Focus Weekend: Hutt Valley, 31st October - 1st November 2026
The 2026 Wellington Heritage Festival takes place over 23 days, including 4 weekends, between 24th October - 15th November, with events happening across Te Upoko-o-te-Ika / Greater Wellington. Each weekend, we shine a spotlight on a different area, highlighting some of the fantastic events taking place there, to make planning your festival easy and breezy. For the second weekend of the festival, we are zooming in on events in the Hutt Valley from Saturday 31st October - Sunday 1st November.
With our Focus Weekends, you can enjoy a whole range of fascinating, nearby heritage events in a single weekend by 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.
Be sure to keep an eye on our website and social media for two more upcoming Focus Weekend blog posts! You can read our Pōneke Focus Weekend blog post here.
Discover the Heritage of the Hutt Valley
From historic homesteads to modern exhibits, walking tours to open days, the stories of the Hutt Valley are being told in a multitude of exciting ways during the weekend of 31 October – 1 November. Below are just some of the many events taking place in the area – to find out everything that’s happening in the Hutt Valley for this year’s festival, go to the events page on our website and filter your search by region.
Saturday 31st October 2026
Robert Orr Historic Homestead Open Day 10am-4pm + one other time | Kings Crescent, Lower Hutt | Koha – Find out more Come and explore one of Lower Hutt’s hidden heritage treasures at its upcoming Open Day! Built in 1885, this two-storey Italianate villa features artefacts collected by the family over generations and is still a cherished family home today.
Ōrongomai Tū Tonu 10am-4pm + 19 other times | Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt | Free – Find out more Celebrate 50 years of Ōrongomai Marae in Upper Hutt by exploring the Ōrongomai Tū Tonu exhibition, which brings together the people, moments, and movements that have shaped the last half century of this marae’s living history.
Old Jail Museum Open Day 10am-2pm + three other times | Jackson Street, Petone | Free – Find out more Stop by the Old Jail Museum, a well-preserved former lockup built in 1908. Explore the exhibition on policing in Petone from 1840 onwards and read about the heritage of Jackson Street and Petone, including its rich sporting history.
Visit the Upper Hutt Blockhouse 11am-2pm | Blockhouse Lane, Trentham | Koha – Find out more Explore one of the few remaining buildings associated with the New Zealand Wars. Peek through the balistraria, explore the exhibition, and find out what has become of the Blockhouse after its use as a defensive fortification.
Sunday 1st November 2026
The Evolution of Jackson Street 10-11:30am + one other time | Jackson Street, Petone | Koha | Booking required – Book now Find out who Jackson Street was named after and why it isn’t straight on this engaging walking tour and explore the Wellington region's only heritage shopping precinct, learning all about its history.
A Peek Inside Pencarrow Lighthouse 11am-2pm | Pencarrow Head, Lower Hutt | Koha – Find out more Pay a visit to New Zealand's first lighthouse – usually closed to the public, its doors are open today to peek inside! Chat with knowledgeable guides about the stories behind this unique landmark, dating to 1859.
Railway Carriage Restoration Workshop 10am-3pm + one other time | Chalfont Road, Silverstream | Koha | Booking required – Book now Join in the open day at the New Zealand Railway & Locomotive Society workshop in Silverstream. View the progress to date as this group works to restore three 120-year-old railway carriages to near original condition.
Historic Petone Walking Tour 1:30-3:30pm + one other time | Britannia Street, Lower Hutt | Free, koha welcome | Booking required – Book now Participate in this walking tour around central Petone alongside people who are passionate about its history, covering themes of Petone's early settlement, industrialisation, and the history and development of its historic centre.
Make the Most of Your Weekend
With countless great events along the Hutt Valley, enjoying a 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 spot early: Some events in our festival require bookings and are selling out fast! Book your tickets to make sure you don’t miss out. You can see which events require bookings on our events page, filtering by bookings.
Stay engaged: Don’t forget to share your experiences on social media using our festival hashtags (#whf26) and check out our website for more information about the full festival lineup. Between events, take time to explore Wellington’s other attractions – including the waterfront and the many cafes and shops.
Looking Ahead
This marks the second weekend 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, people and places that shape the present.
To see the full schedule of 160+ events across the Greater Wellington region, visit our events page.
Up next: Kāpiti Coast & Porirua Focus Weekend