Focus Weekend: Wellington City, 26th - 29th October 2024

With our Focus Weekends system, you can experience multiple heritage-themed events across the city in a single weekend, minimizing travel time and maximizing your experience. Whether you're interested in walking tours, creative heritage, or unique historical insights, there's something for everyone.

We'll release more blog posts like this one in the coming weeks to highlight the 3 other focus weekends around the region, so keep an eye on our website to discover more!

Discover Pōneke's Heritage

Wellington City has a fascinating history woven into its streets, buildings, and natural landscapes. This weekend is your chance to uncover that history through a wide selection of events happening across the city. Below are only SOME of the events in the area; there are many more options around the wider region on our Events page!

Saturday, 26th October

• Philosophy House Open Day 10am-3pm | 33 Aro Street | Koha - Find out more Begin your weekend by exploring this standout heritage icon and learn about the School it continues to house.

• Heritage Tours Sacred Heart Cathedral 12-1pm + 8 other times | 40 Hill Street | $25 | Booking Required - Book Now Continue your day with this rare opportunity to hear some of the stories behind the major refurbishment over the last six years.

• The Carillon: Then and Now 11am-4pm | Pukeahu Education Centre, 191 Tory Street | Free - Find out more Stop in at the Pukeahu Education Centre for a showcase of photographic, digital, and audio resources about the Carillon and a display of reproductions of the Tower’s original blueprints provided by Wellington City Archives. Stick around at 2:30pm for a talk from Heritage Architect Lianne Cox as she explores this seismic strengthening project, the Carillon’s design, history and the 75 bells that live inside the Tower.

• Open Day at St Luke's Church 2-4pm | 34 Pitt Street, Wadestown | Koha - Find out more Head north to Wadestown to uncover the architectural and cultural history of this historic church.

• Anglican Cathedral Choirs Festival 2024 7-9pm | 2 Hill Street | $10 - Book Now Wrap up the day with the sound of music. Don't miss your opportunity to witness over 150 cathedral choristers singing in one place!

Sunday, 27th October

• Embassy Theatre Centennial Tour 10-11am & 11am-12pm + 5 other times | Embassy Theatre | Free - Find out more Start your Sunday with an exclusive guided tour of the historic Embassy Theatre. Prepare to celebrate its 100th birthday and learn about its architectural grandeur and how this iconic venue has evolved.

• Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild Stitch-In 10am-2:30pm | Old St. Pauls, Thorndon | Free - Find out more Join the Wellington Embroiderers' Guild for an open day at their Stitch-In. Witness the intricate craft of embroidery, explore historical techniques, and chat with members about their work and projects.

• Newtown in Photographs and Story 10am-4pm + 6 other times | Rice Pudding Gallery, Newtown | Free - Find out more Discover Newtown through a unique display of historical photographs and oral histories that capture the vibrant past of one of Wellington's most diverse suburbs. Take a walk down memory lane and learn more about the community’s rich history.

• Thorndon Creative and Historic Cottages Walk 1-4pm | Thorndon | Koha - Find out more Take a self-guided walk through Thorndon to visit three of Wellington's most creative historic sites: Rita Angus Cottage, Lilburn House, and Randell Cottage. Explore the legacy of these creative icons and discover the stories behind their homes.

Monday, 28th October (Labour Day)

• Old Government Buildings Open Day 10am-4pm | 55 Lambton Quay | Free - Find out more Step inside one of the largest wooden buildings in the world! Explore the iconic Old Government Buildings and learn about their architectural and historical significance through self-guided tours.

• Circa Theatre Tours 11am-12pm & 12-1pm + 3 other times | 1 Taranaki Street | $10, koha welcome | Booking Required - Book Now Go behind the scenes of Wellington’s beloved Circa Theatre. From the backstage workings to the front-of-house operations, get an insider’s perspective on how performances come to life in this celebrated cultural venue.

• Murder and Mayhem Tour 2-3:30pm | Karori Cemetery | $10 | Booking Required - Book Now The Friends of Karori Cemetery explore the earliest part of the cemetery, covering some of the cemetery's most dramatic stories. This tour is proof that history isn't boring.

• Koha o Te Rākau 12:30-2pm & 4-5:30pm | Massey University Theatre Studio | Various costs | Booking Required - Find out more Join Jim Moriarty for a cuppa and some kai as we discuss, recollect and reflect on the work of Te Rākau Hua o Te Wao Tapu from the last 35 years, weaving together shared experiences.

Make the Most of Your Long Weekend

With so many events clustered in Wellington City, 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 within walking distance, making it easy to move from one to the next.

• Secure Your Spots: 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 Wellington’s other attractions, from the waterfront to its many cafes and shops.

• Stay Engaged: Don’t forget to share your experiences on social media using our festival hashtags (#whf24), and check out our website for more information about the full festival lineup.

Looking Forward

This Labour Day weekend marks just the beginning of 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 that shape the present. Be sure to check back for future blog posts highlighting our other Focus Weekends as the Festival continues.

To see the full schedule for the festival, visit our events page.