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- π Bed by 10, Dark Sky Experience & a Free Symphony
π Bed by 10, Dark Sky Experience & a Free Symphony
Stacked stages, free stargazing on the KaΜpiti coast, a 30+ dance party home by 10, a Polish-hall noise fest plus 60+ ways to fill the weekend π
Kirstie and Steve
May 21, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
Bed by 10, Dark Sky Experience & a FREE Symphony
Stacked stages, free stargazing on the KΔpiti coast, a 30+ dance party home by 10, a Polish-hall noise fest + 60+ ways to fill the weekend π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! π
What a weekend - Marlon Williams pre-sabbatical, Eddie Izzard at the Michael Fowler Centre, Tommy Emmanuel at the Opera House, Hollie Smith with Orchestra Wellington at a FREE Symphony in the Hutt. Plus comedy fest, KΔpiti stargazing and a Polish-hall noise fest. Get buzzing! π
π₯ Quick Picks
π» Symphony in the Hutt with Hollie Smith (Fri) - FREE Orchestra Wellington gig at Walter Nash Centre - arrive early!
πΈ Tommy Emmanuel - Living in the Light (Fri) - Australian fingerstyle legend at the Opera House with Mike Dawes.
πΌ NZSO: Titan (Fri) - Mahler's mighty Symphony No. 1 plus a James Ehnes violin showcase at the Michael Fowler Centre.
π€ Marlon Williams - TΔ te Manawa (Sat) - A heartfelt send-off with the Yarra Benders before his sabbatical.
π Hurricanes v Highlanders (Sat) - The Canes' last regular-season match at Hnry Stadium - Super Kids Round.
πͺ© Bed By 10 - Over 30s Clubbing (Sat) - 80s/90s/2000s anthems for ravers who want to be home by 10pm.
π Dark Sky Experience (Sat) - FREE tram ride + telescopes + marshmallows at Queen Elizabeth Park (booking essential).
πΈ Rock Tenors - Anthems Reloaded (Sat) - Five top kiwi voices belt Queen, Bon Jovi & AC/DC at the Opera House.
π Eddie Izzard - The Remix Tour (Sun) - 35 years of stand-up favourites in one show at the Michael Fowler Centre.
π² Bike Day Out - Bicycle Picnic (Sun) - FREE relaxed bays bike cruise with Bicycle Junction - dog-friendly, BBQ finish.
π°οΈ Welly's Time Machine
π· Whites Aviation / Alexander Turnbull Library, via West Coast NZ History - view source
In March 1911 Wellington photographer Arthur Schaef coaxed his home-built monoplane "Schaef's New Zealand Vogel" 15 feet into the air over Lyall Bay - the first Wellington flight. He later built a second amphibious plane at Evans Bay before a lit match ended his flying career.
π½οΈ Food & Drink
Superfina has taken over the iconic old Fidel's spot at 232 Cuba Street - and we've been keen to see what they'd do with the space.
It's a proper neighbourhood eatery: relaxed, welcoming and made for lingering. Big windows onto Cuba Street, plenty of seating, and a menu built around honest fresh ingredients.
Filling Fidel's shoes was never going to be easy, but Superfina is bringing its own personality.
Find them at 232 Cuba Street, Te Aro. superfina.co.nz
π΄ Local Gem - Littleriver Equestrian
Got a horse-mad kid (or adult)? This one's for you.
Littleriver Equestrian is a Wainuiomata riding school focused on growing kind, confident riders - they run year-round lessons, holiday programmes, camps and more, for everyone from total beginners to riders with their own horses.
The whanau-friendly vibe shines through their socials - riders learn the full picture of horsemanship, not just how to stay in the saddle. Check them out at littleriverequestrian.com or on Facebook and Instagram.
π Events - What's On This Weekend
π
Friday 22 May
Orchestra Wellington's biggest community gig, FREE. Hollie Smith, Signature Choir, Arohanui Strings+. Arrive early!
π Walter Nash Centre, 20 Taine Street, Taita, Lower Hutt | π Fri 7:00pm | π° FREE | π All ages
One of the best acoustic guitarists in the world brings his jaw-dropping fingerstyle to the Opera House with Mike Dawes.
π The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8:00pm | π° From $103.35 incl. fees | π All ages
πΌ NZSO: Titan
Thomas Ades' Origin of the Harp (NZ premiere), Korngold's Violin Concerto with James Ehnes + Mahler's epic Symphony No. 1.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π‘ Fri 6:30pm | π° From $31 | π All ages
Hilarious new musical from the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt's Creek - what if Juliet got her own happy ending? Packed with Max Martin pop hits. Also Sat 2pm + 7:30pm, Sun 2pm.
π St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° From $85.86 (incl. fees)
North Carolina noise-makers Wednesday tour their sixth album - blown-out distortion + country slide guitar from Karly Hartzman.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8:00pm | π° $65 | π R18
π Stamptown
Zach Zucker hosts 90 minutes of raunchy, chaotic alternative comedy. NZ International Comedy Festival.
π Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | π Fri 8:00pm | π° $45 / $40 conc. | π R16
Local stand-up Oliver Pol's chaotic quest to tame overthinking by leaning into silliness - plus a dive into the mind of the humble goose. NZ Comedy Festival.
π BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° $25 (+ booking fee) | π R13
Billy T nominee Gabby Anderson on apologising to mannequins and learning to please herself in her thirties.
π BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π’ Fri 7:45pm | π° $30 | π R15
Hastings-born, Welly-based comic brings one-liners, storytelling and left-field surrealism. Won Wellington's Last Comic Standing month one.
π The Cavern Club, 22 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Fri 9:15pm | π° $24 / $20 conc. | π All ages
Dublin-born Donal Gunning brings his Don't Give a Buck tour with the full band - NZ Music Month-approved.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8:00pm | π° $15 | π R18
One of Aotearoa's premier comedians - audiences pick the topics, so it's different every night. Limited tickets.
π KΔpiti Playhouse, 7 Ruahine Street, Paraparaumu | π Fri 7:00pm | π° $43.28 (incl. fees) | π R18
Fresh line-up every show - local legends, international drop-ins and rising comics on the Hutt's doorstep.
π Abandoned Taproom Petone, 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, Lower Hutt | π Fri 7:00pm | π° $28 / $25 conc. | π R18
Boiler-room style house, techno, disco & bass with three of Welly's underground favourites. Get there early.
π Moon, 167 Riddiford Street, Newtown | π£ Fri 8:30pm | π° $15 GA / $20 door (early bird sold out) | π R18
π Welly Night Market
Night market - street food trucks, local creatives, central-city vibe.
π Welly Night Market, 45A Abel Smith Street, Te Aro | π Fri 5:00pm-11:00pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
π
Saturday 23 May
Marlon and the Yarra Benders play Wellington before his sabbatical - a heartfelt see-you-soon. Second show added Fri 29 May.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:00pm | π° From $112.04 restricted view | π All ages
The Canes' last regular-season match - Super Kids Round with junior bands, circus, food trucks + half-time show. Gates 5:30pm.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Sat 7:05pm | π° $10-$60 | π All ages
Family-run Wairarapa orchard with a picnic meadow - bring your own bucket, basket or bag. Short walk from Greytown's Main Street.
π Molewood Orchard, 17 Mole Street, Greytown | π Sat 9:00am-4:00pm | π° Free entry (pay per kg picked) | π All ages
π Dark Sky Experience
Greater Wellington + Astronomical Society + Tramway Museum team up - historic night tram ride, telescope views, marshmallow toasting and hot drinks. FREE but book ahead.
π Queen Elizabeth Park, Mackay's Crossing (State Highway 1), Raumati | π‘ Sat 6:15pm or 7:45pm sessions | π° FREE (book ahead) | π All ages
Five of Aotearoa's finest male vocalists belt anthems from Queen, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Iron Maiden and U2 - backed by a live rock band.
π The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | π’ Sat 7:30pm | π° $84.50-$89.50 | π All ages
π» NZTrio: Dreamscape
Amalia Hall, Matthias Balzat & pianist Jian Liu play Panufnik, Schumann, Claire Cowan & Charles Ives. "A national treasure" - NZ Herald.
π Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington Central | π Sat 7:00pm | π° $64.80 GA / $34.05 student (incl. fees) | π All ages
First time in NZ - Argentine piano + bandoneΓ³n duo bring Astor Piazzolla's revolutionary tango (jazz + classical) to St Mary's after their Australian tour.
π St Mary's College Hall (Gabriel Hall), 15 Guildford Terrace, Thorndon | π Sat 8:00pm-9:00pm | π° $35 | π All ages
π¬οΈ Supertonic: Southerly Love
A 50-voice choir and poet Hinemoana Baker conjure poetry and music for stormy weather in the glorious Cathedral acoustics.
π Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon | π’ Sat 7:30pm | π° $40 / $30 conc. (+ fees) | π All ages
Sri Lankan Dance Academy + High Commission of Sri Lanka - dance & drumming where tradition meets contemporary. Runs Sat & Sun.
π Little Theatre, 2 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt | π Sat 5:00pm-7:30pm | π° $30-$75 | π All ages
Footnote NZ Dance returns with their acclaimed work - six influencers collide on fame, consumerism & digital obsession. "Breathtaking" - The Post.
π Circa Theatre (Circa One), 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:00pm | π° $25-$60 | π All ages
Opening night of Jamie McCaskill's new play - women whose lives intersect at a moment of change. Contains domestic/sexual violence references.
π Circa Theatre (Circa Two), 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π’ Sat 7:30pm | π° $25-$60 | π All ages
Real-life married comedy couple bring fast-paced stand-up and sketch about co-piloting life with your partner. Mo's a 2025 Best Newcomer winner.
π BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π Sat 8:00pm | π° $28 / $25 conc. | π M
Welly's finest sound, pop and noise take over the Polish hall - visuals by Lady Lazer Light, special set from Auckland's θ±ζΊͺ Flowerstream.
π Dom Polski Hall, 257 Riddiford Street, Newtown | π Sat 6:00pm-midnight | π° $35 / $45 +donation (+BF, early bird sold out) | π All ages
A dance for ravers over 30 who want to be home by 10pm. Confetti, CO2 cannons + 80s/90s/2000s classics - new date.
π Eva Wellington, 35 Dixon Street, Te Aro | π Sat 4:00pm-9:00pm | π° Refer to event link | π 30+
A safe, supervised under-18 gig with four of PΕneke's best upcoming young bands - Juna, Lux, Crashout and Rubberband. Substance-free. No door sales.
π Te KΕhure, Massey Block 1, Wallace Street, Mount Cook | π Sat 7:00pm | π° $10 (pre-sale only) | π Ages 13-18 only
Kokiri Marae's pΔtaka hits the catwalk - fundraiser to keep the food van and kai flowing.
π Wainuiomata Rugby Football Club, 2 Moohan Street, Wainuiomata | π Sat 6:00pm | π° Refer to event link | π All ages
π€Ή Kids Disco
Face painting, colouring, circus fun and goodie bags for the under-7s. Free parking - easy family outing.
π The Circus Hub, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown | π Sat 2:30pm-4:00pm | π° Koha (suggested $10) | π All ages (designed for under 7s)
A day of bookish happenings with authors, publishers, book lovers and a coffee cart. Pair with the Combined Lions Book Fair next door.
π Waikanae Community Centre, 28-32 Utauta Street, Waikanae | π Sat 9:00am-3:00pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
π
Sunday 24 May
35 years of sell-out shows remixed - Darth Vader, Mr Stevens, the monkey in the tree and more. Expect the unexpected.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π Sun 8:00pm | π° $89.90 A Reserve / $109.90 Premium | π All ages
π΅ Orpheus Choir: Glory
Orpheus Choir Wellington heads to the Wairarapa with Vivaldi's beloved Gloria, featuring Orpheus Scholars from Te KΕkΔ« NZ School of Music.
π Wairarapa Events Centre, 50 Holloway Street, Carterton | π Sun 2:00pm | π° $42.50 adult / $37.50 conc. / $20.50 child | π All ages
Three former NZ Symphony Orchestra players + Arts Laureate Ross Harris with jazz bass + voice playing wild, danceable Klezmer in Futuna Chapel.
π Futuna Chapel, 67 Friend Street, Karori | π Sun 2:00pm (doors 1:30pm) | π° $15 | π All ages
Bach's vibrant Magnificat + Michael Haydn's dramatic Requiem in C minor, with chamber orchestra under Eric Sidoti.
π St Paul's Anglican Church, 1 Langdale Avenue, Paraparaumu | π Sun 3:00pm | π° $35 door / $15 student | π All ages
Top Wellington string students get coached by the TakΓ‘cs Quartet's Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes - a rare chance to watch world-class musicians.
π Adam Concert Room, NZ School of Music, Gate 7, Kelburn Parade, Kelburn | π Sun 5:30pm | π° Free (booking required) | π All ages
May edition features Cordelias, Marmalady + Louis Gradwell - follows open mic from 4:45pm. NZ Music Month.
π Moon, 167 Riddiford Street, Newtown | π Sun 7:00pm | π° $15 door / $10 open mic performers | π All ages
Over 20 wellness stalls + free talks programme, with food and drinks. Timetable at kapitiwellbeingfair.nz.
π St Peter's Village Hall, cnr Beach Road & Ames Street, PaekΔkΔriki | π Sun 10:00am-3:00pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
ποΈ Ngaio Village Market
Community market returning for 2026 with art and craft stalls, local makers and food trucks. Relaxed autumn village Sunday.
π Ngaio Town Hall, 1 Ottawa Road, Ngaio | π Sun 10:00am-3:00pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
16th annual show-and-shine + swap meet. Just turn up, no pre-rego.
π Wellington Family Speedway, Te Marua, Upper Hutt 5018 | π Sun 9:00am | π° Refer to event link | π All ages
FREE relaxed bays bike cruise - Cog Park dog stop, BBQ finish at Rongotai Skatepark.
π Meet at Waitangi Park, Te Aro | π Sun 11:00am-3:00pm | π° FREE | π All ages
WhΔnau ride from Daly Street to Petone along the new Te Ara Tupua path. BYO bike or borrow an ebike. Book at freeride.nz.
π Daly Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt | π Sun 1:00pm-4:00pm | π° Free (bookings essential) | π All ages
ποΈ Heads up next week:The Other Boleyn Girl opens at The Gryphon Theatre (22 Ghuznee Street) on Wed 27 May. Wellington Repertory Theatre presents Mike Poulton's adaptation of Philippa Gregory's best-seller - ambition, desire and betrayal in Henry VIII's court. Runs to Sat 6 June. $19.90-$29.90 - tickets selling fast!
β
Welly Weather Watch
π¦οΈ Friday 22 May: Mainly fine, chance of a shower until evening. Northerlies easing. High 16Β°C, low 11Β°C
β
Saturday 23 May: Partly cloudy. Northerlies dying out in the morning. High 16Β°C, low 9Β°C
β
Sunday 24 May: Partly cloudy. Southeasterlies dying out in evening. High 15Β°C, low 8Β°C
Looking like a decent weekend - just keep a brolly handy Friday. Saturday and Sunday should be fine for the Canes game and Queen Elizabeth Park stargazing.
π Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Predator Free Wellington is making PΕneke the world's first predator-free capital. Native bird detections up 136%, Miramar Peninsula now predator-free - tΕ«Δ«, kΔkΔriki & kΔkΔ returning to backyards. Donate or volunteer at pfw.org.nz.
π Whatever you're up to this weekend, hope you have an absolute cracker. Stay dry where you can.
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
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