🐝 WellyBuzz: 50+ Easter Weekend Events You Can’t Miss in Wellington!

Thank you WellyBuzz whānau – we’re now 10,000 subscribers strong! We couldn’t have done it without you. Your support makes our community buzz brighter than a basket full of Easter eggs. Here’s to many more fun-filled issues together 🎉. (Keep an eye out for a special Pet of the Week and Buzz Board debut in this edition – we’ve got some exciting new treats in store!)

🔥 Quick Picks This Weekend:

• 🎈 Wairarapa Balloon Festival (Thu-Mon)
  Glowing balloons, live music, rides, egg hunts & food trucks.

• 🦸 Armageddon Expo (Fri–Sun)
  Cosplay, comics, gaming & celeb panels.

• 🥚 Wellington’s Great Easter Egg Hunt (Sat)
  Clues, chocolate & prizes – starts at Iko Iko.

• 🍎 Greytown Apple Harvest Festival (Sun)

  Celebrate all things apples.

🕰️ Welly’s Time Machine: The return of one of our favs!

Step back to 1907… Wellington once had its very own amusement park! Wellington’s Wonderland in Miramar was the place to be from 1907–1911, complete with a giant toboggan slide and even a water chute for splashes of fun. 😮 Families would flock there by tram to enjoy merry-go-rounds and magical nighttime lights. It only lasted a few years, but it’s fun to imagine our great-grandparents zooming down those slides and laughing all the way. What a wonderful piece of Welly history!

🌟 Local Legends: Small Businesses with Big Mana 🏪

FiveFortyFive – The Watch Lounge (174 Cuba St)

Sneak up a flight of stairs on Cuba Street and you’ll find Five:45, a specialist watch shop that’s a time traveler’s dream​. This hidden upstairs boutique is like a mini museum of timepieces, blending vintage classics with the latest limited-edition watches you won’t see elsewhere. You can ogle everything from elegant second-hand Swiss watches to funky modern designs – plus some beautiful artisan jewelry and even posh knives. It’s part showroom, part man-cave (with art on the walls and whiskey in the corner). Five:45 proves that in Wellington’s back streets, even time itself becomes a work of art.

Abel Odor Perfumery (83 Aro St)

Tucked away in Aro Valley is a boutique making waves in the fragrance world. Part shop, part laboratory, this “fabriek” (factory) lets you sniff to your heart’s content and even chat with the perfumers mixing up scents on-site. It’s a sensory experience where nature and luxury collide – and you’ll likely walk out smelling divine (or at least a little more interesting!).

🍽️ Food & Drink: 4 Must-Try Spots This Week 🥂

Wellington’s food scene keeps evolving – from modern Chinese cuisine to artisan bread, here are new spots to tantalise your taste buds.

🍜 Hei Restaurant (126A Cuba St)
A calm, stylish restaurant serving up modern Chinese fare. Chef-owner Michael Chan crafts every dish from scratch. Think aromatic Peking duck, bao buns, and spicy Sichuan chicken.​ Check out their menu here.

🍸 Regent Cocktail Club (Level 2, 55 Ghuznee St)
A "cocktail pub" offering craft beers and elegant cocktails, including a freezer-fresh martini served at –15°C. Enjoy people-watching from the balcony or cozy up inside.​

🍞 Wellington Sourdough (Left Bank, 175 Victoria St)
A purpose-built bakery and oasis for sourdough fans. Hand-shaped, slow-fermented loaves, killer toasties, and glossy custard tarts await.​

🥯 The Bond Street Deli (8 Bond St)
A little slice of New York in Wellywood, serving up Jewish culinary classics with a Kiwi twist. Bagels, challah, matzo ball soup, and more.

Pet of the Week 🐾

Calling all pet parents – this new section is for you! Each week, WellyBuzz will feature a local Pet of the Week, showing off one of Wellington’s cutest critters. Whether your best bud is a dog, cat, rabbit, bird or lizard, we want to celebrate them! To have your fur-baby (or feather-baby, or scales-baby!) considered, just email a photo and a blurb about what makes your pet special to [email protected]. We’ll pick one superstar pet to feature in an upcoming issue.

Stay tuned for our first Pet of the Week in the next edition – it could be yours! 🐶🐱🐰

The Buzz Board

Welcome to The Buzz Board! This is our community bulletin board for local shout-outs, community news, and everyday good stuff. Have something to share? Let us know!

Want to be featured? Email [email protected] - there’s just a small fee to help keep the hive humming 🐝

🎭 Events: Your Weekend Lineup 🌟

Friday 18 April (Good Friday)

• 🦸‍♀️ Wellington Armageddon Expo 2025: The pop culture event kicks off with a preview night. 📍 Sky Stadium

• 🚠 Wellington Cable Car Easter Egg Hunt – Spot eggs on the ride up the hill, count them all and claim a sweet treat! Free with any ticket.📍 Wellington Cable Car, 280 Lambton Quay | 🗓 Fri 18–Mon 21 Apr |⏰8:30am–7:00pm

• 🕺 Abba Heaven – Live in Petone! Dust off your flares and relive the magic of the 70s with all the ABBA hits you love.📍 Petone Working Men's Club |⏰8:00pm | 🎟 $30

• 🏉 Johnsonville Rugby 125th Jubilee – Celebrate 125 years of JRFC with a full weekend of reunions, kai, rugby & nostalgia.📍 80 Helston Rd, Johnsonville | 🗓 Fri 18 – Sun 20 Apr

• 🐟 Tuna Bonanza Fishing Comp – Cast off in the 2025 Tuna Bonanza! Weigh-ins, prizes & a good time for fishos of all levels.📍 Plimmerton

• 🥚 Titahi Bay Easter Fair – 150+ stalls, global eats, kids’ rides & live entertainment! Gold coin entry supports Mana Special Olympics.📍 Te Rauparaha Park, Porirua | 🗓 Fri 18 Apr, 10am–3pm | 🎟️ Gold coin

• 🍻 Epic Armageddon Easter Takeover at Otto – Tap takeovers, burgers, prizes & bottomless brunches all weekend!📍 Otto Champagneria, 125 Featherston St | 🎟️ Free entry

• 🦙 Walking with Alpacas – Cantharis Alpacas. Enjoy a scenic alpaca walk in the hills above Kāpiti Coast – cuddle, feed, and snap selfies with your fuzzy new friends!📍 105 Waterfall Rd, Paraparaumu | 🕒 Fri, Sat & Mon

• 🩰 Alana Haines Australasian Awards - Watch Australasia’s top young dancers (ages 11–18) compete in NZ’s biggest ballet event, with $160K in prizes and a dazzling finals night.📍 St James Theatre | 🕒 Fri –Mon

• 🎭 Blithe Spirit at Circa Theatre – Final weekend to catch this comedic classic.

• 💍 Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery: Discover iconic designs. 📍 Te Papa, Level 4 | 🕒 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM  

• 🏰 Disney: The Magic of Animation: Immerse yourself in the world of Disney. 📍 Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre | 🕒 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM  

• 🎮 Minecraft Scavenger Hunt & Build Comp: Fun for the whole family in Petone. 📍 Jackson Street, Petone | 🕒 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM  

• 🍸 The Royal "Bathtub Jenever" - a Gin Dining Experience: A unique culinary event in Featherston. 📍 Brac & Bow, Featherston | 🕒 6:00 PM  

• 🐣 Go Zone Epic Easter Hunts: Easter fun for the kids in Masterton. 📍 Go Zone, Masterton

Saturday 19 April

• 🎈 Wairarapa Balloon Festival Family Carnival: A day of hot air balloons, entertainment, and food trucks. 📍 Solway Showgrounds, Masterton | 🕒 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• 🍷 Discover Te Muna – A Martinborough Wine Experience. Spend a full day exploring Te Muna’s hidden vineyards with behind-the-scenes tours, tastings, and a long vineyard lunch.📍 Martinborough Square | 🕒 9:30am–5:00pm

• 🐣 Martinborough Community Easter Market – Vintage Vibes & Easter Fun
  Enjoy handmade crafts, vintage treasures, local treats, and a charming tearoom—all for a great cause.📍 Martinborough Town Hall | 🕒 Sat 19 – Mon 21 Apr, various times | 🎟️ Free Entry

• 🌍 It's the End of the World As We Know It – Pole Showcase - An apocalyptic Easter-themed pole dance show featuring Body Electric instructors and guests.📍 The Fringe Bar | 🕒 7:30pm–9:30pm

• 🐣 Easter Valley @ Aston Norwood – Explore 14 acres of gardens with an Easter egg hunt, toddler zone, scavenger hunt, and High Tea options!
  📍 Aston Norwood Gardens, Upper Hutt |⏰ 8:30am–5:30pm

• 🐾 Bluey’s Big Play @ TSB Arena – The hit kids’ show comes to life with games, dancing, and fun for the whole whānau!📍 TSB Arena, Wellington

• 🐣🧺 Waikanae Easter Fair: Local crafts and goodies by the sea. 📍 Mahara Place, Waikanae | 🕒 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM  

• 🎶 George Young & Band Live - Wellington’s soulful hidden gem plays a mix of heartfelt and upbeat originals with a stellar band.📍 The Rogue and Vagabond | 🕒 8:30pm–10:30pm | 💵 Free Entry

• 🚗 Deuce Days NZ Show & Shine – 1932 Fords - Check out a stunning lineup of vintage 1932 Fords at this nostalgic Masterton car meet. Gold coin donation supports Hospice Wairarapa.📍 Copthorne Solway Park, Masterton | 🕒 3:00pm–5:00pm | 💵 $2 donation

• 🧺 Greytown Country Market. Browse fresh produce, crafts, coffee and BBQ treats at this community market supporting the Greytown Rail Trail.📍 Stella Bull Park, Greytown | 🕒 10:00am–2:00pm | 🎟️ Free entry

• 🎭 The Play That Goes Wrong - This Olivier Award-winning comedy brings chaos and laughs as everything hilariously falls apart during a murder mystery.
  📍 The Opera House, Wellington | 🕒 2:30pm & 7:30pm

• 🍫 Easter Chocolate High Tea @ The Library – One-day-only indulgent feast of chocolatey treats, cocktails & Easter magic.📍 The Library, 45 Tory St | 🗓 1–4pm

• 🦸‍♀️🎮📸 Wellington Armageddon Expo 2025: Day two of the pop culture fun. 📍 Sky Stadium

• 💃 Easter Salsa Party – Dress up in your Easter best for a colourful Latin night! Includes a free beginner salsa class, then dancing till late.📍 Two Right Feet Studio, 175 Vivian St

• 🤘 Fuzz Fest 2025 @ Valhalla – Six epic stoner, doom & metal bands in one heavy-hitting night of riffs and beers.📍 Valhalla, Wellington

• 😂 Hilarious Hypnosis Show – Comedy Meets Mind Tricks! Laugh out loud as Haiming Jiang blends comedy and hypnosis in this crowd-pleasing interactive show in Paraparaumu.📍 Paraparaumu Memorial Hall | 🕒 7:00pm–8:30pm

• 🚴‍♂️ All New Tweed Meander – Easter Rebellion - A delightfully dapper day of cycling, gin, mischief and 1920s jazz in Greytown. Bring your tweed and sense of whimsy!📍 Main Street, Greytown | 🕒 10:00am–6:00pm

• 🍽️ The Great Tweed Gin Dinner - A 4-course feast with gin pairings, vintage flair, and cheeky banter from the Rear Admiral himself. Tweed attire essential!
  📍 The White Swan, Greytown | 🕒 6:30pm

• 🎤 Comedy on The Coast: Easter Special - Catch Callum Wagstaff and a killer lineup of local comedians for a hilarious night in Paraparaumu.📍 Kapiti Playhouse | 🕒 7:30pm

• 👻 Ghost Investigation at Karori Cemetery - Join the Ghost Connection crew for a spooky night exploring Wellington’s most haunted cemetery.📍 Karori Cemetery | 🕒 7:30pm–12:00am

• 🎷 Swinging Saturday with the Paterson Players. Tap your toes to jazzy classics and Broadway hits in this free live swing session.📍 Nolita, 203 Cuba St | 🕘 9:00pm–11:00pm | 🎟️ Free

• 🎸 The Buzz Lovers (Nirvana Tribute) 🎸 – Smells like teen spirit in Wellington tonight! The Buzz Lovers, a renowned Nirvana tribute from Spain, rock out Nirvana’s Nevermind album live. Come relive the grunge era – plaid shirts optional. When: 7 pm. Where: San Fran, 171 Cuba St. Tickets.

• 🎶 In the Green (Musical Premiere) 🎶 – Be transported to 12th-century Europe in this avant-garde new musical about mystic Hildegard von Bingen.

• 🔥 Rāpānats Burnout Competition 2025
  Smoke, speed, and serious revs! NZ's loudest burnout comp roars into Masterton for its 7th year.📍 Masterton Motorplex |⏰9:00am–8:00pm

🎉 Sunday 20 April (Easter Sunday)

• 🍏 Greytown Apple Harvest Festival – Celebrate all things apple with PYO apples, food trucks, cider, live music & kids' games.📍 Molewood Orchard, Greytown | 🗓 10:00am–3:00pm | 🎟️ Free entry

• 🐰 A White Rabbit Easter – Free Easter fun at Tākina with trails, face painting, balloons, and more for the whole whānau.📍 Tākina, Wellington | 🗓 12:00pm–4:00pm | 🎟️ Free

• 🛍️ Martinborough Community Easter Market – Enjoy vintage stalls, handmade goods, an Easter egg hunt, and a vintage tearoom raising funds for a local cause.📍 Martinborough Town Hall | 🗓 Sat 19 – Mon 21 April | 🎟️ Free entry

• 🧵 Junior Intro to Leather @ Wētā Workshop – A hands-on creative workshop for kids aged 6–11 to craft their own leather keepsake. ​

• 🍎 Pick Your Own Apples @ Molewood Orchard – Wander through the trees and pick your own apples and pears at this charming Greytown family orchard.
  📍 Molewood Orchard, Greytown | 🎟️ Free entry

• 🪓 Axe Throwing 101 @ Brewtown – Learn the art of axe throwing with training, games, and a free “Axe Addict” membership.
  📍 Sweet Axe Throwing Co., Upper Hutt | 🗓 12:30–2:00pm | 🎟️ $59.68

• ⚽ Wellington Phoenix Women vs Western United
  Cheer on the Phoenix wahine in their final home game of the season at Porirua Park.

• 🚀 Sci-Fi Sundays: Barbarella – Catch the cult classic under the stars at Space Place, with popcorn and a post-film star talk.📍 Space Place, Kelburn | 🗓 6:00pm–8:00pm | 🎟️ $25​

🎉 Monday 21 April (Easter Monday – Public Holiday)

• 🌺 First World War Memorial Walk – A self-guided ANZAC tribute walk through Bolton Street Cemetery, honouring 18 fallen soldiers.
  📍 Bolton Street Cemetery | 🗓 Fri 18 – Sun 27 Apr, 8:00am–5:00pm | 🎟️ Free

• 🧙‍♀️ Badjelly The Witch – A magical theatre show for kids full of laughter, chaos, and classic Spike Milligan fun!📍 Tararua Tramping Club, Mt Vic | 🗓 10am & 11:30am | 🎟️ From $16

• 🎳 Easter at Strike Entertainment – Arcade egg hunt, colouring comps, and Easter fun for the whole whānau.📍 Strike Entertainment, Lower Hutt | 🎟️ Free entry

• 🏀 Wellington Saints vs Nelson Giants – Catch the Easter Monday showdown with fast-paced hoops and high energy at TSB Arena.📍 TSB Arena, Wellington |⏰ Doors 1:45pm, Tip-off 3:00pm

• 🎤 John Craigie Live @ 171 Cuba Street
  Enjoy an evening of storytelling and folk music with the talented John Craigie. ​

• 🛍️ Martinborough Community Easter Market – Handmade crafts, vintage gems, an Easter egg hunt, and fundraising for a great cause.📍 Martinborough Town Hall | 🗓 Sat 19–Mon 21 Apr | 🎟️ Free entry

🌦️ Welly Weather Watch (April 18–21)

• Friday: Rain in the morning, then clearing to a breezy afternoon. 🌧️🌤️ 22°C / 16°C
  Saturday: Mostly fine, with a few afternoon showers. 🌥️🌦️ 24°C / 17°C
  Sunday: Scattered showers with light northerlies easing. ☁️🌧️ 22°C / 14°C
  Monday: Rainy with a cool southerly change. 🌧️💨 18°C / 13°C

That’s a wrap for this super-sized Easter Weekend edition of WellyBuzz! We hope you enjoy the long weekend – stay safe, have fun, and eat plenty of chocolate eggs. 🐣🍫 We’ll be back next week with more Wellington wonders (and maybe your pet in the spotlight!).

Ngā mihi o te Aranga – Happy Easter, Wellington! Be good, be kind, and keep the good vibes buzzing.

Ka kite anō! 👋🏻天天好運
Kirstie & Steve 🐝

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