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- ๐ A $5 Mini-Con, Cobblestones Spring Fair & a Magic Show
๐ A $5 Mini-Con, Cobblestones Spring Fair & a Magic Show
Plus WOW's final shows, free Newtown gigs, Queens basketball, Meow's 18th and heaps more for the school hols. Let's go! ๐
Kirstie and Steve
October 01, 2026
WellyBuzz ๐
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
๐ A $5 Mini-Con, Cobblestones Spring Fair & a Magic Show
Plus WOW's final shows, free Newtown gigs, Queens basketball, Meow's 18th and heaps more for the school hols. Let's go! ๐
๐ Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! ๐ธ
The school holidays are rolling and this weekend's a proper treat - it's the final weekend of the WOW Show at TSB Arena, Matilda keeps the revolting children rampaging at the St James, Meow throws its 18th birthday bash, and there's an old-school spring fair with lambs and sack races in Greytown. Let's get buzzing! ๐
๐ฅ Quick Picks
๐ผ Artisan Launch Party at babycityยฎ (Fri) - Face painting, spot prizes and buggy test drives for the whole whฤnau - see sponsor feature.
โจ 2026 WOW Show: GLO! (Fri) - Final weekend of the wearable art spectacular - Sunday's matinee is the last show.
๐ Matilda The Musical (Fri) - Tim Minchin's revolting children take over the St James all weekend.
๐ป NZSO Four Last Songs (Fri) - Strauss and Brahms with soprano Madeleine Pierard at the MFC.
๐ Cobblestones Spring Fair (Sat) - Farm animals, live shearing, sack races and a pipe band in Greytown.
๐ฆธ Get Ya Geek On! Mini-Con (Sat) - A $5 day of cosplay and geekery at Te Rauparaha Arena.
๐ Carmen's Tiki Tours (Sat) - Opening-day tours of Arohanui, Carmen xx at Wellington Museum.
๐ Meow's 18th Birthday Celebration (Sat) - Rhombus Sound System headline Meow's big birthday party.
๐ฉ Andre Vegas Family Fun Magic & Illusion Show (Sun) - Doves, a rabbit and a chihuahua star in a school-hols magic show.
๐ Tokomanawa Queens vs Mainland Pouฤkai (Sun) - Wellington's women's basketball side host the Pouฤkai in Porirua.
๐ Sponsor - babycityยฎ
Show Me the In-Store Launch Party
Experience the new Artisan Collection by Mountain Buggyยฎ in store.
The Artisan Collection by Mountain Buggyยฎ has arrived at babycityยฎ Wellington City, and you're invited to celebrate with the team.
Join the babycityยฎ and Mountain Buggyยฎ teams this Friday for an exclusive Artisan launch party and get hands-on with the new collection. Born in New Zealand, Mountain Buggyยฎ has more than three decades of all-terrain innovation behind it. The Artisan Collection brings that proven performance together in a beautifully curated newborn bundle with real leather detailing, classic herringbone textiles and beautifully considered finishes.
Three distinctive platforms. One extraordinary collection.
Things happening on the day
๐ Meet the Mountain Buggyยฎ team
๐ Explore the full Artisan Collection and test the buggies on our test track
๐ Free car seat checks and installations
๐จ Face painting for little ones
โ Light refreshments to enjoy while you explore
๐ Spot prizes throughout the event
Friday 2 October | 10amโ1pm
babycityยฎ Wellington City
11 College Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
FREE ENTRY
Share this out, come along, get hands on and experience Artisan for yourself.
๐ฎ Welly Made - Mini Motorways Speaks Te Reo
One of Wellington's biggest creative exports now speaks te reo! Local studio Dinosaur Polo Club has given Mini Motorways, played by more than 9 million people worldwide, a full te reo Mฤori localisation.
Translator Kristin Smith (Kลซwaha) worked on every line of in-game text and gifted the game its reo name, Rori Riki. It's a free update for everyone on Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch and Steam.
Founded here in 2013 by brothers Peter and Robert Curry, the studio now has 30+ staff. Rori Riki is a fun, low-pressure way to practise your reo these hols ๐
๐ Events - What's On This Weekend
๐
Friday 2 October
Meet the Mountain Buggyยฎ team, test-drive the new Artisan Collection and grab a free car seat check, plus face painting, light refreshments and spot prizes - see the sponsor feature above.
๐ babycityยฎ Wellington City, 11 College Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 10am-1pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐ Matilda The Musical
Roald Dahl's brainy heroine takes on Miss Trunchbull in the capital's first-ever season of the musical.
๐ St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | ๐ข Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2pm & 7:30pm, Sun 4pm | ๐ฐ Availability and prices vary by session + handling fee
๐ Rainbows & Fishes
A gentle puppet show woven with English, te reo Mฤori and Sฤmoan. Friday's the last session!
๐ Tararua Tramping Club Clubrooms, 4 Moncrieff Street, Mount Victoria | ๐ Fri 10am | ๐ฐ $15, under 2s free (fees may apply)
๐ธ But Why, Dad?
Loveable dads Jeff and Tom turn kids' biggest questions into silly, catchy songs in this brand-new Kiwi comedy concert.
๐ Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri & Sat 10am & 11:30am, Sun 1:30pm & 3pm | ๐ฐ $20, family pass (4) $70, + $3 booking fee per sale
A floral tribute at the Gandhiji statue for his 157th birthday, then a cultural programme at the High Commission of India from 11am.
๐ Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Pipitea | ๐ Fri 10am-1pm | ๐ฐ Free
Learn a waiata-ฤ-ringa, play kฤmu and give te reo a go in a welcoming, hands-on session.
๐ National Library, 70 Molesworth Street, Thorndon | ๐ฆ Fri 11:30am-12:30pm | ๐ฐ Free
It's the final weekend of the world's leading wearable art competition, with six creative worlds and the return of the Bizarre Bra section. Sessions are selling fast!
๐ TSB Arena, 4 Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ข Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2:30pm & 7:30pm, Sun 1:30pm (final show) | ๐ฐ From $79 (restricted view), + 2.5% card fee
A real rock concert for little ones, with singalongs and guitar solos. It's a standing show.
๐ Whirinaki Whare Taonga, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | ๐ Fri 4pm | ๐ฐ $24pp, family of 4 $80, under 2s free, + booking fee
Teissi Aranda's vivid, colourful paintings, on show with your flat white.
๐ Black Coffee Newtown, 133 Riddiford Street, Newtown | ๐ 30 Sep to 5 Nov
Pลneke's favourite preloved resellers in one pop-up. Last weekend!
๐ 5/115 Victoria Street, Wellington Central | ๐ Fri 10am-6pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐ถ๏ธ Wings Of Fire Challenge 2026
Five wings, each hotter than the last. Finish them all to make the Hall of Fame!
๐ The Tasting Room, 2 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | ๐ฆ Daily 11:30am-9pm from Fri | ๐ฐ Refer to event link for challenge price
๐ป NZSO Four Last Songs
Sir Donald Runnicles conducts Strauss's glittering Rosenkavalier Suite and his achingly beautiful Four Last Songs with soprano Madeleine Pierard, then Brahms's Symphony No. 3.
๐ Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | ๐ก Fri 6:30pm | ๐ฐ Adult from $35.68 + handling fee
๐ Uncle Vanya
Chekhov's masterpiece gets a contemporary twist on a rural vineyard. Audience Care: Themes of mental health and violence and simulated gun shots, use of strong language, haze, flashing lights and vaping.
๐ Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri & Sat 7pm, Sun 4pm | ๐ฐ Adult $60, 30 and under $30, + $3 booking fee per sale
๐ฅพ Social Climbers
Roger Hall's comedy about a group of teachers stuck in a tramping hut for three days. Earlier sessions sold out and Saturday's closing night!
๐ Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Fri & Sat 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $15-$30 + booking fee
46 rangatahi perform scenes from Much Ado, Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night.
๐ Tฤwhiri Warehouse, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown | ๐ Fri 7pm | ๐ฐ Adult $34.05, student/child $16.58 (incl. fees)
Improvisers open NZIF 2026 with scenes inspired by Kiwi stories.
๐ BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria | ๐ข Fri 7:45pm | ๐ฐ Waged $30, unwaged $20
Fast, fearless improv and storytelling from the Mฤori and Pasifika crew who've played the NZ International Comedy Fest.
๐ Abandoned Taproom Petone, 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone | ๐ Fri 8pm | ๐ฐ Waged $28.92, unwaged $16.58 (incl. fees) | ๐ R18
An MC and 4-5 top Kiwi comics in the capital's cosiest comedy club. It often sells out, so book early.
๐ The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 8pm | ๐ฐ GA $34.05, concession $28.92 (incl. fees) | ๐ R18
Liv.e and Karriem Riggins bring their jazz-soul collab to Meow, with Romi Wrights in support.
๐ MEOW, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri 8pm | ๐ฐ $57.50 final release (first release sold out) | ๐ R18
Wellington prog metallers Claemus play their only headline show of 2026, joined by Pull Down the Sun, All I Seek and Make Dark.
๐ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ข Fri 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $30 + booking fee | ๐ R18
๐ธ Girls Rock the Boys
Four powerhouse women and a kickass band take on Journey, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin and more. They sold out Petone, so don't sleep on this one!
๐ St Peter's Village Hall, corner Beach Road & Ames Street, Paekฤkฤriki | ๐ Fri 8pm | ๐ฐ GA $30 | ๐ All ages (licensed)
Maven Theatre Company stage Lee Hall's version of Brecht's anti-war classic, packed with music, humour and heartbreak. Content Advisory: This play contains adult themes and some content that may disturb. Recommended for audiences 16+
๐ Te Raukura ki Kฤpiti, 34a Raumati Road, Paraparaumu | ๐ข Fri & Sat 7:30pm | ๐ฐ $39.45, student $19.98 (incl. fees) | ๐ Recommended 16+
Wellington's Cuban duo are back with double bass and violin in tow for a night of trova, son and chachacha.
๐ The Rogue & Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | ๐ Fri from 10pm | ๐ฐ Koha at the door
๐
Saturday 3 October
Cuddle farm animals, watch live shearing and the South Wairarapa Pipe Band, then cheer on the tug-o-war and sack races. Sorry, no dogs (except registered service dogs).
๐ Cobblestones Heritage Village, 169 Main Street, Greytown | ๐ Sat 10am-3pm | ๐ฐ Adult $5 (cash or eftpos at the gate), kids free
Quality pre-loved women's clothes at bargain prices, with all proceeds going to Karunai Illam Trust's children's home in South India.
๐ Knox Church, 574 High Street, Boulcott, Lower Hutt | ๐ค Sat 9:30am-3pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
An eclectic monthly market with handmade homeware, vintage treasures, artwork, food and live music.
๐ St Peter's Village Hall, corner Beach Road & Ames Street, Paekฤkฤriki | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Vintage clothing, Crown Lynn, ceramics and furniture, plus a pop-up cafe.
๐ St Joseph's Church Hall, 152 Brougham Street, Mount Victoria | ๐ Sat 10am-2pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
๐๏ธ Linden/Tawa Market
Handmade and upcycled finds from local makers.
๐ Linden Community Centre, 10 Linden Avenue, Tawa | ๐ Sat 10am-1pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
A day of cosplay, fandom and all things geeky. There's also a ticketed VIP Low Sensory Hour from 9am ($5).
๐ Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Sat 10am-5pm | ๐ฐ $5 (door sales only)
๐ Carmen's Tiki Tours
Wellington Museum opens Arohanui, Carmen xx with 45-minute tiki tours celebrating the Queen from the King Country who made Wellington City fire.
๐ Wellington Museum, 3 Jervois Quay, Wellington Central | ๐ฆ Sat 11:30am, 1:30pm & 3:30pm | ๐ฐ Waged $10, unwaged $6 | ๐ Ages 15+
๐งถ Wool on Wheels
Over 30 brands of indie-dyed yarn, patterns and accessories in one room. Bring your pattern (and any stash yarn in a clear bag) to find its perfect match.
๐ Newlands Community Centre, 9 Batchelor Street, Newlands | ๐ Sat 1pm-4pm | ๐ฐ $5 door charge (eftpos available)
Top seeds Wellington Pride host the Tui, with a spot in next weekend's Championship final on the line.
๐ Rugby League Park, Newtown | ๐ Sat 2:05pm
Ricky Martin, Fulanito, the Macarena and every 90s Latino hit you can dance to, kicking off in the afternoon.
๐ Eva Beva, 31-35 Dixon Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 4pm-9pm | ๐ฐ Early bird $12.30, GA $23.25 (incl. fees)
After sell-out shows up north, the family rock concert hits Kelburn. Doors open 3pm.
๐ The Hunter Lounge, Victoria University, 1 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn | ๐ Sat 4pm | ๐ฐ GA $27, groups of 4+ $23 each | ๐ All ages (kids with an adult)
Three local acts celebrate spring - Rangimฤrie at 6:30pm, Goldenchild at 7:30pm and Pลhatu at 8:30pm. Let's boogie!
๐ The Office Bar, 124 Riddiford Street, Newtown | ๐ก Sat from 6:30pm | ๐ฐ Free entry
Second night for the cream of the country's young Shakespeareans, this time up in Kelburn.
๐ Student Union Memorial Theatre, Victoria University, 1 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn | ๐ข Sat 7:30pm | ๐ฐ Adult $34.05, student/child $16.58 (incl. fees)
Rhombus Sound System headline Meow's 18th, with Louis TM, Wallace, DJ Martyn Pepperell and some special guests. Happy birthday, Meow!
๐ MEOW, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 8pm | ๐ฐ GA $29.50 | ๐ R18
๐ธ๏ธ Venom presents: The Sting
Venom explores the harder side of dance music - hardhouse, hard groove, hardbounce and NRG - with Malware, Funk Brother System, Stฤvo, URBAN HฤZE and Fireballerz.
๐ Valhalla, 154 Vivian Street, Te Aro | ๐ฃ Sat 8:30pm-3am | ๐ฐ $30.17 (incl. fees) | ๐ R18
Wellington's fiercest queens and kings lip sync for the crown, with the crowd picking each match-up.
๐ Ivy Bar & Cabaret, 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro | ๐ Sat 10pm | ๐ฐ GA $23.25, supporter $28.92 (incl. fees) | ๐ R18
๐
Sunday 4 October
Doves, a rabbit, a chihuahua and big illusions, plus every ticket goes in the draw to win a magic set.
๐ Southward Theatre, Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga | ๐ Sun 2pm | ๐ฐ Adult $39.18, child $28.92 (incl. fees)
๐ Great Global Greyhound Walk
All sighthounds welcome! Dress up for the Mythical Hounds theme and walk to Oriental Beach for prizes, plus meet adoptable greyhounds.
๐ Outside TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | ๐ Sun 10am sharp
Step inside John Scott's modernist masterpiece and try the chapel's new audio guide and virtual mobile tour.
๐ Futuna Chapel, 67 Futuna Close, Karori (parking on Friend Street) | ๐ Sun 11am-3pm | ๐ฐ Koha
Space Week blasts off with water rockets and solar telescopes, with model rocket workshops and a pop-up planetarium later in the week.
๐ Carrington Park, Carterton | ๐ Sun 4 Oct, see programme for times; runs to Sat 10 Oct
Wander the Wairarapa's astronomical stone circle at your own pace - a great pairing with Space Week!
๐ Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton | ๐ Fri, Sat & Sun 10am-4pm | ๐ฐ Adult $18, senior $15, secondary $10, primary $5, preschoolers free
The Queens host the Pouฤkai in their second home game of the Tauihi season, with a Rapid League curtain-raiser at 5pm.
๐ Te Rauparaha Arena, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua | ๐ Sun 5pm (main game 6pm) | ๐ฐ Adult $25.30, student $17.20, child $10.20 (incl. service fee)
โ
Welly Weather Watch
๐ฌ๏ธ Friday 2 October: Partly cloudy with the chance of a shower until evening. Northwesterlies, strong for a time. High 15ยฐC, low 9ยฐC
๐ง๏ธ Saturday 3 October: Rain in the morning, then partly cloudy. Southeasterlies developing. High 14ยฐC, low 6ยฐC
โ๏ธ Sunday 4 October: Fine with light winds. High 14ยฐC, low 8ยฐC
Hold onto your hats Friday and pack a raincoat for Saturday morning. Sunday's the pick of the weekend!
๐ Extra Sprinkles - Thank a Teacher
Thank a Teacher, Help a Kiwi Kid - From Monday 5 October (World Teachers' Day), you can make a free personalised card for a teacher who made a difference, online or at any of Warehouse Stationery's 67 stores. A lovely school hols activity to do with the kids!
For every card created, Warehouse Stationery will donate $2 to The Salvation Army, up to $50,000, to help Kiwi kids get the school essentials they need. Find out more at warehousestationery.co.nz ๐
For every card created, Warehouse Stationery will donate $2 to The Salvation Army, up to $50,000, to help Kiwi kids get the school essentials they need. Find out more at warehousestationery.co.nz ๐
Whether you're glowing at WOW, cuddling lambs in Greytown or building motorways in te reo, have the best weekend Wellington!
Ngฤ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
Ngฤ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve ๐
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