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- π LEGO Star Wars Has Landed in Welly βοΈ
π LEGO Star Wars Has Landed in Welly βοΈ
Plus snow in Greytown, ice skating on the waterfront, the Hurricanes Poua at home, a Matariki drag concert + a steam train day out. Rug up, Welly π
Kirstie and Steve
July 02, 2026
WellyBuzz π
Your Wellington Weekend Sorted
LEGO Star Wars Has Landed in Welly βοΈ
Plus snow in Greytown, ice skating on the waterfront, the Hurricanes Poua at home, a Matariki drag concert + a steam train day out. Rug up, Welly π
π Welcome
Kia ora Wellington! βοΈ
Winter's turned it on and the school holidays kick off in style. There's snow in Greytown (plus an amazing after-dark Illumination walk), skating at Queens Wharf and LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition at TΔkina, plus the Hurricanes Poua at home, a Winter Solstice Bike Rave and a Matariki drag concert. Wellington Repertory Theatre also has two great shows on over the next fortnight. Let's get buzzing! π
π₯ Quick Picks
π Wellington Repertory: Hay Fever & Mrs Llama the Very Kiwi Farmer (Jul) - Hay Fever 1-11 July, Mrs Llama 6-10 July at the Gryphon - see sponsor feature.
πΊ Pacific Night Market (Fri) - Free Cook Islands Hall market in Cannons Creek, food and goods galore.
πΊ Crash Bandihoot Party (Fri) - 8-piece New Orleans hornfunk plus cumbia at San Fran, from $10.
βΈοΈ Wellington Ice Rink (Sat) - Skate on the waterfront at Queens Wharf, open daily.
βοΈ Snowfall on Main Street (Sat) - Free snow falls outside Greytown Town Hall every half hour, 6-8pm.
β¨ Illumination Night Walk (Sat) - A glowing light-show stroll through Cobblestones village.
π΄ Winter Solstice Bike Rave (Sat) - Lights, tunes and weird wheels roll along Te Ara Tupua from Petone.
π Hurricanes Poua v Blues (Sat) - Super Rugby Aupiki at Maidstone Park, general admission free.
𧱠LEGO Star Wars: The Exhibition (Sat) - 8 million bricks and hands-on build zones at TΔkina, all holidays.
𫧠The Bubble Spectacular (Sun) - Giant bubbles and Dr Hubble's mayhem in Carterton.
π This Week's Sponsor
Wellington Repertory Theatre - A Double Feature
Two cracking July shows at the Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro.
Hay Fever
In Wellington Repertory's centenary year, this sparkling Noel Coward comedy of manners sees the eccentric Bliss family invite four guests to their country house - cue mismatched personalities, outrageous antics and glorious chaos.
π Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | π’ Thu 2, Fri 3 & Sat 4 July 7:30pm, Sun 5 July 3pm matinee (to 11 Jul) | π° $19.90-$29.90 | π All ages
Mrs Llama the Very Kiwi Farmer
A feel-good children's school-holiday show performed by young actors. On Mrs Llama's lively Kiwi farm, pesky rabbits and a cast of unforgettable animals spiral into hilarious chaos - beloved stories brought to life with a playful Kiwi twist, perfect for the young and young at heart.
π Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | π Mon 6 - Fri 10 July, 11am daily | π° $15 | π All ages, kids' show
A huge thanks to Wellington Repertory Theatre for backing WellyBuzz - grab your tickets and support 100 years of local theatre! π
π½οΈ Food & Drink
Octo is the cosy hideaway we keep raving about - a record store by day that flips into a Japanese-style yakitori and cocktail bar (inspired by Japan's 1950s jazz listening bars) after 5pm.
Picture charcoal-grilled skewers, Kirin on tap and a DJ on vinyl - the warm, low-lit spot for a cold July night.
It only opened on 1 May, it's already on a perfect 5.0 on Google (25 reviews) - one reckoned the "cool set-up is going to absolutely hum". Find them at 102 Aro Street, Aro Valley. @octo.aro
π Events - What's On This Weekend
π€ HEADS UP - TONIGHT (THURSDAY)
US black-metal and shoegaze trailblazers Deafheaven hit San Fran with guests Nothing - a rare NZ headline show, tonight only.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Thu 2 July 8pm | π° $94.55 (incl. fees) | π Minors welcome with a legal guardian
π
Friday 3 July
πΊ Pacific Night Market
A warm, whΔnau-friendly market at the Cook Islands Hall, full of island food and goods.
π Cook Islands Hall, Mentor Lane, Cannons Creek, Porirua | π Fri 5:30pm-8:30pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
π³οΈβπ The TΔ«whas Present: MΔreikura
A Matariki theatrical drag concert honouring wΔhine. Ticket includes a shared supper.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Fri 7pm (also Sat 7pm, Sun 4pm, runs to 11 Jul) | π° $75 / $65 concession (plus fees) | π All ages, parental guidance
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's National Youth Orchestra performs Britten, a Jack Bewley world premiere, and Debussy's La Mer.
π Michael Fowler Centre, 111 Wakefield Street, Te Aro | π‘ Fri 6:30pm-8pm | π° Refer to event link for ticket prices | π All ages
BalletCollective Aotearoa presents four new dance and music works moving from fever to dreamlike calm.
π Hannah Playhouse, 12 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro | π Fri 7pm (also Sat 1pm) | π° $32.75 / $22.50 concession (incl. fees) | π R12
π Hay Fever
A sparkling Noel Coward comedy from Wellington Repertory Theatre in its centenary year - the Bliss family's country weekend descends into chaos. (See sponsor feature above.)
π Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro | π’ Tonight (Thu) & Fri 7:30pm (also Sat 7:30pm, Sun 3pm, to 11 Jul) | π° $19.90-$29.90 | π All ages
8-piece New Orleans hornfunk, opened by Cumbia Blazera.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° $10 early bird / $15 unwaged / $20 general (plus fees) | π All ages, licensed
NZ School of Dance third-years devise "Note to Self", a full-length work on identity and being seen.
π Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° $30 / $20 concession / $15 child (plus fees) | π All ages
A sapphic cabaret of poetry, burlesque, drag and comedy at The Fringe Bar.
π The Fringe Bar, 26 Allen Street, Te Aro | π Fri 8pm-10pm (doors 7pm) | π° $28.92 general (incl. fees), $35 cash on door | π R18
A five-act gig raising funds for the Twisted Frequency festival.
π Meow, 9 Edward Street, Te Aro | π Fri doors 8pm | π° Tickets from $20, pay what you can afford | π Check venue
Porirua Little Theatre's award-winning musical comedy; audience members invited up to compete. Mature themes.
π Niblick Hall, Niblick Lane, Porirua | π’ Fri 7:30pm (also Sat 7:30pm, Sun 4pm) | π° $32 table / $26 row / $16 beanbag (plus fees) | π All ages
Hutt Valley High School's satirical musical set in a drought-stricken future of pay-to-pee laws.
π Hutt Valley High School, Woburn Road, Lower Hutt | π Fri 7pm (also Sat 2pm matinee) | π° $20 adult / $10 student under 19 (plus fees) | π All ages
π MicroRave!
A free outdoor microrave and laser dance-off in Greytown.
π Stella Bull Park, Main Street, Greytown | π Fri 8pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
Punk, grind and powerviolence with No Sector, Stress Ghetto and more. BBQ 6pm, bands 7pm, cash only.
π Newtown Bowling Club, 303 Mansfield Street, Newtown | π Fri doors 6pm, bands 7pm | π° $15 online, or $10 unwaged / $20 waged cash door | π R18
Eclectic folk for a fun, folky early night out at t bay cafe.
π t bay cafe, 26 Whitehouse Road, Titahi Bay | π’ Fri 7:30pm | π° Koha appreciated | π All ages
Lower Hutt cafΓ©s serve creative limited-edition hot chocolates to explore and vote on. Runs to 19 July.
π 20+ cafΓ©s across Lower Hutt | π 3-19 July | π° Pay per hot chocolate | π All ages
π
Saturday 4 July
βΈοΈ Wellington Ice Rink
The pop-up waterfront ice rink is back for its seventh year, skate hire included. Open daily to 19 July.
π Queens Wharf, Wellington Central | π Sat 10am-10pm (daily) | π° $26 age 5+ / $21 age 3-4 / $70 family (plus fees) | π Age 3+, helmet required
Round 4 of Super Rugby Aupiki as the Poua host the reigning champion Blues.
π Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt | π Sat 2:35pm kick-off | π° General admission free; grandstand $15 adult / $5 child (plus fees) | π All ages
Roll from Petone to the city in a movement of lights, tunes and weird wheels. Family pre-ride 4:30pm from Hnry Stadium.
π Te Ara Tupua, Petone end | π Sat meet 5:30pm, depart 6pm | π° Free | π All ages
π€ The Warratahs
NZ country-rock legends return with new single "Quicksilver Days", plus Richard Reugg.
π The Thistle Inn, 3 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon | π‘ Sat dinner 6:30pm, show doors 8:30pm | π° $49.42 show / $94.53 dinner & show (incl. fees), $50 on door | π R18
Over 8 million bricks, life-sized models and build zones at TΔkina - a top school-holiday day out.
π TΔkina, 50 Cable Street, Te Aro | π Sat, timed sessions daily through the holidays | π° Adult from $35 / child 3-15 from $22.50 / family from $105, under 2 free (plus fees) | π All ages
Nine hours of house, disco and Balearic across six acts.
π Cuba Street Tavern, 168-172 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 4pm-1am | π° $33 (incl. fees) | π R18
A full-day steam-hauled journey from Plimmerton to Mt Ruapehu. Seats sell fast.
π Departs Plimmerton Railway Station | π Sat from 5:20am | π° From $179 adult / $139 child (boarding point dependent) | π All ages
Artificial snow falls outside the Town Hall every half hour, with food trucks.
π Greytown Town Hall, 89 Main Street, Greytown | π Fri & Sat 6pm-8pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
A charming kids' show (ages 3-8): WΔtΔ, Tuna and KΔrearea hit a glowworm's birthday rave.
π Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | π Sat 10am & 11:30am (season to 18 Jul) | π° $20 / $70 family of 4 (plus fees) | π All ages
A KidzStuff comedy (ages 4+) about a MatheMagician saving a village; Sat is a $7 preview.
π KidzStuff Theatre, Tararua Tramping Club, 4 Moncrieff Street, Mount Victoria | π Sat preview (season 6-11 Jul) | π° $7 preview / $15 general / under 2 free (plus fees) | π All ages
The capital's premier amateur stand-up comp, hosted by Billy T nominee Jak Darling.
π Abandoned Taproom, 38 Fitzherbert Street, Petone, Lower Hutt | π Sat 8pm-9:45pm | π° $28.92 general / $19.14 concession (incl. fees) | π R18
The third KΔpiti Choral Festival showcase with community choirs and a mass sing.
π Te Raukura ki KΔpiti, Coastlands Theatre, 34a Raumati Road, Paraparaumu | π Sat 5:30pm-7:30pm | π° $21 adult / $10.75 student-child (incl. fees) | π All ages
An interactive after-dark light show through Cobblestones - colour-changing pathways, soundscapes and surprises. Dress warmly.
π Cobblestones Heritage Village, 169 Main Street, Greytown | π Sessions most nights from 5:30pm | π° $22.90 adult / $14.90 child / from $49.80 family (plus fees) | π All ages
πΊ 24 Hour Party People
Wellington's longest-running indie night - Madchester, Britpop and indie. Cash door only.
π San Fran, 171 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sat 8pm-4am | π° $20 cash on door | π All ages, licensed
ποΈ PaekΔkΔriki Market Day
A monthly community market with handmade homeware and crafts, vintage finds, artwork, food and live music.
π St Peter's Village Hall, cnr Beach Road & Ames Street, PaekΔkΔriki | π Sat 10am-2pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
Free winter marshmallows on the Barn campfire all school holidays, plus a free tractor ride. Offer 4-19 July.
π Staglands Wildlife Reserve, 2362 Akatarawa Road, Upper Hutt | π€ Sat 9:30am-5pm (daily) | π° $29 adult / $12 child 4-16 / under 3 free (free marshmallows) | π All ages
π
Sunday 5 July
Dr Hubble's family bubble show with giant, fiery and tornado bubbles.
π Wairarapa Events Centre, Holloway Street, Carterton | π Sun 11am-1pm | π° $36.40 A reserve / $51.40 premium (plus fees) | π All ages
Free school holiday fun for ages 0-14 - screenprinting, a Matariki Live! day and a play space.
π NΕku te Ao Capital E, Te Matapihi Central Library, 65 Victoria Street, Wellington Central | π Sun from 10am | π° Free entry | π Ages 0-14
Free entry to explore the historic Chapel, then stay for Elementi's medieval-to-modern music for flute and soprano.
π Futuna Chapel, 67 Futuna Close, Karori | π Sun 11am-2pm open (free), Elementi 2pm | π° Open free; Elementi $15 (Humanitix or door) | π All ages
Singer Emari plays an intimate Pegasus Books set on her NZ tour. Pay what you can.
π Pegasus Books, Left Bank, Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sun 5pm-5:45pm | π° Pay what you can (from $1.03 incl. fees) | π All ages
πΆ Rounds in the Square
Come and sing a few rounds by the newly reopened Central Library. Singing and books, all welcome!
π Civic Square, Wellington Central | π Sun 1pm-2pm | π° Free | π All ages
Help restore the awa with community planting. Bring gear and gloves; some food provided, whΔnau friendly.
π Onepoto Park, 138 Main Road, Titahi Bay, Porirua | π€ Sun 9:30am-12:30pm | π° Free | π All ages
Wellington's planetarium runs its full Sunday schedule, with a Matariki focus on the star talks.
π Space Place at Carter Observatory, 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn | π Sun, timed shows 10:15am-4pm | π° See link for sessions & prices | π All ages
The Rogue and Vagabond's free Sunday session with touring Aussie sax Andy Sugg and a top NZ line-up.
π The Rogue and Vagabond, 18 Garrett Street, Te Aro | π Sun 5pm | π° Free entry | π All ages, licensed
πΈ Bach Trio Concert
Three top NZ guitarists perform new transcriptions of J.S. Bach, including the Partita No.2.
π Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro | π Sun 5:45pm | π° Free entry | π All ages
ποΈ Lyall Bay Beach Clean-Up
Lend a hand caring for the coast with Lyall Bay Coast Care. Bags and gloves provided.
π Lyall Bay Beach (meet by the playground), Lyall Bay | π Sun 10am | π° Free | π All ages
β
Welly Weather Watch
β
Friday 3 July: Mostly cloudy, light northerlies. High 12Β°C, low 8Β°C
β
Saturday 4 July: Cloudy periods, mild for winter. High 13Β°C, low 10Β°C
β
Sunday 5 July: Cloudy periods, mild for winter. High 14Β°C, low 8Β°C
Forecast issued by MetService on 1 July - mostly cloudy and mild for winter, highs of 13-14Β°C and not much rain in sight. β
π Extra Sprinkles - Charity of the Week
Newtown Community Centre (Te Whare Hapori o ngΔ Puna Waiora) is a much-loved hub on the corner of Colombo and Rintoul Streets, running concerts, classes, a tool library, timebank and community meals.
A frontline wellbeing anchor for one of Welly's most diverse suburbs, especially over winter. Support them at newtowncommunity.org.nz or phone 04 389 4786. π
A frontline wellbeing anchor for one of Welly's most diverse suburbs, especially over winter. Support them at newtowncommunity.org.nz or phone 04 389 4786. π
Whether you're skating the waterfront, building bricks at TΔkina or toasting marshmallows with the kids, have a brilliant winter weekend. π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
NgΔ mihi nui,
Kirstie & Steve π
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