🐝 WellyBuzz – Friday, December 27, 2024

Hello Wellington!

Welcome to another exciting edition of WellyBuzz! This week, we’ve got everything you need to make the most of the holiday season in Wellington, from fantastic events to exciting outdoor activities. As we countdown to 2025, we’re also giving you a sneak peek at next week’s special guide to New Year’s Eve and summer staycations in Wellington!

In This Week's WellyBuzz:

🎨 The Art of Banksy Exhibition – A Must-See

🎉 Top Events for This Week – From Sports to New Year’s Eve Parties

🕰️ Wellington in History – Historic Image and Key Milestones

🏞️ Outdoor Summer Activities – Great Things to Do Around Wellington

🐾 Adopt, Don’t Shop – Feral Nation’s Rescues Looking for a Home

🌦️ Weather Watch – What’s in store for your weekend?

What’s On:

27 December – Friday:

🎨The Art of Banksy – Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Explore over 150 original and authenticated works by Banksy. This exhibition is on until January 20, 2025.
General Admission: $45.90, Student Admission: $39.00
Details & Tickets

🌻Pick Your Own Sunflowers – Stolte Ag Dairy Farm, Carterton
Head to the Wairarapa for a relaxing day in the sunflower fields, with proceeds supporting the Hōkai Tahi charity.
Free Entry, Sunflowers $2 per stem
Event Details

🪶Stones Trek (Daytime Self-Guided Tour) – Stonehenge Aotearoa, Carterton
Explore this unique site with a self-guided tour through the fascinating stone structures.
Admission: $16.58 for adults, $10.25 for seniors, $5.12 for students
More Details

🌸Mt Holdsworth Lavender & Flower Farm – Lavender Magic, Carterton
Visit the lavender farm and enjoy a peaceful experience, with options for lavender and flower picking.
General Admission: $7.50, Lavender Picking: $16.20
More Information

🦙Walking with Alpacas – Cantharis Alpacas, Paraparaumu
Take a walk with alpacas on the beautiful Kapiti Coast.

Adults: $57.50, Children (5-15yrs): $46.00
Details

🎮Escape Rooms Wellington - Summer School Holiday
Book a group escape room adventure and enjoy a fun, immersive experience.
Group Ticket (up to 8 players): $130
Book Now

28 December – Saturday:

🎨The Art of Banksy
Another opportunity to explore the amazing works of Banksy.
General Admission: $45.90, Student Admission: $39.00
Details & Tickets

⚽Phoenix FC vs. Newcastle Jets – Sky Stadium
Join the Phoenix at Sky Stadium for a thrilling match against the Newcastle Jets.
Kick-off at 5 PM
Get Tickets

🌾Pick Your Own Lavender – Lavender Abbey, 351 Dalefield Road, Carterton
Enjoy the beauty of the lavender fields while picking your own lavender.
Farm entry: $5, Pick your own lavender: $5
Details

🎉Bollywood Party Wellington – Eva Pub
Dance the night away with a vibrant Bollywood-themed party.
General Admission: $28.92
Event Details

🍸New Zealand Gin Tasting – Tōhi Gin Room, 2 Cambridge Road, Martinborough
Savor a trio of local gins with this tasting experience.
Cost: From $36 per flight of trio gins
Event Details

🏃Ara Harakeke Parkrun – Porirua
A fun run for all ages, whether you're walking or running!
Start Time: 7:45 AM
More Info

🌽Wairarapa Farmers' Market – Solway Showgrounds, Masterton
Enjoy local produce and artisan goods at this popular farmers' market.
Opening Time: 9:00 AM
Details

29 December – Sunday:

🎨The Art of Banksy
A chance to catch this exhibition before the end of the year.
General Admission: $45.90, Student Admission: $39.00
Details & Tickets

🎨Mini Banksy Masterpieces – Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Create your own Banksy-inspired artwork.
Activity Admission: $10
Details

31 December – New Year’s Eve:

🎉Courtenay Place New Year’s Eve Carnival, Wellington
Courtenay Place will transform into a huge hospitality zone with live music, DJs, street performers, and a Best Dressed competition.
Event Details

🎆Wellington Waterfront NYE Party – Whairepo Lagoon, Wellington
Celebrate with live music, food trucks, fireworks, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Kids can enjoy the 9:30 PM countdown, with a grand fireworks display at midnight.
Free Event
Event Details

🎶Waterfront New Year's Eve Party – Waterfront Bar & Kitchen, 3 Garden Road, Raumati Beach, Paraparaumu.
Ring in 2025 with live music from Uncle Monkey.
Details

🍻Brew Year’s Eve – Brewtown, Upper Hutt
Celebrate with live music from Sublime with Rome, The Black Seeds, and more.
Event Details

💃NYE Dirty Little Disco – Dirty Little Secret, Wellinton
A glittery disco-themed party with a red carpet arrival, disco ball drop, and resident DJs.
Free entry before 10 PM
Event Details

🎉Hang the DJ! Atomic vs 24 Hour Party People – San Fran, Wellington
Dance the night away to alternative and indie tunes.
Start Time: 8:00 PM
Event Details

🎉Grand New Year's Dinner Dance – Tirohana Estate Vineyard, Martinborough
Enjoy a gourmet dinner and dance the night away to welcome 2025.
Start Time: 6:00 PM
Event Details

1 January – New Year’s Day:

🍾New Year’s Day Picnic – Cobblestones Museum & Early Settlers Village, Greytown
Enjoy a peaceful picnic and explore this historic museum.
Free Admission
Event Details

🌌Martinborough Lavender Star Gazing – Ranui Essentials, Martinborough
Pick lavender and enjoy a starry night with this unique experience.
General Admission: $23.25
Details

Wellington in History:

This week, we’re featuring a historic image from 1925, showing the view looking South-East to the end of Lambton Quay. It’s a lovely reminder of how much Wellington has evolved over the years. Special thanks to the MacDonald Wilson Collection for preserving this piece of our city’s history!

This Week in History:

1 January 1859 – First New Zealand Lighthouse Lit:

Pencarrow Head lighthouse became the first official lighthouse in New Zealand, marking a major milestone in maritime safety.

29 December 1931 – Floating Dock Breaks Moorings:

A dramatic moment when the floating dock, a marvel of engineering, broke its moorings during a storm.

1 January 1951 – Abolition of the Legislative Council:

New Zealand’s Upper House was abolished, marking a shift in the country’s parliamentary system.

Outdoor Summer Activities in Wellington:

Here are three outdoor activities perfect for Wellington’s summer:

🏞️Hike up Mount Victoria
Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and the harbor from this popular track. It’s a perfect way to get outdoors and soak in the sunshine.

🌳Wellington Botanic Garden
Wander through Wellington’s lush Botanic Gardens. Take a picnic, enjoy the sunshine, and explore the Cable Car Lookout for amazing views.

🚶Cuba Street Wander
Take a stroll down Cuba Street and discover Wellington’s unique shops, street art, cafes, and vibrant culture. It’s perfect for an afternoon out in the sun.

EXTRA SPRINKLES: Adopt, Don’t Shop! 🐾

Looking to make a difference this holiday season? Consider adopting a furry friend from Feral Nation, a registered Wellington charity dedicated to rescuing abandoned, unwanted, and injured cats. Feral Nation provides all their rescues with premium food, veterinary care, and plenty of love until they find their forever homes.
As part of their unique adoption process, the cats get to choose their owners, ensuring that the match is purrfect! 🐱💖
Learn More About Adoption Opportunities and Support Feral Nation

WellyBuzz Weather Watch:

Here’s the forecast for your weekend and New Year’s celebrations:

Friday 27 Dec:
Occasional rain, strong southerlies. High: 15°C, Low: 12°C.

Saturday 28 Dec:
Cloud clearing, turning fine by the afternoon. High: 18°C, Low: 12°C.

Sunday 29 Dec:
A sunny day ahead! High: 21°C, Low: 15°C.

Monday 30 Dec:
A few showers with northerlies. High: 20°C, Low: 13°C.

Tuesday 31 Dec (New Year’s Eve):
Rainy with southerlies. High: 17°C, Low: 13°C.

Sports Update:

⚽Wellington Phoenix FC vs. Newcastle Jets – 28 December, 5 PM at Sky Stadium
Don’t miss the last home game of the year!

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That’s it for this week’s WellyBuzz!
We hope you’re ready to make the most of this festive season and enjoy everything Wellington has to offer. Don’t forget to share this edition with your friends and family. Let’s make 2025 unforgettable!

Until next time,
The WellyBuzz Team