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- ๐ Polish Christmas Market, German Fair & WELLY-X
๐ Polish Christmas Market, German Fair & WELLY-X
Plus County Lane Fair, Brooklyn Twilight Festival, Flight of the Conchords (final tickets!) and the Phoenix women at Porirua Park. Stacked! ๐
Kirstie and Steve
November 12, 2026
WellyBuzz ๐
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
๐ Polish Christmas Market, German Fair & WELLY-X
Plus County Lane Fair, Brooklyn Twilight Festival, Flight of the Conchords (final tickets!) and the Phoenix women at Porirua Park. Stacked! ๐
๐ Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! ๐ธ
It's a big one! The Polish Christmas Market kicks off the festive season in Newtown, the German Fair serves up Brezeln in Thorndon, WELLY-X brings comics and anime to Massey, and County Lane Fair fills Brewtown with 70+ stalls. Add Brooklyn's Twilight Festival, VerbCrawl's literary night out and the final weekend of the Heritage Festival. Let's get buzzing! ๐
๐ฅ Quick Picks
๐ป NZSO Enigma (Fri) - Sir Stephen Hough, Elgar's Enigma and a world premiere at the MFC.
๐ Brooklyn Twilight Festival (Sat) - 50+ stalls, live music and bouncy castles on Harrison Street.
๐ Old Government Buildings' 150th (Sat) - Tours, talks and birthday cake at one of the world's largest wooden buildings.
๐ฉ๐ช German Fair (Sat) - Brezeln, sausages and German baking in Thorndon.
๐ Wellington Polish Christmas Market (Sat) - The 10th annual market fills Dom Polski in Newtown.
๐๏ธ County Lane Fair (Sat) - 70+ handmade and eco stalls in Upper Hutt, with all profits to charity.
๐ฆธ WELLY-X: Comic & Pop Culture Expo (Sat) - Comics, collectibles and anime at Massey, free!
๐ VerbCrawl (Sat) - 26 literary events across 13 inner-city venues, $10 per ticketed event.
๐๏ธ Dara ร Briain: Re:Creation (Sat) - The Irish comedy great brings his new show to the St James.
๐ก Wadestown School House & Garden Walk (Sun) - Peek inside some of Wadestown's loveliest homes and gardens.
โญ St Mark's Fest (Sun) - Face painting, live music, turf games and an ice cream truck in Mt Victoria.
โฝ Wellington Phoenix v Sydney FC (Sun) - The Nix women are back at Porirua Park, and we'll be there cheering!
๐ท Food & Drink
Capitol x Laura Greenfield - Field & Green fans, this one's for you! While Capitol's owners are on holiday, Laura Greenfield has turned the Kent Terrace favourite into a Lyon-style bouchon for two months. ๐ซ๐ท
Think snails, bone marrow, quenelles with crayfish sauce and steak au poivre, with wine in old-school 460ml Lyon pours. ๐ท
๐ Capitol, 10 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | Read more
๐ Events - What's On This Weekend
๐
Friday 13 November
๐ป NZSO Enigma
Sir Stephen Hough plays Saint-Saรซns, plus Elgar's Enigma and a Ross Harris world premiere.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ก Fri 6:30pm | ๐ฐ From $31, fees may apply
๐ญ After God
Final shows! Michael Hurst in a funny, hopeful verbatim play from Wellington to Kathmandu.
๐ Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri & Sat 7pm | ๐ฐ $25-$60
๐ช Circus of the Night
Leave the kids at home - Wellington's best circus performers get risquรฉ and strange.
๐ The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Fri & Sat 7:30pm | ๐ฐ GA $44.30, concession $39.18 (incl. fees) | ๐ R18
๐ค Negative Approach
Hardcore legends since '81 finally hit Aotearoa, with Noxo, No Sector and Unsanitary Napkin.
๐ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri, doors 7pm | ๐ฐ GA $50 + booking fee | ๐ R18
Wollongong indie rockers Cheeky Leash play their first ever Wellington show.
๐ Parrotdog Bar, 60-66 Kingsford Smith Street, Lyall Bay | ๐ Fri 8pm | ๐ฐ Free, register via event link
Indie power-folk with a darker 13-song set. Reservations a must.
๐ The Raumati Social Club, 34 Poplar Avenue, Raumati South | ๐ Fri 7pm | ๐ฐ Koha ($10 recommended), door sales only | ๐ R18
The Wairarapa Singers do Mary Poppins, The Greatest Showman and Disney.
๐ St Matthew's Anglican Church, 35 Church Street, Masterton | ๐ Fri 7pm, Sat 4pm | ๐ฐ Adults $25 at the door, under-5s and school-aged kids free
The Human Cannonball and Globe of Death, through to 22 Nov.
๐ Solway Showgrounds, Judds Road, Masterton | ๐ข Fri 7:30pm, more sessions on the event link | ๐ฐ $25-$200 + booking fee
๐ผ๏ธ Webb's Works of Art Exhibition
Hepworth, Moore, Binney, Grahame Sydney and more on show ahead of Webb's November auction.
๐ Webb's, 23 Marion Street, Te Aro | ๐ On view to Sat 14 Nov
Food stalls, games, a tombola and pre-loved toys.
๐ Kilbirnie School, 72 Hamilton Road, Hataitai | ๐ Fri 4:30-7pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Nassim Soleimanpour's famous play, where the actor opens the script for the first time on stage.
๐ BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Te Aro | ๐ Fri & Sat 7pm | ๐ฐ $20-$40
Last chance to see the big survey of the celebrated Kiwi jeweller, closing Sunday.
๐ The Dowse Art Museum, 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt | ๐ Fri-Sun 10am-5pm | ๐ฐ Free
๐ฅ Pickle Week
Garage Project goes full pickle, from Pickle Beer to pickle ice cream cones.
๐ Garage Project Taproom, 91 Aro Street, Aro Valley | ๐ Fri 3-9pm, Sat & Sun 12-9pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Final weekend at the Roxy - it wraps on Sunday.
๐ Roxy Cinema, 5 Park Road, Miramar | ๐ Daily sessions to Sun 15 Nov | ๐ฐ Refer to event link for prices
The last days of 160+ heritage events, including the Featherston Heritage Festival all weekend.
๐ Venues across the region - check individual events | ๐ To Sun 15 Nov | ๐ฐ Many events free, check the programme
๐
Saturday 14 November
50+ stalls, local and national performers, face painting, bouncy castles, beers and wines.
๐ Brooklyn Community Centre, 18 Harrison Street, Brooklyn | ๐ Sat 1-8pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Pลneke's Neo-Renaissance icon turns 150 with tours, talks, family activities and birthday cake.
๐ Old Government Buildings, 55 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Postponed from October: nature talks, games, music and food in Trelissick Park.
๐ Powder Magazine, Trelissick Park (Gate 6, Kaiwharawhara Rd) | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐ HANDS UP Flash Mob
Flash mob crew HANDS UP perform on the waterfront - keep your phone ready! Instagram @getyahandsup.
๐ Waterfront Promenade, Wellington | ๐ Sat 2pm | ๐ฐ Free
20+ local potters selling mugs, tableware and garden ceramics by the Soundshell. Weather dependent, rain dates 21-22 Nov.
๐ Wellington Botanic Garden, Soundshell laneway (Main Gate, 101 Glenmore Street), Kelburn | ๐ Sat & Sun 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐ฉ๐ช German Fair
German baking, sausages and Brezeln, a second-hand kids' sale, plus free face painting and balloon twisting. Dirndl and Lederhosen if you dare!
๐ Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Road, Thorndon | ๐ Sat 11am-2pm | ๐ฐ Koha / gold coin entry, second-hand stalls cash only
John Grace's black and white photos of the chapel, shot with 1866 French lenses. Sunday talks from John Walsh, Patrick Reynolds and Prof Andrew Barrie.
๐ Futuna Chapel, 67 Futuna Close, Karori | ๐ Sat from 11am, Sun 11am-2pm, talks Sun 2pm | ๐ฐ Koha, register on Humanitix
๐งโ๐พ Scarecrows Big Day Out
Gladstone's school fair, then grab a map and drive the district spotting scarecrows.
๐ Gladstone School, Gladstone, Wairarapa | ๐ค Sat, fair 9:30am-2pm
๐น Rose Show
Roses and early summer blooms on show, with orchids, rare plants and craft for sale, plus raffles.
๐ Walter Nash Centre, 22 Taine Street, Taita | ๐ Sat 12-4pm, Sun 10am-3:30pm | ๐ฐ $3, children free, cash only
The 10th annual market from Wellington's Polish community gets the festive season off to a flying start in Newtown.
๐ Dom Polski, 257 Riddiford Street, Newtown | ๐ Sat 11am-6pm
๐ฎ Latin Market Expo
The Hutt Valley's first Latin Market Expo, with Latin-led businesses and an outdoor food court.
๐ The Dowse / James Coe Centre, Laings Road, Lower Hutt | ๐ Sat 10am-5pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
A much-loved South Coast fair with crafts, games, live music, hฤngฤซ and Henk's final-year spit roast. Zero waste, so BYO bags and cups.
๐ Houghton Valley School, 110 Houghton Bay Road, Houghton Bay | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm
Inflatables, a fairy grotto, live performances, a BBQ, bake sale, stalls and raffles, with every dollar going back to the school.
๐ Paparangi School, Beazley Avenue, Paparangi | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry, activities and food to buy
๐ก Festival of Fun
Free photos with Santa, kapa haka, bouncy castles and food trucks - come in fancy dress for spot prizes.
๐ Kenakena School, 12 Donovan Road, Paraparaumu | ๐ฅ Sat 10:30am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐๏ธ County Lane Fair
70+ handmade and eco stalls, food trucks, face painting and Trikin Tours rides, with all profits to Wellington Free Ambulance and the Lions skin screening bus.
๐ Brewtown, 27 Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt | ๐ Sat 9am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry, gold coin appreciated (cash-out available)
Around 40 stalls of preloved, vintage and upcycled fashion from My Walk in Wardrobe. Bring cash!
๐ Waikanae Memorial Hall, 7 Pehi Kupa Street, Waikanae | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Gold coin entry
Queer Mฤori writers including Ruby Solly read their work.
๐ Ngฤ Pou Ruahine (Level 2), Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington Central | ๐ Sat 1-2pm | ๐ฐ Free, all welcome
Last chance for this tour, with rare winding room access, a museum tour and a hot drink. Max 10 per tour, closed-toe shoes required.
๐ Wellington Cable Car, 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central | ๐ Sat 10am | ๐ฐ Adult $45, concession $35
The money or the bag? Nick Tansley hosts a locally themed revival of the classic Kiwi game show.
๐ Featherston Anzac Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherston | ๐ Sat 7pm | ๐ฐ GA $39.18, family concession $28.92 each for four (incl. fees)
Back for year two, with comics, collectibles, gaming, anime and local artists.
๐ Tussock Bar and Cafe, Massey University, Tasman Street, Mount Cook | ๐ Sat 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Egg-and-spoon and sack races, stilts, mini train and horse and cart rides.
๐ Clifford Square, Birdwood Street, Featherston | ๐ Sat & Sun 10am-4pm | ๐ฐ Free (koha for train rides, small charge for horse and cart, face painting Sat only)
๐ VerbCrawl
Verb's one-night literary crawl brings 26 events to 13 bars, galleries, bookshops and more, with poets jamming with metal band FVKVSHIMA and a post-election debrief.
๐ 13 venues across inner-city Wellington | ๐ Sat 5pm-late | ๐ฐ $10 per ticketed event, some free
๐ธ Flyte
London indie band Flyte bring their rich harmonies to San Fran.
๐ San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Sat 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $59.90 (incl. fees, plus $3.95 per order) | ๐ Under 18s with a legal guardian
๐๏ธ Dara ร Briain: Re:Creation
Ireland's comedy great with a brand new show of stories and audience madness.
๐ St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 8pm | ๐ฐ Reserve A $103.35, Reserve B $93.15 | ๐ May contain coarse language and adult themes
๐ถ Art Ghetto
Latin swing and global grooves, sung in four languages.
๐ Park Kitchen, 6 Park Road, Miramar | ๐ Sat 7-9pm | ๐ฐ Free, book a spot | ๐ R18
70 performers plus pipes, organ and strings. Dress up, sing along and stay for supper.
๐ Wellington Chapel, 45 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | ๐ Sat & Sun 7pm | ๐ฐ Free, RSVP to [email protected]
Seven-piece Hobnail with Wayne Mason and Alan Norman. Last year's show sold out fast, and it's Rob's 65th birthday!
๐ St Peter's Village Hall, corner Beach Road & Ames Street, Paekฤkฤriki | ๐ Sat 8pm | ๐ฐ $34.05 (incl. fees)
Norway's Mortiis, Emperor's early bassist, brings his full band to Aotearoa for the first time, with Windswept in support.
๐ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 8pm | ๐ฐ $60 + booking fee | ๐ R18
๐
Sunday 15 November
โญ FEATURED EVENT
โญ St Mark's Fest
An afternoon of fun, connection and celebration for the school community, whฤnau and friends! Enjoy face painting, active turf games, live music, delicious food and an ice cream truck, then pop into the Information Station at the Library to hear about St Mark's learning programmes and new website. Parking available next door at Wellington College.
๐ St Mark's School and Preschool, 13 Dufferin Street, Mount Victoria | ๐ Sun 2-4pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Step inside some of Wadestown's loveliest homes and gardens, plus the much-loved deli stall.
๐ Wadestown, Wellington | ๐ Sun 10am-4pm | ๐ฐ $60 + fees | ๐ Ages 12+
A 4.6km fun run/walk up Mt Kaukau and back for ages 4-18, then food stalls, raffles and games.
๐ Khandallah School, 20 Clark Street, Khandallah | ๐ Sun 9am-1pm | ๐ฐ Register via Humanitix
Food, bouncy castles, live music, games, lucky dips, plants, crafts and pre-loved clothing, plus a raffle with a $4K top prize.
๐ Worser Bay School, 168 Seatoun Heights Road, Seatoun | ๐ Sun 11am-1:30pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
The Nix women's first game at Porirua Park this season, against the Sydney side they beat 7-0 last season. We'll be there!
๐ Porirua Park, 100 Mungavin Avenue, Porirua | ๐ Sun 2pm | ๐ฐ Adult $19.50, child $9.50, family $48.50
Wellington's Tauihi side host the two-time defending champions. Rapid League tips off at 2pm.
๐ Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Sun 3pm | ๐ฐ Adult $25.30, student $17.20, child $10.20 (incl. fees)
Bret and Jemaine are home for their first NZ tour in 14 years. The promoter lists final tickets only, so be quick!
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sun 8pm | ๐ฐ Final tickets, refer to event link
Predator Free Wellington's Birdfest heads to Waimapihi to celebrate Pลneke's birdsong.
๐ Waimapihi Reserve, Aro Street entrance, Aro Valley | ๐ Sun 10am-12pm
Retro and pre-loved treasures on Allen Street.
๐ The Exchange, Allen Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sun 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐จ Artisan Craft Market
Handmade goods from local artisans on the waterfront.
๐ Te Wharewaka o Pลneke, Taranaki Street Wharf | ๐ Sun 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐ชฆ Wonderful Wฤhine
Stories of the women, settlers and Mฤori, who shaped Wellington, on a 90-minute tour.
๐ Bolton Street Cemetery Museum, lower Bolton Street, Thorndon | ๐ Sun 2pm | ๐ฐ $10.25 (incl. fees), under 12s free
๐ฌ Watch at Home: Day One Shorts
Eight new short films from young emerging filmmakers, free to watch online. Look out for Men of Light, selected for the Pasifika Film Festival. ๐ฟ Watch on YouTube
โ
Welly Weather Watch
โ๏ธ Friday 13 Nov: Fine, northerlies easing for a time. High 19ยฐC, low 13ยฐC
โ
Saturday 14 Nov: Partly cloudy, northerlies. High 18ยฐC, low 13ยฐC
๐ฅ๏ธ Sunday 15 Nov: Mostly cloudy, chance of an afternoon shower. Northwesterlies, strong from the morning. High 17ยฐC, low 14ยฐC
A mostly dry weekend, perfect for fairs, markets and the twilight festival. Hang on to your hat on Sunday! ๐ฌ๏ธ
โจ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Wellington Free Ambulance - The only emergency ambulance service in Greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and free since 1927. Government covers most of the cost, but over $9.5M has to be fundraised each year to keep it that way. Donate online or call 0508 932 3733. wfa.org.nz
Fairs, festivals and a mostly dry weekend - go make the most of it. See you next Thursday!
Ngฤ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
Ngฤ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
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