What’s happening
Wellington Pride Festival officially runs from 6 - 22 March, but you’ll find our events here on either side of that as well, as Pride is not just a two week thing.
Prefer browsing on paper? Download a copy of our print programme for 2026. Please note the most up to date information will be online.
The majority of these events have been created by the community. However, the Wellington Pride Festival Committee produces the following Signature Events:
6 March - 22 March: Rainbow Windows of Wellington
14 March: Pride Youth Ball
15 March: Pride Hīkoi
15 March: Out in the City
15 March: Pooches in the Plaza
22 March: Pride Picnic
Hugo's Rainbow Show
A musical, magical adventure exploring the science of the skies above. Expect original songs and stories, and of course outrageous costumes in this novel rainbow-reading-style experience about the magic of meteorology. Hugo's Rainbow Show is for everyone! But best for two to ten year olds and our neurodivergent whānau.
As We Do - A Play Reading
As We Do by Ronald Trifero Nelson is set in 1987 Wellington, just after Homosexual Law Reform. This staged reading follows Sam and Trevor navigating the risky, often funny world of gay cruising, HIV anxiety, and desire.
Celestial Mechanics
Get ready to dance among the stars as you celebrate Wellington Pride like never before. Celestial Mechanics is Space Place’s dance party under the dome. Lose yourself under immersive 360° planetarium visuals and live music with DJs Hiriwini and Karl Moser. R18.
Dancing in Reverse - a queer poetry showcase
Come and join a cosy evening poetry reading featuring a host of queer, trans and Takatāpui voices as part of Wellington Pride Festival!
Rainbow Cookie Decorating + morning tea
Come and decorate your own rainbow themed cookies! Learn some new techniques in a fun small group setting and then take your creations home with you.
Out at the Zoo
Out at the Zoo is a family-friendly weekend, running from the 21st to 22nd of March, full of fun activities for our rainbow communities and wider allies.
The theme of Out at the Zoo is ‘celebrating the diversity of the living world – across both animals and people!’
MX Capital Drag 2026 Heats
New Zealand’s longest-running drag competition returns, bigger and bolder than ever. Mx Capital Heats 2026 brings fierce drag artists to the stage serving looks, laughs, and show-stopping performances — all fighting for a place in the Capital spotlight.
As We Do - A Play Reading
As We Do by Ronald Trifero Nelson is set in 1987 Wellington, just after Homosexual Law Reform. This staged reading follows Sam and Trevor navigating the risky, often funny world of gay cruising, HIV anxiety, and desire.
Pride Roller Disco
Come and join us for two hours of joyful resistance on small wheels! Relive the nostalgia of the mid to late 20th Century with a playlist of classic hits! Tickets and Ticketing information available through Seaside Skates website.
Plastic and Proud: The Queer History of Fashion Dolls
Long before mainstream representation, these pocket-sized figures carried bold, subversive stories within their plastic frames. From trailblazing toys of the '70s to accidental gay icons of the '90s, discover how queer history found its place on the toy shelf.
Five Films for Freedom
Space Place presents Five Films for Freedom, a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories, offering five short films available for free. The festival is a partnership between the British Council and BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, and it aims to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people worldwide.
As We Do - A Play Reading
As We Do by Ronald Trifero Nelson is set in 1987 Wellington, just after Homosexual Law Reform. This staged reading follows Sam and Trevor navigating the risky, often funny world of gay cruising, HIV anxiety, and desire.
Page Turners Teen Book Club: Pride Edition
Dive into an exploration of rainbow authors and characters!
We meet fortnightly to discuss books, share kai, and do crafts. Explore new genres, get recommendations, and share your reviews!
For bookworms of all genders aged 11+.
Werewolf
Join us for a social deduction party game where you'll lie, you'll defend yourself, you'll accuse others and try to stay alive. It's a very fun time.
Five Films for Freedom
Space Place presents Five Films for Freedom, a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories, offering five short films available for free. The festival is a partnership between the British Council and BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, and it aims to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people worldwide.
HIVE Tour and Takeover for Teens
Learn more about Tūhura | The HIVE, our makerspace, then spend a relaxing afternoon painting the colours of your favourite Pride Flag on a wooden creature fresh from our laser-cutter!
For young people aged 13-18.
Pride: Past, Present & Future
Looking to better understand why we celebrate Pride? Join InsideOUT for a free 1 hour lunch-and-learn style webinar.
The Cha(i)se in Lace
A cheeky LGBTQ+ drag quiz night serving games, prizes, and live performances.
ANTIFA'z: Masquerade/Cabaret
Inspired by Carmen Rupe's The Balcony, this year, Latin Cuirs and Vixen Temple unite forces to bring you ANTIFA'z: A Masquerde/Cabaret night + a party.
Pride Youth Ball
Get ready for the Pride Youth Ball, the most exciting and inclusive event for LGBTTQIA+ youth in Wellington! This year’s theme: Queeros - Icons of Pride
QueerFit Collective - Pride Week Workout
This 1-hour session combines strength training with functional exercises to build power, endurance, and confidence—all in a supportive and affirming space.
MarkeT4T / parTy4T: a fundraiser for PATHA
Trans and allies, let's get together to defend the right to puberty blockers while appreciating our amazing trans, nonbinary, intersex and takatāpui talent! This event starts with a market of crafts and arts, followed by bands, then the R18 evening will have comedians, drag performances and DJs! Fundraising for PATHA.
Coven: Wet
This is a pride dance party for sapphic, trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people, so let's get wet with pride.
Pink Pony Club Rosé Party
Rose tasting with a delectable selection of wines. A DJ spinning tunes afterwards.
Fiona Clark: Unafraid - Screening and Q&A
Join The D*List for a special Q&A screening of Fiona Clark: Unafraid, where we will be joined by Fiona herself.
Fiona Clark: Unafraid tells the story of how the photographer overcame censorship, homophobia, sexism, and vision loss to become one of our most respected social documentarians.
Chosen Family Night
Chosen Family Night returns to Te Waka Huia Wellington Museum for a vibrant evening filled with queer history, art and community.
Hosted by Lilly Loudmouth, the festivities include rainbow history tours, drag and music performances, dirty poetry reading and wholesome crafts.
All welcome. Valid ID required for cash bar.
They Ate: Blueberry lemon loaf
In this free cooking class, we’re focusing on sweet treats, making blueberry lemon loaf.
Make your Own Embroidered Motifs
Come along and design and stich your own embroidered motif!