🐝 WellyBuzz: Manu Mayhem & Boat Parties 💦

👋Wellington… what did we do to deserve a weekend like this?!

Big-top circus, a sunset boat party on the harbour, free festivals, live music by the lagoon, horse racing glam, massive car displays - and even the Manu World Champs qualifier 💦 If you stay home, that’s on you.

Here’s what’s worth locking in 👇 (jump to: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday events).

🔥 10 Quick Picks This Weekend

⚽ Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City FC (Fri) – Friday night footy under the lights at Sky Stadium.
🚤 High Seas Boat Party (Fri) – Sunset harbour cruise → floating dancefloor (DJs + views).
🏊 Summer Pool Party (Fri) – Floaties, manu platform, DJs + the iconic sausage sizzle.
🎺 Brass in the Park (Sat) – Picnic-friendly live brass by the lagoon.
🐎 Gallop into the New Year - Lunar Celebrations in the Hutt (Sat) - Food, performances and colourful cultural celebrations.
🏇 Wellington Cup Day (Sat) – Racing, fashion, DJs and summer glam at Trentham.
🎨 Live Art Market at Waikanae (Sat) – Local artists, fresh art, live music and sunny market vibes.
💦 Z Manu World Champs – Wellington (Sat) - Qualifier day = massive manu energy + chaos.
🌿 Wellington Botanist Expo (Sun) – Brewtown turns into plant paradise.
🧘 Bodybalance at the Lagoon (Sun) – Free outdoor yoga, tai chi and stretch session by the water.

🕰️ Time Machine: Ngauranga Gorge, 1950s (colourised)

🚢 Cruise Ship Arrivals at the Waterfront

It’s cruise season in Wellington, which means extra buzz around the waterfront (and slightly busier cafés and footpaths).

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

🍽️ Sprig + Fern Thorndon

This cosy neighbourhood pub is kicking off a new season of weekly rituals from February, including a much-loved Charity Quiz Night every Tuesday at 7pm (gold coin entry, raffle prizes, no bookings needed). Expect $15 comfort classics through the week - burgers, pizzas and fish & chips plus a Friday Feast with free bar snacks from 4pm–6pm. They’re dog-friendly inside and out, with homemade spent grain dog treats often on hand for furry locals.
📍 342 Tinakori Road, Thorndon
🔗 https://www.sprigandfern.co.nz

🎉 Events: What's On This Weekend

Friday, January 30:

🏊 Summer Pool Party
A fun, splashy summer session with DJs, floaties, manu platform jumps, spot prizes, and a free sausage sizzle - perfect for cooling off after work or school.
📍 Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua | 🕒 5:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ Free (normal pool entry cost) | All Ages

⚽ Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City FC
Friday night footy under the lights as the Nix take on Melbourne City - expect noise, energy and proper weekend-kickoff vibes.
📍 Sky Stadium, Wellington | 💰 From $35 | 🎟 All Ages | 🕖 7:00pm

🎪 Weber Bros ‘The Circus’
A classic big-top circus packed with death-defying stunts, aerial acts, slapstick comedy, and international performers - two hours of family-friendly wow factor.
📍 Avalon Park, Lower Hutt | 🕒 Fri 30 Jan (2pm, 7:30pm) · Sat 31 Jan (2pm, 7:30pm) · Sun 1 Feb (11am) | 🎟️ From $35 | All Ages

🌙 Welly Night Market
A relaxed, community-driven night market bringing together local street food, food trucks, and creatives - perfect for an easy Friday or Saturday dinner wander.
📍 45A Abel Smith Street, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 30 Jan & Sat 31 Jan, 5:00pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ Free Entry | All Ages

😂 Weekend Laughs with Michele A’Court & Jamaine Ross
A sharp, high-energy comedy showcase at Fringe Bar featuring two of Aotearoa’s best stand-ups, plus a stacked supporting lineup each night.
📍 The Fringe Bar, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 30 Jan & Sat 31 Jan, 8:00pm–9:45pm | 🎟️ $31–$42 | R18

🎤 Spinster – An Hour of Jokes with Snap
A sharp, fast-paced hour of stand-up from one of Aotearoa’s most decorated comedians, packed with expertly crafted gags and dry, self-aware humour.
📍 The Fringe Bar, Wellington | 🕒 Fri 30 Jan & Sat 31 Jan, 6:30pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ $21–$34 | R18

👑 King Vs Queen
A high-energy drag showdown where two performers battle it out across three rounds to claim the monthly King Vs Queen crown - bold looks, big personalities, and crowd-fuelled fun.
📍 Ivy Bar & Cabaret, Cuba Street | 🕒 10:00pm–12:00am | 🎟️ $10 | R18

⚓ A Very (Late) Wellington Sea Shanty Society Xmas
A joyously chaotic night of singalong sea shanties, nautical games, best-dressed prizes, and festive silliness with Wellington’s most seaworthy shanty crew.
📍 Abandoned Taproom, 38 Fitzherbert St, Petone | 🕒 7:30pm–10:30pm | 🎟️ $15–$25 | R18

🚤 High Seas Boat Party
A sunset harbour cruise turned floating dancefloor, with top-tier DJs, summer energy, and iconic Wellington views - two hours of proper boat party vibes on the water.
📍 Departing near Shed 5, Queens Wharf | 🕒 7:00pm–9:00pm | 🎟️ From $88 | R18

🎷 Oscar Lavën + Illingworth, Lawrence, Mathiassen
A high-energy late-night jazz session led by flamboyant saxophonist Oscar Lavën, joined by some of Wellington’s finest players for fiery, spontaneous improvisation.
📍 The Rogue & Vagabond, Wellington | 🕒 9:30pm–11:30pm | 🎟️ Free (koha encouraged) | R18

🎧 Power to Pōneke - Fundraiser Show for Wellington Women’s Health Collective
A high-energy underground fundraiser night with live electronic and DJ sets, immersive visuals, and a midnight auction supporting local women’s mental health.
📍 13 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington | 🕗 From 8:00pm | 💰 $20 door sales (cash only) | 🎟 R18

🎶 Mystic State (UK) at MOON 1
A bass-forward club night with UK duo Mystic State serving deep dubstep and jungle, supported by local selectors on a full Banshee Soundsystem.
📍 MOON 1, Newtown, Wellington | 🕘 9:00pm - 2:00am | 💰 From $20 | 🎟 18+

💀 Tunes From The Crypt
A loud, late-night metal showcase packed with death metal, metalcore, melodeath, and pure underground chaos - raw, fast, and not for the faint-hearted.
📍 Valhalla, Wellington | 🕒 8:00pm | 🎟️ $10 door sales | R18

🎤 Rap Night: US vs UK
A high-energy hip-hop party pitting US and UK rap heavyweights head-to-head, with wall-to-wall bangers, big beats, and nonstop dancefloor energy.
📍 Red Square, Wellington | 🕒 10:00pm | 🎟️ $10.50 - $13.50 | All Ages

🍔 Food Truck Friday at The Bond Store
An easy end-of-week hang with rotating food trucks, cold drinks, and good vibes - swing by for dinner, stay for a chat, or grab takeaway and roll.
📍 The Bond Store, Paraparaumu | 🕒 4:00pm–7:30pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🏕️ Brookfield Camp 2026
A relaxed, family-friendly camping getaway with kayaking, bush walks, campfires, movies, swimming, bikes, and loads of space for tents.
📍 Brookfield Scout Camp, 562 Moores Valley Rd, Lower Hutt | 💰 $15 per person per day (2-night minimum) | 🎟 All ages | 🕖 Multi-day (4 days)

Saturday, January 31:

🎺 Brass in the Park - Free Summer Concert
Pack a picnic and enjoy an easy-going afternoon of live brass music by the lagoon - perfect for families and laid-back summer vibes.
📍 Aotea Lagoon, Papakowhai Rd, Papakowhai, Porirua | 🕑 2:00pm | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🎉 Waitohi Play Day 2026
A free, family-friendly summer day with LEGO play, outdoor games, pool inflatables, bubble fun, giveaways, and hands-on activities for kids and whānau.
📍 Memorial Park & Waitohi Hub, 34 Moorefield Rd, Johnsonville | 🕙 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟 All ages

📸 Global Photowalk Meetup
A relaxed social photowalk to meet new people and explore the city together - phones and cameras welcome, all skill levels encouraged.
📍 Meet at Fidel’s Cafe, 234 Cuba Street, Te Aro | 🕙 10:00am–12:00pm | 💰 $4 | 🎟 All ages

🗿 Self-Guided Tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa
Explore Aotearoa’s own stone circle at your own pace, with a short audio-visual intro and time to wander, listen, and play with the henge’s unique acoustics.
📍 Stonehenge Aotearoa, Carterton | 🕒 Fri 30 Jan, Sat 31 Jan & Sun 1 Feb, 10:00am–4:00pm | 🎟️ $5–$20 | All Ages

🦌 The Early Bird Catches the Worm…
Arrive early at Staglands and score a free return ticket - just buy your entry at the gate by 10am and nature rewards the morning people.
📍 Staglands Wildlife Reserve, Upper Hutt | 🕒 Fri 30 Jan & Sat 31 Jan, 9:30am–10:00am (buy by 10am) | 🎟️ $12–$29 (family $82) | All Ages

🕵️ Historic Jackson Street Scavenger Hunt
A fun, self-guided scavenger hunt that mixes local history with puzzles and prizes - explore Petone at your own pace and learn a few things along the way.
📍 Jackson Street, Petone | 🕒 Fri 30 Jan & Sat 31 Jan, 10:00am–8:00pm · Sun 1 Feb, 10:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free | All Ages

🗺️ Wairarapa Tours: South Wairarapa Cultural Tour (Half Day)
A guided cultural journey through South Wairarapa, exploring ancestral stories, landscapes, and deep connections between people, land, and water.
📍 Featherston Train Station | 🕒 9:00am–12:00pm & 1:00pm–4:00pm | 💰 $225 + fees | 🎟 R15

🌻 Pick Your Own Sunflowers - A Fundraiser for Hōkai Tahi
Wander through blooming sunflower fields, pick your own stems, snap photos, and soak up summer vibes - all while supporting a local charity doing important work for Wairarapa whānau.
📍 Stolte Ag Dairy Farm, 153 Wiltons Road, Carterton | 💰 Free entry (sunflowers $2 per stem, koha welcome) | 🕙 10:00am - 4:00pm | 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages

🧩 Escape Rooms Wellington Saturday Morning Special
Kick-start your Saturday with a team escape challenge - up to 8 players for $130. Also running Saturday mornings through February to early April.
📍 Escape Rooms Wellington, 118 Tory Street, Wellington | 🕘 9:00am | 💰 $130 per game | 🎟 All ages

🥕 Crop Up Greytown
Fresh local produce, coffee, and breakfast bites at Greytown’s friendly Saturday morning pop-up market.
📍 Truckstop Greytown, 102 Main Street, Greytown | 🕘 9:00am–11:00am | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

🎭 The Glass Menagerie
A tender Tennessee Williams classic exploring family, memory, and longing in an intimate Circa Theatre production.
📍 Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington | 🕖 7:00pm-8:30pm | 💰 $25-$60 | 🎟 All ages

🎨 Live Art Market
Browse and buy local art, meet the artists, and enjoy live music at this relaxed summer art market.
📍 Mahara Place, Waikanae | 🕛 12:00pm-4:00pm | 💰 Free Entry | 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages

💃 Homo Before Ten
An early-evening queer dance party with pop remixes, sing-along anthems, and high-energy feel-good bangers - all wrapped up by 10pm.
📍 31–35 Dixon Street, Te Aro | 🕓 4:00pm–10:00pm | 💰 $19–$29 | 🎟 R18

🥕 Wairarapa Farmers' Market
Fresh local produce, artisan food, and live music in a relaxed, family-friendly market setting.
📍 Solway Showgrounds, Judds Road, Masterton | 🕘 9:00am–1:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages

🐎 Gallop Into the New Year – Lunar Celebrations in the Hutt
A colourful, family-friendly Lunar New Year festival with food stalls, cultural performances, games, kids’ activities, and community celebrations welcoming the Year of the Horse.
📍 Dowse Square, 27 Laings Road, Lower Hutt | 🕚 11:00am-4:00pm | 💰 Free (optional donation) | 🎟 All ages

🏇 NZCIS Wellington Cup Day
A summer highlight of racing, fashion, and live entertainment with the iconic Wellington Cup, DJ Example, and Fashion in the Field.
📍 Trentham Racecourse, 10A Racecourse Road, Trentham, Upper Hutt | 🕚 From 11:00am | 💰 From $50 | 🎟 All ages

🎨 Recording Mauri: Moments of Light and Earth – Artist Talk
An opening talk with artist Cora-Allan exploring mauri, wairua, and experimental connections to nature through contemporary and traditional practice.
📍 National Library of New Zealand, Alexander Turnbull Library, Aitken Street, Thorndon | 🕙 10:00am | 🎟 All ages

🎬 The Real Love Musical Screening - Wellington
An uplifting, free musical film about love, loss, and spiritual discovery, featuring an all-star cast and powerful score.
📍 Wellington Central Baptist Church, 46-48 Boulcott Street, Wellington | 🕝 2:45pm | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages

💦 The Z Manu World Champs PŌNEKE Wellington
Watch (or try) epic manu bombs and freestyle splashdowns as competitors battle it out in this high-energy, family-friendly qualifier event.
📍 Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, 63 Kilbirnie Crescent, Kilbirnie | 🕘 9:00am-4:00pm | 💰 Free | 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages

✨ The Disco Ball - A Mirror Ball Madness Drag Show
A glitter-soaked late-night drag spectacular packed with disco energy, fierce performances, and mirror ball drama.
📍 Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | 🕤 9:30pm | 💰 $20+ | 🔞 R18

🤼 Valiant Pro: Live At The 162
High-energy pro wrestling action with local favourites and championship drama to kick off 2026.
📍 The 162, 162 Gracefield Road, Lower Hutt | 🕠 5:30pm | 💰 $10+ | 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages

🎤 PK's Playhouse Open Mic Comedy Night
A low-cost night of local laughs with Wellington comics testing fresh material in a relaxed, community vibe.
📍 Park Kitchen, 6 Park Rd, Wellington | 🕖 7:00pm–9:00pm | 💰 $10 | 🔞 R16

🎶 Alex Seel and Jon Sanders (UK) at Wellington Bluegrass Society
A rich acoustic set blending folk songwriting with virtuosic world, jazz, and Celtic influences from two acclaimed UK musicians.
📍 Abandoned Taproom Petone, 38 Fitzherbert St, Petone | 🕗 8:00pm–10:15pm | 💰 $30 | 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages

🌿 Woody Fruit-fest - Guided Walk
Discover the hidden world of woody fruits on a relaxed, expert-led downhill walk through the Botanic Garden.
📍 Wellington Botanic Garden, 101 Glenmore St, Kelburn | 🕜 1:30pm–2:30pm | 💰 $10 (free for Friends) | 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages

🎸 Sumac
A rare and intense live show from the experimental post-metal trio, blending crushing heaviness with improvised, boundary-pushing soundscapes.
📍 Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Wellington | 🕗 8:00pm | 💰 $64-$70 | 🔞 R18

🐑 Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary Open Day 25/26
Join a guided tour to meet rescued animals, hear their stories, and enjoy a vegan afternoon tea while supporting the sanctuary.
📍 Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary, Ōtaki | 🕖 1:00pm - 4:00pm | 💰 Suggested koha ($5-$20) | 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages

Sunday, February 1:

🌿 Wellington Botanist Expo: Brews & Botany – Summer 2026
A relaxed plant-lover’s market with indoor and outdoor plants, pots, botanical art, garden ideas, and good vibes - plus brews and food at Brewtown.
📍 Brewtown, 25 Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt | 🕘 9:00am – 2:00pm | 💰 Free entry | 🎟 All ages

🧘 Bodybalance at the Lagoon
A free, relaxing outdoor Bodybalance class combining yoga, tai chi, and stretching by the lagoon - perfect for a calm Sunday reset.
📍 Aotea Lagoon, Papakowhai Rd, Papakowhai, Porirua | 🕖 4:00pm - 4:45pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages

🚗 American Vehicle Day 2026
Over 500 American cars on display plus live music, food trucks, pinup comp, kids entertainment, and classic car culture vibes.
📍 Trentham Memorial Park, Barton Rd, Heretaunga, Upper Hutt | 🕖 10:00am - 2:00pm | 💰 $10 (under 15s free) | 🎟 All ages

🚗☕ Cars & Coffee at Cars Inc
A relaxed Sunday morning car meet with coffee, breakfast, and classic-to-custom rides.
📍 Cars Inc Café & Museum, 6 George Daniels Drive, Trentham, Upper Hutt | 🕗 8:00am–10:30am | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages

🛍️ Petone Community Market
A relaxed, family-friendly community market showcasing local creatives, tasty food, and laid-back weekend vibes.
📍 The Pito One Depot, 193 Jackson Street, Petone, Lower Hutt | 🕙 10:00am–2:00pm | 💰 Free Entry | 🎟 All ages

🎶 Cam & Sam - Sunday Acoustic Sessions
Laid-back Sunday afternoon live music with powerhouse vocals, piano-driven classics, and easy waterfront vibes.
📍 St Johns Bar & Eatery, 5 Cable St, Wellington | 🕖 2:00pm - 5:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages

🚂 River City Express
A full-day heritage rail adventure to Whanganui with steam locomotives, riverside exploring, and the option to cruise the Whanganui River aboard the historic PS Waimarie.
📍 Paekakariki Railway Station, Tilley Road, Paekākāriki | 🕖 7:10am-9:40pm | 💰 From $139 | 🎟 All ages

🏏 Wellington A Women v Auckland A Women
A summer Sunday of domestic cricket as Wellington’s rising stars take on Auckland.
📍 Hutt Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt | 💰 Check event link | 🎟 All Ages | 🕖 10:30am

🎷 Sunday Jazz - Miles Crayford Organ Quartet
Funky, soulful Sunday jazz with Hammond organ grooves, modern originals, and boogaloo vibes - relaxed, free-entry listening with koha encouraged.
📍 The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett St, Wellington | 🕔 5:00pm-7:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages (licensed)

🌌 Low Sensory Hour
A calm, inclusive hour at Space Place with reduced lights and sounds, a gentle planetarium experience, chill-out space, and hands-on crafts.
📍 Space Place at Carter Observatory, 40 Salamanca Rd, Kelburn | 🕙 10:00am - 11:00am | 💰 From $10 | 🎟 All ages

🛍️ Otaki Market - February
A vibrant Sunday market with local produce, food trucks, crafts, plants, secondhand finds, and relaxed community vibes.
📍 Otaki Market, 58 Main Highway, Ōtaki | 🕙 10:00am - 2:00pm | 💰 Free | 🎟 All ages

🚶‍♀️ Georgina Beyer - Diamonds Are Forever Walk Tour
A powerful guided walk honouring Georgina Beyer’s life, legacy, and fight for equality, featuring key Wellington sites and archival audio.
📍 Meet outside St Peter’s on Willis, 211 Willis St, Te Aro | 🕐 1:00pm - 2:30pm | 💰 Free (registration required) | 🎟 All ages

🌀 Gong Bath at Vogelmorn Hall
A deeply relaxing sound bath using resonant gongs to calm the nervous system, ease tension, and support rest and reset.
📍 Vogelmorn Hall, 11 Vennell Street, Brooklyn | 🕖 7:00pm - 8:30pm | 💰 $20 | 🎟 All ages

🌤 Welly Weather Watch

☀️ Fine. Fine. Southeasterlies developing for a time in the morning. High 20°C, low 14°C.
⛅ Saturday: Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower from afternoon. High 20°C, low 14°C.
⛅ Sunday: Partly cloudy. Northerlies developing in the morning. High 20°C, low 14°C.

That’s your weekend sorted, Wellington.
Go make a memory, try something new, and send this to the friend who always says “we should do something” but never actually plans anything.

See you out there somewhere 👀
Kirstie & Steve
WellyBuzz 💛