About our Festival

What is the Wellington Heritage Festival?

Wellington Heritage Festival is a community-led, region-wide heritage programme celebrating the people, places, and stories of Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui (Greater Wellington).

Each year since 2017, we coordinate and promote a diverse programme of events created by individuals, organisations, iwi, community groups, and businesses from across Wellington City, Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast, and Wairarapa.

In 2025, the Festival featured 178 events and welcomed 15,500-20,000 in-person visitors. By bringing together communities and audiences from across the region, the Festival helps connect people with the heritage that shapes where we live.

When does the festival run?

Wellington Heritage Festival runs annually in late October and early November.

The 2026 Festival will take place from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 15 November.

How does the Festival work?

Our Festival is built on community participation.

Event Hosts design and deliver their own events. These may include talks, tours, exhibitions, performances, open days, workshops, markets, interactive experiences, and more.

The Wellington Heritage Festival Trust acts as a regional promoter and programme coordinator. We support Event Hosts, in part, by:

• Listing events on our website

• Publishing a printed Festival brochure

• Promoting events via social media and newsletters

• Seeking press coverage and broader regional visibility

• Connecting communities that may be able to support each other

Community events remain the responsibility of the Event Host, including venue arrangements, health and safety, insurance (where required), ticketing, and on-the-day delivery.

Participation in the Festival is subject to approval by the Festival team.

Become an Event Host

Becoming an Event Host is FREE.

Each year, organisations and individuals can apply online via our Event Host Application form. Applications typically open in March and close in June or July, with key deadlines for brochure inclusion and promotional planning.

We welcome a wide range of interpretations of heritage - from traditional archives and historic buildings to creative, contemporary, and community-driven storytelling.

If you have an idea and are unsure whether it fits, we encourage you to get in touch.

Event Host Application - wellingtonheritagefestival.co.nz/apply

Past Event Examples

Our programme represents an eclectic mix of people, places, and stories. Past events have included:

• Behind-the-scenes archive tours

• Community heritage fairs and craft markets

• Walking tours exploring local history and identity

• Theatrical and creative interpretations of historic figures

• Interactive and self-guided heritage adventures

• Hands-on, creative, and experience-based events

You can explore previous Festival programmes here:

2023 Events | 2024 Events | 2025 Events

Who runs the Festival?

Wellington Heritage Festival is delivered by the Wellington Heritage Festival Trust (CC62729), a registered charity.

The Trust is chaired by Dr Roger Blakeley and led by Chief Executive and Festival Director Alex Hockley. The Festival is supported by a small delivery team, trustees, volunteers, and our network of Event Hosts across the region.

Since 2023, the Festival has been delivered in partnership with Rotary Clubs across the Wellington region.

How is the Festival funded?

Wellington Heritage Festival is funded through sponsorships, public grants, and donations.

While participation as an Event Host is free, delivering a region-wide Festival requires significant coordination and promotional support. Donations from individuals and organisations help ensure the Festival’s sustainability and growth.

If you would like to support the Festival’s charitable work, you can become a Friend or Member of our Festival, or make a tax-deductible donation, via our Donate page.

Support our Kaupapa Here - Donate

We also welcome conversations with organisations interested in becoming sponsors or partners of the Festival.

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact info@wellingtonheritagefestival.nz, or learn more via our Sponsor package here.