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Focus Weekend: Hutt Valley 1st - 2nd November 2025
The 2025 Wellington Heritage Festival takes place over 22 days, including 4 weekends, between 18th October - 9th November, with events happening all across the region. Each weekend, we focus on a different location, highlighting some of the fantastic events taking place in the area, making planning a breeze. For our third weekend of the Festival we are taking a look at events along the Hutt Valley from Saturday, 1st November to Sunday, 2nd November.
With our Focus Weekends, you can experience multiple heritage-themed events across the city in a single weekend, minimising travel time and maximising your experience. Whether you're interested in walking tours, creative heritage, or unique historical insights, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
We'll release more blog posts like this one in the coming weeks. You can read our previous blog post on the upcoming Kāpiti Coast and Porirua Focus Weekend now. Our last Focus Weekend for events in the Wairarapa is still to come, so keep an eye on our website to discover more!
Discover the Heritage of the Lower and Upper Hutt
From historic homesteads to modern exhibits, the stories of the Hutt Valley are being told in a multitude of exciting ways during the weekend of 1 - 2 November. Delve into the past by exploring the many open days, exhibitions and hands on experiences throughout the valley, and discover what life was like for its early residents. Below are only SOME of the events in the area; you can filter using region, cost, date, and event type on our Events page, making it easy to discover even more options around the wider region.
Saturday, 1st November 2025
Wellington Maritime Sail Heritage Exhibition 10:30am-4pm Sat 1, Sun 2 + 18 other times | Artspace Gallery - 223 The Esplanade, Petone | Free - Find out more Start your day on The Esplanade and be transported back in time through the works of Paul Deacon. The world-renowned marine artist exhibits a series of oil paintings and prints depicting of some of Wellington’s favourite sailing ships, as well as a selection of first settler ships and later immigrant ships.
Old Jail Museum Open Day 11am-3pm Sat 1, Sun 2 + 2 other times | 274B Jackson Street, Petone | Free - Find out more Just a 15-minute walk away you will find Petone's very own former police station and jail, now historic museum. Read about the stories and history of Petone and learn about the country's first police force in 1840.
Robert Orr Historic Homestead Open Day 10am-4pm Sat 1 + Sun 2 | 132 Kings Crescent, Lower Hutt | Koha - Find out more If you find yourself with some extra time on your way up the valley, why not stop by one of Lower Hutt's hidden heritage treasures, the Robert Orr Historic Homestead. The 19th-century Italianate villa opens its doors and historic gardens to visitors, the perfect place to take some time to relax and unwind. During the two open days artist Miriam Tong will be a working on a portrait of the Homestead, welcoming those passing through to watch her process.
Silverstream Hospital: an illustrated presentation and tour 1-2:30pm | 3 Reynolds Bach Drive, Lower Hutt | Free | Booking required - Book now Next stop, take this rare opportunity to learn about the former site of Silverstream Hospital, with an illustrated presentation and tour. Originally used by the US Navy during WWII, then later providing hospital care for the Wellington District before its closure in 1989, the hospital holds many stories from the people that relied on its services. Don't forget to book your spot on this tour before spaces fill up!
KOHA DAY at Upper Hutt's Golder's Cottage 1:30-4pm | 707 Fergusson Drive, Elderslea | Koha - Find out more The life of early pioneers was no walk in the park! On your last stop of the day reflect on what life was like without our modern comforts, such as running water and electricity, as the wonderfully preserved Golder's Cottage and its artifacts offer a window into the past.
Sunday, 2nd November 2025
Wellington Vintage Machinery Open Days 10am-3pm Sun 2 + 3 other times | 155a Mangaroa Hill Road, Mangaroa | Koha - Find out more Take a short drive down the valley to get an up-close experience with some incredible vintage machinery associated with the Wellington area, including a steam powered Fowler Traction engine!
Wellington Naturist Club Open Day 11am-3pm | 20 Molloys Road, Te Marua, Upper Hutt | Free - Find out more Start your Sunday at the top of the Valley at the Wellington Naturalist Club open day. Relax in the beautifully kept grounds, play some lawn games, take a dip in the pool, or join a nude drawing class. Fingers crossed for warm weather!
Graveyard Tour St John's Church, Trentham 2-3:30pm | 561 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | Free - Find out more Further down into Hutt City visit St John's Church and hear the life stories of the locals, both from the past and more recently, who were laid to rest in its historic graveyard.
Bodgies to Bogans 10am–4pm, 7 days a week | 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | Free - Find out more Finish off your day reliving the rebellious youth culture of Upper Hutt and New Zealand at Whirinaki Whare Taonga. From rock n' roll and milk bars to heavy metal and mullets, this exhibition documents the history of teenage rebellion from the 50's to 80's.
Make the Most of Your Weekend
With many great events along the Hutt Valley, enjoying a full day or weekend of heritage-themed activities is easy. Here are some tips to make the most of your time:
Plan Ahead: Check the event timings and locations to plan your day. Many events are a short drive away or within walking distance, making it easy to move from one to the next.
Secure Your Spot Early: Some events in our Festival require bookings and are selling out fast! Book your tickets where necessary to make sure you don't miss out. You can see which events require bookings on our Events page.
Explore More: Between events, take the time to explore other attractions, such as nearby cafes and shops.
Stay Engaged: Don’t forget to share your experiences on social media using our festival hashtags (#whf25) and check out our website for more information about the full festival lineup.
Looking Forward
This is the third out of four weekends during the Wellington Heritage Festival. With so many events to explore across the Greater Wellington Region, there’s no better time to dive into the past and discover the stories, people and places that shape the present. Be sure to check back for our final Focus Weekend blog post as the Festival continues.
To see the full schedule for the festival, visit our events page.