2023 Events

Look back on our events from 2023. We can't wait to see you again in 2024 to bring you another exciting festival!

Black and white photo of a young girl with her hand resting against a rock holding gardening tools starting down at the ground

Black and white photo of a young girl with her hand resting against a rock holding gardening tools starting down at the ground

Heritage of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush – The gardens and gardeners

2-3:30pm Sat 28 Oct2-3:30pm Sat 4 Nov

Ōtari-Wilton's Bush.

$10 - Booking requiredBook

Photo of the inside of one of the tunnels in Wrights Hill Fortress which is lit up by lights hanging from the top of the tunnel

Photo of the inside of one of the tunnels in Wrights Hill Fortress which is lit up by lights hanging from the top of the tunnel

Wrights Hill Fortress Open Day

10am-4pm Mon 23 Oct

50 Wrights Hill Road, Karori.

Family Activities

Blue and orange Upper Hutt Heritage Walking Tour featuring a piwakawaka (fantail), Golder's Cottage and the Blockhouse.

Blue and orange Upper Hutt Heritage Walking Tour featuring a piwakawaka (fantail), Golder's Cottage and the Blockhouse.

Upper Hutt Heritage Walking Tour

3-5pm Sat 28 Oct3-5pm Sun 29 Oct

836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt

The Women of Pumpkin Cottage. Maude Burge. Mabel Hill. Dorothy Richmond. Flora Scales. Mary Tripe. Drawing by Curator Chriss McGregor.

The Women of Pumpkin Cottage. Maude Burge. Mabel Hill. Dorothy Richmond. Flora Scales. Mary Tripe. Drawing by Curator Chriss McGregor.

The Women of Pumpkin Cottage

9am-4pm Mon 23 Oct

836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt

Wellington Vintage Machinery Open Days

11am-2:30pm Mon 23 Oct - Sun 5 Nov

155a Mangaroa Hill Rd, Mangaroa

Photo of a mixture of vintage vehicles and one modern vehicle in a field.

Photo of a mixture of vintage vehicles and one modern vehicle in a field.

Display of Vintage and Classic Vehicles

11am-12:30pm Sun 5 Nov

845 Fergusson Drive

Photo of materials used for embroidery

Photo of materials used for embroidery

Wellington Embroiderers' Guild Live Demonstration

10am-2:30pm Sun 29 Oct

Old St Paul's, Pipitea.

Clyde Quay Heritage Walk

6-6:40pm Fri 27 Oct

Shed 1, Clyde Quay.

Photo showing shelves on the left and right hand side of the image filled with paper documents.

Photo showing shelves on the left and right hand side of the image filled with paper documents.

Talk and Tour of Wellington City Archives

10-11am Sat 28 Oct11am-12pm Sat 28 Oct+ 2 more

28 Barker Street, Te Aro

Free - Booking requiredBook

Three children holding a large wrench between them, cable car winding gear in the background

Three children holding a large wrench between them, cable car winding gear in the background

Wellington Cable Car Winding Room

10am-3pm Sat 28 Oct

Wellington Cable Car, Kelburn Terminal

Family Activities

1920s photo of vintage cars and carts with horses along Courtney Place

1920s photo of vintage cars and carts with horses along Courtney Place

Wellington’s Roaring Twenties

2-3:15pm Thu 26 Oct3:45-5pm Thu 26 Oct

Wellesley Hotel, Wellington

View 2 events inside →

Costs vary - Booking requiredBook

Limited spots remaining

Wellington Harbour Reclamation Guided Walk

10am-12pm Wed 25 Oct10am-12pm Sat 4 Nov

Te Waka Pou, Oriental Parade

Koha - Booking requiredBook

Heritage Thorndon Walking Tour

1:30-3:30pm Mon 23 Oct1:30-3:30pm Sun 29 Oct+ 1 more

Old St Paul's, Pipitea

Koha - Booking requiredBook

Photo of Carmen Rupe smiling with colourful background

Photo of Carmen Rupe smiling with colourful background

The Fabulous Carmen Rupe Walk Tour

1-2:30pm Sun 5 Nov

Inner city - Civic Square to Upper Cuba Street

Free - Booking requiredBook

Four people pointing at a sundial

Four people pointing at a sundial

Urbantics Paranormal

Any time during the festival

Lambton Quay, Wellington

Family Activities

Costs vary - Booking requiredBook

Upper Hutt Stamp Day

9:30am-4pm Sat 28 Oct

1 Benzie Avenue, Elderslea

Image of McCurdy's Castle in its location amongst the bush adjust to the river.

Image of McCurdy's Castle in its location amongst the bush adjust to the river.

Guided tour of the former site of McCurdy’s Castle

11am-12pm Sat 4 Nov1-2pm Sat 4 Nov

Cory Jane Grove, Riverstone Terraces

“He loves a scrap, does this wee chap”: An illustrated talk on Angus McCurdy and family

1-2pm Sat 28 Oct

Upper Hutt Central Library, 844 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt.

The Warratahs featuring each of the five members.

The Warratahs featuring each of the five members.

The Legendary Warratahs in Concert

8-11pm Fri 3 Nov

11 Logan Street, Ebdentown

$30.00 - Booking requiredBook

Wayne Mason interior.

Wayne Mason interior.

Lunch n Lyrics

1-3pm Sun 29 Oct

11 Logan Street, Ebdentown

Free - Booking requiredBook

Old photo of Rimutaka rail incline showing a train with multiple carriages

Old photo of Rimutaka rail incline showing a train with multiple carriages

The Rimutaka Incline Railway on the Big Screen

12-2pm Tue 31 Oct

Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club, Upper Hutt

Illustration showing a hilly road lined with historic wooden houses

Illustration showing a hilly road lined with historic wooden houses

Filling up fast

Thorndon Society Heritage Walk

2-4pm Sun 29 Oct

Thorndon School, Thorndon

$10 - Booking requiredBook

Exterior shot of white and red brick Philosophy House

Exterior shot of white and red brick Philosophy House

Tour of Philosophy House

10am-2pm Sat 4 Nov

33 Aro Street, Wellington

Exterior of Golder's Cottage.

Exterior of Golder's Cottage.

Celebrating the History of Upper Hutt's Streets - Golder's Cottage

1:30-4pm Mon 23 Oct1:30-4pm Sat 28 Oct+ 1 more

707 Fergusson Drive, Elderslea

A collation of images of historic Kāpiti heritage locations and events

A collation of images of historic Kāpiti heritage locations and events

Explore the Kāpiti Coast and discover its history

Various locations, Kāpiti Coast

View 9 events inside →

Family Activities

Photo of a group of people listening to a talk with hills in the background with some of the machinery laying on the grass.

Photo of a group of people listening to a talk with hills in the background with some of the machinery laying on the grass.

Terawhiti Station Historic Goldfields Tour

9:30am-3pm Sat 4 Nov

Terawhiti Station, Wellington

Free - Booking requiredBook

Photo of a person wearing a clock covering their face with a wall lined by shelves filled with clocks.

Photo of a person wearing a clock covering their face with a wall lined by shelves filled with clocks.

Marc & Marisha Time Travel Wellington!

Any time during the festival

Start outside Coene's Bar and Eatery on the waterfront.

Costs vary - Booking requiredBook

Beach in background with text reading "Te Rākau and Ngāti Toa present Ode To Te Rauparaha, Spoken Word, Moteatea, Music"

Beach in background with text reading "Te Rākau and Ngāti Toa present Ode To Te Rauparaha, Spoken Word, Moteatea, Music"

Filling up fast

Ode to Te Rauparaha

11-11:40am Sat 28 Oct12-12:40pm Sat 28 Oct+ 8 more

Various locations

Koha - Booking requiredBook

History of Rangitatau Pā

11:30am-1:30pm Wed 1 Nov

$20 - Booking requiredBook

Tawa Heritage Talk and Walking Tour

1:30-3:30pm Sat 4 Nov

Tawa Community Centre, 5 Cambridge Street, Tawa

Koha - Booking requiredBook

Lone figure to the right starring out at an expanse of snow covered mountains.

Lone figure to the right starring out at an expanse of snow covered mountains.

Archives & Antarctica: Victoria University of Wellington’s Expeditions

1-2pm Thu 2 Nov

21 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn

Free - Booking requiredBook

Steel Pony tour guide with four attendees on the Wellington Waterfront.

Steel Pony tour guide with four attendees on the Wellington Waterfront.

Historic Waterfront Walk

1-2:30pm Fri 27 Oct

55 Cable Street, Te Aro

$29.95 - Booking requiredBook

St Peters on Willis - Open Bell Tower and Church

10am-2pm Sat 4 Nov

211 Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Photo of St John's in the City on the right with text saying St John's in the City Open Days and Quilting Exhibition with event details

Photo of St John's in the City on the right with text saying St John's in the City Open Days and Quilting Exhibition with event details

St John's in the City Open Day and Quilting Display

11am-5pm Mon 23 Oct11am-5pm Fri 27 Oct+ 1 more

St. John's Presbyterian Church, Te Aro

Black and white image of women doing volunteer work at the Home of Compassion

Black and white image of women doing volunteer work at the Home of Compassion

"The Little Water": A History of the Compassion Reservoir

6-8pm Sat 4 Nov

Our Lady's Home of Compassion, Island Bay

Koha - Booking requiredBook

Jock Phillips: Visible or Invisible Heritage?

5:30-7:30pm Mon 30 Oct

88 The Terrace, Wellington

$25 - Booking requiredBook

Exterior image with Rita Angus Cottage on the right and greenery in the foreground.

Exterior image with Rita Angus Cottage on the right and greenery in the foreground.

Sketching in the Rita Angus garden

12-4pm Sat 28 Oct

194a Sydney Street West, Thorndon

The book cover for 'Akatarawa: A history of the Sawyers, settlers and schools' held.

The book cover for 'Akatarawa: A history of the Sawyers, settlers and schools' held.

Minibus heritage tour of Akatarawa Valley with author Peter O'Flaherty

11am-2pm Wed 25 Oct

1223-1253 Fergusson Drive, Brown Owl

$15.00 - Booking requiredBook

Photo of Randell Cottage surrounded by trees and bushes with a white Randell Cottage sign

Photo of Randell Cottage surrounded by trees and bushes with a white Randell Cottage sign

Randell Cottage Open Day

1-4pm Sat 28 Oct

14 St Mary Street, Thorndon

Photo of Petone Settlers Museum on a sunny day with the New Zealand flag flying in the wind.

Photo of Petone Settlers Museum on a sunny day with the New Zealand flag flying in the wind.

Learn about the Waiwhetū Aquifer

1-2pm Thu 26 Oct

Petone Settlers Museum, Petone

Photo of 2 yellow with green accents felted beads and one blue felted bead with a green accent connected by yellow string.

Photo of 2 yellow with green accents felted beads and one blue felted bead with a green accent connected by yellow string.

Felt Beads and Balls Workshop

10-11:30am Sat 28 Oct1-2:30pm Sat 28 Oct

Petone Settlers Museum

Family Activities

Free - Booking requiredBook

Exterior image of historic building facades located along a Petone street.

Exterior image of historic building facades located along a Petone street.

Historic Petone Walking Tour

1-3pm Fri 27 Oct1-3pm Sun 29 Oct

6 Britannia Street, Petone

Free - Booking requiredBook

Map of a previous Heritage Week Map showing the route through Thorndon

Map of a previous Heritage Week Map showing the route through Thorndon

Thorndon Creative and Historic Cottages walk

1-4pm Sat 28 Oct

Randell Cottage, Lilburn House, Rita Angus Cottage

Pauatahanui Burial Ground Walking tour

10-11:30am Sat 28 Oct

4 Paekakariki Hill Road, Pauatahanui

Early 1900's photo of Wellington restaurants

Early 1900's photo of Wellington restaurants

‘Plating Up’ – the history of eating out in Wellington

7:15-9pm Wed 1 Nov

86 Khandallah Road, Khandallah

Free - Booking requiredBook

Exterior of Khandallah Automatic Telephone exchange

Exterior of Khandallah Automatic Telephone exchange

Onslow Historical Society Centre Open Afternoons

1-4pm Sun 29 Oct1-4pm Sun 5 Nov

86 Khandallah Road, Khandallah

Park with anchor chain and seating

Park with anchor chain and seating

Historic sites walk - Maraenui to Miramar, Kilbirnie, & Hataitai

10:20am-2:30pm Mon 23 Oct

Hector St, Seatoun Park

Free - Booking requiredBook

Old houses in Mt Victoria

Old houses in Mt Victoria

Hidden Corners of Mount Victoria

2-4pm Sun 29 Oct

33 Brougham Street, Mt Victoria

Free - Booking requiredBook

Collage of photos of stained glass windows, embroidery, knitting and paintings.

Collage of photos of stained glass windows, embroidery, knitting and paintings.

Urban Sketching in St Christopher's Church

10am-3pm Sun 5 Nov

Seatoun, Wellington

Photo of Artist Andrew Beck

Photo of Artist Andrew Beck

Shadow Windows Art Walk

6-7pm Wed 25 Oct

Glover Park, between Ghuznee Street and Garrett Street

Photo of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

Photo of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

Walking Tour of Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

10am-12pm Mon 23 Oct10am-12pm Wed 25 Oct+ 4 more

Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Wellington

Mākara Churches Open Day

10am-3pm Sat 4 Nov10am-3pm Sun 5 Nov

St Patrick's Church and St Matthias Church

Photo of the side of Lilburn House which is painted black with white windows, the house is framed by a hedge.

Photo of the side of Lilburn House which is painted black with white windows, the house is framed by a hedge.

Lilburn House Open Day

1-4pm Sat 28 Oct

The Lilburn House, 22 Ascot St, Thorndon

Photo of a person playing croquet outside of the Croquet Club, there is one person sitting on a bench watching and another person standing

Photo of a person playing croquet outside of the Croquet Club, there is one person sitting on a bench watching and another person standing

Kelburn Croquet 1913 – 2023: Open day

11:30am-1:30pm Thu 26 Oct11:30am-1:30pm Fri 27 Oct+ 6 more

Kelburn Croquet Club, Salamanca Road, Kelburn

Katherine Mansfield Memorial, c1930s, Wellington City Council Archives.

Katherine Mansfield Memorial, c1930s, Wellington City Council Archives.

Katherine Mansfield's Thorndon: Guided Walking Tour

10am-12:30pm Tue 24 Oct10am-12:30pm Sat 28 Oct

25 Tinakori Road, Thorndon

$15.00 - Booking requiredBook

Exterior view of the Kāpiti Museum

Exterior view of the Kāpiti Museum

Home Entertainment in the 1900s

1-4pm Fri 27 - Sun 29 Oct1-4pm Fri 3 - Sun 5 Nov

9 Elizabeth St, Waikanae

Exterior of St John's Church, Trentham. Viewed from outside of the church yard's gate.

Exterior of St John's Church, Trentham. Viewed from outside of the church yard's gate.

Grave Yard Tour

2-4:30pm Sun 29 Oct

561 Fergusson Drive, Trentham

Exterior of the Old Jail Museum on Jackson Street, Petone.

Exterior of the Old Jail Museum on Jackson Street, Petone.

Old Jail Museum Open Day

11am-3pm Sat 28 Oct11am-3pm Sun 29 Oct

274B Jackson Street, Petone

Photo of Inverlochy House which is a Victorian mansion at night, with the steps leading up to the house, the lights are on inside the house.

Photo of Inverlochy House which is a Victorian mansion at night, with the steps leading up to the house, the lights are on inside the house.

Inverlochy Art School Spooky History Tour

8:30-10pm Sat 28 Oct

Inverlochy Art School, Te Aro

$25 - Booking requiredBook

Exterior image of Dominion Building, Wellington focused on the buildings upper facade.

Exterior image of Dominion Building, Wellington focused on the buildings upper facade.

Tour the Dominion Building

10-11am Sat 28 Oct11am-12pm Sat 28 Oct+ 2 more

80 Victoria Street, Wellington

Free - Booking requiredBook

Book cover displaying a house and a child with a cat. Reads "Annie & Moon, Ko Annie rāura ko Marama"

Book cover displaying a house and a child with a cat. Reads "Annie & Moon, Ko Annie rāura ko Marama"

“Annie & Moon“ - an Island Bay walk

10-11am Wed 25 Oct3:30-4:30pm Thu 26 Oct

Band Rotunda, Island Bay

Family Activities

Free - Booking requiredBook

Photo of Peter Fraser statue outside of the old Government buildings.

Photo of Peter Fraser statue outside of the old Government buildings.

Old Government Buildings Labour Day Picnic

9am-4pm Mon 23 Oct

Old Government Buildings, Wellington

Modern Wellington Walking Tour

1-2:30pm Sun 29 Oct

Corner of Willis and Dixon Street, Wellington CBD.

Free - Booking requiredBook

Exterior image of the Upper Hutt Blockhouse with the text 'Upper Hutt Blockhouse Open Day.'

Exterior image of the Upper Hutt Blockhouse with the text 'Upper Hutt Blockhouse Open Day.'

Upper Hutt Blockhouse Open Day

11am-3pm Sat 4 Nov

Blockhouse Lane, Upper Hutt

Photo of multiple people of various ages sitting on the side of the waterfront listening to a person presenting.

Photo of multiple people of various ages sitting on the side of the waterfront listening to a person presenting.

Wellington's Lost Urban Streams

1-3pm Sat 28 Oct

Free - Booking requiredBook

Photo of the Glenside Halfway House and Garden

Photo of the Glenside Halfway House and Garden

Historic Halfway House Heritage Garden

8-8pm Mon 23 Oct - Sun 5 Nov

246 Middleton Road, Glenside.

An expansive view of the Halfway Heritage House Gardens.

An expansive view of the Halfway Heritage House Gardens.

Halfway House Heritage Garden Walk & Talk

2-3pm Fri 3 Nov2-3pm Sun 5 Nov

Halfway House, Glenside Reserve

Costs vary - Booking requiredBook

Pākehā at Pukerua

10:30-11:30am Sat 28 Oct

5 Wairaka Road, Pukerua Bay, Porirua 5026

Tour Hannah Playhouse

1-5pm Sun 5 Nov

12 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro

Notable Trees in the Botanic Garden since 1868

11am-12pm Sun 5 Nov

Wellington Botanic Garden

Historic Postcard Walk: Before and After

11am-12pm Sat 4 Nov

Wellington Botanic Garden

History of the Botanic Garden

11am-12pm Sun 29 Oct

Wellington Botanic Garden

Daylight photo of Karori Cemetery. Concentric grave circles with a pond in the foreground.

Daylight photo of Karori Cemetery. Concentric grave circles with a pond in the foreground.

Friends of Karori Cemetery Tours

Various locations

View 7 events inside →

Costs vary - Booking requiredBook

Interior image of Futuna Chapel supplied by the Friends of Futuna

Interior image of Futuna Chapel supplied by the Friends of Futuna

Futuna Chapel Open Weekends

11am-4pm Sat 28 Oct12am-4pm Sun 29 Oct+ 2 more

67 Futuna Close, Karori

Four piece tableau from Futuna Chapel supplied by the Friends of Futuna Chapel

Four piece tableau from Futuna Chapel supplied by the Friends of Futuna Chapel

The Works of Jim Allen

11:30am-12pm Sat 28 Oct11:30am-12pm Sat 4 Nov

67 Futuna Close, Karori

Watercolour painting of Wellington Harbour in the mid-nineteenth century.

Watercolour painting of Wellington Harbour in the mid-nineteenth century.

Ngā Awa Tini o Te Whanganui-a-Tara

2-3:30pm Sat 4 Nov

67 Futuna Close Karori

Koha - Booking requiredBook

Photo of two tombstones in front of a backdrop of bush.

Photo of two tombstones in front of a backdrop of bush.

Rita Angus and the Bolton Street Cemetery

2-3:30pm Mon 23 Oct2-3:30pm Sun 5 Nov+ 1 more

Bolton Street Cemetery

Costs vary - Booking requiredBook

Photo of a tombstone surrounded by an aged fence with another tombstone in the background, surrounded by trees.

Photo of a tombstone surrounded by an aged fence with another tombstone in the background, surrounded by trees.

Crime and Punishment

4:30-6pm Tue 24 Oct4:30-6pm Tue 31 Oct

Bolton Street Cemetery

$10 - Booking requiredBook

Photo of 3 tombstones, with daffodils at the front of the frame. The tombstones are surrounded by green grass with trees in the background.

Photo of 3 tombstones, with daffodils at the front of the frame. The tombstones are surrounded by green grass with trees in the background.

Tiptoe through the Tombstones

2-3:30pm Sat 28 Oct2-3:30pm Sun 29 Oct+ 1 more

Bolton Street Cemetery

$10 - Booking requiredBook

Photo of the Discover the Résidence de France which is a 19th century wooden villa and the surrounding garden

Photo of the Discover the Résidence de France which is a 19th century wooden villa and the surrounding garden

Discover the Résidence de France

9:30-10:30am Tue 24 Oct10:30-11:30am Tue 24 Oct+ 3 more

39 Hobson Street, Thorndon

Free - Booking requiredBook

Photo showing a part of a heritage building

Photo showing a part of a heritage building

Adaptive re-use of heritage buildings: One answer to the future’s challenges?

5:30-7pm Tue 31 Oct

Engineering New Zealand, Wellington

Free - Booking requiredBook

Club Latino: Celebrating 60 Years of Latin American and Spanish Communities in Wellington

4-11:30pm Sat 28 Oct

Aro Valley Community Centre

Image of Carmen Rupe staring into the camera with a gallery in the background.

Image of Carmen Rupe staring into the camera with a gallery in the background.

The Virtual Carmen Rupe "Walk Tour"

1-2pm Sun 29 Oct

101 Wakefield St, Wellington, New Zealand

Exterior of red and white Circa theatre building

Exterior of red and white Circa theatre building

Circa Theatre Historical Tours

1-2pm Mon 23 Oct1-2pm Tue 24 Oct+ 5 more

Circa Theatre, Te Aro

Free - Booking requiredBook

Exterior of church, cream in colour with red doors

Exterior of church, cream in colour with red doors

Historic Christ Church Taitā Open Day

12:30-4:30pm Sun 5 Nov

73 Eastern Hutt Road, Wingate, Lower Hutt

Orange and white image with text, "Utaina! Load the precious freight on board!"

Orange and white image with text, "Utaina! Load the precious freight on board!"

Utaina: Preserving the Nation’s Audiovisual Heritage

5-6:10pm Thu 26 Oct

National Library of New Zealand, Thorndon

Photo of orange flowers in front of a gravestone.

Photo of orange flowers in front of a gravestone.

Porirua Cemetery Tour

11am-12pm Sun 29 Oct

Porirua Cemetery, Kenepuru Drive

Limited spots remaining

ANZ Bank Archives visit

10-11am Wed 25 Oct2-3pm Wed 25 Oct

Level 1, 2a Green Street, Newtown, Wellington

Free - Booking requiredBook