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- Fortress Tunnels, MJ, and an ANZAC First
Fortress Tunnels, MJ, and an ANZAC First
Fortress tunnels, MJ moonwalking, Warriors ANZAC clash, neon forest cabaret + a bonus Monday public holiday packed with things to do. Four days of Wellington done right π
Kirstie and Steve
April 23, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
Fortress Tunnels, MJ & Wellington's First-Ever ANZAC Warriors Clash
Fortress tunnels, MJ moonwalking, Warriors ANZAC clash, neon forest cabaret + a bonus Monday public holiday packed with things to do. Four days of Wellington done right π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! π
First up - hope everyone's dried out after that wild weather. Wellington really copped it π§οΈ The good news - ANZAC weekend is looking far kinder, and it's absolutely stacked.
You might also notice WellyBuzz has had a bit of a glow-up - fresh black and yellow, full Wellington energy. We think it looks pretty sharp, but we're keen to hear what you think π
π₯ Quick Picks
π¨ PaekΔkΔriki Art Show (Fri-Mon) - 70 artists, a gorgeous coastal village, and Storm Davenport as featured artist. Don't miss it!
πͺ Wright's Hill Fortress Open Day - ANZAC Day (Sat) - One day only - WWII tunnels and gun emplacements in Karori. A Wellington must-do.
π§ ANZAC Day 2026 National Commemoration (Sat) - NZ's National Commemoration at Pukeahu. One of the most significant ANZAC moments in the country - free to attend.
π Te Wananga o Raukawa Pulse vs Stars (Sat) - ANZ Premiership netball at TSB Arena - get behind the Pulse!
π€ The King of Pop Show - Michael Jackson Live Concert Experience (Sat) - Live band, world-class dancers and every MJ hit. Thriller to Billie Jean - it's all there.
π Anzac Round: One NZ Warriors v Dolphins (Sat) - Wellington's first-ever Warriors ANZAC Day NRL clash. History at Sky Stadium Saturday night.
π³ Autumn Valley Night Illumination Walk (Sun) - Aston Norwood Gardens lit up after dark - Upper Hutt's most magical autumn secret.
ποΈ Artisan Craft Market - Lower Hutt (Sun) - Premium handmade goods and quality makers at Dowse Square. Free and family-friendly.
π² Avalon Orange Bike & Vrijmarkt - Koningsdag 2026 (Mon) - Dutch King's Day in Avalon Park - orange bikes, rummage sale, games and poffertjes!
π‘ If you only do one thing this weekend - make it the Fortress. One day only, and it's as cool as it sounds.
Got something happening we should know about? Hit reply - we read everything.
π°οΈ Welly's Time Machine
π· Alexander Turnbull Library / Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
A Wellington war memorial funded by public support and government backing was built to honour those lost in WWI. The carillon first rang on ANZAC Day 1932 - and still plays at Pukeahu today.
π½οΈ Food & Drink
Supra has been quietly winning hearts (and awards) since opening, and we reckon it deserves way more buzz.
Head chef Thom Millott brings sophisticated barbecue technique to top-tier NZ produce, in a snug 20-seat space with a killer natural wine list.
Cuisine's Best New Restaurant 2025 - and we're deeply jealous of anyone with a booking this weekend. Find them at 1/31 Dixon Street, Te Aro (enter via Eva Street). suprarestaurant.co.nz
π
Local Gem - Nails by Kirstie
Long weekend = perfect excuse to treat your nails.
Nails by Kirstie is a relaxed one-on-one studio in Churton Park specialising in Bio Sculpture gel - vegan, cruelty-free, and designed to strengthen rather than damage.
Stunning colour range, custom nail art, and consistently five-star reviews. Book online at nailsbykirstie.co.nz
π Events - What's On This Weekend
π
Friday 24 April
Professional circus performers let loose with acts strictly not suitable for families - dangerous tricks, risque burlesque and strange, wonderful weirdness from Wellington's best. Produced by Athena Rose.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π£ Fri 7:30pm-9:00pm | π° $30-40 | π R18
π King VS Queen
Two drag performers go head-to-head in a three-round audience-judged battle. Loud, chaotic, and brilliantly entertaining. Who takes the crown?
π Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri 10:00pm-12:00am | π° $10-20 | π R18
π Ride the Cyclone
Dark, wildly imaginative and genuinely one of a kind - six teenagers on a doomed rollercoaster compete for the chance to return home. The viral musical that's getting everyone talking.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° $40-68 | π Mature
Last weekend of school holidays at the eco-sanctuary! Hunt for hidden egg signage, discover facts about reptiles, birds and nests, and explore the trails. Free with regular sanctuary entry.
π ZEALANDIA Eco-Sanctuary, Waiapu Road, Karori | π Fri 9:00am-5:00pm | π° Sanctuary entry fees apply | π All ages
π Welly Night Market
Street food, local makers, and late-night city energy every Friday. Grab dinner and make a proper night of it in Wellington's most community-driven market.
π 45A Abel Smith Street, Wellington | π Fri 5:00pm-11:00pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
A self-guided ANZAC walk honouring 18 servicemen through Bolton Street Cemetery - white crosses, personal stories, and a quiet moment to reflect. Maps at entrances.
π Bolton Street Cemetery, Bolton Street, Wellington | π Fri 8:00am-5:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
An evening at ZEALANDIA dedicated to the cosmos - a galaxy-themed mocktail, a stunning astronomy talk from Holly McClelland, and telescope viewing of the night sky (weather permitting). Book ahead!
π ZEALANDIA Eco-Sanctuary, Waiapu Road, Karori | π Fri 6:00pm-8:00pm | π° $49 | π All ages
π Genesis
Pull up a camp chair (BYO), bring your snacks, and watch talented pole dancers create routines on the fly in a relaxed, community atmosphere. A genuinely unique Friday night in Melling.
π The Garden Pole Dance Studio, Unit D7, 61 Marsden Street, Melling, Lower Hutt | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° $20 | π R18
Wellington hard-hitters celebrating The Splinters' new single "Boogie Dipstick." Tasty drums, beautiful music, and a $5 early bird deal that's basically stealing.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7:00pm | π° $5 early bird via UTR | π R18
Wellington's first-ever Spanish-language improvisational theatre showcase! Scenes created on the spot with 8 talented performers - guaranteed stories, laughter, and emotion. Ka mau te wehi.
π The PowWow Room, Level 1, 74 Courtenay Place, Wellington | π‘ Fri 6:30pm | π° $15 | π R18
π Global Book Crawl
Eight Featherston bookstores stay open until 8pm - stroll the main street, dress as your favourite book character, and wrap up with drinks at The Last Post RSA. Wairarapa at its absolute best.
π Chicken and Frog Bookshop, 3 Clifford Square, Featherston | π Fri 10:00am-8:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
The annual ANZAC weekend fishing comp returns - and this year's is shaping up to be the biggest yet! Drop a line, dive deep, and enjoy the Plimmerton waterfront all weekend long.
π Plimmerton Boating Club, 66 Moana Road, Plimmerton | π Fri 6:00pm (runs through to Sun 6pm) | π° Refer to event link for details | π All ages
Wellington joins a global wildlife count! Explore, snap and share native species sightings via the iNaturalist app across the whole long weekend. Family-friendly and free - just get outside.
π Wellington region-wide | π Fri-Mon, all day | π° Free | π All ages
Professional NRL coaches from the Dolphins run a live high-performance youth session at Hutt Rec. A genuinely cool free afternoon out for rugby league fans and families.
π Hutt Recreation Ground, 15 Myrtle Street, Lower Hutt | π Fri 4:00pm-5:15pm | π° Free | π All ages
Charity screening of a documentary following an elderly woman on the front line during the 2022 battles for Kyiv. Q&A with director Ruslan Gorovyi follows. All proceeds to Ukraine.
π 10A02 Cinema, Block 10, Massey University, Mount Cook, Wellington | π Fri 6:00pm-8:00pm | π° Ticketed (proceeds to Ukraine) | π All ages
π
Saturday 25 April - ANZAC Day π³πΏ
Wellington City Council's official wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph, supported by the Wellington RSA. Take a moment this ANZAC Day. (Held at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul if wet.)
π Cenotaph Precinct, Corner Lambton Quay & Bowen Street, Wellington CBD | π Sat 9:00am | π° Free | π All ages
New Zealand's National Commemoration at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park - one of the most significant ANZAC moments in the country. Broadcast live on TVNZ 1 and RNZ National if you can't be there in person.
π Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Buckle Street, Te Aro | π¦ Sat 11:00am-12:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
One day only - explore the WWII coastal artillery fortress carved into Karori from 1942, walk the tunnels, see the gun emplacements, and fuel up on a sausage sizzle. Cash only, proceeds go to fortress restoration.
π Wright's Hill Fortress, Karori, Wellington | π Sat 10:00am-4:00pm | π° $10 adult, $5 child, $20 family | π All ages
Head out to Greytown for the ultimate autumn family outing - pick fresh apples straight from the trees. BYO buckets and bags. Pure Wairarapa magic on ANZAC weekend.
π Molewood Orchard, Greytown, Wairarapa | π Sat 1:00pm-4:00pm | π° $3 per kg | π All ages
π΅ Waikanae Record Fair
Dig through the crates at the Kapiti Coast's favourite record fair. Vinyl lovers, this one is absolutely for you.
π Waikanae Community Centre, 28-32 Utauta Street, Waikanae | π¦ Sat 11:00am-3:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
The global craft beer celebration - Cantillon's wildly experimental lambic is tapped simultaneously in participating bars worldwide. Two sessions available so no FOMO!
π Garage Project Wild Workshop, 7 Furness Lane, Te Aro | π Guided tasting 1:00pm $85 | Walk-in from 2:30pm free | π RP18
TJ Cappola channels MJ with seriously impressive accuracy - live band, world-class dancers, the moonwalk, the glove, and every iconic hit from Billie Jean to Smooth Criminal. Spine-tingling stuff.
π The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Wellington | π’ Sat 7:30pm | π° From $98.35 via Ticketmaster NZ | π All ages
Home ANZ Premiership netball as the Pulse take on the Stars - get the family down to the arena and behind the Pulse.
π TSB Arena, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington | π Sat 4:00pm | π° From $35.48 via Ticketmaster NZ | π All ages
History being made - Wellington's FIRST-EVER Warriors ANZAC Day clash. Sky Stadium is going to be electric. There's also a free pre-game fan event at Shed 22 (4:00pmβ6:30pm) for those who want to soak it all up early.
π Sky Stadium, 147 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington | π Sat 8:05pm | π° SOLD OUT | π All ages
πΆ Atomic
Wellington's longest-running club night - all vinyl, all night. New Wave, New Romance, and Synth Pop from the 1980s. Door sales only, cash. A proper institution.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8:00pm | π° $20 (door, cash only) | π All ages licensed
Seven comedians - Marcus Tidwell, Sanjay Parbhu, Marc Hamilton, Hans Weston, Jenice the Menace, Emma Jean and Lydia Sainsbury - walk into a bar. This should be a cracking night.
π Dub Hub Island Bay, 163A The Parade, Island Bay, Wellington | π’ Sat 7:30pm-10:00pm | π° $20 | π R16
π₯ CPW April Anarchy
Capital Pro Wrestling brings the chaos to Upper Hutt - Battlelines Cup Qualifier, tag team battles, and Nico Bell in action. Brilliant night for wrestling fans of all ages.
π Garage 16, 6 Railway Avenue, Upper Hutt | π‘ Sat 6:30pm-9:00pm | π° Adults $23.25, Child $10.25, Family (2A+3C) $46.15 | π All ages
A guided walk through the Wellington Botanic Garden celebrating everything beautiful about autumn - rich foliage, seasonal flowers, and striking bark textures. A proper treat for the senses.
π Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn | π Sat 1:30pm-2:45pm | π° $10 (free for Friends of WBG) | π All ages
The 10th annual PaekΔkΔriki Art Show features 70 artists and a gorgeous coastal village setting. Storm Davenport is the 2026 Featured Artist. Running Friday to Monday - don't miss it!
π St Peter's Village Hall, 17 Beach Road, PaekΔkΔriki | π Sat 10:00am-4:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
πΉ The Spirit of ANZAC
Young Kiwi organist Josh Anderson performs on St Mary of the Angels' magnificent Maxwell Fernie organ. A beautiful, moving way to mark ANZAC Day - and it's free.
π St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott Street, Te Aro, Wellington | π Sat 2:00pm-3:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
π
Sunday 26 April
π Harbourside Market
Wellington's favourite Sunday morning tradition - fresh produce, food trucks, artisan goods, and harbour views right beside Te Papa. Start your Sunday right.
π Corner Cable Street & Barnett Street, Te Aro | π£ Sun 7:30am-2:00pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
Every piece earns its place - 10+ curations of vintage, up-cycled and secondhand garments worth hanging. Free entry, quality over quantity, Cuba Street vibes. We love this one!
π Shop 304, Leftbank Lane, 116 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington | π Sun 10:00am-4:00pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
Premium handmade goods, artisan crafts, and quality makers all in one beautiful outdoor spot in Lower Hutt. Free, family-friendly, and heaps of gorgeous things to discover.
π Dowse Square, Lower Hutt | π Sun 10:00am-3:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
Over 500 people are already keen - a guided walk through Otari-Wilton's Bush to discover the wild, weird and wonderful world of mushrooms and fungi. Book your tickets via Eventfinda before it sells out!
π Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington | π Sun 2:00pm-3:30pm | π° SOLD OUT | π All ages
New music by Lilburn Residence Trust composer Eve de Castro-Robinson, performed with soprano Barbara Paterson, cellist Ken Ichinose and percussionist Sam Rich - inside the acoustically acclaimed Futuna Chapel. A special Sunday afternoon.
π Futuna Chapel, 67 Friend St, Karori | π Sun 2:00pm | π° $15 (Humanitix or at the door) | π All ages
Aston Norwood Gardens in full autumn colour - Japanese maples, giant oaks and camellias by day, then hidden lighting transforms the whole place after dark. One of the most beautiful things on right now.
π Aston Norwood Gardens, 1747 Main Road North, Kaitoke, Upper Hutt | π Sun 8:00am-9:00pm | π° Day: Adult $10, Child $5, Family $25 | After dark: Adult $12.50, Child $5, Family $30 | π All ages
The April 18 show was cancelled - and it's back better for it! PΕneke's hottest pole dancing cabaret with nymph host Moxxi and Aotearoa's sauciest performers in a fever-dream neon forest.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π‘ Sun 6:30pm-8:30pm (doors 6pm) | π° $34.05 | π R18
πΆ FORTUNES UNDERGROUND
Wellington techno artists go big at AFTERS - Wellington's newest venue. Big sounds, the unexpected, and proper underground energy on ANZAC Sunday. Catch some Zs first!
π AFTERS, 38 Dixon Street, Te Aro | π Sun 8:00pm-3:00am | π° Ticketed - underground.for-tunes.com | π All ages licensed
π
Monday 27 April - Public Holiday π
End your ANZAC long weekend with live basketball! Rapid League kicks off at 4pm, then the NZNBL game at 5pm. Get the kids down to the arena - great fun for all ages.
π TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, Wellington | π Mon 4:00pm (doors 3:40pm) | π° From $20.39 via Ticketmaster NZ | π All ages
A full day of woolly delight in Moera! Yarn, fibre, knitting, spinning, and all the textile joy your hands can handle. Wellington's cosiest public holiday tradition.
π Moera Hall, 105 Randwick Crescent, Moera, Lower Hutt | π Mon 10:00am-3:00pm | π° Refer to event link for details | π All ages
Dutch King's Day in Avalon Park - orange bikes, vrijmarkt (rummage sale), Dutch games, food and treats. A completely joyful hidden gem.
π Avalon Park, Lower Hutt | π Mon 10:00am-1:00pm | π° Free | π All ages
Harvest Moon brings rich Americana and country to Porirua Little Theatre - pedal steel, mandolin, banjo, accordion and all. A beauty of a way to spend a public holiday afternoon.
π Porirua Little Theatre, 15 Prosser Street, Elsdon, Porirua | π Mon 2:00pm | π° $20 cash at door | π All ages (alcohol-free)
βοΈ Welly Weather Watch
βοΈ Friday 24: Turning finer after mid-week rain, fresh westerly with sunny breaks. High 15Β°C, low 9Β°C
βοΈ Saturday 25: Fine and settled for ANZAC Day - a great day to be outside. High 16Β°C, low 11Β°C
βοΈ Sunday 26: Fine and warm - the pick of the weekend. High 17Β°C, low 11Β°C
βοΈ Monday 27: Mild and settled, similar to the weekend - make the most of that bonus day! High 17Β°C, low 11Β°C
Layer up for ANZAC services - crisp autumn air, but overall a beauty of a long weekend ahead. π
π Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Youthline Wellington offers free, confidential support for young people 24/7 - phone, text, email and online chat. ANZAC weekend is a natural time to look out for one another. If you know a rangatahi who needs someone to talk to: call 0800 376 633, free text 234, or visit youthline.co.nz
π Lest we forget - and let's make the most of every day this long weekend. We'll see you out there!
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
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