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- ๐ Christmas in July fireworks + a red-dress dance
๐ Christmas in July fireworks + a red-dress dance
Greytown Christmas snow and fireworks, the Wellington Saints', NZ's biggest preloved fashion market, high tea at Te Papa + a Kate Bush dance in red ๐
Kirstie and Steve
July 23, 2026
WellyBuzz ๐
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
Christmas in July Fireworks, a Grand Final Rematch & a Red-Dress Flashmob
Greytown Christmas snow and fireworks, the Wellington Saints, NZ's biggest preloved fashion market, high tea at Te Papa + a Kate Bush dance in red ๐
๐ Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! โ๏ธ
Winter's serving up a properly stacked weekend. The NZSO lights up the Michael Fowler Centre on Friday, the Wellington Saints play a Grand Final rematch on Saturday, and Sunday brings a sea of red dresses to the Botanic Garden for the Kate Bush flashmob. Add Christmas in July over in Greytown ('snow' and fireworks!), NZ's biggest preloved fashion market and a doggy day out in Porirua, and you've got a weekend sorted. Let's get buzzing! ๐
๐ฅ Quick Picks
๐ญ Eddie Izzard performs Hamlet (Thu) - Eddie Izzard performs all of Hamlet solo - the acclaimed world tour, tonight only.
๐ป NZSO Let There Be Light (Fri) - Prokofiev fireworks and Tchaikovsky triumph light up the Michael Fowler Centre.
๐ Festival of Christmas Grand Finale (Sat) - Greytown's mid-winter Christmas closes with markets, snow and fireworks.
๐ Wellington Saints v Southland Sharks (Sat) - Last regular-season game and a 2025 Grand Final rematch - wear blue and get loud.
๐ Sustainable Fashion Market (Sat) - NZ's largest preloved fashion market, around 40 stalls, free entry in Porirua.
๐บ Aotearoa Jazz Orchestra: Fiesta! Fiesta! (Sat) - The national jazz orchestra and Latin all-stars bring Afro-Cuban heat to winter.
๐ Woof Market (Sun) - A dog-friendly market by the Porirua harbour, pups on leash welcome.
โค๏ธ The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever Pลneke (Sun) - Don your red dress for a joyful Kate Bush dance at the Botanic Garden.
๐ฐ๏ธ Welly's Time Machine
๐ท Charles James Fearnley, 1985 - via Old Wellington Region
Heading over the hill to Greytown this weekend? Spare a thought for the old Rimutaka summit tearooms, pictured here in 1985. For generations this stop atop the winding Rimutaka Hill Road (State Highway 2) was THE place for an ice cream and a loo break between Wellington and the Wairarapa. Long gone now, but not forgotten. ๐ฆ
๐ฝ๏ธ Food & Drink
O'Malley's Bar & Kitchen is the freshest addition to the Days Bay waterfront - a proper neighbourhood gastropub that opened right by the beach late in 2025.
Think hearty pub classics, fresh seafood and share boards, a pint of Guinness in hand and sweeping harbour views.
There's a family-friendly dining side and a proper bar for a pint with the big games on screen. Currently a lovely 4.7 on Google.
Find them at 612 Marine Drive, Days Bay, Eastbourne, Lower Hutt. omalleysbar.co.nz
๐ Events - What's On This Weekend
๐
Thursday 23 July
One for tonight - Eddie Izzard performs all of Hamlet solo on a bare stage, from acclaimed runs in New York, Chicago and London. Dame Judi Dench called it "spectacular". Final Welly show.
๐ Soundings Theatre, Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro | ๐ Thu 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $79.90-$99.90 (+ fees) | ๐ All ages
๐
Friday 24 July
The NZSO lights up the Michael Fowler Centre with Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Tchaikovsky's triumphant Symphony No. 4. Wartime wit to an epic finale of hope.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 6:30pm-8:30pm | ๐ฐ From $27 (+ fees) | ๐ All ages
๐๏ธ Hermitude
Award-winning Aussie electronic duo Hermitude bring their genre-bending show to San Fran, touring album EIGHT - hip hop roots, techno, drum & bass and UK garage. Worked with Flume and Kimbra.
๐ San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 8pm | ๐ฐ See event link for tickets | ๐ R18
Aotearoa Music Award winner Vera Ellen tours her new Flying Nun album, written during a Greytown residency. Love, joy, humour and heartbreak at MEOW.
๐ MEOW, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 8:30pm (doors 8pm) | ๐ฐ $39.99 ($30 student/unwaged) | ๐ R18
Women take on the big, swaggering, stadium rock anthems in Petone - huge choruses, even bigger energy.
๐ 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, Lower Hutt | ๐ Fri 8pm-11pm | ๐ฐ Earlybird $20 / GA $30 | ๐ See event link
๐ช Mortal Sin NZ Tour
Aussie thrash legends Mortal Sin play their first NZ shows, marking 40 years of debut Mayhemic Destruction, with Wellington's Bulletbelt supporting.
๐ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 7pm | ๐ฐ $55 (+ fees) | ๐ R18
Wellington songwriter Michael Llewellyn plays a free gig at Parrotdog, all raw storytelling and evocative poetics. Free but register.
๐ Parrotdog Bar, 60-66 Kingsford Smith Street, Lyall Bay | ๐ Fri doors 8pm | ๐ฐ Free (register) | ๐ R18
Three age brackets date at once at Kanteen Cafe, with a free drink and food at the break. Ten 7-minute dates, matches after.
๐ Kanteen Cafe, 7 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | ๐ Fri 6:30pm-9pm | ๐ฐ $39.18-$49.42 incl fees | ๐ Adults only
Play five in-development local games for free and give devs honest feedback at Respawn. Burgers, gaming and chat from 6pm till late.
๐ Respawn Esports Centre, 9 Manners Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 6pm till late | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
Yeh Nah Quizzes host a fun Friday pub quiz - movies, music, sport, history and trivia. Teams of 6, bookings recommended.
๐ Two Grey, 2 Grey Street, Wellington Central | ๐ Fri 6pm-8pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
A Matariki tradition at Nairn Street Cottage: write a star-message for the Tree of Remembrance. Runs daily to 31 July.
๐ Nairn Street Cottage, 68 Nairn Street, Mount Cook | ๐ Daily 9am-5pm (to 31 Jul) | ๐ฐ Free (donations appreciated) | ๐ All ages
A photography-themed high tea at Te Papa inspired by the Slow Burn: Women and Photography exhibition - chef-crafted treats and full dietary menus. Runs across the weekend.
๐ Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri-Sun 10:30am-2:30pm | ๐ฐ $32 per person | ๐ All ages
FreshChoice Greytown makes it snow on Main Street every half hour from 6pm, with music, lights and food trucks. Also falls Saturday - part of the NZ Festival of Christmas. (Wairarapa)
๐ Greytown Town Hall, 89 Main Street, Greytown | ๐ Fri & Sat 6pm-8pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
An Operatunity daytime concert of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr and Marilyn-era hits, morning tea from 10am. (Kฤpiti, daytime show)
๐ Southward Theatre, Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga, Paraparaumu | ๐ Fri 11am-12:45pm (doors 10am) | ๐ฐ $42 single | ๐ All ages
๐
Saturday 25 July
Greytown's Festival of Christmas closes country-style: Main Street markets, food trucks, a gin garden, country games, 'snow' and fireworks at 7:45pm. (Wairarapa)
๐ Greytown Town Hall & Main Street, 89 Main Street, Greytown | ๐ Sat 3pm-8pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
It's the last regular-season game and a 2025 Grand Final rematch - dress in blue and get loud. Doors 2:40pm, Rapid League 3pm, NZNBL (National Basketball League) tip-off 4pm.
๐ TSB Arena, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ Sat doors 2:40pm, game 4pm | ๐ฐ From $20.39 | ๐ All ages
NZ's largest sustainable fashion market rolls into Porirua with around 40 stalls of preloved, upcycled, vintage and handmade clothing and accessories. Free entry - bring cash and a bag.
๐ Kai Tahi, 20 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry | ๐ All ages
Over 3,000 hunters, shooters and outdoor families at the Lower Hutt Event Centre for gear, displays and NZDA (New Zealand Deerstalkers Association) competitions. Sat & Sun; under-10s free.
๐ Lower Hutt Event Centre, 30c Laings Road, Lower Hutt | ๐ Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm | ๐ฐ Adult $5, under-10s free | ๐ All ages
Cowboy hats on - boot-scootin' country from Morgan Wallen to Dolly Parton. Earlier tiers sold out; last entry 5pm.
๐ Eva Pub, 31-35 Dixon Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 3pm-8pm (last entry 5pm) | ๐ฐ $40-$45 incl fees | ๐ R18
The national jazz orchestra teams up with Aotearoa's finest Latin musicians for a night of Afro-Cuban rhythm, salsa fire and Latin jazz.
๐ 92 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 7:30pm-10pm | ๐ฐ $35-$60 | ๐ See event link
The Bach Choir explores stillness and peace, from Palestrina and Eลกenvalds' Lux Aeterna to the NZ premiere of Trotta's For a Breath of Ecstasy.
๐ Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 40 Hill Street, Thorndon | ๐ Sat 2pm-3:30pm | ๐ฐ $30.75 incl fees; school kids free | ๐ All ages
Fairy tales, myth and dark fantasy in a glamorous late-night drag show hosted by Ness Quick. Starts 10pm.
๐ Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 10pm | ๐ฐ From $23.25 incl fees
Gee Quiz's Harry Potter trivia night at 1852 Pub & Kitchen - themed rounds, bonus games, prizes and house colours. Teams of up to 6, expected to sell out.
๐ 1852 Pub & Kitchen, 55 Cleveland Street, Brooklyn | ๐ Sat 7pm-9:30pm | ๐ฐ $90 per team (up to 6 players) | ๐ All ages
๐ต Ceilidh
An evening of Celtic dancing, every dance taught and called - no experience needed. Family friendly and alcohol-free; bring a plate for supper.
๐ Ngaio Union Church, 3 Kenya Street, Ngaio | ๐ Sat 7pm-10pm | ๐ฐ Free (koha) | ๐ All ages
Wellington heavy crew Sidewinder headline Valhalla fresh off Slomosa - riff-heavy psych, delta blues and stoner rock. With Planet Hunter and Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie.
๐ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 8pm | ๐ฐ $25 (+ fees) | ๐ R18
Dave Armstrong's warm comedy about libraries, loneliness and the council, with Peter Hambleton and Jude Gibson. Also Sunday 4:30pm.
๐ Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 7:30pm (also Sun 4:30pm) | ๐ฐ $25-$60 | ๐ All ages (some swearing)
Adam Portraiture Award finalist Emma Mitchell paints tiny portraits onto press-on nails in gel polish, with a couple of goes.
๐ NZ Portrait Gallery, Shed 11, 60 Lady Elizabeth Lane, Queens Wharf | ๐ Sat 10am-12pm | ๐ฐ $10 | ๐ All ages
The Wellington SBK dance community holds a fundraising social for Bari through his leukaemia treatment, with 100% of proceeds to him. All welcome.
๐ Dancetopia, 11 Torrens Terrace, Mount Cook | ๐ Sat 8:30pm-12am | ๐ฐ $20 entry | ๐ See event link
The Petone Working Men's Club brings Christmas back for a mid-winter feast with the trimmings. Bookings essential; close Thu 23.
๐ Petone Working Men's Club, 47 Udy Street, Petone | ๐ Sat from 6pm | ๐ฐ Adults $39.50, kids (3-11) $19.50 | ๐ Bookings essential
A day-into-evening street market on McMaster Street with arts, crafts, upcycled, vintage and Christmas stalls. (Wairarapa)
๐ McMaster Street, Greytown | ๐ Sat 2pm-8pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
Tฤkiri o Te Ata honours kaumฤtua as performers and treasured guests, with local kapa haka rลpลซ, youth performers and soloists, plus hauora and rongoฤ Mฤori. Free, pลwhiri at 8am. (Kฤpiti)
๐ Te Raukura ki Kฤpiti, Coastlands Theatre, 34a Raumati Road, Paraparaumu | ๐ Sat 8am-3pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
A rare, intimate Kฤpiti gig from Wayne Mason - the man who wrote "Nature", once voted NZ's greatest song - and The Superheaters: New Orleans grooves, blues, soul and honky-tonk piano.
๐ St Peter's Village Hall, cnr Beach Road & Ames Street, Paekฤkฤriki | ๐ Sat 7:30pm-9:30pm | ๐ฐ $30 door sales only | ๐ All ages
๐
Sunday 26 July
๐ Woof Market
A dog-friendly Doggy Day Out by the Porirua harbour - toys, treats, accessories, pet portraits and more. Pups on-leash welcome.
๐ Kai Tahi, 20 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Sun 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
Put your red dress on for a joyful recreation of Kate Bush's iconic Wuthering Heights dance at the Botanic Garden Sound Shell. No experience needed - participation over perfection.
๐ Sound Shell, Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn | ๐ Sun 2pm-3pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
๐ฉ๐ช Peruvian Independence Day 2026
The Peruvian Association of Wellington throws a vibrant celebration - authentic food, live music from CumbiaSonica, folk dance and family fun. One of the world's great cuisines.
๐ Miramar Bowling Club, 75 Darlington Road, Miramar | ๐ Sun 12pm-6pm | ๐ฐ $20, under-16s free | ๐ All ages
A gorgeous woodwind trio by three Orchestra Wellington principals in Pฤtaka Friends' Winter Music Series. Free for Friends and kids; $10 door.
๐ Pฤtaka Art + Museum, cnr Parumoana & Norrie Street, Porirua | ๐ Sun 2pm-3pm | ๐ฐ $10 door (Friends & kids free) | ๐ All ages
The Rogue's Sunday session, this week Hayden Hockley's Cumulonimbus group serving funky, soulful, weather-themed jazz.
๐ The Rogue & Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sun 5pm-7pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages (licensed)
A psychedelic exotic-jazz band of vibraphone, tuba, harmonica and pan flute, set to hand-drawn animation. (Upper Hutt)
๐ Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | ๐ Sun 8pm-9:30pm | ๐ฐ $25 (phone booking) | ๐ All ages
Rosella hosts Amoise winemaker Amy Farnsworth for a relaxed tasting of three low-intervention, organic Hawke's Bay wines, with optional matching bites.
๐ Rosella, 18 Marjoribanks Street, Mt Victoria | ๐ Sun 2pm-4pm | ๐ฐ $45pp wine (+ optional $35pp bites)
Greater Wellington and Friends of Battle Hill plant the oak and airstrip wetlands - a rewarding afternoon ending with a BBQ. Bring sturdy boots, warm waterproof layers and your own spade if you have one. (Pauatahanui)
๐ Battle Hill Farm Forest Park (meet at the Woolshed), Pauatahanui | ๐ Sun 1pm-4pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
๐ ลtaki Market
A vibrant outdoor market on State Highway 1 in ลtaki - art, craft, plants, produce, preloved and food trucks. (Kฤpiti)
๐ ลtaki Market, 58 Main Highway (SH1), ลtaki | ๐ Sun 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free | ๐ All ages
๐ง๏ธ Welly Weather Watch
๐ง๏ธ Friday 24 July: Occasional rain, with strong northerlies easing in the evening. High 13ยฐC, low 6ยฐC
๐ฆ๏ธ Saturday 25 July: Rain clearing in the afternoon, then partly cloudy. Southwesterlies dying out. High 11ยฐC, low 5ยฐC
โ
Sunday 26 July: A few showers clearing to fine in the morning. Easterlies turning southerly. High 9ยฐC, low 5ยฐC
A cold and showery winter weekend - pack a brolly and wrap up warm. The rain eases as each day goes on, with Saturday afternoon and Sunday shaping up as the driest, brightest windows. โ๏ธ
โจ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Wellington Free Ambulance is the only free emergency ambulance service in the country. Since 1927, no one across greater Wellington and the Wairarapa has been billed for an emergency ambulance - and winter is their busiest stretch. If they have ever been there for your whฤnau, you can shout them a koha at wfa.org.nz/donate. ๐
๐ฃ Reach 15,500 Wellington locals
WellyBuzz lands each week in the inboxes of 15,500 engaged subscribers who love getting out and about in Pลneke. Whether you're a local cafรฉ, a growing business, a national brand or an event, we can put your message in front of them. Get in touch and let's talk.
Advertise with us โ Whatever you get up to, wrap up warm and make the most of it - cracking winter weekends like this do not come around every week. See you out there!
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
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