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- π 245 Burgers, Alan Davies & Elvis Takes Over Titahi Bay
π 245 Burgers, Alan Davies & Elvis Takes Over Titahi Bay
Plus Pene Pati sings Manon, cat-day flash tattoos and salsa till 1am. We've got your winter weekend sorted π
Kirstie and Steve
August 06, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
245 Burgers, Alan Davies & Elvis Takes Over TΔ«tahi Bay
Pene Pati sings Manon, cat-day flash tattoos and salsa till 1am. Your winter weekend sorted π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! βοΈ
Burger Wellington is under way and this weekend is when it really bites - 245 burgers across the region. Pene Pati and Amina Edris sing Manon at the St James, Alan Davies lands at the Michael Fowler Centre, and The Beer Engine turns TΔ«tahi Bay into an all-day Elvis festival. Add cat-day flash tattoos and a Renaissance gala ball and it is a stacked winter weekend. Let's get buzzing! π
π₯ Quick Picks
π Burger Wellington (All weekend) - 245 burgers region-wide, running to 23 August. Pick your fighter.
πΈ HINE - Ka Mua Ka Muri EP Release (Fri) - Taonga pΕ«oro meets folk noir at St Peter's, PaekΔkΔriki.
π Alan Davies - Think Ahead (Sat) - First NZ tour in a decade for the Jonathan Creek and QI star. Limited seats left.
π± International Cat Day Flash Tattoo (Sat) - Walk-in cat flash all day, plus a Found-a-Feline raffle and stalls.
πΊ Elvistravaganza! (Sat) - TΔ«tahi Bay Mall goes full Vegas. Karaoke, lip sync, lookalike comps, free entry.
π Georgie Carroll - Infectious (Sat) - The nurse turned comedian brings her new show to the Opera House.
π The Queen's Closet Gala Ball 2026 (Sat) - Renaissance band and dancing masters, pay-what-you-can, Public Trust Hall.
π Wellington Salsa Ball 2026 (Sat) - Live C-26 set plus DJ Panda till 1am on that gorgeous floor.
πΈ Daniel Champagne (Sun) - Second show added at St Peter's, PaekΔkΔriki after the first sold out.
π Signature High Tea by steam train (Sun) - 111-year-old locomotive Ab 608, high tea at the other end. Civilised.
π°οΈ Welly's Time Machine
π· MPs and guests in front of the "Parliament Special", 1908 (Archives New Zealand, AAVK W3493 E3333) - view source
118 years ago this Friday, on 7 August 1908, the "Parliament Special" left Wellington for Auckland - the first train ever to run the length of the North Island main trunk line. It rattled over temporary track through the unfinished middle, and took 20 and a half hours.
π½οΈ Food & Drink
Hopper Cafe is Everybody Eats' first pop-up cafe, and we love the thinking behind it.
Tucked between Kaibosh and Cahoots, it serves fresh, seasonal food at accessible prices, made with ingredients that might otherwise go to waste. The counter menu changes depending on what gets rescued each week.
Every purchase helps fund Everybody Eats' pay-what-you-can restaurants and the meals they serve each night.
Heads up: open Monday and Tuesday only, 9am to 2pm, so this one is for the week ahead. 11 Hopper Street, Te Aro. everybodyeats.nz
π Events - What's On This Weekend
π
Friday 7 August
Wellington Opera stages Massenet's French classic with Amina Edris and Pene Pati of Sol3 Mio, in French with English surtitles.
π St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | π Fri 7:30pm, about 3 hours | π° Sold out - check Ticketmaster for returns | π All ages | Extra final matinee Sun 4pm
245 burgers across the region for Visa Wellington On a Plate, running 3-23 August. Prices set by each venue.
π Venues region-wide | π Fri all day | π° Priced per burger by each venue | π All ages (some venues licensed)
Neighbours Julie Harrington and Heather Campbell share a garden fence and a love of gardening. One throws pots, one paints.
π Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri 11am-7pm | π° Refer to event link for entry details | π All ages | Also Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11am-3pm
The Eastbourne Lions book sale is back with a kids-books theme, proceeds to children's reading groups.
π San Antonio School, 78 Oroua Street, Lower Hutt | π Fri 10am-4pm | π° Free admission | π All ages | Also Sat and Sun 10am-4pm
The biennial photobook festival runs 6-9 August across Te Papa and Massey. Friday has a free keynote from Martha Naranjo Sandoval in Soundings Theatre, then a free Indonesian Photography Evening.
π Te Papa, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro, and Massey, Block 10, Mount Cook | π Fri keynote 4pm-5pm, Indonesian evening 6:30pm-8:30pm | π° Free (RSVP for the Indonesian evening) | π All ages | Also Sat and Sun
Aotearoa's longest-running political satire has a field day with an election year. 120 minutes with an interval.
π Circa One, Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7pm | π° $25-$60 (+ booking fee) | π Recommended 13+, strong language | Also Sat 7pm, Sun 4pm
π Local Library
Dave Armstrong's comedy about a suburban library with Peter Hambleton and Jude Gibson. A grumpy widower gets banned, and can only return if he reads what the librarian picks.
π Circa Two, Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7:30pm-9pm | π° $25-$60 (+fees) | π All ages, though Circa flags some swearing | Also Sat 7:30pm, Sun 4:30pm
Tom Sainsbury of Wellington Paranormal and 7 Days headlines, Jerome Chandrahasen MCs. Two shows, Eventfinda sold out.
π Abandoned Taproom Petone, 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone | π Fri 6:30pm and 8pm | π° SOLD OUT on Eventfinda - check the venue for door releases | π R18
After-dark circus cabaret from Athena Rose - dangerous tricks, risquΓ© burlesque and things you won't see at a family circus.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7:30pm-9pm | π° $39.18 concession, $44.30 GA, $49.42 support-the-arts (incl. fees) | π R18 | Also Sat 7:30pm
π€ That Bloody Woman
Masterton Theatre Company stage the rock musical about Kate Sheppard and the fight to win women the vote. Fast, funny and a bit cheeky, with the bar open from 7pm.
π Harlequin Theatre, 152 Dixon Street, Masterton | π Fri 8pm, 1hr 40min no interval | π° $36-$40 (+ booking fee) | π Mature audiences, some coarse language | Also Sat 8pm and a Sun 3pm matinee
Gigi Crayford releases the final four songs of her debut EP - taonga pΕ«oro, poetry and folk noir in te reo and English.
π St Peter's Village Hall, corner Beach Road & Ames Street, PaekΔkΔriki | π Fri doors 6pm, music 6:30pm | π° $20 +booking fee (early bird sold out) | π All ages
Signature Socials bring MERAKI over from Melbourne, with Ashwynz, Halinius J and Spacial K.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Fri from 9pm | π° $15 student, $29 GA, $55 for two (+fees) | π R18
πΈοΈ The Web
Venom Events weave through every realm of techno with six selectors - Malware, Narcotica, U-Day, Goldie, No Way Jose and Callum W.
π Afters, 38 Dixon Street, Te Aro | π Fri 9pm-3am | π° $25 (+fees) | π R18
π Los Barrettos
A nine-piece ensemble playing conga legend Ray Barretto and Latin jazz standards. Free in, koha for the band.
π The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | π Fri 9:30pm-11:30pm | π° Free entry, koha appreciated | π R18
π
Saturday 8 August - International Cat Day π±
The Gallery Tattoo run a walk-in cat flash day with Found-a-Feline Cat Rescues, first in first served, plus market stalls all day.
π The Gallery Tattoo, Level 2, 4 Bond Street, Te Aro | π Sat 10am-7pm (doors 9:45am) | π° Free entry, one-off designs $150-$350 | π All ages
The free centrepiece of the festival - photobook makers and publishers from Aotearoa and Australia, plus publisher talks.
π Te Papa, Level 4, 55 Cable Street, Te Aro | π Sat 10am-4pm | π° Free | π All ages | Also a free Erin Lee talk Sun 10am at Massey
π§ Repair Cafe
Don't chuck it, fix it. Volunteers tackle wooden, mechanical and electrical goods, bikes, sewing, jewellery and toys.
π Upper Hutt Baptist Church, 1 Milton Street, Upper Hutt | π Sat 10am-2pm | π° Free or koha | π All ages
ποΈ Vipers Carport Sale
The Vic Uni Vipers cheer squad are clearing out a carport of bargains, with a sausage sizzle on the side. Every dollar sends them to Auckland to take on other university teams.
π 7 Randwick Road, Northland | π₯ Sat 10:30am-3pm | π° Cash or bank transfer | π All ages | Also Sun 10:30am-3pm
πΊ Elvistravaganza!
The Beer Engine turns TΔ«tahi Bay Mall into an all-day Elvis festival - karaoke, lip sync and lookalike comps judged by local celebrities.
π The Beer Engine, 31 Whitehouse Road, TΔ«tahi Bay, Porirua | π Sat 10am-8:30pm | π° Free entry, food and drink extra | π All ages
Same venue, same day, much bigger commitment. Cadillac, bubbles, an Elvis-officiated ceremony and cake.
π The Beer Engine, 31 Whitehouse Road, TΔ«tahi Bay, Porirua | π Sat from 10am till late | π° $200-$300 per couple (+ booking fee) | π R18
A gentle downhill wander with the Friends of the Botanic Garden, all about foliage. Bookings required.
π Meet at the Cable Car Entrance Lookout, Upland Road, Kelburn | π Sat 1:30pm-2:45pm | π° $10.25 incl. fees, free for Friends | π All ages
Joelle Thomson leads a tasting of twelve Te Muna wines, with pick-up from the Square in Martinborough. Strictly 18 people.
π Escarpment Winery, 275 Te Muna Road, Martinborough | π Sat 1:45pm-4:45pm | π° $80.18 incl. fees | π R18
π» Beethoven in Kelburn
Koru Trio play the Archduke Trio and Beethoven's Romance in F Major in a lovely little church.
π St Michael's Anglican Church, 81 Upland Road, Kelburn | π Sat 7pm-8pm | π° Entry by koha, suggested $20 adult / $10 student | π All ages
Five players, 1930s blues and jug band tunes, with tea, cake and wine on hand.
π The Undercurrent, 118 Tory Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7pm-10pm | π° $20 at the door | π All ages, licensed
Back in New Zealand for the first time in a decade, with observational stand-up on ageing, family and middle age.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:30pm | π° $81.46 - limited seats left, some restricted view | π All ages
The nurse turned comedian brings her new show to the Opera House after three sold-out years of Sista Flo 2.0.
π The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | π Sat 7:30pm-8:30pm | π° $62.57 concession, $67.67 adult (+fees) | π R16
A Renaissance waits band of cornetto, shawms and sackbuts, with dancing masters teaching the steps. Costume welcome, never required.
π Public Trust Hall, 131 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central | π Sat doors 7pm, music and dancing 7:30pm | π° Choose your price from $30, $60 recommended | π All ages
πͺ Tawa Ceilidh
Live music and a caller walking you through every dance, so no experience needed. Supper included, BYO drinks. Proceeds support the Tawa Anglican community build.
π Tawa RSA, 89 Oxford Street, Tawa | π Sat 7pm-10pm | π° $43 adult, $24 child 10-17 | π Best suited to ages 10+
The city's biggest Latin social - a 90-minute live set from C-26 Salsa Band, then DJ Panda on salsa, bachata and kizomba.
π Cable Room, Harbourside Function Venue, 4 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8pm-1am | π° $58.73 incl. fee (both earlybird tiers sold out) | π See event link
Wellington's darkest dance floor - DJ Virago and SHIV on goth, darkwave, post-punk and synth-pop.
π Moon, 167 Riddiford Street, Newtown | π Sat doors 7pm, music from 8pm | π° Tickets via Under the Radar or on the door | π R18
Team Moksha mark five years with an all-night journey through sound and visuals.
π Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8pm-3am | π° $25 early bird, $30 GA (+fees) | π R18
π Atomic
Wellington's longest-running club night, back at San Fran. All vinyl, new wave and synth pop.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8pm-4am | π° $20 on the door, cashless venue (eftpos/PayWave) | π Under 18s with a legal guardian, photo ID needed
π
Sunday 9 August
A heritage steam excursion behind 111-year-old locomotive Ab 608 Passchendaele, with high tea at Tatum in the Horowhenua.
π Boarding at Paraparaumu or Waikanae stations | π Sun 1:15pm-6:30pm | π° $149 per person, 3 years and over (+fees) | π All ages
An outdoor market run by the Εtaki Women's Club - craft, native plants, honey, antiques and pre-loved clothing, plus hΔngΔ« and fry bread. Free parking at the station.
π 58 Main Highway (SH1), Εtaki, opposite New World | π Sun 10am-2pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
A 90-minute heated vinyasa flow on koha entry, proceeds to a different wellbeing charity each month. BYO mat or borrow one.
π Awhi Yoga and Wellbeing Centre, 15 Johnston Street, Wellington Central | π Sun from 10am | π° Koha - give what you can. Towel hire $3 | π All ages
An indoor market (heat pumps on, bless them) - crochet toys, dress-ups, woodwork, skincare, fudge.
π Waikanae Beach Community Hall, 22a Rauparaha Street, Waikanae Beach | π Sun 10am-1pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
The fourth annual open day with 30+ Wellington wedding vendors. Tour the venue, meet the suppliers, and enter to win a wedding worth up to $5,000 - register, turn up and stay till the 4pm draw.
π Foxglove Ballroom, 57 Customhouse Quay, Wellington Central | π Sun 11am-4pm | π° Free, registration required | π All ages
Girls aged 5+ can try hardball and softball cricket and meet Wellington Blaze players. Free sausage sizzle.
π Linden Park, Gee Street, Tawa | π Sun 1:30pm-4pm | π° Free | π Girls aged 5+ and their whΔnau | Reserve date Sun 16 Aug if the weather turns
A 30-minute intro then 90 minutes of throwing, games and mini tournaments. There is also a separate Board-om Buster Sunday at Brewtown, 12pm-2pm.
π Sweet Axe Throwing Co., 60 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | π Sun 2pm-4pm | π° $69.92 incl. fees | π R12
A one-hour Sunday afternoon concert in the Helen Smith Room. Join the Friends at the door for $25 a year.
π PΔtaka Art + Museum, corner Parumoana & Norrie Streets, Porirua | π Sun 2pm-3pm | π° $10 at the door for non-members, free for Friends and children | π All ages
π» Aroha String Quartet
The Waikanae Music Society presents Haydn, Barber, Ross Carey and Beethoven's Harp quartet.
π Waikanae Memorial Hall, 7 Pehi Kupa Street, Waikanae | π Sun 2:30pm | π° $50, $40 WMS members, $10 students under 25 - door sales | π All ages
πΈ Daniel Champagne
The Australian fingerstyle guitarist plays a seated, listening-room concert. This is the second show, added after the first sold out.
π St Peter's Village Hall, corner Beach Road & Ames Street, PaekΔkΔriki | π Sun 5pm-6:15pm, doors 4:30pm - the 2pm show is sold out | π° $43.13 early bird, $55.29 adult, $24.89 under 18 (incl. fees) | π All ages, family friendly
Otis Prescott-Mason's last Wellington concert before Yale. Solo piano, then Krogulski's Octet with members of the NZSO.
π St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington Central | π Sun 3pm-5pm | π° $34.05 adult, $16.58 youth, free for young kids (incl. fees) | π All ages
π¦οΈ Welly Weather Watch
π¦οΈ Friday 7 August: Partly cloudy, with occasional rain from evening. Northwesterlies. High 12Β°C, low 9Β°C
π§οΈ Saturday 8 August: Rain becoming persistent in the morning. Northwesterlies. High 13Β°C, low 8Β°C
π¦οΈ Sunday 9 August: A few showers, southwesterlies developing for a time. High 13Β°C, low 8Β°C
Saturday is the soggy one, with rain setting in through the morning, so take a raincoat to the Elvis mall party and the carport sale. Friday stays dry until evening. Source: MetService, checked Tuesday night - it may shift, so have a squiz before you head out.
β¨ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
The Capital Kiwi Project is bringing wild kiwi back to the hills west and south of Wellington with a landscape-scale stoat trapping network, mostly on private land.
In April they wrapped up a four-year programme of releases totalling 250 kiwi, the first wild kiwi to take hold near the capital in about a century.
Volunteer, donate or have a nosy at capitalkiwi.co.nz
In April they wrapped up a four-year programme of releases totalling 250 kiwi, the first wild kiwi to take hold near the capital in about a century.
Volunteer, donate or have a nosy at capitalkiwi.co.nz
Burger, opera, or an Elvis in a drive-thru chapel - we hope you find something good out there.
And good luck to the Wellington Saints, down in Invercargill for the NBL Grand Final on Sunday. Bring it home! π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
And good luck to the Wellington Saints, down in Invercargill for the NBL Grand Final on Sunday. Bring it home! π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
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