🐝 WellyBuzz: Expos, A Christmas Market & Halloween Horrors ✨

Hey WellyBuzz readers!

While the rest of the country's been watching our capital make headlines (hello, gorgeous weather forecasts!), we're gearing up for one of the year's most eclectic weekends. Halloween parties are taking over Friday night, the Go Green Expo lands on our waterfront, and the Heritage Festival continues to unveil the city's fascinating stories - plus, the Kāpiti Women’s Expo brings together art, fashion, food, beauty, wellness, and more for a vibrant community day supporting the Kāpiti Women’s Refuge. Whether you're here for spooky vibes, sustainable living tips, or simply a brilliant Sunday market browse, Pōneke’s ready to deliver.

🔥 8 Quick Picks This Weekend

🎬 The Great Gatsby (Fri) – Roaring Twenties drama, bootleg thrills and Ken Duncum's brilliant adaptation
🩰 Royal NZ Ballet: The Nutcracker (Fri) – Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic dances into Halloween night
🎤 Sir Dave Dobbyn: Selected Songs (Fri) – A Kiwi music legend plays acoustic gems at the Opera House
🏏 Black Caps vs England (Sat) – The ODI series decider hits Sky Stadium as New Zealand take on England from 2 pm.
🌱 Wellington Go Green Expo 2025 (Sat & Sun) – NZ's largest sustainable living show hits TSB Arena across the weekend
💐 Kāpiti Women’s Expo (Sun) – Explore makers, creators, and businesses while supporting Kāpiti Women’s Refuge
🏛️ Old St Paul's Craft & Curio Market (Sun) – Handpicked heritage treasures, artisan treats and bell-ringing demos
🎄 Ngaio Christmas Market (Sun) – local stalls, handcrafted gifts, festive treats, food trucks and coffee at this cheerful community market.

🔥 In This Week’s Buzz

🕰️ Welly's Time Machine – Meet Mary Jane Bennett, NZ’s first and only female lighthouse keeper at Pencarrow Head.
🌟 Local Legends – A hidden gem where plant lovers find rare treasures, expert advice, and a dose of green therapy.
🍽️ Food & Drink – Le Ciel's buttery croissants and creative sweets.
🎉 Events – 50+ things to do across Wellington this weekend (Jump to Friday events, Saturday events, or Sunday events).
🌦️ Welly Weather Watch – (mostly) sunshine and mild temps ahead!
💝 Extra Sprinkles – Samaritans of Wellington keeping the lifeline open

🕰️ Time Machine:

On 10 January 1859, Mary Jane Bennett was officially appointed keeper of New Zealand’s first permanent lighthouse at Pencarrow Head - becoming the first and only woman to ever hold that position. The cast-iron lighthouse had been first lit on New Year’s Day, marking a new era of coastal safety for Wellington Harbour. Her salary was £125 a year, (including firewood).

🌟 Local Legends – Small Biz Gem to Check Out:

Turtle Therapy

Turtle Therapy is Wellington’s beloved little plant nursery that’s been turning brown thumbs green since day one. Specialising in hoyas, begonias, peperomias, carnivorous plants, and the downright weird and wonderful, Turtle Therapy offers far more than just plants - they provide repotting services, host workshops, sell soils and fertilisers, and share genuinely helpful plant advice. Run by Shawn and Sophie from their Melrose base near Wellington Zoo, this micro-nursery holds open days from September through March and pops up at markets and events around the region. Whether you're just starting your plant journey or already plant-obsessed, Turtle Therapy is the cure.

🍽️ Food & Drink – Must-Try Spot This Week

Le Ciel Bakery and Patisserie

Nestled at 100 Tory Street in Te Aro, Wellington, Le Ciel Bakery and Patisserie brings a little slice of heaven to the city’s CBD. This French-inspired bakery is all about handmade pastries crafted by chefs with fine-dining backgrounds, blending classic techniques with fresh Kiwi flavours. From buttery croissants to signature sweets, everything is baked with love, integrity, and a dash of adventure. Whether you're grabbing a morning coffee or celebrating life’s sweet moments, Le Ciel has something just for you.

🎉 Events: What's On This Weekend

Friday, October 31:

🎤 Sir Dave Dobbyn: Selected Songs
One of New Zealand's most beloved songwriters plays an intimate acoustic set of his greatest hits and fan favourites.
📍 The Opera House, 111 Manners Street | 🕒 7:30pm | 🎟️ Via Live Nation | All ages

🩰 The Royal NZ Ballet: The Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky's timeless Christmas ballet brings sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, and magical wonder to the St James stage.
📍 St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place | 🕒 7:30pm | 🎟️ From $65 | All ages

🎃 Haunted Hop Bar Crawl
Wellington's massive Halloween takeover kicks off with 4+ bars, spooky drink specials, DJs, and costumed chaos across the city.
📍 Starts at Lulu Bar & Restaurant, 31 Courtenay Place | 🕒 From 7:30pm | 🎟️ From $16.18 | 18+

🎭 The Great Gatsby
Step into the decadent Roaring Twenties with Ken Duncum's brilliant adaptation of Fitzgerald's classic, complete with gangsters and bootleg liquor.
📍 Wellington Repertory Theatre | 🕒 7:30pm | 🎟️ $19.90–$29.90 | All ages

🎤 Raybon Kan: RAYBONANZA!
Award-winning comic Raybon Kan celebrates 31 years in stand-up with his greatest hits – bangers, sparkling wit, and full-body laughs.
📍 Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Terrace | 🕒 7:00pm | 🎟️ GA $39.18 | All ages

👻 Nightmare on Cuba Street: A Halloween Drag Show
Ivy Bar & Cabaret serves up spooky performances, killer costumes, and Halloween camp perfection.
📍 Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street | 🕒 10:00pm | 🎟️ From $25.30 | 18+

👻 The Willies: A Halloween Drag Show
The Fringe Bar hosts a night of ghoulish glamour and drag brilliance to kick off Halloween weekend.
📍 The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street | 🕒 8:00pm | 🎟️ GA $28.92 | 18+

🎭 The Māori Sidesteps – Māori Made Mischief
A cheeky, harmony-filled blend of satire and soulful crooning that celebrates Māori identity while hilariously skewering modern Aotearoa.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St | 🕖 8:00pm – 9:35pm | 💰 $30–$49 | 🎟️ PG

🎃 Halloween on the Green
Queen Elizabeth Park transforms into a spooky wonderland with free family fun, costumes, and treats galore for the whole whānau.
📍 Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton | 🕖 4:00pm – 7:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟️ All Ages

🎸 Valhalloween
Local alt rockers Underwire and Mister Unit bring you a Halloween rock fest with tricky treats and killer tunes.
📍 Valhalla | 🕒 7:00–9:00pm | 🎟️ $12 plus booking fee

🎉 AFRONIGHTS VOL.1
Celebrate Afrobeat, hip hop, and dancehall vibes in a night of rhythm, culture, and good energy.
📍 The Garden Hotel, 63 Courtenay Place | 🕒 10:00pm | 🎟️ $15 | 18+

🎉 RAVE TO THE GRAVE – Fund-Raise the Dead for BATS Theatre
Dance your heart out for a good cause – funds go to BATS Theatre and RadioActiveFM.
📍 1 Kent Terrace | 🕒 7:00pm onwards | 🎟️ GA $56 | 18+

📚 Book Launch: Hoods Landing by Laura Vincent
Unity Books hosts the launch of Laura Vincent's latest novel – come meet the author and celebrate new Kiwi fiction.
📍 Unity Books, 57 Willis Street | 🕒 6:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🏛️ Pie and a Pint – Sacred Walks
Part of Wellington Heritage Festival – enjoy a pie, a pint, and fascinating heritage walking tours through the city.
📍 90 Ghuznee Street | 🕒 6:00–8:00pm | 🎟️ $20 | All ages

🦇 Halloween in the Hutt 2025
The spookiest community map in the valley is back - explore decorated homes and businesses lighting up Lower and Upper Hutt for Halloween night fun.
📍 Across Lower & Upper Hutt | 🕗 From 4:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All Ages

🎃 RUMBLE “Fright Night” – Halloween Fight Event
Wellington’s biggest fight night returns with 16 Muay Thai, Boxing, and MMA bouts - capped by the WMC Trans-Tasman Heavyweight Title clash.
📍 Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua | 🕗 6:00pm–11:00pm | 💰 From $28.20 | 🎟 All Ages

🎧 Rooftop Fright Night – BL3 Halloween Party
Costumes, cocktails, and DJs under the stars - Wellington’s rooftop Halloween bash with prizes for best dressed and beats all night long.
📍 BL3, 8 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | 🕗 10:00pm–2:00am | 💰 See event page | 🎟 R18

🦇 Featherston Vinyl Club’s 4th Annual Halloween Ball
Get your scare-wear on for a night of bone-chilling beats, ghoulish grooves, and prizes for best dressed as Featherston’s favourite spooky DJs return.
📍 Featherston Memorial RSA, 57 Fox St | 🕖 7:30pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟️ All Ages

Saturday, November 1:

🌱 Wellington Go Green Expo 2025
NZ's largest green living and sustainable lifestyle show – explore eco homes, organic products, wellness, beauty, gardening, and more!
📍 TSB Arena, Queens Wharf | 🕒 10:00am–5:00pm (also Sunday 10am–4pm) | 🎟️ Free online, $5 at door | All ages

🎶 Black Caps vs England Men’s Cricket Team – 3rd ODI
Catch the national side in action as the Black Caps host England at Sky Stadium, kicking off the third and deciding one-day international of their series.
📍 Sky Stadium, Wellington | 🕖 2:00pm | 💰 From $37.05

🛍️ Karori Normal School Market
Community market featuring local vendors, crafts, and treats.
📍 Karori Normal School, Donald Street | 🕒 11:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free entry | All Ages

🥨 German Fair
Celebrate all things German with tasty sausages, Brezeln, baking, model trains, and second-hand treasures at this lively community fair.
📍 Wellington Bridge Club, Thorndon | 🕖 11:00am–2:00pm | 💰 Koha / Gold coin | 🎟️ All Ages

😂 Tom Sainsbury: Lessons Not Learnt
Comedy chameleon Tom Sainsbury brings a fresh hour of outrageous storytelling, small-town drama, and laugh-out-loud Kiwi humour to the Coastlands Theatre stage.
📍 Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, 34a Raumati Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕖 7:30pm – 9:00pm | 💰 From $41.70 | 🎟️ All Ages

🧟 The Epic Zombie Bar Tour – Wellington
The undead rise again! Crawl through Wellington's best bars dressed as zombies, with DJs and drink specials all night.
📍 Starts at Vinyl Bar, 66 Courtenay Place | 🕒 8:00pm-11:30pm | 🎟️ $17 | 18+

🌸 Plimmerton Rotary Garden Tour 2025
Explore ten stunning gardens around the Pauatahanui Harbour, from historic cottages to modern gems, all blooming with creativity and spring colour.
📍 Various Gardens, Porirua | 🕖 9:30am–4:30pm (Sat & Sun) | 💰 $23.25 | 🎟️ All Ages

🍻 Beer & Spirits Halloween Crawl
Celebrate Halloween Saturday with craft beer, cocktails, and costumed crawlers hopping between Wellington's best breweries and bars.
📍 Starts at Lulu Bar, 31 Courtenay Place | 🕒 7:30pm onwards | 🎟️ $16–$27 | 18+

🎷 Laura Collins and the Big Blues Band
Get ready for a soulful night of blues, boogie, and brass as Laura Collins and her powerhouse band deliver high-energy classics from Etta James to Ray Charles.
📍 St Peter’s Village Hall, Paekākāriki | 🕖 7:30pm – 9:30pm | 💰 $34.05 | 🎟️ All Ages

🍇 Round the Vines 2025
Walk or run through Martinborough’s scenic vineyards in this fun 10km or 21km event, complete with live music, wine tastings, and fancy dress fun.
📍 Martinborough Square, Martinborough | 🕖 8:00am – 1:00pm | 🎟️ All Ages

🎉 Whakamaru 1st Birthday Celebration
Oxford Terrace transforms into a mini street festival with food stalls, live music, and kids’ activities to celebrate Whakamaru turning one.
📍 4–8 Oxford Terrace, Mount Cook | 🕗 10:00am–3:30pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟 All Ages

🏛️ Robert Orr Historic Homestead Open Day
Step back in time at this beautifully preserved Lower Hutt homestead – self-guided tours available all day.
📍 132 Kings Crescent, Lower Hutt | 🕒 10:00am–4:00pm (also Sunday) | 🎟️ Koha Entry | All ages

💃 C-26 Salsa Band Live at The Rogue & Vagabond
Heat up the dance floor with C-26’s high-energy salsa set - classic Latin rhythms, new originals, and a guaranteed good time.
📍 The Rogue & Vagabond, 18 Garrett St, Te Aro | 🕗 9:00pm–11:00pm | 💰 $10 entry | 🎟 R18

🎨 Wellington Maritime Sail Heritage Exhibition
Paul Deacon's stunning oil paintings and prints of Wellington's maritime history on display.
📍 Artspace Gallery, 223 The Esplanade, Petone | 🕒 10:30am–4:00pm (also Sunday) | 🎟️ Free | All ages

🌻 Mangaroa Farms Open Day
A full day of music, kai, and community on the farm - tours, market stalls, live music, kids’ activities, and farm-fresh food galore.
📍 Mangaroa Farms, 98 Whitemans Valley Rd, Upper Hutt | 🕗 9:00am–3:00pm | 💰 Free entry (Garden tours $20) | 🎟 All Ages

🐑 Wairarapa A & P Show
A classic country celebration with animal shows, woodchopping, dog trials, kids’ activities, and rural fun for the whole whānau.
📍 Clareville Showgrounds, Chester Road, Carterton | 🕖 9:00am–4:00pm | 💰 $5–$20 | 🎟️ All Ages

📚 Dyer Street School Book & Bake Sale
Hunt for pre-Christmas bargains with second-hand books, games, puzzles, a bake sale, sausage sizzle, and fresh barista coffee.
📍 9 Dyer Street, Lower Hutt | 🕗 9:00am–2:00pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🌱 Hutt Timebank Annual Fundraiser
A community favourite returns - heritage tomato plants, chillis, preserves, crafts, and a cozy Koha Café with Good Fortune coffee and home baking (GF, vegan & dairy-free options).
📍 The Pito One Depot, 5 Britannia St, Petone | 🕗 10:00am–12:00pm | 🎟 All Ages

🎶 Hihi and The Stitchbirds at Wellington Bluegrass Society
Enjoy a night of heartfelt harmonies and original folk tunes as Hihi and The Stitchbirds return to Petone alongside special guests The Elderflower Experiment and Tessa Luff.
📍 Abandoned Taproom, Petone | 🕖 8:00pm – 10:15pm | 💰 $25–$30 | 🎟️ All Ages

🛍️ Paekākāriki Market Day
Browse eclectic local stalls with crafts, plants, food, books, and second-hand treasures at this vibrant seaside market.
📍 St Peter’s Village Hall, Paekākāriki | 🕖 10:00am – 2:00pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟️ All Ages

🌙 Queensgate Night Market
A bustling evening market packed with street food, live entertainment, shopping, and good vibes every Saturday night.
📍 Queensgate Shopping Centre, Lower Hutt | 🕖 5:30pm – 11:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟️ All Ages

🪦 Wonderful Wāhine: Women in the Cemetery
Discover the stories of pioneering wāhine who helped shape Wellington’s history on this guided walk through Bolton Street Cemetery.
📍 Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington | 🕖 11:00am – 12:15pm | 💰 $10 | 🎟️ All Ages

💿 Masterton High Voltage Record Fair
Dig through vinyl, tapes, and CDs from vendors across the North Island at this buzzing music fair packed with rare finds and classic tunes.
📍 YMCA Masterton, 371 Queen St | 🕖 10:00am – 2:00pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟️ All Ages

Sunday, November 2:

💐 Kāpiti Women’s Expo 2025
Shop, connect, and discover local makers, services, and gifts at this vibrant community expo supporting the Kāpiti Women’s Refuge.
📍 Southward Theatre, Otaihanga Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕖 10:00am – 3:00pm | 💰 Gold coin donation | 🎟️ All Ages

🏛️ Georgina Beyer – Diamonds are Forever walk tour
Celebrate the legacy of trailblazing MP Georgina Beyer with a guided walk exploring her life and Wellington landmarks.
📍 Starts at St Peters Church, 211 Willis Street | 🕒 1:00–2:30pm | 🎟️ Free (booking required) | All ages

🌳 Halfway House Heritage Garden Walk & Talk
Guided tours through the historic Halfway House gardens in Glenside – stunning plantings and heritage stories.
📍 246 Middleton Road, Glenside | 🕒 1:00–2:00pm | 🎟️ $5 (booking required) | All ages

🏛️ Guided Tour of Bolton Street Cemetery
Uncover Wellington's fascinating burial history with expert-led tours through one of the city's most atmospheric cemeteries.
📍 Kinross Street entrance, Bolton Street | 🕒 2:00–3:30pm | 🎟️ $10 (booking required) | All ages

🎩 The Mad Hatter’s Market Express
All aboard a vintage steam train adventure to Woodville’s Mad Hatter’s Market Day - complete with live music, market stalls, and the famous Crazy Hat Competition.
📍 Paekākāriki Station Museum | 🕖 7:05am – 5:50pm | 💰 From $49–$139 | 🎟️ All Ages

🏛️ Old St Paul's Craft & Curio Market
A vibrant heritage marketplace with handpicked stalls selling leather goods, upcycled fashion, handmade chocolates, jams, artisan breads, Christmas decorations, and more – plus live bell-ringing demos and heritage games!
📍 Old St Paul's, 34 Mulgrave Street | 🕒 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Koha | All ages

🌱 Wellington Go Green Expo 2025
Day two of New Zealand's biggest sustainable lifestyle show – win spot prizes from 2–4pm and explore hundreds of eco stalls.
📍 TSB Arena, Queens Wharf | 🕒 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free online, $5 at door | All ages

🏛️ Talk to the Walls – Forum and a Cuppa
A fascinating afternoon discussion at St Peter's Church exploring heritage conservation and Wellington's historic buildings.
📍 211 Willis Street | 🕒 2:00–4:00pm | 🎟️ Koha | All ages

🚂 Heritage Thorndon Walking Tour
Explore Thorndon's historic cottages, colonial architecture, and fascinating heritage stories on foot.
📍 Starts at Old St Pauls, Mulgrave Street | 🕒 1:15–3:30pm | 🎟️ Koha (booking required) | All ages

🌿 Naturist Open Day
Relax and reconnect with nature at the Wellington Naturist Club - enjoy the pool, spa, games, and peaceful gardens in a welcoming, clothing-optional environment.
📍 Wellington Naturist Club, 20 Molloys Rd, Te Marua, Upper Hutt | 🕖 11:00am–3:00pm | 💰 Free

♻️ Wellington E-Day – Free Electronics Recycling
Clear out your old tech responsibly at Wellington’s first free e-waste day, hosted by Echo, WCC, and Sky Stadium - easy drop-off and donations to Variety accepted.
📍 Sky Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | 🕗 9:00am–1:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All Ages

🎄 Ngaio Christmas Market
Get festive at this community market with food trucks, coffee, and over 60 local stalls selling handcrafted gifts, décor, and Christmas treats.
📍 Ngaio Town Hall, Collingwood St, Ngaio | 🕗 10:00am–3:00pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All Ages

🎵 Sunday Jazz at The Undercurrent
Swing tunes from the 40s and 50s with complimentary snacks and drinks in a bohemian old-world setting.
📍 The Undercurrent, 118 Tory St | 🕒 3:30pm | 🎟️ $15 | All ages

🕸️ Kids’ Halloween Disco – Petone Working Men’s Club
Glowsticks, neon face painting, a candy bar, and prizes for best dressed - a fun Halloween afternoon just for members’ kids.
📍 Petone Working Men’s Club, 47 Udy St, Petone | 🕗 4:00pm–6:00pm | 💰 $2 per child (Registration at Reception) | 🎟 Members’ Kids Only

🧶 Ōtaki Craft Market
A lively outdoor market featuring local art, crafts, plants, food trucks, and live music - perfect for a Sunday browse on the Kāpiti Coast.
📍 Ōtaki Market, 58 Main Highway | 🕖 10:00am–2:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟️ All Ages

🌊 Harbourside Market
Wellington's iconic Sunday market – fresh produce, live entertainment, orange dim sum, and morning coffee by the waterfront.
📍 Corner of Cable Street and Barnett Street | 🕒 7:30am–1:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All ages

⛅ Welly Weather Watch

⛅ Friday: Fine, apart from showers in the afternoon. high 19°C, low 9°C
⛅ Saturday: Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower in the morning. high 17°C, low 11°C
☀️ Sunday: Fine. Northerlies, becoming strong. high 15°C, low 11°C

💕 Extra Sprinkles

Samaritans of Wellington provides free, confidential support to anyone in emotional distress, day or night. Operating 24/7 and without direct government funding, their helpline is made possible entirely through community donations and volunteer listeners. Your gift helps train volunteers, maintain the technology behind the service, and keep the lines open nationwide. Because sometimes, a conversation really can save a life.
https://givealittle.co.nz/event/samaritans-2025

From Halloween horrors to heritage treasures, this weekend's packed with magic. Get out there, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy every moment Wellington has to offer!

Ngā mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve