🐝 Love, Fringe & the Bays

👋 Kia ora Wellington!

Wellington is fully switched on this weekend - Valentine’s late nights, Fringe chaos, opera under the stars, waterfront fairs, big runs and cultural celebrations everywhere you look. Grab your sunnies (and maybe an umbrella) and get amongst it.

It’s one of those weekends where Wellington feels properly alive.

(go straight to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday events).

🔥 10 Quick Picks This Weekend

🎶 Kingston Calling – UB40 featuring Ali Campbell (Thu) – Massive outdoor reggae takeover with Kiwi heavyweights Katchafire and The Black Seeds.
⛳ Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship (Thu-Sun) – Free world-class women’s golf in Upper Hutt.
🧚 Enchanted Park (Sat) – Fairy gardens, crafts and nature play for kids.
🎶 Deacon Blue (Sat) – Scottish pop-rock legends celebrate 40 years of hits.
🦒 Valentine’s Night at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo (Sat) – Adults-only zoo after dark with bars, live music and twilight animal encounters.
✨ Heavenly Bodies: Valentine’s Under the Stars (Sat) – Stargazing, cocktails and cosmic Valentine’s vibes.
🎪 Gypsy Fair (Sat–Sun) – Carnival fun and live music on the waterfront all weekend.
🏃‍♂️ Round the Bays Wellington (Sun) – Wellington’s biggest fun run around the bays.
🎭 Fringe Takeover Arts Market (Sun) – Cuba Street packed with art, makers and Fringe energy.
👗 Fashion Fest – by My Walk in Wardrobe (Sun) – Wellington’s biggest thrift takeover at Brewtown.

🕰️ Time Machine: Petone Foreshore - Early 1900s

🚢 Cruise Ship Arrivals at the Waterfront

It’s cruise season in Wellington. Expect busier cafés and a few more cameras pointed at the harbour.

✨ Sponsored by ViewFromTheRoom.com
See the view before you book the room.

🌟 Local Legends - That Was Then, This is Now

That Was Then, This Is Now is part boutique menswear store, part classic barbershop. This hidden gem is home to some of the best independent clothing from around the globe and one of Wellington’s coolest grooming spots. Downstairs you’ll find hard-to-find heritage denim, workwear and vintage-inspired threads; upstairs, a vintage-style barber offering top-notch haircuts. It’s a one-of-a-kind combo that oozes old-school charm and effortlessly cool Wellington style.

📍 17 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro
🌐 https://thatwasthen.co.nz

🍽️ Food & Drink – April Patisserie (Te Aro)

A small Victoria Street bakery quietly building a cult following with flaky croissants, delicate macarons, glossy fruit tarts and buttery salt buns that regularly sell out before noon. Owners Jocelyn and Eddy trained in French pastry techniques, bringing serious patisserie craft to the city.

📍 160 Victoria Street, Te Aro, Wellington
🌐 https://www.instagram.com/april.wgtn/

🎉 Events: What's On This Weekend

Thursday, February 12:

🎶 Kingston Calling - UB40 featuring Ali Campbell
An epic summer reggae takeover as UB40’s Ali Campbell headlines a massive outdoor show with Katchafire, The Black Seeds and Corrella.
📍 Waitangi Park, Te Aro, Wellington | 🕒 Thu 3:15pm-10:00pm |💰 $119-$149+ | R18

🎶 Gregory Alan Isakov - Live in Wellington
An intimate acoustic evening with the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, delivering hushed, heartfelt songs and stripped-back storytelling.
📍 The Opera House, 109 Manners St, Te Aro, Wellington | 🕒 Thu 7:30pm |💰 From $134 | All Ages

Friday, February 13:

⛳ Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship
Watch the next generation of elite women golfers compete in a world-class championship, with free entry and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
📍 Royal Wellington Golf Club, 28 Golf Rd, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt | 🕒 Fri 9:00am-5:00pm |💰 Free | All Ages

🎭 El Colibrí - NZ Fringe Festival
Three sisters reunite in Puerto Rico in this sharp, heartfelt Latin theatre debut exploring family, language and old wounds - plus, yes, there are frogs.
📍 BATS Theatre - The Stage, 1 Kent Terrace, Te Aro | 🕒 Fri 7pm; Sat 4pm & 7pm; Sun 7pm (60 mins) |💰 $15-$20

🎭 The Book of Will
A sharp, funny and heartfelt stage story about the friends who raced to save Shakespeare’s plays from being lost forever.
📍 Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee St, Te Aro | 🕒 Fri 7:30pm-10:00pm |💰 $20-$30 | All Ages

🌴 Pasifika Summer Party at Porirua Club
Island vibes take over with live music from The Wanderers, summer cocktails and a Pasifika-themed feast for a big, feel-good dancefloor night.
📍 Porirua Club, 1 Lodge Place, Porirua | 🕒 Fri from 7:30pm |💰 Free entry | All Ages

🎧 Greenwolve - Alpaka x Jungle Juice NZ Tour
A dark, hypnotic psy-techno takeover as Greenwolve brings deep grooves and underground energy to Wellington for the final NZ tour stop.
📍 Red Square Bar, 26 Blair St, Te Aro | 🕒 Fri 10:00pm-3:00am |💰 $10-$15 + fees | R18

🎭 The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams’ haunting classic explores family, memory and fragile dreams in a beautifully intimate production full of humour and quiet heartbreak.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 7:00pm-8:30pm |💰 $25-$60 + fees | All Ages

💘 Valentine’s Art Exhibition at Dr Morse Tattoo Studio
A celebration of love in all its forms, featuring bold, intimate artworks from the Dr Morse team and guest artists across multiple styles and mediums.
📍 Dr Morse Tattoo Studio, 1st Floor, James Smith Building, 63 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 10:00am-6:00pm | All Ages

🎶 Hobnail Boots
A much-loved Wellington folk trio bring tight harmonies, fiddle-driven tunes and feel-good storytelling to an intimate early evening show.
📍 Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | 🕒 Fri 5:30pm-7:30pm |💰 Free (Koha welcome) | All Ages

🎧 GLM (1985) + Texture, Noyer & Whaea G b2b Ohimesama Breaks
A heavy-hitting UK bass and breaks fundraiser featuring Bristol’s GLM alongside a stacked local lineup, all in support of Valhalla’s Cuba Dupa stage.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 9:00pm |💰 $15-$30 + fees | R18

😂 Driving Me Crazy - A Comedy Show
A fast, brutally relatable comedy ride where a real-life married couple unpack love, fights and everyday chaos with sharp banter and zero brakes.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 7:30pm-8:30pm |💰 $18-$25 + fees | R18

😂 Prophecy Girl
A sharp solo stand-up set from Maeve, mixing signs, spooky coincidences and clever gags into a tight, funny Fringe Festival hour.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 6:00pm-7:00pm |💰 $10-$15 + fees | All Ages

👻 Sexy Ghost Boy - Wellington Fringe
An award-winning, wordless clown and burlesque mash-up that skewers sex, insecurity and self-image in a bold, absurd and unforgettable Fringe hour.
📍 Whisky & Wood, 60 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 6:00pm-7:00pm |💰 $20-$25 | R18

🤡 CRUSH THE BUG - Wellington Fringe
A fast, absurd clown odyssey packed with bugs, lab coats and audience play, blending physical comedy and surreal ideas into a sharp Fringe hour.
📍 Whisky & Wood, 60 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 7:30pm-8:30pm |💰 $20-$25 | R16

🎪 The Renegade Cabaret - Wellington Fringe Festival
A wild, late-night cabaret spectacular packed with circus, burlesque and unhinged party tricks where every show is unpredictable and gloriously weird.
📍 Whisky & Wood, 60 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 9:00pm-10:30pm |💰 $20-$30 | R18

🎭 D’Things N Such
A high-energy, gloriously chaotic Fringe show smashing physical theatre, absurd comedy and audience play into a fast, anything-goes hour.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 7:30pm-8:30pm |💰 $25-$45 + fees | All Ages

Saturday, February 14:

🎪 Gypsy Fair
A colourful, high-energy travelling fair bringing live music, family fun, and carnival vibes to the waterfront all weekend long.
📍 Frank Kitts Park, Jervois Quay, Wellington | 💰 Free Entry | All ages | Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

🌸 Begonia, Dahlia and Fuchsia Show
A classic community flower show filled with vibrant blooms, plants for sale, crafts, raffles and plenty of floral inspiration.
📍 Walter Nash Centre, 22 Taine Street, Taita, Lower Hutt | 💰 $3 door sales | All ages | Sat 12pm-4pm (and Sun 10am-3:30pm)

🌻 Ruamāhanga Farm Foundation Sunflower Fundraiser 2026
Wander through towering sunflower fields near Martinborough while supporting local wetland restoration and community nature projects.
📍 Ruamāhanga Farm, 1415 State Highway 53, Martinborough | 💰 $10 (12+) | All ages | Sat 10am-4pm

🤿 Community Snorkel: Taputeranga Marine Reserve
A free, beginner-friendly snorkelling day with guided sessions, provided gear, and a chance to explore Wellington’s underwater world up close.
📍 Taputeranga Marine Reserve, 61 The Esplanade | 💰 Free | All ages (8+) | Sat 10am-3pm

🦒 Valentine’s Night at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
A playful, adults-only Valentine’s evening with live music, outdoor bars, cheeky animal talks, and twilight zoo vibes after hours.
📍 Wellington Zoo, 200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington | 💰 $24-$109 | R18 | Sat 5pm-8.30pm

✨ Heavenly Bodies: Valentine’s Under the Stars
A cosmic Valentine’s night with planetarium love stories, playful craft sessions, a cash bar, and stargazing vibes high above the city.
📍 Space Place at Carter Observatory, 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn | 💰 $75-$250 | R18 | Sat 6pm-10pm

💘 Nicola Mitchell with Jo Moir & Mikey Muggeridge - Valentine’s Day Gig
A warm, harmony-rich acoustic Valentine’s show weaving folk, bluegrass and storytelling for the smitten, the slightly bitter and the happily single.
📍 Hilltop, 17 Upland Road, Kelburn | 🕒 Sat 7:30pm |💰 $30 + fees | All Ages

🎶 Deacon Blue
Scottish pop-rock legends celebrate 40 years with a hit-filled anniversary show blending classic anthems, new material and crowd-favourite moments.
📍 The Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | 🕒 Sat 7:30pm-10:30pm |💰 From $103 | All Ages

🐑 Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary Open Day 25/26
A feel-good afternoon with a guided sanctuary tour, meet the rescued animals, and enjoy a vegan afternoon tea while supporting their ongoing care.
📍 Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary |💰 Tickets required | All ages | Sat 1pm-4pm

🌏 Multicultural Festival & Chinese New Year Gala
A fun, family-friendly celebration of Wellington’s diversity with live music, dance, and performances from cultures across the globe, marking Chinese New Year and 40 years of MCW.
📍 Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Rongomaraeroa Level 4, 55 Cable St |💰 Free | All ages | Sat 11am-2pm

🎪 Community Carnival Day
A free, family-friendly community carnival with bouncy castles, games, prizes, a photobooth, and a classic sausage sizzle.
📍 Community Baptist Church, 11 and 13 Sunlight Grove, Kenepuru, Porirua | 💰 Free | All ages | Sat 11am-3pm

🧚 Enchanted Park
A magical family day out with fairy gardens, crafts, facepainting and outdoor play, inviting kids to explore nature and native wildlife in a forest setting.
📍 Wainuiomata Regional Park, 10 Whitcher Grove, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt | 🕒 Sat 10:00am-2:00pm |💰 Free | All Ages

💐 Lavender Magic Flower Farm PYO
A dreamy country escape where you can wander the gardens, pick fresh dahlias and soak up lavender-scented calm with Tararua views.
📍 Lavender Magic, 61 Blakes Road, Mt Holdsworth, Carterton | 🕒 Sat 10:00am-5:00pm |💰 $5 | All Ages

🎼 The Pearl Fishers
Bizet’s lush opera comes alive in a magical outdoor setting, with top New Zealand voices, a live orchestra and picnic-perfect garden seating.
📍 Day's Bay Opera Canna House, 24 Moana Road, Days Bay, Lower Hutt | 🕒 Sat 6:45pm-8:45pm |💰 $90 | All Ages

🎤 Bella Maisie
Catch an intimate debut concert from rising Wellington singer-songwriter Bella Maisie as she shares her original songs live for the first time.
📍 G16 Studios, 6 Railway Avenue, Maidstone, Upper Hutt | 🕒 Sat 6:30pm |💰 $10 + fees | All Ages

💖 Heart Throb - A Valentine’s Day Drag Show
A late-night drag spectacular packed with lip-syncs, heartbreak, drama and camp chaos as love stories unravel in the most fabulous way possible.
📍 Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | 🕒 Sat 10:00pm |💰 $18-$35 + fees | R18

🎷 Hayden Chisholm and Unwind
A beautifully spacious jazz set blending folk and chamber influences, led by world-class saxophonist Hayden Chisholm in an intimate village hall setting.
📍 St Peters Village Hall, Cnr Beach Rd and Ames St, Paekākāriki | 🕒 Sat 7:00pm-8:15pm |💰 $10-$28 + fees | All Ages

🎶 Sue Thorby & Mr Moondog
A soulful night of blues, gypsy soul and raw roots music as two powerhouse performers deliver gritty grooves and heartfelt storytelling.
📍 The Raumati Social Club, 34 Poplar Ave, Raumati South, Raumati | 🕒 Sat 7:30pm |💰 Free | All Ages

🔥 Dead Congregation + Concrete Winds - Aotearoa Tour
An unrelenting night of extreme metal as Greek death metal heavyweights Dead Congregation collide with Finnish chaos merchants Concrete Winds.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Wellington | 🕒 Sat 8:00pm |💰 $72 | R18

💘 Lila Jnr presents: Silly Love Songs
A sweet, low-stakes Valentine’s set of heartfelt love songs from Lila Jnr - free entry, cosy vibes, and nothing complicated.
📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Wellington | 💰 Free | R18 | Sat 9.30pm-11.30pm

🛍️ Tawa Squash Club Mega Garage Sale
A classic community garage sale packed with bargains, hidden gems, and a good cause - treasure hunting with heart this Valentine’s weekend.
📍 Tawa Squash Club, 67 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington | 💰 Free Entry | All ages | Sat 8am-2pm

🎭 As You Like It - Summer Shakespeare
A joyful, sun-soaked outdoor Shakespeare filled with live music, laughter, and community spirit as As You Like It blooms back to life in the park.
📍 Aro Park, Aro Street, Aro Valley | 💰 Koha $5 | All ages | Sat 6.30pm-8pm (and Sun 2:30pm-4:00pm)

⚽ UHCF Junior Funday
A fun-filled morning for junior players with have-a-go drills, mini games, giant football, football darts, and classic family challenges.
📍 Maidstone Turf, 20 Park Street, Kingsley Heights, Upper Hutt | All ages | Sat 9am-12pm

🔧 Upper Hutt Repair Café
Bring along broken household items and get help fixing them with skilled volunteers - a practical, feel-good way to reduce waste and save things from landfill.
📍 Baptist Church Main Hall, 1 Milton Street, Trentham, Upper Hutt | 💰 Free (koha appreciated) | All ages | Sat 10am-2pm

Sunday, February 15:

🏃‍♂️ Round the Bays Wellington
Wellington’s biggest fun run is back – choose your challenge with 8.4km or 21km around the bays, whether you walk, jog, run or roll, with a whānau-friendly shortcut option too
📍 Waitangi Park, Wellington | 💰 Ticketed | All ages | Sun from 9am

⚽ Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
The Nix women return to Porirua for a big Round 17 clash - expect fast football, big moments and proper Sunday afternoon energy.
📍 Porirua Park, Porirua | 🕒 Sun 4pm |💰 $10-$20 (Family $50) | All Ages

🎭 Fringe Takeover Arts Market
Cuba Street turns into a playful Fringe playground with pop-up performances and a buzzing arts market packed with local makers, zines, prints and one-of-a-kind finds.
📍 Swan Lane Car Park, Swan Lane, Cuba Street, Te Aro |💰 Free Entry | All ages | Sun 10am-5pm

🛍️ Ōtaki Market - February
A buzzy outdoor market packed with local produce, crafts, food trucks and community vibes – an easy Sunday wander with plenty to snack on and discover.
📍 Otaki Market, 58 Main Highway, Ōtaki | 💰 Free Entry | All ages | Sun 10am-2pm

🎶 Burgin, Kerr & Norman - Up Close & Personal
A swampy, story-rich blend of country, folk, americana and blues from three seasoned Wellington musicians, served up intimate and unfiltered for a perfect Sunday afternoon session.
📍 Studio 73, 73 Main Street, Greytown | 💰 $25 (cash at door) | All ages | Sun 4pm-6:30pm

🎶 Back of Beyond
An intimate house concert blending Cuban, Celtic and classical flavours with originals and favourites, led by mandolin maestro Nathan Torvik and Craig Denham in a warm, up-close setting.
📍 Hilltop, 17 Upland Road, Kelburn | 💰 $30 + fees | All ages | Sun 3pm

👗 Fashion Fest - by My Walk in Wardrobe
Wellington’s biggest thrift event takes over Brewtown with sustainable fashion, slow-fashion gems and a full day of op-shopping with friends and whānau.
📍 Brewtown, 27 Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt | 💰 $5 | All ages | Sun 11am-4pm

🎷 Sunday Jazz - New Zealand Swing Quartet
A laid-back Sunday session of swinging New Orleans jazz with soulful grooves, classic tunes and proper end-of-week vibes at The Rogue.
📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington | 💰 Free (koha encouraged) | All ages licensed | Sun 5pm-7pm

🛍️ Greytown Country Market
A relaxed Sunday market in a leafy park with coffee, BBQ, artisan goods, plants, vintage finds and plenty of local flavour - all supporting Greytown Trails projects.
📍 Stella Bull Park, Main Street, Greytown | 💰 Free | All ages | Sun 10am-2pm

🎺🎷 Hoot’n’Annies Live at Parrotdog
Wellington’s all-female second line band bring New Orleans jazz, funk and brass-powered pop covers to the bar - high-energy grooves, big horns and serious feel-good vibes.
📍 Parrotdog Bar, 60-66 Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai | 💰 Free Entry | All ages licensed | Sun from 1pm

🌲🚶 Guided Walk - Wainuiomata Regional Park
A ranger-led walk through ancient forest and waterways, exploring normally closed areas including the historic Morton Dam and Wellington’s water collection zone - a rare chance to see behind the scenes.
📍 Wainuiomata Regional Park, 120 Witcher Grove, Wainuiomata | 💰 (ballot entry) | R14+ | Sun 9am-1pm

🍽️🌍 International Food Festival - Naenae
A vibrant community food festival serving up international cuisine, sweet treats and family-friendly fun with henna, crafts and face painting from local vendors.
📍 Hilary Court, Naenae (next to Naenae Community Library), Lower Hutt | All ages | Sun 10:30am-3:30pm

🌧️ Welly Weather Watch

🌧 Friday: Rain in the morning and afternoon, otherwise fine. High 24°C, low 14°C.
☁️ Saturday: Cloudy. Southerlies developing in the morning. High 19°C, low 13°C.
🌧 Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a few showers in the morning. High 16°C, low 12°C.

💝 Extra Sprinkles – Charity of the Week

Evolve Wellington Youth Service - A free, youth-focused health and wellbeing service in central Wellington supporting rangatahi. From medical care and counselling to social support and life skills programmes, Evolve provides a safe, non-judgmental space where young people can access the help they need to thrive. (evolveyouth.org.nz)

Whether you’re dancing, running, stargazing or just soaking up the buzz - Wellington’s doing its thing. Go be part of it.

Kirstie & Steve 🐝