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- π The Ice Rink's Back, Solstice Fun & a Grand Final
π The Ice Rink's Back, Solstice Fun & a Grand Final
Plus Melanie Bracewell's new comedy, a dark beer fest, a lights-and-tunes bike rave and a death-metal night (or an afternoon Opera) to see it out. π
Kirstie and Steve
June 18, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
The Ice Rink's Back, Solstice Fun & a Grand Final
Plus Melanie Bracewell's new comedy, a dark beer fest, a lights-and-tunes bike rave and a death-metal night (or an afternoon Opera) to see it out. π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! βοΈ
What a weekend to be in the capital. The Hurricanes host the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final at Hnry Stadium on Saturday night - it's sold out, but the whole city will be buzzing. Add the shortest day, solstice fire on the waterfront, the ice rink gliding back and Melanie Bracewell's new comedy, and it's a massive one. Wrap up warm and let's get buzzing! π
π₯ Quick Picks
π₯ The Night Crossing (Fri) - Free solstice fire and puppetry, with a towering forest being leading a procession across the waterfront.
π€ Melanie Bracewell: Dilly Dallying (Fri) - The Kiwi comedy star brings her brand-new hour to the Opera House.
πΈ REforms: Shayne P. Carter & the NZSO (Fri) - A world-premiere orchestral reworking at the Michael Fowler Centre.
βΈοΈ Wellington Ice Rink (Sat) - Queens Wharf's pop-up rink glides back for winter - see sponsor feature.
π² Te Ara Tupua Bike Rave (Sat) - Lights, tunes and weird wheels roll from Petone back into town.
πΆ Smokefreerockquest Regional Final (Sat) - The region's best young bands battle it out at the Great Hall.
π Hurricanes vs Chiefs Grand Final (Sat) - the Canes host the Super Rugby final at home. Sold out, but the city will be electric.
πΊ Darkest Days (Sat) - A huge dark-beer fest takes over The Malthouse.
π The Marriage of Figaro (Sun) - NZ Opera's sumptuous Mozart, in a Sunday matinee at the St James.
π
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge Aotearoa (Sun) - Mark the shortest day with a solstice sunset out at Carterton.
π Sponsor - Paradice Events
Wellington Ice Rink at Queens Wharf is back for its seventh winter, and it opens THIS Saturday! Lace up and glide across a 30-metre open-air rink on the waterfront, with music, lights and around 400 pairs of skates for hire. Perfect for a family day, a first date or an after-work catch-up.
Themed nights worth planning around:
π Student Wednesdays - student-priced skating ($18 student night, 7-10pm)
π Skate & Date Thursdays - music and ambient lighting
πͺ© Groovy Fridays - Top 40 to kick off the weekend
π Sat 20 June - Sun 19 July 2026, 10am-10pm daily
π Queens Wharf, Wellington waterfront
π° Adults (13+) $26 | Children (5-12) $21 | Pre-schoolers (3-4) $16 | Family pass $70
πͺ Helmet or Paradice-approved headband compulsory (provided). Minimum age 3 years.
Book online to skip the queue. Door sales also available; session times on Eventfinda.
π°οΈ Welly's Time Machine
Long before it was a wildlife haven, Zealandia was Wellington's water tank. The Lower Karori Dam, finished in 1878, was the first public water-supply dam built by a city council in New Zealand, and its spooky Gothic valve tower still stands guard over the reservoir. Fitting timing, with Sunday's Conservation KΕrero out at the sanctuary.
π· Karori Water Supply dam, via Engineering New Zealand.
π½οΈ Food & Drink
Pizza Pomodoro
When it's grim out, few things beat a proper wood-fired pizza down a laneway. Tucked into Leeds Street, Pizza Pomodoro keeps it simple and nails it: blistered bases, quality toppings, no fuss. Perfect for an easy winter dinner or a lazy Sunday slice.
Find them at 13 Leeds Street, Te Aro. pizzapomodoro.co.nz
π Events - What's On This Weekend
π
Friday 19 June
Melanie Bracewell is back with a brand-new hour all about procrastination, rave reviews and awards behind her.
π Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Te Aro | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° From $42.18 (incl. fees) | π All ages
π₯ The Night Crossing
A shamanic wanderer and a towering forest being lead a slow fire-and-puppetry procession across the waterfront on the cusp of the solstice. Part of LΕemis.
π Wellington Waterfront, Te Aro | π Fri 5:30pm-6:30pm | π° Free | π All ages
The NZSO collides with the Shayne P. Carter songbook for a world-premiere orchestral reworking. A LΕemis headliner.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° Gold $99.90 / Platinum $129.90 | π All ages
π§ Mellow Mix
Explore the museum after dark with silent-disco soundtracks by DJ Marika. Relaxed and sensory-friendly.
π Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay, Queens Wharf | π Fri 6pm-9pm | π° Free (register, koha welcome) | π All ages (under 16 with guardian)
Two artists, three Butoh dances shaped by five Wellington lighthouses. Visceral and cathartic. Also Sat 8pm.
π BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | π Fri 8pm | π° $25 waged / $15 unwaged | π All ages
π Waenga (Te Rakau)
The longest-running MΔori theatre company in Aotearoa presents a powerful new work in its Theatre Marae framework. Also Sat 6:30pm & Sun 1pm.
π Toi PΕneke Arts Centre, 61-69 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro | π‘ Fri 6:30pm | π° From $11 (student) to $35.84 (incl. fees) | π Recommended 12+
Super-funny NZ Comedy School alumni put on a show to raise money for the school's Diversity Scholarship fund.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8pm | π° $23.25 / conc $16.58 (incl. fees), door $25 | π R18
Groovemocracy returns to Meow with live jazz-house and disco.
π Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8pm til late | π° $20 general / $25 final release | π R18
Oklahoma noise-rock heavyweights Chat Pile bring their grimy sound to San Fran, with Beastwars in support.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8pm | π° From $85.45 (incl. fees) | π R18
High-energy Afrobeat, Afrorock and Afropop to dance the night away, fresh off an Aussie tour.
π The Rogue & Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | π€ Fri 9:30pm | π° Free (koha for the band) | π R18
π Suny Siide Up: Drift
A sonic journey of experimental, atmospheric soundscapes on a top-tier sound system. The last show sold out, numbers are strictly limited.
π St Peter's Village Hall, cnr Beach Rd & Ames St, PaekΔkΔriki | π Fri 6pm-10:45pm | π° $20 | π Refer to event
Local legend Shaun Preston plays his signature white piano over a three-course Wairarapa dinner.
π The Runholder, 89 Martins Road, Martinborough | π Fri 6pm | π° $90 (three-course dinner + show) | π All ages
π
Saturday 20 June
It's on! The Hurricanes host the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final, at home. SOLD OUT, but the whole city will be buzzing - find a big screen if you missed out.
π Hnry Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea | π Sat 7:05pm kickoff | π° Sold out | π All ages
βΈοΈ Wellington Ice Rink Opens
The Queens Wharf pop-up rink opens for winter, daily 10am-10pm. Full details in our sponsor feature above.
π Queens Wharf, Wellington waterfront | π Sat 10am-10pm (daily) | π° From $16 | π All ages (3+)
πΊ Darkest Days
A huge range of dark beers from your favourite NZ breweries.
π The Malthouse, 76 Willis Street, Te Aro | π Sat 20 June | π° See event link | π R18
The region's best young original bands take the stage at the Massey Great Hall.
π The Great Hall, Old Museum Building, 15 Buckle Street, Mount Cook | π Sat 7pm | π° Student $16.58 / Adult $28.92 (incl. fees) | π All ages
An Indian street-food extravaganza for the new Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple.
π Indian Cultural Society Hall, 119 Nelson Street, Petone | π Sat 10am-4pm | π° Refer to event | π All ages
ποΈ MCS Midwinter Market
Local makers, handmade goods, vintage treasures, real-fruit ice cream and CJ's hΔngΔ«.
π Miramar Central School Hall, 38 Park Road, Miramar | π Sat 10am-1pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
Vintage and modern fabric, haberdashery, patterns and buttons, plus a pop-up cafe. All proceeds to Mary Potter Hospice. Bring cash.
π Waikanae Baptist Church, 286 Te Moana Road, Waikanae | π Sat 10am-1pm | π° Free (gold coin for Hospice) | π All ages
Jewellery, plants, crafts, vintage goods, baking and a sausage sizzle.
π Brooklyn Community Centre, 18 Harrison Street, Brooklyn | π Sat 12pm-4pm | π° Free | π All ages
Light up Te Ara Tupua! Roll from Petone back to the city in a movement of lights, tunes and weird wheeled creations, finishing at Glover Park. Family warm-up from Hnry forecourt at 4pm.
π Te Ara Tupua, Petone end | π Sat meet 5:30pm, departs 6pm | π° Free | π All ages
A 90-minute Friends of the Botanic Garden walk on why our plants are so different, from the City Lookout to Founders' Gate.
π Meet Cable Car Lookout, Upland Road, Kelburn | π Sat 1:30pm-3pm | π° $10.25 / free for Friends | π All ages
Wellington Symphonic Bands play a free, family-friendly winter concert.
π Kilbirnie Lyall Bay Community Centre, 56-58 Bay Road, Kilbirnie | π Sat 12pm-2pm | π° Free | π All ages
πͺ Vivo Flutes
Wellington's flute orchestra (12 flutes + a string bass) plays Saint-Saens, Gretry, Shostakovich and Piazzolla. Soloist Grace Barron, dir. Barbara Hill.
π The Piano Bar, 61 Wai-iti Crescent, Lower Hutt | π Sat 4pm | π° Free | π All ages
π΅ Live Art: Ossia
A new ensemble blends jazz-adjacent textures with soul, folk and groove for an intimate, improvised set at Toi Mahara.
π Toi Mahara, 20 Mahara Place, Waikanae | π Sat 6pm-8pm | π° $28.92 (incl. fees) | π All ages
π C-26 Salsa Band
Turn up the heat with C-26 bringing live salsa to The Rogue & Vagabond.
π The Rogue & Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | π€ Sat 9:30pm | π° $10 door / Humanitix | π R18
NZ's 80s super group brings the ultimate 80s party home to Wellington. Doors 8pm.
π Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | π£ Sat 8:30pm | π° See event link | π R18
π
Sunday 21 June - Winter Solstice βοΈ
NZ Opera's sumptuous Mozart with a stellar trans-Tasman cast and Orchestra Wellington. Sunday 2:30pm matinee (also Fri 7:30pm).
π St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | π Sun 2:30pm | π° Under 18 from $41, Adult from $79, Senior from $71.10 | π All ages
ποΈ Harbourside Market
Wellington's favourite Sunday market: fresh produce, hot food and coffee.
π Cnr Cable & Barnett Streets, Te Aro | π’ Sun 7:30am-2pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
Witness the winter-solstice sunset at Stonehenge Aotearoa. Dress warm.
π Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton | π Sun 4:30pm-6pm | π° Adults $39.18, Seniors $34.05, Students $16.58, Children $8.20 (incl. fees) | π All ages
A cruisy family ride up the rail trail to the summit and back, all bikes and speeds welcome.
π Remutaka Incline main carpark, Upper Hutt | π Sun from 10am | π° Free | π All ages
A walking tour of the oldest parts of Karori Cemetery and the people who built the city.
π The Shelter, Karori Cemetery, 76 Old Karori Road, Karori | π Sun from 1pm (up to 2 hrs) | π° $10 (under 12 free) | π All ages
Bring the whΔnau and help give Te Aro a clean. Gear provided.
π Meet Glover Park, Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | π Sun 11am-12:30pm | π° Free | π All ages
Dr Ivan Lin on navigating climate anxiety without burnout, drawing on nature's restorative power.
π Zealandia Te MΔra a TΔne, 53 Waiapu Road, Karori | π Sun 2pm-3:30pm | π° $16.58 public / $10.25 member (incl. fees) | π All ages
Aotearoa's leading Polish folk and klezmer band brings fiery fiddles, driving rhythms and dance-worthy tunes to Futuna Chapel.
π Futuna Chapel, 67 Futuna Close, Karori | π Sun 2pm (doors 1:30pm) | π° $15 (Humanitix or door) | π All ages
A day celebrating music for and by musicians with disabilities: a music circle and afternoon showcase. Accessible and family-friendly.
π Newtown Community Centre, cnr Rintoul & Colombo Streets, Newtown | π₯ Sun 10:30am-5pm | π° Free | π All ages
The community film festival screens the NZIFF 2025 documentary, a portrait of Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna.
π St Peter's Village Hall, cnr Beach Rd & Ames St, PaekΔkΔriki | π Sun 5:30pm-7:30pm | π° Waged $15 / Unwaged $10 (door) | π All ages
Three of the city's best songwriters in one show: Ali Whitton, Karli Tyla and Zoe Scott.
π Moon, 167 Riddiford Street, Newtown | π Sun 7pm-9:30pm | π° $16.58 (incl. fees), $10 for open-mic players | π All ages
A cult dystopian ride under the stars at Space Place, popcorn included.
π Space Place at Carter Observatory, 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn | π Sun 6pm (doors 5:30pm) | π° $25 (incl. popcorn) | π Rated M
Ohio's gore-merchants bring brutal death metal to San Fran for the first time, with Peeling Flesh.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π’ Sun 7:30pm | π° From $91.60 (incl. fees, Moshtix) | π R18 (supervised, minors with guardian)
π One for the diary - Wednesday 24 June: Avant-pop legends Stereolab play Meow Nui on their 2026 NZ tour, touring Instant Holograms on Metal Film, their first album in 15 years, with Glass Vaults. Worth booking ahead.
π Meow Nui, 92 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Wed 24 Jun, doors 7pm | π° GA $86 / Platinum Lounge $116 (plus fees) | π R18 (supervised)
π Meow Nui, 92 Vivian Street, Te Aro | π Wed 24 Jun, doors 7pm | π° GA $86 / Platinum Lounge $116 (plus fees) | π R18 (supervised)
π Also Wednesday 24 June:Vivo Flutes - Barbara Hill & Friends play a free lunchtime concert (Saint-Saens, Shostakovich and a rare Gretry concerto) at St Andrew's on The Terrace. Bring a bag lunch.
π St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace | π§ Wed 24 Jun, 12:15pm-1pm | π° Free | π All ages
π St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace | π§ Wed 24 Jun, 12:15pm-1pm | π° Free | π All ages
π§οΈ Welly Weather Watch
π€οΈ Friday 19 June: Mainly fine, a shower possible at night. Northerlies. High 15Β°C, low 12Β°C
π§οΈ Saturday 20 June: Occasional rain from morning, strong northwesterlies. High 16Β°C, low 11Β°C
π₯οΈ Sunday 21 June (shortest day): Rain clearing to partly cloudy in the morning, strong northwesterlies easing. High 16Β°C, low 9Β°C
A wet, windy one - classic Wellington winter. Saturday's the soggy one (rain from morning, strong nor'westers - a good day to be undercover or at the footy), but the solstice should clear on Sunday. Forecast as of Wednesday, may shift - check before you head out. βοΈ
β¨ Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
DCM (Downtown Community Ministry) has worked at the tough end of Wellington since 1969, supporting people who are sleeping rough or without a home - and winter is when that mahi matters most. If you spot someone sleeping rough, call Wellington City Council on 04 499 4444 and a ticket goes straight to the outreach team. Find out more or give at dcm.org.nz.
However you mark the shortest day - fireside, ice rink or mosh pit - we hope it's a good one. See you on the other side of the solstice. βοΈ
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
Nga mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
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