Focus Weekend: Wellington, 24th - 26th October 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. We’re kicking off with events in and around Pōneke (Wellington City) over the festival’s opening weekend, from Saturday 24th October to Monday 26th October (Labour weekend).
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 three more upcoming Focus Weekend blog posts!
Discover Pōneke’s Heritage
Wellington has a rich history woven into its streets, buildings, and natural landscapes. This weekend is your chance to explore this history through a wide selection of events happening across the city. Below are just some of the many events taking place in the area – to find out everything that’s happening in Pōneke for this year’s festival, go to the events page on our website and filter your search by region.
Saturday 24th October 2026
Professor James Belich: Museums, History, and the Stories We Tell 12-1pm | Te Papa, Cable Street | $25-$35 | Booking required – Book now Start your day with a talk by leading New Zealand historian James Belich, ONZM, who joins Friends of Te Papa to explore how museums shape national identity, deepen historical understanding, and frame our place in the world.
Wellington Waterfront Public Sculpture Walk 12-1:30pm | Wellington Waterfront | Free | Booking required – Book now Join Sue Elliott on a 90-minute guided tour of 10 public sculptures located along Wellington’s waterfront, learning about the nature of each work, its relation to the site, and its artistic intent.
Mount Street Cemetery Open Day 10am-2pm | Mount Street, Kelburn | Free – Find out more Stop by to learn about the history of Wellington’s first Catholic cemetery, its connection to early settlers and the Catholic community in Wellington, and its conservation efforts, from Friends of the Mount Street Cemetery.
Hikitia 100th Birthday Steam Up and Tours 10am-4pm + three other times | Taranaki Street wharf | $10 – Find out more Take part in a ship tour of Hikitia and witness it getting steam up, demonstrating its still operational 100-year-old crane, and letting its steam whistle sing across Wellington waterfront.
Erskine Chapel Open Day 12-3pm | Avon Street, Island Bay | Koha – Find out more Appreciate the immense beauty of Erskine Chapel (Sacré Coeur), tucked away in the hills of Island Bay. This is an opportunity to explore the Category 1-listed French Gothic chapel and its sublime interior.
Sunday 25th October 2026
Urban Nature Activities at Te Papa 10am-1pm | Te Papa, Cable Street | Free – Find out more Discover nature in everyday urban environments by exploring the waterfront around Te Papa with activities from author Rachel Haydon’s new book, The Urban Activity Book – it’ll be enthralling for all ages.
Creative and Historic Cottages Walk 1-4pm | Katherine Mansfield House & Garden, Tinakori Road; the Randell Cottage, St Mary Street; Lilburn House, Ascot St; Rita Angus Cottage, Sydney Street West | Free, koha welcome – Find out more Visit the historic homes of several prominent New Zealand (and French) artists all on the same day by attending this unique, four-in-one event. Each open day will feature activities, including talks, readings and sketching in the garden.
Hidden Māori Treasures Tour 9am-4pm + 21 other times | Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, Taranaki Street | $55 | Booking required – Book now Learn about Te Aro Pā and the design of Te Raukura building, hear stories retold about taniwha in the harbour, view archaeological remains of a whareponga, and more with this vibrant waterfront walking tour.
Wellington Cathedral and James Thomas Bell Tower Open Days 10am-4pm + two other times | Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Hill Street | Koha / $10 – Find out more Explore the Cathedral Nave, then listen to the Combined Society of Bell Ringers ring New Zealand’s largest set of change-ringing bells at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul – if you’re lucky you can even try your hand at bellringing!
Monday 26th October 2026 (Labour Day)
Historic Johnsonville Walking Tour 10:30am-12pm | Johnsonville Methodist Cemetery, Norman Lane | Koha | Booking required – Book now Kick off your public holiday with this 90-minute walking tour around historic sites near Johnsonville’s town centre, based mostly on the flat. Grow your understanding of the suburb’s interesting community history.
Circa Theatre Behind the Scenes Tour 11am-12pm + five other times | Circa Theatre, Taranaki Street | Free, koha welcome | Booking required – Book now Discover the 50-year history of Circa Theatre with a one-hour guided tour of Wellington’s foyer – and backstage area, which is usually actors only! – at this historical building on the waterfront.
Newtown in Photographs and Story 11am-4pm + 17 other times | 24/7 Gallery, Riddiford Street | Free – Find out more Take time to explore this exhibition and its stories about the rich history of Newtown, at your own pace. The colourful history of Newtown will be illustrated through a curated selection of photographs and stories.
Footsteps of Change: The Parliamentary Precinct Trail Any time during the festival | Parliamentary Library, Molesworth Street | Free – Find out more Download the self-guided trail app on your phone and bring history to life with Footsteps of Change! Walk in the footsteps of passionate activists, politicians, and lawmakers to discover what makes Wellington’s civic history extraordinary.
Make the Most of Your Weekend
With so many events clustered in Wellington city, 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 weekend marks the beginning of the Wellington Heritage Festival; 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: Hutt Valley Focus Weekend