🐝 WellyBuzz: 4 Amazing Festivals on this Weekend

👋 Kia ora Wellington! Spring is flexing its muscles - and so is our events calendar. This weekend our capital serves up everything from rave-worthy beats in an intimate club to family LEGO mania. We’ve got a museum throwing an after-hours adults-only party, local artists flinging open their studio doors, and even a once-hidden lagoon’s surprising tale. Grab your sunnies and your sense of adventure - let’s dive into the buzz.

🔥 7 Quick Picks This Weekend

🌸 Upper Hutt Spring Festival – Main Street explodes with 250+ stalls, food trucks, and live beats. Spring vibes dialled up to max.
🌼 Carterton Daffodil Festival – Wairarapa’s golden classic: markets, music, parades, and daffodil picking by the bunch.
🌸 Government House Garden Tour – Rare peek behind the gates with the BARK garden team. Historic lawns, fresh spring blooms.
🍀 Irish Cultural Festival – Fiddles, dancing, soda bread, and Gaelic sports at Brewtown. Craic for the whole whānau.
🧱 Wellington Brick Show 2025 (LEGO®) – Epic builds, mini-masterpieces, and hands-on chaos. Bring your inner kid.
🎡 Carlucci Carnival 2025 – Outdoor rave meets sculpture park. Multi-stage beats under the Happy Valley sun.
🏉 All Blacks v South Africa – Eden Park? Nah, our house. Sky Stadium under lights.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🐾 Pets of the Week – Pickle & Poe: two giant rescue cats with puppy-dog personalities
🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – How a massive quake created our most beloved cricket ground
🌟 Local Legends – Wellington Apothecary: Cuba Mall’s botanical haven
🍽️ Food & Drink – French pastries worth a detour to Evans Bay
🎉 Events – What’s on across Wellington this weekend (50+ events)
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – Mostly fine with a few showers possible Saturday
💝 Extra Sprinkles – Upcycled curtains warming local homes

🐾 Pet of the Week – Pickle & Poe

Meet Pickle and Poe – two ginormous rescue cats living it up in the Northern Suburbs. The vet thinks they might be part ragdoll, and you can definitely tell - they’re super chill, ridiculously friendly, and follow Mum and Dad around like puppies.

When they’re not lounging in their luxury catio or rocking dashing outfits (yes, bowties and tutus included), you’ll find them perfecting their high-fives with Dad or trying to sneak some cheese from Mum.

Want more fluffy antics?
👉 Follow them on Instagram: @pickleandpoe ❤️🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

🐾 Think your furry friend deserves the spotlight? Send us a pic + a quirky fact and they could be our next Pet of the Week! 📸 ✨
👉 [email protected]

🕰️ Time Machine: The Quake that Bowled Over a Harbour Plan

In the mid-1800s, Wellington’s Basin Reserve was supposed to be a shipping canal and dock. But the massive 1855 earthquake abruptly lifted the land by ~2 metres, leaving the planned “Basin Lake” high and dry! The drained lagoon turned into a swamp, until locals decided to repurpose it for sport. Prison inmates were put to work draining and levelling the area, and by 1866 it was dedicated as a cricket ground. The first match in 1868 was a bit rough – the pitch was dotted with stones and thistles, even injuring a few players. Thankfully, the Basin was smoothed out and went on to become one of the world’s great cricket venues – all thanks to an earthquake’s twist of fate.

🌟 Local Legends – Small Biz Gem to Check Out:

Wellington Apothecary (110A Cuba Mall)

One of our favs, this Cuba Mall gem was founded in 2014 by three friends - Laura, Chantal and Jemma - and is part botanical factory, part herbal dispensary, and part natural therapy clinic. Herbalists hand-mix teas, tonics and skincare with kawakawa, mānuka and other botanicals, while upstairs treatment rooms host holistic facials, massage and naturopathy. You can even join a workshop to create your own custom blends.

They walk the talk too: compostable/recyclable packaging, a living-wage ethos, and now the Biophilia Rewilding Project to regenerate native bush in the region. Wellness with a Wellington soul.

🍽️ Food & Drink – Must-Try Spot This Week

Uncle Leo’s Bakery (305 Evans Bay Parade, Hataitai)

Cruise around Evans Bay and you’ll stumble on one of Wellington’s worst-kept secrets - Uncle Leo’s. Run by Leo da Silva, this cosy French-style bakery turns out buttery croissants, almond beauties and other pastries fresh each morning. Locals rave about the almond croissants (they rarely make it home in one piece), and the seaside setting makes every bite sweeter. Pro tip: go early on weekends - the favourites disappear fast.

🎉 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🌟

🌼 Spring is here and the buzz is only getting bigger! Don’t miss a single festival, foodie find, or last-minute event drop - follow us now:

FRIDAY (12 Sep)

🌸 Te Wā o Te Kōanga – Spring Festival
Shake off winter and celebrate kōanga with flowers, art, and community fun across Wellington Gardens.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā | 🕒 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free

🌸 Blossom Valley
Wander beneath 350+ cherry blossom trees at Aston Norwood Gardens with food and high tea options.
📍 Aston Norwood Gardens, Kaitoke, Upper Hutt | 🕒 9:00am–10:00pm | 🎟️ Adults $15, Children (3–10yrs) $7.50, After Dark/Dusk Adults $20, Dusk Children $10

🎭 Ration the Queen’s Veges
A powerful new one-man play inspired by activist Te Wehi Ratana’s story - bold, defiant, and deeply moving.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕒 7:30pm–8:20pm | 🎟️ $30–$60

🎭 Chloe’s Revenge
A witty, musical-theatre inspired solo show exposing heartbreak, rejection, and the ultimate comeback.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕒 6:00pm–7:00pm | 🎟️ Waged $25, Unwaged $15, Extra Aroha $40

📖 There Once Was a Boy…
A poetic “live pop-up book” performance exploring curiosity, courage, and finding light in darkness.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕒 7:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ Waged $25, Unwaged $15, Extra Aroha $40, Child $10

🎭 TAHI New Zealand Festival of Solo Performance
A celebration of bold storytelling - 16 shows, 20 solo performers, one powerful night of theatre.
📍 BATS Theatre & venues across Wellington | 🕒 6:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ See link for ticketing

🎭 Wellington Law Revue 2025 – Much Ado About Money (and Cycle Lanes)
A satirical comedy where Monopoly Man takes on Wellington’s council chaos and mega cycle lanes.
📍 Student Union Memorial Theatre, Victoria University, Kelburn | 🕒 7:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ Waged $25, Student $15

🎄 Christmas Wonderland Store Opening
Festive magic arrives early - Wellington’s Christmas Wonderland opens its doors on Willis Street.
📍 57 Willis St, Wellington Central | 🕒 from 10:00 am | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🌸 Wellington Spring Festival – Government House Garden Tour
Explore the historic Government House gardens on a free guided walk with the expert BARK garden team.
📍 Government House Visitor Centre, Hospital Rd, Newtown | 🕒 10:30am–12:00pm | 🎟️ Free (bookings essential)

🎶 Seaside Sloths Social September Soirée
Sick beats, cool instruments, and ample refreshments - a quirky seaside soirée on the Kāpiti Coast.
📍 Raumati Social Club, 34 Poplar Ave, Raumati South | 🕒 8:00pm–10:30pm | 🎟️ $23.25 (GA, incl. fees) | R18

🎶 No Scrubs: 90s + Early 00s Party
Spice Girls to Blink-182 bangers - a throwback dancefloor night for Barbie Girls, All Stars & Teenage Dirtbags alike.
📍 Red Square Bar, Te Aro | 🕒9:00pm | 🎟️ From $22.75+ | R18

🎶 Sika Sound Journey
Immerse yourself in a deep sonic exploration with didgeridoos, drums, flutes, and foraged sounds - a guided sound journey for mind and soul.
📍 Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba St, Te Aro | 🕒 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $49.42 (GA) | All Ages

🎶 South Border: Live in Wellington – Down Under Tour 2025
Timeless hits and soulful performances from one of the Philippines’ most iconic bands, live in Lower Hutt.
📍 Arise Centre, 3 Pito-One Rd, Lower Hutt | 🕒 7:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ GA $110, VIP Soundcheck $195, VIP Social $205 | All Ages

🎶 Pop Remixed
Dance all night to remixed beats from PinkPantheress, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, and more - with bracelets, foam sticks, and themed drinks.
📍 Lulu Bar, 31 Courtenay Place | 🕒 9:00pm | 🎟️ See link for ticketing | All Ages

🎸 Shady Nasty: Debut Aotearoa Shows
Sydney post-punk trio bring their raw, left-field sound and debut album TREK to Wellington’s Valhalla.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian St, Te Aro | 🕒 8:00pm | 🎟️ $25 Early Bird, $30 GA, $35 Final Release | R18

🎶 This Wasn’t the Plan: A Musical Theatre Cabaret
Award-winning cabaret of songs and stories from Glenn Horsfall - hilarious, heartfelt, and inspiring.
📍 Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Tce, Te Aro | 🕒 7:30pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ GA $30, Senior $25, Student/Concession $20 | All Ages

🎸 Soft Bait – Life Advice Album Release Tour
Flying Nun’s post-punk four-piece bring sharp lyrics, wiry energy, and chaotic charm to Meow.
📍 Meow, 9 Edward St, Te Aro | 🕒 8:00pm | 🎟️ See link for ticketing | R18

🌙 After Dark: Ka Tangi Te Pīpīwharauroa
Explore Te Papa after hours - live music, workshops, performances, and a cash bar at this free R18 late-night event.
📍 Te Papa, 55 Cable St | 🕒 7:00pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ Free Admission | R18

🎵 Tom Cunliffe and Ali Whitton
Heartfelt folk storytelling from two acclaimed singer-songwriters, bringing new tunes to Vogelmorn.
📍 Vogelmorn Bowling Club, 93 Mornington Rd, Brooklyn | 🕒 7:00pm (doors), 7:30pm (music) | 🎟️ $20 GA | All Ages

🎵 Beans and Don at Thunderbird
Early evening tunes from the dynamic duo - expect tracks from Bit Players, back catalogue gems, and more.
📍 Thunderbird Café, 154 Featherston St | 🕒 5:30pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🎭 The Monster in the Maze
A groundbreaking community opera retelling the myth of the Minotaur, blending youth, community, and professional voices.
📍 St James Theatre, 77–87 Courtenay Pl | 🕒 7:30pm–8:30pm | 🎟️ See link for ticketing | All Ages

🎨 Wai Art Show
The Wairarapa’s largest cash & carry art event - showcasing 2D and 3D works from local and national artists.
📍 Wairarapa Events Centre, Holloway St, Carterton | 🕒 9:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Gold coin entry | All Ages

🌙 Pacific Night Market
A vibrant community evening with Pacific food, crafts, and culture at Cannons Creek’s Cook Islands Hall.
📍 Te Akapuanga Kuki Airani, 14 Mentor Lane, Porirua | 🕒 5:30 pm–8:30 pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

👻 2:22 A Ghost Story
A chilling London-set thriller where dinner party tension mounts and the clock ticks toward a terrifying truth.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕒 8:00pm–10:00pm | 🎟️ From $25–$60 (preview $40) | All Ages

SATURDAY (13 Sep)

🌾 Wairarapa Farmers’ Market
From paddock to plate since 2006 – fresh produce, artisan goods, live music, and picnic vibes under the big Redwood.
📍 Solway Showgrounds, Masterton | 🕒 9:00am–1:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🌸 Te Wā o Te Kōanga – Spring Festival
Celebrate kōanga/spring with vibrant blooms, art, tours, and family-friendly fun across Wellington Gardens.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden | 🕒 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🍀 Irish Cultural Festival
Live Irish music, dance, Gaelic sports, soda bread, kids’ fun, and genealogy - a family-friendly Irish celebration at Brewtown.
📍 Brewtown, 25 Blenheim St, Upper Hutt | 🕒 12:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

🌸 Blossom Valley
Stroll beneath 350+ cherry blossoms at Aston Norwood Gardens, with cafés, high teas, and magical after-dark sessions.
📍 Aston Norwood Gardens, Upper Hutt | 🕒 9:00am–10:00pm | 🎟️ $7.50–$20 | All Ages

🎡 Carlucci Carnival 2025
A brand-new day party hits Wellington with multi-stage electronic beats, sunshine vibes, and the wild backdrop of Carlucci Land.
📍 Carlucci Land, 277 Happy Valley Rd, Owhiro Bay | 🕒 from 3:00pm | 🎟️ Tickets via FB | R18

🍭 Candyland 2025 – TCA Kids Aerial Concert
A dazzling, family-friendly showcase of kids’ aerial hoop and hammock performances inspired by the world of Candyland.
📍 Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, Paraparaumu | 🕒 6:30pm–8:45pm | 🎟️ $22–$38 | All Ages

🏉 Hurricanes Clearance Sale
Two days only - score up to 80% off jerseys, accessories, Marvel collabs, and replica merch.
📍 100 Willis St, Te Aro | 🕒 Sat 13 & Sun 14 Sep, from 10:00 am | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

🌿 Rā Tūwhera ki Ōtari – Ōtari Open Day
Go behind the scenes at NZ’s only native botanic garden with tours, workshops, stalls, puppets, weaving, and more.
📍 Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Rd, Wilton | 🕒 10:00am–12:30pm | 🎟️ Free–$10 | All Ages

🎶 Sika Sound Journey
Immerse yourself in didgeridoo, drums, flutes, and nature sounds for a deep guided soundscape experience.
📍 Raumati South Memorial Hall, 16 Tennis Court Rd, Raumati | 🕒 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $49.42 | All Ages

🎼 Monteverdi Vespers (1610)
The Tudor Consort with NZSO musicians perform Monteverdi’s landmark Vespers for the first time in a decade.
📍 St Mary of the Angels, Te Aro | 🕒 7:30pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $0–$50 | All Ages

🌸 Upper Hutt Spring Festival
250+ stalls, food trucks, and live entertainment transform Main Street into a buzzing spring celebration.
📍 Main St, Upper Hutt City Centre | 🕒 9:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

🎭 B.M.I: Bad Mōmona Individual (Playreading)
A sharp, satirical solo work exploring body image, ego, and fatphobia with humour, kōrero hōhonu, and banging tunes.
📍 BATS Theatre | 🕒 1:00pm–2:00pm | 🎟️ $0–$20 | M

😂 Is It Off?
Mo Munn’s award-winning solo comedy smashes stand-up, improv, and chaos into one hilarious, hectic hour.
📍 Hannah Playhouse | 🕒 8:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $8–$40 (Pay What You Can) | M

🎶 Aro Valley Record Fair
Dig through crates of vinyl and soak up the “good vibes only” atmosphere at this community record fair.
📍 Aro Valley Community Centre | 🕒 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

🎸 Simple Animal
Wellington favourites bring raw emotion, funky rhythms, and infectious energy to Vogelmorn.
📍 Vogelmorn Bowling Club | 🕒 7:30pm–9:30pm | 🎟️ $15–$30 | R18

🧱 Wellington Brick Show 2025 (LEGO®)
Massive builds, displays, and hands-on fun for all ages.
📍 Walter Nash Centre, Taita | 🕕 9:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Adults $10, Kids $7, Family $28

🛍️ Brooklyn Community Market
Browse jewellery, plants, crafts, home baking, and more at this neighbourhood market with tasty food, coffee, and live knife-sharpening.
📍 Brooklyn Community Centre | 🕒 12:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

🎨 Stallkeepers Greytown Market
A boutique makers’ market featuring handcrafted goods, artisanal treats, and one-of-a-kind fashion in the heart of Greytown.
📍 Greytown Town Centre (Library) | 🕒 9:30am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🌸 Spring Flora – Guided Walk
Explore the Botanic Garden’s spring blooms with a one-hour guided walk led by the Friends of the Garden.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden | 🕒 1:30pm–2:30pm | 🎟️ $5 (cash only, free for Friends) | All Ages

🏉 All Blacks v South Africa — Rugby Championship
Get ready for another epic encounter between the top 2 ranked sides in the world - gates 5pm, kick-off 7:05pm.
📍 Sky Stadium, Waterloo Quay | 🕕 7:05pm | 🎟️ Ticketed

SUNDAY (14 Sep)

🌼 Carterton Daffodil Festival
The Wairarapa’s spring classic - markets, music, and daffodil picking.
📍 High St, Carterton | 🕕 9:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free admission

🚂 Daffodil Express – Heritage Train (Wellington ⇄ Carterton)
Ride vintage carriages to the festival - iconic spring rail trip (check waitlist).
📍 Departs Wellington Railway Station | 🕕 8:10am–5:00pm (approx.) | 🎟️ From $90 child / $125 adult

🚃 Daffodil Festival Flyer (Carterton ⇄ Masterton)
Short heritage hops for locals with shuttle options to the fields.
📍 Carterton & Masterton Stations | 🕕 Various services | 🎟️ From $28.50 (+bf)

🧱 Wellington Brick Show 2025 (LEGO®)
Day two: towering cities, starships, and tiny masterpieces.
📍 Walter Nash Centre, Taita | 🕕 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Adults $10, Kids $7, Family $28

🌸 Blossom Valley
Stroll beneath 350+ cherry blossoms at Aston Norwood Gardens, with cafés, high teas, and evening sessions under the blooms.
📍 Aston Norwood Gardens, Upper Hutt | 🕒 9:00am–10:00pm | 🎟️ $7.50–$20 | All Ages

🎸 Bill Lake’s Slow Bake
A Sunday session of swinging blues with NZ legend Bill Lake alongside Steve Hemmens and Alan Norman.
📍 The Undercurrent, Tory St | 🕒 5:30pm | 🎟️ $23.25 | All Ages

🎶 High Vibes
Mantra meets electronic beats with DJ Arkaya Rising & lil Saums, plus plant-based feasting and mocktails at Bhakti Lounge.
📍 Bhakti Lounge, Vivian St | 🕒 6:15pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ $16.58 ($10.25 student, incl. dinner) | All Ages

🎻 Yury Gezentsvey Plays Kreisler – 150th Anniversary Recital
Violinist Yury Gezentsvey performs fifteen dazzling Fritz Kreisler works with pianist Kirsten Simpson-Robertson at St Hilda’s.
📍 St Hilda’s Anglican Church, Island Bay | 🕒 4:30pm–5:30pm | 🎟️ $15–$25 | All Ages

👗 Sustainable Fashion Market
NZ’s biggest preloved clothing market - browse vintage, upcycled, and handmade fashion finds at My Walk in Wardrobe.
📍 Lower Hutt Event Centre | 🕒 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Gold Coin | All Ages

🎪 Waikanae Beach Indoor “Spring” Market
Crafts, plants, and local makers under one roof by the beach.
📍 Waikanae Beach Community Hall | 🕕 10:00am–1:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry

🎨 Ōtaki Craft Market
An outdoor market full of crafts, vintage finds, plants, food trucks, live buskers, and community vibes on SH1.
📍 Ōtaki Market, 58 Main Highway, Ōtaki | 🕒 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

Looking Ahead:

🏛️ Futuna Lecture Series: Francis Kéré – Tue 16 Sep
Globally acclaimed architect and 2022 Pritzker Prize winner Francis Kéré speaks at Old St. Paul’s on community-driven, sustainable design.
📍 Old St. Paul’s Cathedral | 🕒 Tue 16 Sep, 6:30pm (doors 6pm) | 🎟️ From $15.75, Livestream available here.

⛅ Welly Weather Watch

☀️ Friday: Fine. Northerlies, easing in the morning. High 12°C, low 6°C.
⛅ Saturday: A few showers possible in the afternoon. High 15°C, low 9°C.
☀️ Sunday: Fine. Northwesterlies. High 14°C, low 7°C.

💕 Extra Sprinkles - Wellington Curtain Bank

Tucked in a lane off Tory Street, the Curtain Bank run by Sustainability Trust upcycles pre-loved curtains and gives them free to low-income households. Volunteers clean, double-line and alter them to fit, helping insulate homes and cut heating bills. Since 2010 they’ve delivered over 17,500 pairs to more than 4,800 Wellington homes. You can help by donating curtains, fabric or a few dollars – a simple way to share the warmth.

Know another group making a difference? Reply and tell us - we love sharing good news.

🐝 That’s a wrap on this week’s buzz! Whether you’re dancing after dark, geeking out over LEGO bricks, or just soaking up that spring sunshine, have a fantastic weekend out there in Pōneke. We’ll catch you next Thursday with more local tips and tales.

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve