Calendar

An extraordinary adaptation of the beloved classic. Soaring dance, boundary-busting theatre and song combine with live Irish folk music with a Nordic noir twist. 

Revel in the world premiere of this epic dance work from one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed choreographers, Michael Parmenter, with The New Zealand Dance Company, inspired by the myth and music of Orpheus.

Based on the experiences of children who lived through the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, this thrilling, moving and surprisingly humorous drama portrays extreme events but through a child’s eyes. 

Drums that strike themselves. Loudspeakers that pivot and pirouette. Pianos whose keys tap dance ghostly toccatas. Welcome to Mechanical Ballet, a brave new world where self-playing instruments rule.

Peter is not supposed to leave his grandfather’s house. There are wolves lurking in the forest and it’s not safe. Follow Peter as he travels deep into the woods, vanquish your fear, but don’t look behind you ...

Pianists Anderson & Roe are as much at home with Daft Punk as they are with Mozart. For their New Zealand premiere, this dynamic duo pairs Bernstein with The Beatles, Gluck with John Adams. It’s musical dynamite.

Born out of jazz school, the gifted Drax Project have grown from a music students’ busking project into one of the hottest tickets in town.

Hear how the myth and music of Orpheus inspired Michael Parmenter's new epic OrphEus – a dance opera in this free, public pre-show Artist Talk. 

An exploration of how abstract shape, colour and pattern have captured our imaginations in the Pacific, featuring a new immersive commission by Tiffany Singh.

“Just because it’s jewellery doesn’t mean we have to clam up and be well-behaved.”

Venice Biennale works by Michael Stevenson, Michael Parekowhai, Simon Denny and more.

How meaning and value are challenged through the often-surprising materials used in contemporary jewellery from Europe, America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Using the entire gallery as his stage, this new solo exhibition continues the artist's investigation into cinema and performance as mechanisms of violence and counterviolence. 

A major new public sculpture will be launched for the opening of the Festival, created by internationally recognised, Auckland-based artist Ruth Watson, and commissioned by the Wellington Sculpture Trust.

The 15th annual Adam Portraiture Award – New Zealand's premier portrait competition – exhibits the best in contemporary painted portraiture.

Drawn from Te Papa’s extensive collection of New Zealand painting, sculpture and photography, Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand explores questions of art, identity and cross-cultural exchange.

This exhibition brings to light the risks that climate change presents to Pacific Island women and the issues we share as Pacific neighbours.

A celebration of the role the Pacific Sisters collective has played in giving voice and visibility to Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa.

Discover the amazing secrets behind the world’s most famous painting. 

For the first time in Wellington City, more than 50 works by the current winners and finalists of the Wallace Art Awards are on display. 

With his first recorded comedy album under his belt and a winning stage presence, Georgio will have you in stitches.

A declaration. A treaty. A petition. Discover the signatures the shape New Zealand at the National Library

You've seen a show, now stay for the party. When the curtain falls each night, Wellington’s newest hot spot throws open its doors with free entry for everyone. Because the show ain’t over until the Festival Club closes.