WHAT’S COMING UP IN THE CAPITAL?

Find your way to the best gigs, festivals, exhibitions, and more with your Activity Guide!

August 2026

Mata’AITU by Linda Lepou at Pātaka Art+Museum

On now at Pātaka Art+Museum, award-winning artist Lindah Lepou shares her world of Pacific couture, weaving her Samoan gafa (genealogy) into Pacific couture as a living fashion art archive.

Lepou has been a guest judge for the World of Wearable Art Awards and has exhibited alongside Dior, Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano.

Lindah Lepou’s Mata’AITU runs until 8 November. Free entry.

...
08 Aug - 08 Nov
All Day
Pātaka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua City Centre, Porirua 5022
October 2026

Wellington Jazz Festival 2026

From 14-18 October, the Wellington Jazz Festival returns to the capital for its 30th anniversary year, with an electrifying programme of international artists making their Aotearoa debuts, acclaimed New Zealand musicians, new works, and unforgettable live performances.

Across five days, more than 100 performances will fill Te Whanganui-a-Tara with music. From intimate late-night club sessions to major theatre shows, audiences can experience jazz, soul, funk, brass, blues and bold contemporary sounds across venues, streets, and unexpected spaces throughout the city.

Find more info and specific events via jazzfestival.nz

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14 Oct - 18 Oct

Tim Mahon and Kerfuffle: The Great Kerfuffle Album Release Tour

From the DNA or Blam Blam Blam and Ardijah comes Kerfuffle, a four-piece band playing Tim Mahon original songs from his new album "The Great Kerfuffle" - along with some choice covers and a bit of Blam Blam Blam in the mix.

Teina Benioni (Ardijah) provides support before joining the band for an electric onslaught. Expect hard hitting lyrics for today's political environment backed by riffing guitars.

Kerfuffle will be playing live at Meow on the 16th of October, 8:30 - 11:00pm. For tickets and more information visit www.meow.nz

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16 Oct
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Meow
Wellington

CST Presents: Julien Dyne | Jazz Fest 2026

Cuba St Tavern is proud to present Julien Dyne on Friday 16th of October

Drummer, producer, DJ and visual artist Julien has built one of the most quietly extraordinary careers in Aotearoa music.

His solo output has landed on Soundway Records (UK) BBE Records (Worldwide) and Wonderful Noise (Japan), along with recording and/or performing with Ladi 6, fat Freddy's Drop, Avantdale Bowling Club, Lord Echo and many others - Julien Dyne has the kind of name that makes other musicians stop and listen.

For this set, Julien steps behind the decks - bringing jazz, funk, afrobeat and electronic together in a set that's connected, unpredictable and entirely his own.

With support from the brilliant Jewel School, this is Jazz Festival Friday sorted.

Cuba St Tavern | Friday October 16th | 8:30pm

Tickets available at www.undertheradar.co.nz ...
16 Oct
8:30 pm
Cuba St Tavern
172 Cuba St Wellington 6011

The Learning Connexion: Lower Hutt Art Trail

The Learning Connexion is Stop #12 at the Lower Hutt Art Trail on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October.

With more than 30 student artists filling our studios, demonstrating their creative processes and selling their work.

The Art Trail runs 10am - 4pm both days, and you’ll find them at 182 Eastern Hutt Road, Lower Hutt.

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17 Oct - 18 Oct
The Learning Connexion
182 Eastern Hutt Road, Lower Hutt

After God @ Circa Theatre

Miranda Harcourt and Stuart McKenzie, pioneers of verbatim and biographical theatre, return with AFTER GOD — a theatrical journey across continents and conversations, with acclaimed actor Michael Hurst joining them to explore some very big questions about meaning, madness and metaphysics.

Premiering at Wellington’s Circa Theatre from Saturday 17 October to Saturday 14 November, AFTER GOD brings together the stellar cast of Michael Hurst, Kali Kopae, Andrew Paterson, Tara Canton and Roy Clark.

Get your tickets via www.circa.co.nz

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17 Oct - 14 Nov
Circa Theatre
Wellington

The Indian Film Festival NZ

The inaugural Indian Film Festival NZ is here this October across Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch!

Indian cinema is not one industry, and it is certainly not one language, there are hundreds of stories being made across India every year, representing different languages, regions, cultures and perspectives. With 11 films in 10 languages being screened in Wellington, TIFFNZ is about creating a space where those stories can travel, be discovered and be experienced together with community and filmmakers on the big screen!

Students can buy a full Festival pass for $55 each ($6 per movie), and $110 each for adults ($11 per movie). Local favourite, Chaat Street will be selling some Indian goodies during the Festival.

The Wellington screenings will be taking place up at Massey Universities NASA Cinema from the  23rd-25th of October, you can snap up your tickets from: humanitix.com

You can get 25% off of your ticket to the 3 different films including: Baksho Bondi, Shape Of Momo & Ammang Haelbeda by using the code 'ACTIVE' at the checkout!

For more info head to: tiffnz.com ...
22 Oct - 25 Oct
College of Creative Arts, Massey University Wellington
63 Wallace Street, Mt. Cook, Wellington

Gaboodi Album Release Listening Party

Gaboodi Gaboodi Gaboodi!

In celebration of Gaboodi’s debut album “Lifting From the Legs: Versions and Dubs” Bigbada Boom soundsystem is stringing up at:

Shorland Park Band Rotunda in Island Bay on Sunday the 25th of October from 3pm.

This is a free gig; all ages.

With support from DJ KOA and Queen Big Punch, Gaboodi spins his brand new double 12-inch vinyl, filled with heavyweight dub, for the people of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Radio Active’s Roots and Culture show will be live-to-air from the park, so tune in right here on 88.6fm, if you can’t make it down.

Follow @gaboodi on Instagram for updates.

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25 Oct
3:00 pm

Astronomy on Tap: Halloween

Wellington’s space science museum invites you to a very special Halloween edition of Astronomy on Tap.

Astronomy on Tap is Space Place’s monthly after-hours planetarium event where great science meets great drinks. The October theme is: 1000 Ways to Die in Space – an entertaining guide to the universe’s deadliest environments.

Tickets include a drink on arrival and snacks throughout. Thursday 29 October, 8PM, book now at spaceplace.nz

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29 Oct
8:00 pm
Space Place
40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012

Halloween Havoc at Moon Bar

This Halloween, join LUNG to celebrate the release of their video single "Isolated Gun" from their latest album, FOG.

LUNG will be joined by Waikeke Islanders - Trauma Party alongside locals Paper Fortune and Angel 11x11 at Moon Bar in Newtown on the 31st of October.

Doors open at 7:30pm with the first band on stage at 8pm.

Tickets available at undertheradar.co.nz

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31 Oct
7:30 pm
Moon
167 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021

RadioActive.FM Presents: RAVE 2 THE GRAVE Fundraiser

40+ DJs - 3 Stages - 1 Fundraiser

RAVE  2 THE GRAVE an all-night celebration on Halloween, Saturday the 31st of October. With three unique dance spaces across different levels of The Grand, ravers can choose their vibe, from the more chill selections to heavy bass & high-energy tracks.

There will be more than 40 DJs behind the decks from all your favourite shows.

RadioActive.FM is a charitable organisation and we must continually raise funds to keep our doors open and our creative voices alive, ensuring that audiences can continue to enjoy bold, independent local broadcasting.

8PM-3AM

 This event is R18  

Tickets from www.radioactive.fm/ravetothegrave ...
31 Oct - 01 Nov
8:00 pm - 3:00 am
The Grand
Wellington
December 2026

Twisted Frequency 2026/27

Get your new years plans sorted! Twisted Frequency is an ever evolving hub of underground music and art with hundreds of performers across the genre spheres.

Four stages running five straight days in the lush riverside bush of Golden Bay.

This year find your favourite artists in the valley: Tom Scott & Brandn Shiraz, Aes Dana, Paige Julia, Bastiengoat, Spekki Webu and many more!

30th of December to the 3rd of January. Visit Twistedfrequency.nz and secure your tickets today.

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30 Dec - 03 Jan
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The RadioActive.FM Activity Guide sports the best of upcoming events in Wellington, and around the motu!

Read out on-air everyday, at 8:30AM, 12:30PM, and 5:30PM – and online, all the time at: www.radioactive.fm/activityguide

Need to get the word out? Email daisy@radioactive.fm
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