Events & What’s Happening
Annual jazz festival bringing local and international jazz artists to venues across the city including free outdoor performances on the waterfront.
💡The free waterfront stages are relaxed and open-air — bring a picnic blanket and kids can move around freely.
Citywide celebration of Matariki, the Māori New Year, featuring free light installations, cultural performances, markets, and community events across Wellington.
💡The free light trail through the CBD is magical at dusk and suitable for all ages — allow 60 to 90 minutes to walk the full route.
Wellington's beloved annual food and drinks festival spanning the entire city with special menus, burger competitions, and food events at restaurants and bars throughout August.
💡The Visa Wellington on a Plate burger competition is very kid-friendly — many cafes serve their special burgers all day.
New Zealand's premier arts festival created specifically for children and young people, featuring theatre, dance, music, and interactive art experiences in Wellington.
💡Book tickets well in advance — popular shows sell out quickly, especially weekend sessions during the school holidays.
World-class rugby sevens tournament held at Sky Stadium, one of the most colourful and festive sporting events in New Zealand with fans in elaborate costumes.
💡Grab seats in the family zone — the atmosphere is electric but can be rowdy in general admission areas later in the day.
Biennial multi-arts festival transforming Wellington with theatre, dance, music, and visual art from New Zealand and international artists held across venues citywide.
💡Look for the free outdoor performances and family-specific programming in Frank Kitts Park — no ticket needed.
Wellington's annual Pride festival with a colourful street parade, family picnic, and events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community across the city.
💡The Pride Parade through the CBD is free to watch and very welcoming to families with children of all ages.
Wellington's most popular Sunday market on the waterfront near Te Papa, offering fresh local produce, artisan food, flowers, and crafts with stunning harbour views.
💡Arrive before 9am for the best produce selection and room to move with a pram — it gets very busy by 11am.
Free weekly storytime sessions for young children at Wellington City Library on Mercer Street, featuring stories, songs, and rhymes led by library staff.
💡Aimed at children aged 2 to 5 — arrive a few minutes early to get settled as the room fills up quickly.
Free guided walks through Otari-Wilton's Bush, New Zealand's only public botanic garden dedicated to native plants, led by Friends of Otari volunteers on Sunday mornings.
💡Wear sturdy shoes and bring a rain jacket — Wellington weather changes fast, but the bush canopy provides good shelter.
Popular Saturday morning market at Chaffers Marina with organic and artisan food stalls, fresh vegetables, and ready-to-eat food right on Wellington's waterfront.
💡A short walk from Te Papa along the waterfront path — combine with a visit to the museum for a full family morning out.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡Te Papa's free 'Mountains to Sea' and Māori galleries require at least half a day — locals know to visit on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings when school groups are rarest; weekend afternoons are standing-room crowded near the earthquake house exhibit.
- 💡The Wellington Cable Car runs every 10 minutes from Lambton Quay and the round trip costs $7/adult and $3/child — ride up, walk down through the Botanic Garden to see the duck pond, and you've covered Kelburn and a garden visit for under $25 as a family.
- 💡Zealandia by Day tickets ($22 adult, $10 child) include entry to the nocturnal kiwi house where you can watch kiwi actively feeding in red-lit darkness — book online 48 hours ahead because the 10am and 1pm sessions sell out in summer even on weekdays.
- 💡The Harbourside Market runs every Sunday from 7:30am to 2pm at Waitangi Park — buy a $5 bag of fresh Marlborough cherries or mandarins depending on season and picnic on the grass; it's genuinely how Wellington families spend Sunday mornings and children love the Kapiti cheese tasting stall.
- 💡Weta Workshop Unleashed on Camperdown Road in Miramar (20 minutes from the CBD) is best suited to children aged 7 and over — book the 10am session to finish by noon and combine it with a walk around Miramar village, where you'll pass the actual Weta cave prop store and sometimes spot crew from local productions.
- 💡The No. 2 Metlink bus from the railway station to the airport costs $2.50 per adult with a Snapper card (kids under 5 free, 5–15 half price) — it runs every 15–20 minutes and beats paying $35+ for a taxi with a car seat you have to provide yourself.
- 💡Frank Kitts Park playground near Queens Wharf has a flying fox and water splash pad that runs from November through March — it's free, faces the harbour, and is directly behind a row of food trucks that appear on Friday lunchtimes, making it Wellington's best free family afternoon stop.
- 💡Carter Observatory in the Botanic Garden runs Thursday and Friday evening 'Stars over Wellington' sessions ($20 adult, $15 child) using the heritage telescope — Wellington's clear autumn nights in March and April are the best viewing window and sessions often include spotting the Southern Cross for the first time for visiting children.