🐝 WellyBuzz: Twilight Festival, Family Rave & Strawberry Sundaes 🍓

👋 Hi Wellington! 🌼
The days are getting longer and the weekends fuller. This one’s serving pure variety - from Brooklyn’s twilight bash and Pickle Week’s tangy takeover to strawberry sundaes for a good cause in Kāpiti. Add Rob Thomas live, a family-friendly rave, and markets galore, and you’ve got your recipe for a proper Wellington weekend. Let’s dive into the buzz!

🔥 10 Quick Picks This Weekend

🎪 Kilbirnie School Carnival – Food stalls, games, tombola, pre-loved toys, and big community vibes (Fri)
🧵 Pōneke Market – Vintage, Arts & Crafts – Vintage fashion, handmade art, and kai by the waterfront (Sat)
🌙 Brooklyn Twilight Festival – 50+ stalls, food, and live entertainment under the lights of Harrison Street (Sat)
🎤 Rob Thomas Live – The Matchbox Twenty frontman performs solo at the Michael Fowler Centre (Sat)
🍓 Kāpiti Strawberry Festival – Sundaes, food trucks, and live music for Mary Potter Hospice (Sat)
🎪 Houghton Valley School Fair – Hāngi, crafts, and live music on the South Coast (Sat)
🎃 Family Grave Day – The world’s biggest family-friendly rave gets a spooky twist (Sat)
🍷 The Runholder Festival – Wine, gin, gourmet bites, and live sets in Martinborough (Sat)
🍴 Eat Street – Courtenay Place turns into a night market of street food, drinks, and live music (Sat)
🎵 Jonathan Lemalu & Friends – Grammy-winning bass joins Virtuoso Strings in Kāpiti (Sun)

PS: 🎤 Legendary hitmaker Sir Cliff Richard returns to Wellington with his Can’t Stop Me Now Tour on Monday 17 Nov, performing live at the Michael Fowler Centre.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – When Days Bay had a 50 km/h water chute
🌟 Local Legends – Porirua’s hidden literary gem, Books Worth Keeping
🍽️ Food & Drink – Matcha, mochi, and moody vibes at TRÀ Coffee & Eatery
🎉 Events – The best of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday across the Wellington region.
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – Showers easing to sunshine by Sunday
💝 Extra Sprinkles – Sailability Wellington: giving wind and waves to everyone

🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine – Days Bay’s Wild Water Chute

In the early 1900s, Wellingtonians didn’t need theme parks – they had Days Bay! Local entrepreneur John Williams turned the bay into a seaside resort, complete with a massive water chute that sent thrill-seekers zooming into a pond at 50 km/h. Flat-bottomed boats holding up to eight people would rocket down wooden rails, drenching delighted riders. On sunny weekends up to 5,000 people would ferry over from the city for a ride. While the chute is long gone, imagining our great-grandparents lining up for a white-knuckle splashdown shows Wellington’s love of adventure is nothing new!

🌟 Local Legends – Books Worth Keeping (2/55 Kenepuru Dr, Porirua)

Calling all bibliophiles – there’s a new treasure trove hiding in Porirua. Books Worth Keeping is a secondhand bookstore that feels like a time machine for literature lovers. Tucked down Kenepuru Drive, this indie gem sells antique volumes, collectible Kiwi books, retro kids’ tales and other rare finds. Shelves overflow with well-loved classics and quirky out-of-print titles - the kind of place you can lose hours hunting for that childhood favourite or a one-of-a-kind gift. It’s more than a shop; it’s a lovingly curated haven for book lovers, proving that in the digital age, nothing beats the magic of a good old-fashioned bookshop.

🍽️ Food & Drink – TRA Coffee and Eatery (126 Willis St, Te Aro)

Matcha lattes, mochi waffles and cloud drinks – oh my! 🥥
If you’re craving something new, TRÀ Coffee and Eatery is the fresh face on Willis Street that has Wellington buzzing. This stylish new café serves artisan coffee, creative matcha blends, vibrant smoothie bowls, and savoury bites like peri peri chicken salad and pan-fried fish with orzotto.

Founded by Sue and Michael, TRÀ is designed as a “Gen Z hangout” inspired by Vietnamese café culture lush greenery, soft lighting, and photo-perfect details at every corner. Regulars are already raving about the berry compote waffles and the signature cloud matcha drink.

☕ Open 7 am–7 pm daily
📍 126 Willis St, Te Aro
📸 @tra_yourcoffeelounge

🚢 Cruise Ship Arrivals at the Waterfront

Cruise season is back! The first ships are arriving, the harbour’s alive, and the city’s getting that holiday sparkle again. Check out who’s docking in Wellington this weekend:

✨ Sponsored by ViewFromTheRoom.com

Real traveller photos ensure you never stare at a carpark wall again. Check out the view from thousands of rooms at ViewFromTheRoom.com.

🎉 Events: What's On This Weekend

Friday 14 November:

🎪 Kilbirnie School Carnival
The beloved Kilbirnie School Carnival is back! Enjoy an evening of fun with food stalls, games, a tombola, pre-loved toys, and plenty of community spirit.
📍 Kilbirnie School, Hataitai | 🕟 4:30–7:00 pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All Ages

🥒 Pickle Week at Garage Project
Garage Project celebrates International Pickle Day with pickle beers, micheladas, platters, merch, and even pickle tattoos – it’s weird, wonderful, and seriously addictive.
📍 Garage Project Taproom, 91 Aro St | 🕒 3pm–10 pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages (licensed)

🎸 SKWERT: The Reunion
A chaotic musical comedy about a doomed rock band’s reunion tour, packed with original songs, wild humour, and a splash-zone for the brave.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕗 7:30 pm | 💰 $15–$40 | 🎟 All ages

🏜️ Run Coyote Run
A raw, road-movie-inspired queer drama set in a Gisborne motel room, where love, escape, and identity collide on one storm-torn night.
📍 BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce | 🕗 7–8 pm | 💰 $15–$40 | 🎟 R16

🎭 Out The Gate
A powerful Theatre Marae performance by Te Rākau exploring incarceration in Aotearoa through music, movement, and kōrero – bold, moving, and deeply human.
📍 Theatre Lab, Massey University, 63 Wallace St | 🕗 7 pm | 💰 $15.90–$50 | 🎟 R16

🚶 Wairarapa Walking Festival: Martinborough Heartbeat Friday Walk
Join local walkers and Wellington Free Ambulance for a relaxed stroll around Martinborough discovering AED locations, followed by refreshments at the Waihinga Centre. Don’t forget to wear something red!
📍 Waihinga Centre, 8 Texas St, Martinborough | 🕘 9–10:30 am | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages

📚 No Words for This: An Evening with Ali Mau
Join journalist and broadcaster Ali Mau in conversation with Melody Thomas as she discusses her powerful new memoir on family, journalism, and resilience.
📍 The Royal Hotel, 22 Revans St, Featherston | 🕗 7–8 pm | 💰 $22.43 | 🎟 All ages

🦥 One Giant Leap for Slothkind
The Seaside Sloths return to Moon with interstellar basslines, smoky skanks, and cosmic grooves in a night that’s part conspiracy, part dancefloor mayhem.
📍 Moon, 167 Riddiford St, Newtown | 🕗 8 pm | 💰 $28.92 | 🎟 R18

🤼 Valiant Pro: Martin Stirling Classic
Three nights of high-impact wrestling as 16 of New Zealand’s best battle for the Martin Stirling Trophy and a shot at the Wellington Heritage Championship.
📍 The 162, 162 Gracefield Rd, Lower Hutt | 🕕 6–8 pm | 💰 $12.81–$66.32 | 🎟 All ages

🐾 Bad Kitty Cabaret: Freaks & Geeks
A wild night of pole, burlesque, drag, and aerials as Wellington’s boldest performers bring freaky, geeky energy to The Fringe Bar stage.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St | 🕖 7–9 pm | 💰 $33.30 | 🎟 R18

🎭 Amélie the Musical
The whimsical, heartwarming story of Amélie comes to life on stage in this enchanting adaptation of the Oscar-nominated film, starring Rachel McSweeney.
📍 Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Tce | 🕢 7:30–10 pm | 💰 $35–$60 | 🎟 M

😂 Jack Ansett: Best Of
Fresh from his sold-out NZ Comedy Festival run, Jack Ansett (Taskmaster NZ, 7 Days) brings his sharpest jokes and new material to Wellington for one night only.
📍 Tapere Nui Theatre, Te Auaha, 65 Dixon St | 🕢 7:30–8:30 pm | 💰 $25–$28 | 🎟 R16

🎤 Cantina Comedy
Twelve comedians, one spotlight, endless laughs - from seasoned pros to fresh faces, anything can happen at Raumati’s Sunday Cantina.
📍 Sunday Cantina, 31 Poplar Ave, Raumati South | 🕖 7–9 pm | 💰 $10 | 🎟 All ages

🎶 Lake South – Album Release Tour
After a four-year hiatus, ElectricUTOPIA band Lake South return with their soaring new album We Lived Our Lives on Top of This - expect electro-folk anthems and heartfelt indie energy.
📍 The Bakehouse Collective, 4 Wakefield St, Featherston | 🕢 7:30 pm | 💰 $20-$25 door sales | 🎟 R18

💞 Speed Dating 30–44, 45–59 & 60+
Meet genuine singles in a relaxed, fun setting - enjoy a drink, good food, and 7-minute chats that might just spark something special.
📍 Kanteen Café, 7 Waterloo Quay | 🕖 7–9:30 pm | 💰 $49 | 🎟 Adults only

🤣 Comedy Night Fundraiser for Paekākāriki Playcentre
A night of laughs with top Kiwi comedians Rhian Wood-Hill, Sera Devcich, Fergus Aitken, and Li’i Alaimoana – raising funds for a whānau trip to Kāpiti Island.
📍 St Peters Village Hall, Cnr Beach Rd & Ames St, Paekākāriki | 🕢 7:30–9:45 pm | 💰 $30 | 🎟 R18

🎶 Kpop Nostalgia Party
Relive your iPod days with a throwback to 2nd and 3rd gen K-pop – DJ RH spins hits from BigBang to BTS in a night of light sticks, themed drinks, and pure nostalgia.
📍 Red Square, 28 Blair St, Te Aro | 🕙 10 pm | 💰 From $12.35 | 🎟 All ages

🎧 Friday Launchpad feat. The Good Taste Selector
Kickstart the weekend at Moon with The Good Taste Selector spinning funk, soul, disco, and reggae in this free Friday DJ session.
📍 Moon, 167 Riddiford St, Newtown | 🕕 6–8 pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages (licensed)

🏀 Tokomanawa Queens vs Kāhu – Claim Your City
Wellington vs Auckland brings the heat as the Queens take on Kāhu in the fiery Claim Your City round - live hoops, local pride, and serious energy.
📍 Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana St, Porirua | 🕔 5:45–9:30 pm | 💰 Check event link | 🎟 All ages

Saturday 15 November

🎤 Rob Thomas – The All Night Days Tour
The Matchbox Twenty frontman returns for an intimate solo show celebrating 20 years of …Something to Be and his new album All Night Days. Expect timeless hits and fresh tracks from one of pop-rock’s greats.
📍 Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington | 🕗 8:00pm | 💰 $179.90 | 🎟 All Ages

🎙️ Ahead of his NZ tour, LA-based Kiwi journalist Leena Tailor chatted with Rob Thomas about family, fame, and 30 years of Matchbox Twenty - read her full story here.

🎶 Bach’s Christmas Oratorio – Bach Choir, Nota Bene & Chiesa Ensemble
Experience the majesty of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio as three acclaimed Wellington ensembles unite for a rare performance of this joyous Baroque masterpiece.
📍 St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott St, Te Aro | 🕖 7–9:30 pm | 💰 $10.25–$56.38 | 🎟 All ages

🎃 Family Grave Day – Wellington
The world’s biggest family-friendly rave gets a spooky twist! Expect DJs, performers, silent disco, games, inflatables, and eerie fun for all ages - costumes encouraged.
📍 The Hunter Lounge, Salamanca Rd, Kelburn | 🕐 1:00 pm–4:00 pm | 💰 From $35.46 | 🎟 All Ages

🎉 Early Bird Party – 30+ Club
Daytime clubbing for grown-ups! DJs spin everything from Queen to Britney, with themed cocktails, giveaways, and a best-dressed comp - all before bedtime.
📍 San Fran | 🕓 4:00 pm | 💰 $28.83 | 🎟 R18

🎤 Club Gaga
Little Monsters, it’s your night - dance through every Gaga era from The Fame to Chromatica with Superficial DJs spinning non-stop hits till midnight.
📍 San Fran | 🕘 9:00 pm | 💰 $21.62 | 🎟 R18

🌿 Te Horo Garden Trail
Wander through Te Horo’s most stunning gardens - from coastal retreats to lush hillside escapes - plus a garden-inspired market at the historic Te Horo Hall.
📍 Te Horo Community Hall | 🕙 10:00 am–4:00 pm (Sat & Sun) | 💰 $35 | 🎟 All Ages

🎸 Andrew Fagan – Passage Of Time Solo Tour
Legendary Kiwi musician and sailor Andrew Fagan (The Mockers) brings stories, songs, and sea tales to life in an intimate evening of music and adventure.
📍 Vogelmorn Bowling Club, 93 Mornington Rd, Brooklyn | 🕢 7:30 pm | 💰 $49 | 🎟 R18

💋 ASHLEY: The Drag Show
The original blonde bombshells reunite for one glitter-soaked night only - a fierce, funny, and fabulous drag spectacular that proves the blueprint still reigns supreme.
📍 Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba St | 🕙 10:00 pm–12:00 am | 💰 $26.33 | 🎟 R18

🎭 Home – The Shed Project Creative Space
An uplifting, joy-filled performance from The Shed Project’s inclusive arts team featuring Light IT Up Theatre, WIDance, Shed Music, and Sound Minds band - followed by drinks and nibbles with the cast.
📍 Southward Car Museum, Otaihanga Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕔 5:30 pm–8:30 pm | 💰 $16.58–$28.92 | 🎟 All Ages

💋 JoJo Bellini’s Dungeon of Delights
Step into JoJo Bellini’s decadent world for a fetish-fuelled cabaret of kink, comedy, and captivating performances. R18, daring, and delightfully wicked.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St, Wellington | 🕗 8:00pm–10:00pm | 💰 From $28.92 | 🎟 R18

🎶 Wooden Box Band
Wellington’s beloved folk darlings perform songs from their award-nominated album Broken River, blending lush harmonies with acoustic charm and a dash of trumpet and violin magic.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St, Wellington | 🕗 7:30pm | 💰 $22.75 | 🎟 All Ages

🎻 String Quartets: Shaw and Ravel
Experience exquisite chamber music with NZSO members performing works by modern Pulitzer-winning composer Caroline Shaw and the lush romanticism of Ravel’s String Quartet in F major.
📍 Philosophy House, 33 Aro St, Wellington | 🕒 3:00–4:00pm | 💰 From $10.25 | 🎟 All Ages

🍓 Kāpiti Strawberry Festival 2025
The sweetest festival on the Kāpiti Coast returns with strawberry sundaes, food trucks, live music, kids’ entertainment, and plenty of family fun - all supporting Mary Potter Hospice.
📍 Kāpiti Primary School, Cnr Rimu Rd and Kapiti Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕘 9:30 am – 3:00 pm | 💰 Gold coin donation | 🎟 All Ages

🎸 Other Voices Perform the Music of The Cure
Christchurch’s post-punk band Other Voices deliver a 30-song tribute to The Cure’s golden decade - from Boys Don’t Cry to Disintegration, packed with deep cuts and dark-wave anthems.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian St | 🕗 8:00 pm–12:00 am | 💰 $20–$30 | 🎟 R18

🍷 The Runholder Presents: A Boutique Festival of Wine, Gin, Food & Music
Sip, swirl, and dance under the Martinborough sun with Hollie Smith, Sweet Mix Kids, and The Beat Girls at this lush festival celebrating fine wine, craft gin, and gourmet bites.
📍 The Runholder, 89 Martins Rd, Martinborough | 🕛 12:00 pm–6:00 pm | 💰 GA $99, VIP $499 | 🎟 R18

🎪 Houghton Valley School Fair
A beloved South Coast tradition with live music, crafts, games, food stalls, a hangi, bouncy castle, and even cute farm animals - perfect for families and foodies alike.
📍 Houghton Valley School, 110 Houghton Bay Rd | 🕙 10:00 am–2:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🛍️ 🎸 Adult Friends with Dave, the Dirty Humans & Lucid Beats
Grunge, groove, and good times - Adult Friends headline a one-night-only fundraiser gig with support from Dave and the Dirty Humans plus Lucid Beats.
📍 Abandoned Taproom, Petone | 🕗 8:00 pm | 💰 $10 presale / $15 door | 🔞 RP18 

🧵 Pōneke Market – Vintage, Arts & Crafts
Celebrate Pōneke’s creativity with vintage fashion, handmade art, tattoos, tasty kai, and great coffee - all on the waterfront beside Karaka Café. Perfect for early Christmas shopping.
📍 Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, 2 Taranaki St Wharf | 🕙 10:00 am–3:00 pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All Ages

🍴 Eat Street
Courtenay Place transforms into a vibrant night market of flavour and sound - celebrate Wellington’s best street food, local drinks, live music, and community under the city lights.
📍 Courtenay Place | 🕓 4:00 pm–12:00 am | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🛠️ Giant Garage Sale & Auction
Hunt for bargains and treasures at the Eastbourne Lions’ giant garage sale - furniture, tools, garden gear, sporting goods, and more, all supporting reuse and community spirit.
📍 San Antonio School, 78 Oroua St, Lower Hutt | 🕗 8:00 am–1:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🎡 Brooklyn Twilight Festival 2025
A beloved community festival returns with 50+ food, craft, and community stalls, live performances, kids’ entertainment, and local brews under the lights of Harrison Street.
📍 Brooklyn Community Centre, 18 Harrison St | 🕑 2:00 pm–9:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🧺 Stallkeepers Greytown Market
A boutique indoor market packed with handcrafted goods, artisanal treats, and unique fashion finds - perfect for early Christmas shopping or a leisurely browse.
📍 Greytown Town Centre (Library), 89 Main St, Greytown | 🕤 9:30 am–4:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🥕 Wairarapa Farmers’ Market
A Saturday staple since 2006 - enjoy local produce, artisan goods, live music, and great coffee under the redwoods at Solway Showgrounds.
📍 Solway Showgrounds, Masterton | 🕘 9:00 am–1:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🏹 Robin Hood – The Pantomime
Join Wellington’s funniest panto crew for a merry adventure of tights, tunes, and triumph as Robin Hood takes on the evil Sheriff with help from Maid Marion and Nanny. Expect swordfights, silliness, and songs galore!
📍 Circa Theatre, Wellington | 🕕 6:30 pm–8:30 pm | 💰 From $25 | 🎟 All Ages

🚂 RailEx Model Train Show
All aboard for a weekend of miniature marvels! Explore intricate model railways, layouts, and displays at this beloved annual event for enthusiasts and families alike.
📍 Walter Nash Centre, Taine St, Lower Hutt | 🕙 From 10 am (Sat & Sun) | 💰 Entry on door | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🎪 Otari School Fair
A beloved community fair packed with food stalls, live entertainment, games, raffles, crafts, and second-hand treasures - perfect for the whole whānau.
📍 Otari School, 166 Wilton Rd | 🕥 From 10:30 am | 💰 Free entry | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🧏‍♀️ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Expo 3
A vibrant showcase of Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, with businesses, services, and products promoting accessibility, inclusion, and connection across Aotearoa.
📍 Lower Hutt Event Centre, 30C Laings Rd, Lower Hutt | 🕙 10:00 am–3:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🎸 Battle of the Bands 2025 Finale
Two bands. Two stages. One epic night. Catch The Relatives and The Blueprint battling it out live and loud at 1841 Bar & Restaurant.
📍 1841 Bar & Restaurant, 1 Disraeli St, Johnsonville | 🕗 8:30 pm–12:00 am | 💰 Free entry | 🎟️ R18

🎭 Who What Where: Kids’ Drama Workshops at Tākina
Fun, affordable drama workshops for kids - perfect for beginners or regular drama-goers. Sessions include Animal Crackers, Build a World, Subtext Superheroes, and Intro to Directing.
📍 Tākina Exhibition & Convention Centre, 50 Cable St | 💰 $12–$15 per class

🎡 Paparangi School Fair
A fun-filled family day with food stalls, games, entertainment, raffles, and local market stalls. Come support the school and soak up the community spirit!
📍 Paparangi School, 59 Beazley Ave | 🕙 10:00 am–2:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🎠 Plimmerton School Gala
One of the Coast’s favourite community days returns! Expect fun games, stalls, live entertainment, and delicious food in a vibrant family atmosphere.
📍 Plimmerton School, 11 School Rd | 🕚 11:00 am–2:00 pm | 💰 Free entry | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

Sunday 16 November

🎵 Jonathan Lemalu and Friends – Songs Across Time
Grammy Award-winning bass Jonathan Lemalu joins Virtuoso Strings for an unforgettable night of music from Handel to Gershwin - with special guests Helene Pohl and Rolf Gjelsten.
📍 Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, Paraparaumu | 🕖 7:00 pm–8:30 pm | 💰 $36.08 | 🎟 All Ages

🎶 Vivo Flutes – Premier Concert
Twelve flutists led by Barbara Hill perform works by Verdi, Grieg, Piazzolla & more on piccolo, C, alto & bass flutes - a dazzling mix of baroque to modern.
📍 St Peter’s on Willis, 211 Willis St | 🕑 2 pm | 💰 Koha entry | 🎟 All Ages

🍰 The Cake Club Picnic
🍰 Love cake? Bring your best bake for a fun community picnic with raffles, games, and a shared cake table - just remember, no cake, no entry!
📍 Bellevue Gardens Hotel, 140 Woburn Rd, Lower Hutt | 🕚 11 am – 3:30 pm | 💰 $22.20 + bring a cake | 🎟 All Ages

🌿 Kaicycle 10-Year Celebration
Celebrate a decade of urban farming and community composting with live music, farm tours, nibbles, and giveaways at Kaicycle’s 10-year anniversary.
📍 Kaicycle Urban Farm, 5 Hospital Rd, Newtown | 🕑 2:00 pm–5:00 pm | 💰 Free (RSVP required) | 🎟 All ages

🎶 The Queen’s Closet: Music of Renaissance Venice
Experience the splendour of late Renaissance Venice as The Queen’s Closet performs works by Gabrieli, Monteverdi, and more - featuring sackbuts, cornetti, and lute in the breathtaking acoustics of St Mary of the Angels.
📍 St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott St | 🕐 1:30 pm | 💰 Price TBC | 🎟 All ages

🎷 Sunday Jazz
Ease into your Sunday with smooth live jazz from The Undercurrent All-Stars in a cosy, book-filled bohemian venue - the perfect afternoon unwind.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St, Wellington | 🕞 3:30 pm–4:30 pm | 💰 $16.20 | 🎟 All Ages

🧵 Upcycled Fashion & Mending Workshop
A creative afternoon celebrating sustainable fashion! Shop unique upcycled designs from ReDunn Fashion, join a mending workshop with textile artist Steven Junil Park, and screen-print your own garments with Secret Art Powers.
📍 Vogelmorn Bowling Club, Brooklyn | 🕐 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm | 💰 Free / Koha

🏊‍♂️ TriWellington Swim Skills Session – Scorching Bay
Sharpen your triathlon skills with a free coached session covering swim entry, drafting, buoy turns, and optional swim-to-bike transitions - perfect for Tinman and Barefoot Tri prep!
📍 Scorching Bay Beach | 🕘 9:00 am – 10:00 am | 💰 Free

🏍️ Wellington Motorcycle Club Adventure Rally
A full-day off-road adventure ride through Rallywoods, Cannon Point, and Orongorongo Station - with rugged tracks, stunning scenery, and a well-earned burger at the finish. Suitable for experienced ADV riders only.
📍 Rallywoods, Bulls Run Rd, Pauatahanui | 🕘 From 9:00 am | 💰 $80 incl. lunch (cash only) | 🎟 Experienced riders only

🧵 Ōtaki Craft Market
A lively Sunday market packed with handmade crafts, vintage finds, native plants, and local food - from fry bread to hangi. Perfect for a weekend wander on the Kāpiti Coast.
📍 Ōtaki Market, 58 Main Hwy, Ōtaki | 🕙 10 am–2 pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All Ages

🎵 Andrew Fagan – Passage of Time Solo Tour
Iconic Kiwi musician and sailor Andrew Fagan (The Mockers) brings his Passage of Time tour to Paekākāriki - blending storytelling, music, and tales from sea and stage in an intimate solo performance.
📍 St Peters Village Hall, Paekākāriki | 🕓 4 pm | 💰 $49 | 🎟 All Ages

🐾 Duntulm Farm Dog Walk – Wairarapa Walking Festival
Explore stunning private trails at Duntulm Farm with your dog and fellow walkers. Enjoy fresh air, valley views, and a relaxed morning tea mid-walk.
📍 Duntulm Farm, 820 Mangatarere Valley Rd, Carterton | 🕘 9:30 am–12:30 pm | 💰 Free | 🐶 All Ages

🎺 Sunday Jazz – Mike Taylor
Kick back at The Rogue with trumpeter Mike Taylor and band performing an all-Herbie Nichols set - expect soulful, funky, and free-flowing Sunday jazz.
📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, Wellington | 🕔 5:00 pm–7:00 pm | 💰 Free Admission | 🎟 All Ages Licensed

🚒 Emergency Services Open Day 2025
Meet your local heroes at this free community day featuring live demos, fire safety displays, and hands-on activities for all ages - plus coffee and a sausage sizzle.
📍 Carrington Park, High St, Carterton | 🕙 10:00 am–2:00 pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All Ages

🧶 Artisan Craft Market
Shop local at this premium handmade market showcasing Wellington’s finest artisans — from jewelry and art to candles, ceramics, and textiles. A relaxed waterfront market perfect for a Sunday stroll.
📍 Te Wharewaka o Pōneke | 🕙 10:00 am–3:00 pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟 All Ages

🌿 Greytown Country Market
A relaxed Sunday market set in beautiful Stella Bull Park, featuring artisan food, crafts, plants, vintage finds, and more - all supporting the Greytown Trails Trust.
📍 Stella Bull Park, Main St, Greytown | 🕙 10:00 am–2:00 pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟 All Ages

🔧 Ngaio Repair Café
Give your broken treasures a second life at Ngaio’s monthly Repair Café. Local volunteers fix everything from toys and textiles to electronics and guitars - all while you enjoy a cuppa.
📍 Ngaio Union Church, Corner Kenya St & Crofton Rd | 🕙 10:00 am–1:00 pm | 💰 Free (Gold Coin Koha appreciated) | 🎟 All Ages

Monday 17 November

🎤 Cliff Richard – Can’t Stop Me Now Tour
Legendary hitmaker Sir Cliff Richard returns to Wellington with his Can’t Stop Me Now Tour - performing timeless classics and fan favourites from his seven-decade career.
📍 Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington | 🕖 7 pm | 💰 From $169.90 | 🎟 All Ages

🌦️ Welly Weather Watch

⛅ Friday: Partly cloudy, strong northerlies. High 18 °C, low 11 °C
🌧️ Saturday: Showers easing in the morning. High 17 °C, low 10°C
☀️ Sunday: Mostly fine and mild, light winds. High 18 °C, low 12 °C

💝 Extra Sprinkles – Charity of the Week: Sailability Wellington

Ever wondered who’s behind those little sailboats gliding across Evans Bay? It’s the brilliant crew at Sailability Wellington. This local charity runs sailing sessions up to six days a week (weather permitting) across Evans Bay, Seaview and Onepoto, giving more than 200 people with disabilities the chance to feel the wind, waves and freedom of the water. With 70+ volunteers and a fleet of purpose-built boats, they’re proving the ocean truly is for everyone.

👉 Get involved: sailability-wellington.org.nz - donate, volunteer, or simply cheer them on next time you’re by the bay.

🐝 That’s the buzz for now – have a fantastic weekend Wellington! Whether you’re dancing at a gig, exploring a market, or relaxing with a coffee, enjoy all the little moments that make our city great. We’ll catch you next Thursday with more surprises.

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve