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  • 🐝 WellyBuzz: A Circus, Jimmy Carr & Free Summer Concerts

🐝 WellyBuzz: A Circus, Jimmy Carr & Free Summer Concerts

Free concerts, glowing gardens, lavender stargazing, circus tents, car meets, markets, raves and family wins - this weekend is quietly unhinged.

πŸ‘‹ Wellington - this Anniversary weekend isn’t asking what your plans are. It’s deciding them for you.

We’ve got free live music under glowing trees, lavender fields at sunset, stargazing in the Wairarapa, big-top circus chaos, community markets, car convoys, puppets, pinball championships and raves that don’t end until breakfast. The city (and everything around it) has gone full summer mode. Here’s your guide to what’s on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. 🐝

P.S. Next week we’re back to our regular format with a few exciting upgrades and new ways to get involved. More soon. 🐝

πŸŽ‰ Events: Your Weekend Lineup

Thursday 15 January:

πŸ˜‚ Jimmy Carr - Laughs Funny
Fast, dark, no-filter comedy from one of the world’s sharpest one-liner machines - absolutely not for the easily offended.
πŸ“ TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf, Wellington | πŸ•– 7:00pm | πŸ’° From ~$90 | 🎟 R18

Friday 16 January:

πŸŽͺ✨ Weber Bros 'The Circus'
A high-energy, family-friendly circus spectacular under the big top - expect aerials, comedy, jaw-dropping stunts and classic circus magic for all ages.
πŸ“ Avalon Park, Taita Drive | πŸ’° $35-$200 | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 2:00pm and 7:30pm

Weber Bros 'The Circus'

🦁 School Holiday Programme at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo
A hands-on, behind-the-scenes school holiday experience where tamariki help prepare animal diets, create enrichment, and learn directly from Zoo staff in a real working zoo environment.
πŸ“ Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, 200 Daniell Street, Newtown | πŸ’° $79 per child per day + booking fee | 🎟 Ages 5–12 | πŸ•– Drop-off 8:30–9am, pick-up 3:30–4pm

🎢🌿 Gardens Magic Concert Series
A classic Wellington summer night - free live music at the Soundshell with a warm-up act from 7pm (FEET with Heat 4dance Studio), main act from 8pm (The BeatGirls), and the light display glowing after dark.
πŸ“ Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 7:00pm-9:15pm

πŸ¦‹πŸŒΏ Gardens Magic Kids Garden Trail
A free, self-guided summer adventure for kids - follow the butterfly trail through the gardens, spot the hidden golden butterflies, and complete activities along the way.
πŸ“ Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00am-5:00pm

βœ¨πŸŒ™ Gardens Magic Light Display
After dark, the gardens come alive with a magical light installation - wander glowing pathways and soak up the atmosphere under the summer night sky.
πŸ“ Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00pm-10:30pm

🎨 Michelangelo – A Different View
See the Sistine Chapel like never before with full-scale reproductions of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, displayed up close in an immersive exhibition running until 8 February.
πŸ“ Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre | πŸ’° $45 (kids under 12 free with paying adult) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– Daily 10:00am-5:00pm (last entry 4:00pm)

🐦🌿 The Early Bird Catches the Worm…
Get to Staglands early and be rewarded - buy your entry before 10am and score a free return visit for another day.
πŸ“ Staglands Wildlife Reserve, 2362 Akatarawa Rd | πŸ’° $12-$29 (family $82) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:30am-10:00am

πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™€οΈπŸ—ΊοΈ Historic Jackson Street Scavenger Hunt
A fun, self-guided scavenger hunt through Petone - follow clues, learn local history, and enter the draw to win once you finish.
πŸ“ Jackson St, Petone | πŸ’° Free Entry | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-8:00pm

🦜🌿 Have a PΕ«kaha Summer
A full-day summer adventure for the whole whānau - meet native wildlife, join kids’ treasure hunts, explore forest trails, and refuel at the Kākā Cafe.
πŸ“ PΕ«kaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Masterton | πŸ’° Paid entry (check the link for prices) πŸ•– 9:00am-5:00pm

πŸŽ¨πŸ‘§ Art Workshops for Children
Creative school-holiday workshops at Toi Mahara - kids explore drawing and printmaking with guided, hands-on sessions led by local artists.
πŸ“ Toi Mahara, 20 Mahara Place, Waikanae | πŸ’° $10 | πŸ•– 12:00pm-1:00pm

🏺🌿 Festival of Pots and Garden Art 2026
A relaxed day of pottery, garden art and creativity - wander the gardens, browse artisan stalls, watch live demos, and enjoy food, music and picnic vibes.
πŸ“ Anam Cara Gardens, 150 Rangiuru Rd, Ōtaki | πŸ’° $5 adults, kids under 16 free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-8:00pm

🎭🐟 String Bean Puppets: Nan and Tuna
A gentle, engaging puppet show for tamariki that blends wonder, friendship and care for our natural world, set inside the sanctuary visitor centre.
πŸ“ ZEALANDIA Eco-Sanctuary | πŸ’° Free (normal sanctuary entry applies) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 11:00am-11:45am

🎸 Insecure Delusion: A Tribute To Tool
Missed Tool or just want another hit? Expect a heavy, high-energy night of fan favourites and deep cuts delivered loud and tight by Wellington tribute favourites.
πŸ“ San Fran, 171 Cuba St | πŸ’° $26.77-$30.89 | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 9:00pm-11:00pm

πŸ› Summer Play Tour - Mungavin Park
Free, drop-in whānau fun with Porirua City Council’s new Wā Tākaro play trailer - packed with sports gear, loose parts, and hands-on activities for kids of all ages.
πŸ“ Mungavin Park, Mungavin Ave, Porirua | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 11:00am-1:00pm

🎹 General Kala
Free late-night synth-driven sounds from Wellington electronic trio General Kala, blending vintage analog vibes with melodic, danceable energy.
πŸ“ The Rogue and Vagabond | πŸ’° Free Entry | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 9:30pm

πŸ–€ Gathering Shadows
Hot Goth Summer arrives with Aotearoa’s biggest mini goth festival - two nights of darkwave, post-punk, DJs, and ritual-worthy atmosphere at Valhalla.
πŸ“ Valhalla, 154 Vivian St | πŸ’° $25 one night / $35 two-night pass | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 7:15pm

πŸŽ‰ Torque Sounds Birthday Bash
Torque Sounds and Club Medder celebrate their January birthdays with big tunes, a big system, and a stacked multi-genre dancefloor takeover.
πŸ“ Moon, 167 Riddiford St, Newtown | πŸ’° $15 presale, $20 door | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•— 8:00pm–2:00am

🎢 Summer Concert Series
It’s the first of four summer evenings of free live music at Adventure Park - bring a picnic, enjoy local talent (The Blueprint), and soak up easy-going Wellington Anniversary vibes.
πŸ“ Adventure Park, Discovery Drive, Whitby | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•• 6:00pm–8:00pm

πŸ–€ Dark Art Exhibition – Opening Night
A moody, immersive group exhibition exploring inner fears, hidden creatures, and shadowy worlds through local and underground art.
πŸ“ The Gallery Tattoo, Level 2, 4 Bond Street, Te Aro, Wellington | πŸ•– 5:30pm

πŸͺ¨πŸŒž Self-Guided Tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa
Explore New Zealand’s own Stonehenge at your own pace - wander the stone circle, uncover its celestial story, and experience the site’s unique acoustics.
πŸ“ Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton | πŸ’° $5–$20 | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–4:00pm

πŸŒŒπŸ”¦ Star Trek Laser Tour (Stargazing)
A guided night-sky experience at Stonehenge Aotearoa, featuring a short presentation followed by a laser-led tour of constellations, planets and celestial stories.
πŸ“ Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton | πŸ’° $63-$83 | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:45pm-11:15pm

Saturday 17 January:

🎢 Summer Concert Series
Free live music in the open air with local favourites 2twenty bringing the vibes to Adventure Park - pack a picnic and settle in for a relaxed summer evening.
πŸ“ Adventure Park, Whitby | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 6:00pm–8:00pm

Summer Concert Series at Adventure Park, Whitby

πŸš— Hardpark_11 Weekend
A celebration of modified cars, cruising, club meet-ups and community vibes, bringing crews from around the country together for a massive Wellington-region takeover.
πŸ“ Big meet-ups + cruises + convoy energy all weekend - details move fast, so hit the event link before you go.

πŸ•ΉοΈ New Zealand Pinball Championships
Watch top-tier competitive pinball as the country’s best players battle through qualifiers, side events, and national finals in the heart of Wellington.
πŸ“ Ye Olde Pinball Shoppe, 18A Bond Street, Te Aro, Wellington | πŸ’° From $15+ booking fee (All Access $95) | 🎟 All ages

🎨 Family Saturdays at Kai Tahi
A relaxed, creative day for families with free craft and woodworking workshops for kids, plus great food and community vibes at Kai Tahi.
πŸ“ Kai Tahi, 20 Parumoana Street, Porirua | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-4:00pm

πŸ‡ Harcourts Thorndon Mile Family Day
A classic summer raceday with top-quality racing, free general admission, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment at Trentham Racecourse.
πŸ“ Trentham Racecourse, 10 Racecourse Road, Upper Hutt | πŸ’° Free GA (hospitality available) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– From 12:00pm

πŸ”₯ South African Braai Meetup at Battle Hill
A relaxed, family-friendly braai get-together with good food, river swims, and laid-back summer vibes in the Dell at Battle Hill - weather permitting.
πŸ“ Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, Paekakariki Hill Road, Porirua | πŸ’° Free (camping extra) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–8:00pm

πŸ•΅οΈβ€β™€οΈ Kāpiti Coast Museum Clue Hunt
A free, family-friendly clue hunt across nine Kāpiti Coast museums - solve clues, explore local history, and go in the draw to win epic prize packs.
πŸ“ Various museums across the Kāpiti Coast | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-3:00pm

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers - A Fundraiser For Hōkai Tahi
Wander a glowing sunflower field, pick your own blooms, snap summer photos, and support a local charity doing vital work for Wairarapa whānau.
πŸ“ Stolte Ag Dairy Farm, 153 Wiltons Rd, Carterton | πŸ’° Free entry (koha welcome, $2 per stem) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-4:00pm

πŸš— Strictly Nissan Hardpark 2026 Pre-Meet
Kick off Hardpark weekend with a Nissan-only pre-meet - coffee, car chats, and a clean convoy roll-in with fellow Nissan enthusiasts.
πŸ“ Strictly Nissan HQ, 1 Gregory Street, Naenae, Lower Hutt | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 7:30am–9:30am

🎢 Gardens Magic Concert Series
Continues with local talent (7pm - Project Juliette, 8pm - Wellington Brass Band)
πŸ“ Botanic Garden Soundshell, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 7:00pm-9:15pm

πŸ¦‹ Gardens Magic Kids Garden Trail
πŸ“ Botanic Garden, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00am-5:00pm

✨ Gardens Magic Light Display
πŸ“ Botanic Garden, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00pm-10:30pm

πŸŽͺ Weber Bros’ The Circus
πŸ“ Avalon Park, Lower Hutt | πŸ’° From $35 | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 2:00pm & 7:30pm

πŸ”­ Telescope Mastery
A hands-on, small-group workshop with an astrophysicist, teaching you how to use, collimate, and get the most out of a telescope - bring your own or learn on theirs.
πŸ“ Star Safari Observatory, 1169 Ponatahi Rd, Carterton | πŸ’° $150 | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 11:00am–2:30pm

🎨 Festival of Pots and Garden Art 2026
A relaxed summer festival celebrating pottery and garden art, with exhibitions, artisan stalls, and live demonstrations in beautiful garden surroundings.
πŸ“ Anam Cara Gardens, Ōtaki | πŸ’° $5 adults, kids free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–4:00pm

πŸ–€ Gathering Shadows
Aotearoa’s biggest mini goth festival hits Valhalla - one night of darkwave, post-punk, and DJs in a ritual-soaked atmosphere of crushed velvet and candelabras.
πŸ“ Valhalla, 154 Vivian St | πŸ’° $25 | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 7:15pm

πŸ˜‚ Only The New Stuff 2026
A rapid-fire comedy night where dozens of comedians perform one minute of brand-new material only - blink and you’ll miss it, with the bell of shame keeping everyone honest.
πŸ“ The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | πŸ’° $16.58 - $23.25 | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 8:00pm–9:30pm

🎨 Artists and Their Love of Plants – Part 2 Guided Walk
A relaxed guided walk through the Botanic Garden exploring plants that inspired artists from Monet and Van Gogh to Rita Angus, with artworks brought to life along the way.
πŸ“ Wellington Botanic Garden | πŸ’° $10 (Free for Friends) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 1:30pm–2:30pm

🎢 Marlin’s Dreaming
The Dunedin indie favourites return for a rare summer show, playing hits from HIRL, Lizard Tears and more in a tightly polished live set.
πŸ“ San Fran, 171 Cuba St, Wellington | πŸ’° $45 | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 8:00pm

🎨 Whimble Art Market
A joyful, creative market featuring 20+ artists from across Aotearoa - expect art, jewellery, clothing, zines, crafts and plenty of playful, handmade finds.
πŸ“ Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba St | πŸ’° Free Entry | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 11:00am–5:00pm

Whimble Art Market

🎢 Hā ki roto, hā ki waho
A short, immersive performance of taonga pΕ«oro and spoken word connecting breath, nature, and sound in the heart of the city.
πŸ“ Te Papa, Wellington | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 7:00pm–8:30pm

πŸ›οΈ Greytown Sidewalk Sale
A classic summer shop-up as Greytown’s boutiques spill onto the footpaths with bargains, coffee stops, and great local finds.
πŸ“ Greytown Village, Main Street | πŸ’° Free Entry | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00am–6:00pm

πŸ’œ Pick Your Own Lavender at Lavender Abbey
πŸ“ Lavender Abbey, 351 Dalefield Rd, Carterton | πŸ’° $5 entry | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–3:00pm

πŸŽ† Martinborough Lavender Star Gazing
πŸ“ Ranui Essentials, 284c Dry River Rd, Martinborough | πŸ’° $25 adults, kids free | πŸ•– 8:30pm–10:30pm | 🎟 All ages

🌿 Lavender & Flower Farm PYO
πŸ“ Lavender Magic, Mt Holdsworth, Carterton | πŸ’° $5 entry | πŸ•– 10:00am-5:00pm | 🎟 All ages

πŸ’œ Martinborough Lavender Picking
πŸ“ Ranui Essentials, Martinborough | πŸ’° $10 adults, kids free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-3:00pm

Sunday 18 January:

🌿 Guided Ancient Forest Walk – Wainuiomata Regional Park
A rare ranger-led walk through a normally closed 1,000-year-old forest, exploring towering native trees and hidden corners of the park.
πŸ“ Wainuiomata Recreation Area, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt | πŸ’° Free (ballot entry) | 🎟 Recommended 14+ | πŸ•– 9:00am-1:00pm

Guided Ancient Forest Walk – Wainuiomata Regional Park

🎢 Summer Concert Series
Enjoy Wellington talent (The Relatives) under the open sky.
πŸ“ Adventure Park, Discovery Drive, Whitby, Porirua | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 6:00pm–8:00pm

🌸 Lavender & Flower Farm PYO
πŸ“ Lavender Magic, 61 Blakes Road, Mt Holdsworth, Carterton | πŸ’° $5 entry | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–5:00pm

🌿 Martinborough Lavender Picking
πŸ“ Ranui Essentials, 284c Dry River Road, Martinborough | πŸ’° $10 adults, kids free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–3:00pm

πŸͺ Community Kite Flying Morning
A relaxed, family-friendly kite flying session with kites provided - bring a picnic and enjoy a Sunday summer morning together.
πŸ“ Kilbirnie Park, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:30am-11:30am

🏏 Sri Lankan Cricket Festival 2026
A full day of cricket, culture, and community with T10 matches, Sri Lankan food, kids activities, and family-friendly fun.
πŸ“ Grenada North Park, 10 Nassau Ave, Grenada North, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– From 8:00am

🎢 Gardens Magic Concert Series
Continues with 7pm - Nearly Neil, then 8pm - The Hipnotics
πŸ“ Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore Street, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 7:00pm–9:15pm

πŸ¦‹ Gardens Magic Kids Garden Trail
πŸ“ Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore Street, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00am–5:00pm

✨ Gardens Magic Light Display
πŸ“ Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore Street, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00pm–10:30pm

πŸ›οΈ Ōtaki Market
A relaxed Sunday market with local produce, crafts, kai stalls and live busking - easy browsing and good vibes by the coast.
πŸ“ Ōtaki Market, 58 Main Highway, Ōtaki | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–2:00pm

🧘 Bodybalance at the Lagoon
A free outdoor Bodybalance session combining yoga, tai chi and Pilates - stretch out and unwind by the water.
πŸ“ Aotea Lagoon, Papakowhai Rd, Papakowhai, Porirua | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 4:00pm–4:45pm

🍩 Donut Decorating Day – Donut Express Turns 21
Donut Express celebrates 21 years with free donut decorating at Brewtown Farmers Market - six mini donuts, loads of icing and sprinkles, and plenty of sweet nostalgia.
πŸ“ Brewtown Farmers Market, Upper Hutt | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00am–2:00pm

πŸ§˜β€β™€οΈ Yoga in the Sanctuary
A calming outdoor yoga session surrounded by native bush at ZEALANDIA, blending gentle hatha yoga with te ao Maori kaupapa.
πŸ“ ZEALANDIA Eco-Sanctuary, Waiapu Road, Karori | πŸ’° From $16.58 | 🎟 R13 | πŸ•– 9:00am–11:00am

🎨 Festival of Pots and Garden Art 2026
πŸ“ Anam Cara Gardens, 150 Rangiuru Road, Ōtaki | πŸ’° $5 (kids free) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–4:00pm

🌿 Pick Your Own Lavender at Lavender Abbey
πŸ“ Lavender Abbey, 351 Dalefield Road, Carterton | πŸ’° $5 entry | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–3:00pm

🎢 Unglued (UK)
One of the UK’s hottest drum’n’bass names lands at Meow for a high-energy, no-filler rave built for peak-time pressure and packed dancefloors.
πŸ“ Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro, Wellington | πŸ’° $20 | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 8:00pm

🎸 Ovus – Cascade Release Show
Ovus celebrate the release of Cascade with support from Kokoa Nashi and LadyReign for a heavy, high-energy night at Valhalla.
πŸ“ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Wellington | πŸ’° $25+ booking fee | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 7:30pm

🌊 Keep Wellington Beautiful Coastal Cleanup
Lend a hand and help tidy up the Evans Bay coastline with this family-friendly community clean-up - all gear provided.
πŸ“ Evans Bay Marina, Evans Bay Parade, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:30am-12:00pm

πŸŒ… Summer Dawn
A 12-hour Wellington Anniversary rave with house, techno, UKG, DnB and 140 - from sun-up to sun-down and beyond.
πŸ“ Saint Diablo, 25 Courtney Place, Wellington | 🎟 R18 | πŸ•– 4:00pm-4:00am

πŸ›οΈ The Waikanae Beach Community New Year Market
A relaxed, family-friendly community market with handmade goods, local produce, kids’ dress-ups and beachside vibes.
πŸ“ Waikanae Beach Community Hall, 22a Rauparaha St, Waikanae | πŸ’° Free Entry | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-1:00pm

πŸ›οΈ Greytown Country Market
A laid-back park market with artisan goods, plants, vintage finds, coffee and BBQ sausages - all supporting the Greytown Trails.
πŸ“ Stella Bull Park, Main Street, Greytown | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-2:00pm

Monday 19 January:

🏏 Wellington v Canterbury – Super Smash Double Header
Two top-tier T20 games on Wellington Anniversary Day – the Blaze take on the Magicians at 12:40pm, followed by Firebirds vs Kings at 4:25pm for a full summer cricket showcase.
πŸ“ Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington | πŸ’° $20 adults, $5 kids (4–14) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 12:40pm–7:30pm (Gates 11:40am)

Wellington v Canterbury – Super Smash Double Header - Blaze and Firebirds

🌿 Lavender & Flower Farm PYO
πŸ“ Lavender Magic, 61 Blakes Rd, Mt Holdsworth, Carterton | πŸ’° $5 | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am–5:00pm

πŸ¦‹ Gardens Magic Kids Garden Trail
πŸ“ Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore Street, Wellington | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00am-5:00pm

🎢 Gardens Magic - Relaxed Performances
A calm, low-key Gardens Magic evening with a small-scale solo performance by the Duck Pond, alongside the illuminated Light Display. No Soundshell concerts on Mondays – just a relaxed wander and gentle live music.
πŸ“ Wellington Botanic Garden | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:15pm–10:15pm

✨ Gardens Magic Light Display
πŸ“ Wellington Botanic Garden | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00pm-10:30pm

🧘 Yoga in the Park
A relaxed outdoor yoga session focused on balance, breathing and gentle movement - all levels welcome, with space to go at your own pace.
πŸ“ Waikanae Park, Park Ave, Waikanae | πŸ’° $15 | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 5:30pm-6:30pm

🎨 Festival of Pots and Garden Art 2026
πŸ“ Anam Cara Gardens, 150 Rangiuru Road, Ōtaki | πŸ’° $5 adults, kids free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-4:00pm

🎢 Summer Concert Series
Enjoy local talent (Shaun Preston) as the sun goes down.
πŸ“ Adventure Park, Discovery Drive, Whitby, Porirua | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 6:00pm-8:00pm

πŸ’œ Pick Your Own Lavender at Lavender Abbey
πŸ“ Lavender Abbey, 351 Dalefield Road, Carterton | πŸ’° $5 entry ($5 per bunch) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 10:00am-3:00pm

πŸ›οΈ Wellington Anniversary Day Tour
A gentle guided walk through Bolton Street Cemetery uncovering the stories of Wellington’s earliest settlers and the people who shaped the city in its founding years.
πŸ“ Bolton Street Cemetery, Bolton Street, Wellington | πŸ’° $10 (kids under 12 free) | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 2:00pm-3:30pm

πŸƒ Resolution Run – Belmont Regional Park
A friendly, social 11km out-and-back run along Mill Stream with runners of all abilities, plus a water stop and BBQ breakfast at the finish.
πŸ“ Oakleigh St / Mill Stream, Belmont Regional Park, Maungaraki, Lower Hutt | πŸ’° Free | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– 9:00am

Bonus: kicking off next week

🎨 In My Dreams – Hannah Truly
A whimsical, dreamlike solo exhibition of miniatures, floral paper sculptures, paintings and tiny handmade worlds - stepping inside feels like entering a fairy ring of magic and imagination
πŸ“ Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba Street, Wellington | 🎟 All ages | πŸ•– Tue–Sun 10:00am–5:00pm

That’s your Wellington Anniversary weekend sorted – music drifting through the gardens, lavender in your arms, stars overhead, and something genuinely good happening in every direction.

If you discover something magic, chaotic, or quietly brilliant we missed, hit reply and tell us – WellyBuzz always runs on local tips.

Have the best one Wellington.
Kirstie & Steve 🐝

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