for last-minute Christmas shopping as the sun goes down.
📍 Luna Estate, Puruatanga Rd, Martinborough | 🕓 4:00 pm–8:00 pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | 🎟 All Ages

🚀🎧 Cantrips – Friday Launchpad
Ease into the weekend with an early-evening DJ set as Cantrips takes you on a cosmic journey through house, balearic and left-field grooves - plus happy hour to match.
📍 Moon, 167 Riddiford St | 🕕 6:00 pm–8:00 pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | 🎟 All Ages Licensed

🎸🔥 Libbianski – EP Release Show (with Wince & Cold Ceiling)
A heavy, immersive night of shoegaze, post-metal and grunge as Libbianski launch their new EP alongside the dissonant grooves of Wince and Cold Ceiling.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian St | 🕢 7:30 pm | 🎟️ Tickets via weblink | 🎟 R18

🎶🌿 Friday Garden Sessions with Mike Dr Blue
Settle into the weekend with laid-back live grooves from Mike Dr Blue in The Tasting Room’s beer garden - easy listening, relaxed vibes and a perfect post-work wind-down.
📍 The Tasting Room, 2 Courtenay Place | 🕔 5:00 pm–6:30 pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | 🎟 All Ages

Saturday 20 December

🎄 Kai Tahi Kiwiana Christmas Market
A festive waterfront market packed with local crafts, great kai, family games and Christmas cheer in the heart of Porirua.
📍 Kai Tahi, 20 Parumoana St, Porirua | 🕙 10:00am–3:00pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟 All Ages

⚽🎄 Wellington Phoenix Women vs Sydney FC – Nixmas at Porirua Park
A festive football afternoon with free kids’ activities, Santa and the Grinch appearances, plus a big Nixmas atmosphere as the Phoenix take on Sydney FC.
📍 Porirua Park | 🕓 4:00 pm | 💰 Buy one, get one free tickets | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

💜🌿 Lavender Magic Flower Farm – Pick Your Own Lavender
Wander fragrant rows of lavender beneath the Tararua foothills, snap dreamy summer photos and pick your own blooms to take home and dry.
📍 Lavender Magic, 61 Blakes Rd, Mt Holdsworth (Carterton) | 🕙 10:00 am–3:00 pm | 🎟️ $5.12 entry | 🎟 All Ages

🎄🎶 Christmas at Te Korōria
A relaxed, family-friendly Christmas afternoon with live festive music, outdoor games, a bouncy castle for little ones and a chance to meet Father Christmas.
📍 Te Korōria, 170 Karori Rd | 🕑 2:00 pm–4:00 pm | 🎟️ Free | 🎟 All Ages

🍸 White Christmas Cocktail Soirée
A chic, dressed-up Christmas soirée with cocktails, DJs, live music and candlelit vibes for one last stylish night out before the holidays.
📍 Whisky & Wood, 60 Cambridge Tce | 🕖 7:30–11:00pm | 🎟 From $69 | 🔞 R18

🥕☕ Crop Up Greytown
A friendly, zero-waste Saturday morning market with ultra-fresh local produce, coffee, flowers and small-batch goodies - all about crops, caffeine and community.
📍 Truckstop Greytown, 102 Main St | 🕘 9:00 am–11:00 am | 🎟️ Free | 🎟 All Ages

🧺🌳 Wairarapa Farmers’ Market
A vibrant Saturday market under the redwoods with artisan food, fresh local produce, live music and plenty of picnic-table grazing.
📍 Solway Showgrounds, Judds Rd, Masterton | 🕘 9:00 am–1:00 pm | 🎟️ Free | 🎟 All Ages

🔭✨ Telescope Mastery
A hands-on astronomy workshop where you’ll learn how to use, maintain and get the most out of a telescope - led by a resident astrophysicist in a stunning rural setting.
📍 Star Safari Observatory, 1169 Ponatahi Rd, Carterton | 🕚 11:00 am–2:30 pm | 🎟️ $150 | 🎟 All Ages

🌌💜 Martinborough Lavender Sky Experience – Exclusive
A magical after-dark experience combining lavender picking at sunset with guided stargazing under the Milky Way - intimate, atmospheric and strictly limited spots.
📍 Ranui Essentials, 284c Dry River Rd, Martinborough | 🕘 9:00 pm–11:00 pm | 🎟️ $55–$85 | 🎟 All Ages

🎧 Basstopia
A high-energy late-night party serving heavy bass, multi-genre electronic sounds and immersive visuals at one of Cuba Street’s coolest venues.
📍 Loosies Superette, 133 Cuba St | 🕘 9:00pm–2:00am | 💰 $22.50 to $30 | 🔞 R18

♻️ E-Waste Recycling Drop-Off Day
Clear out your old electronics at this easy drive-thru recycling day, with staff on hand to unload and donations supporting Variety Children’s Charity.
📍 Upper Hutt College | 🕘 9:00am–3:00pm | 💰 Free for most items (some charges apply)

😂🎄 The Wellington Comedy Club with Ben Hurley & Friends
A festive comedy blowout headlined by Ben Hurley, with a stacked lineup of Wellington favourites delivering sharp jokes and big laughs.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕗 8:00 pm–9:30 pm | 🎟️ $39–$49 | 🎟 R18

🎄 Naenae Christmas End of Year Block Party
A big, feel-good community celebration with live music, inflatables, face painting, food stalls and family-friendly fun all day long.
📍 8 Hillary Ct, Naenae | 🕘 9:00am–2:00pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟 All Ages

💄🎄 Slay Bells – A Christmas Drag Show
A high-camp Christmas drag spectacular packed with fierce performances, festive glamour and plenty of holiday sass.
📍 Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba St | 🕤 9:30 pm–1:00 am | 🎟️ $23 (pay what you can) | 🎟 R18

🎶🎄 Christmas Concert
A free, family-friendly Christmas concert featuring live music, carols and uplifting stories, wrapped in a warm community atmosphere.
📍 The Potter’s House Christian Church, 28 Warspite Ave, Porirua | 🕕 6:00 pm–7:00 pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎶 Peanut Slab
A high-energy live band night serving up crowd-pleasing covers across reggae, rock, pop and disco - expect packed dance floors and feel-good party vibes.
📍 Ōtaki RSA, 9 Raukawa St | 🕖 7:00 pm–11:00 pm | 🎟️ $23 | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages Licensed

🍷 Taste Kāpiti
A relaxed summer food and drink festival celebrating local producers, food trucks and live music in a scenic waterfront setting.
📍 Southward Car Museum, Paraparaumu | 🕛 12pm–5pm | 💰 Tickets from $32 | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

😂 Work in Progress Laughs!
A fast, loose hour of stand-up where Wellington comedians test fresh material - some comedy gold, some glorious chaos, all part of the fun.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕡 6:30 pm–7:30 pm | 🎟️ $10–$23 | 🔞 R18

🎬 Love Actually In Concert
A festive cinema-meets-concert experience as Love Actually plays on the big screen with its iconic soundtrack performed live by a full orchestra.
📍 Michael Fowler Centre | 🕞 3:30 pm | 🎟️ From $109 | 🔞 R15

🛍️ Artisan Craft Market Christmas on the Lawn
Browse beautiful handmade goods from local artisans while enjoying Christmas carols, food trucks and a relaxed festive atmosphere in the heart of Lower Hutt.
📍 Riddiford Gardens, Laings Rd, Lower Hutt | 🕝 2:30 pm–6:30 pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎸 Crying Clubs Annual Xmas Show Numba V
A loud, chaotic Christmas shindig celebrating Kiwi holiday screamo with Crying Club, Deathtrippa, Western Haikus and Dave and the Dirty Humans.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian St | 🕖 7:00 pm | 🎟️ $10 + booking fee | 🔞 R18

🌹 Heritage Roses and Companion Plants Guided Walk
A relaxed one-hour guided walk exploring the history, beauty and role of heritage roses and their companion plants in Wellington’s colonial gardens.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | 🕜 1:30 pm–2:30 pm | 🎟️ $5 cash only | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

Sunday 21 December

🎄 Titahi Bay Christmas Fair
A classic community Christmas fair with 160+ stalls, kids rides, live entertainment and a huge lineup of food trucks, supporting Wellington Free Ambulance.
📍 Kura Street Park, 6 Kura St, Titahi Bay | 🕙 10am–3pm | 💰 Gold coin donation | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

⚽ Wellington Phoenix Men vs Central Coast Mariners
The Nix are back at Sky Stadium for a big Sunday afternoon clash as they take on the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.
📍 Sky Stadium | 🕒 3:00pm | 💰 From $35 | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🎄 Community Christmas Sunday Sesh
A relaxed, family friendly Christmas afternoon with free food, live music, Santa photos and over $2,000 in giveaways.
📍 1841 Bar & Restaurant, 1 Disraeli St, Johnsonville | 🕒 3–6pm | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🎷 Sunday Jazz
Ease into Sunday afternoon with smooth, swinging jazz classics from the 1940s and 50s in the cosy, book-lined atmosphere of The Undercurrent.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕞 3:30 pm | 🎟️ $16 | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🌞 Summer Solstice
Mark the longest day of the year at Stonehenge Aotearoa with sunset rituals, star stories, music and guided stargazing as the night sky slowly comes alive.
📍 Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton | 🕢 7:30 pm | 🎟️ $5–$34 | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎄 A Spell Before Christmas
A playful, laugh-filled pantomime where a mischievous elf unleashes festive chaos in Santa’s workshop, packed with songs, silliness and Christmas magic for the whole family.
📍 Little Theatre, 2 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt | 🕚 11:00 am or 1:00 pm | 🎟️ $18 | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎄 Ōtaki Christmas Market
A relaxed, family-friendly Christmas market packed with local stalls, festive finds, great kai and a free photo with Santa, perfect for last-minute gifting and soaking up holiday vibes.
📍 Ōtaki Market, 58 Main Highway | 🕙 10:00 am–2:00 pm | 🎟️ Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎄 Christmas Market at The Pines
A festive seaside market filled with local makers, Christmas gifts, sweet treats, festive drinks and plenty of holiday cheer in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
📍 The Pines, 50 The Esplanade, Houghton Bay | 🕐 1:00 pm–6:00 pm | 🎟️ Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎄 Christmas Carols 2025 – Back At Brewtown!
A big, joyful afternoon of Christmas carols with Nick Tansley and his Christmas Caravan, plus festive vibes, food trucks and a possible Santa sighting for the whole whānau.
📍 Brewtown, 27 Blenheim St, Upper Hutt | 🕐 2:00 pm–4:00 pm | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎷 Sunday Jazz Club
Wind down the weekend with smooth live jazz at Parrotdog Bar, featuring rotating local musicians and an easygoing Sunday afternoon vibe.
📍 Parrotdog Bar, 60-66 Kingsford Smith St | 🕒 3:00 pm | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages

🎄 Christmas Pop-Up
A festive pop up shopping day with exclusive discounts, gifts with purchase and a chance to win a big Christmas hamper from local sports and lifestyle brands.
📍 68 Emerald Hill Drive, Birchville | 🕙 10am–3pm | 💰 Free entry | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🏃 The Honest 10 Fun Run
A friendly, fast-paced 5km or 10km run along the Wellington waterfront that’s perfect for a pre-Christmas sweat.
📍 Freyberg Pool, Oriental Bay | 🕙 From 8:30am | 💰$10 for 10km, $5 for 5km | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🌦️ Welly Weather Watch

🌧 Friday: Mostly cloudy with a few showers developing in the morning. high 19°C, low 10°C.
🌦️ Saturday: A few showers, clearing in the evening. high 15°C, low 9°C.
🌦️ Sunday: Mainly fine, but a few showers in the morning. high 16°C, low 10°C.

💝 Extra Sprinkles – Charity of the Week: Evolve Youth Service (Wellington)

A one-stop hub providing free counselling, healthcare and social support to 10–24-year-olds in Wellington. Their team helps at-risk youth with everything from mental health to housing. Super-local and super-important – learn more at evolveyouth.org.nz.

Enjoy the lavender, scream for the Phoenix, and we’ll catch you on the flip side for the Christmas edition!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve

🎁 P.S. If Christmas gifting is still on your to-do list - and you’d rather not brave the malls - our BuzzBox is a zero-effort win. Order online in minutes, we pack it with the best of Wellington, and it arrives gift-ready before Christmas.
👉 Grab a BuzzBox here