From interactive festivals to cool Christmas pop-ups and more…there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Wellington. Here’s 26 of the best things to do in Wellington this December 2022.
1. Eat at Kapiti Food Fair 2022
Grab your friends for an indulgent day of food and drinks on December 3. With over 250 food vendors, a bar serving all your favourite bevvies, entertainment and good vibes…it’s the ultimate place to kickstart the festive month.
📍5 Scaife Drive, Paraparaumu 5032, New Zealand
2. Check out the Armageddon Expo 2022
The Armageddon Expo Wellington returns from December 2 to 4. With a host of international celebrities guest, exclusive signings, events and more…it’s the perfect place for pop culture buffs.
📍Sky Stadium, Wellington
3. Travel through space and time
Professor Brian Cox, who broke two Guinness World Records for most tickets sold for a science show, is coming to Wellington on December 8 for Horizons: A 21st Century Space Odyssey. The two-hour show aims to make people think about our strange and wonderful world through state-of-the-art technology. Read further about the experience.
📍TSB Arena, Wellington
4. Go on an adventure with Pinocchio
Pinocchio: The Pantomime is a showcase featuring all your favourite characters from the nostalgic storybook. Tickets begin at $18 for the two-hour show, which ends on January 14, 2023.
📍The Circa Theatre, Wellington
5. Head to Wine And Food Festival 2022
On December 10, gather your crew to indulge in the best local cuisines, wineries and breweries all paired with fantastic music, games, outdoor fun and sunshine. From top restaurants delivering iconic dishes to unique cocktails…you’ll be spoilt to an excellent day out and one of the best things to do this month. Get tickets via Eventbrite.
Waitangi Park, Wellington
Christmas events
6. See A Celtic Christmas show
A Taste of Ireland is bringing this epic showcase to Wellington on December 11. Be mesmerized by high energy music and dancing, with a little Irish charm, for a Celtic Christmas. Better grab your tickets for $79.90 fast because it’s expected to sell-out.
📍Opera House, 111-113 Manners Street, Wellington
7. Enjoy a festive high tea
One of our favourite high tea places Hippopotamus is offering a festive high tea set until December 18. Indulge on delectable treats from a 3-tier platter while you sip champagne. From macaroons to flavourful savoury options…you’ll definitely be merry! Prices starty at $53 per person. Book your high tea here.
📍 90 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
8. See the Beauty and The Beast Panto
Why not check out the Beauty and The Beast Pantomime from December 14? The show stars RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under’s winner Kita Mean, entertainers Ali Harper and Erin Wells, to name a few. Get tickets here.
📍St James Theatre, 77-87 Courtenay Place, Wellington
Want more christmas? See our guide to the best Christmas events to do this month.
9. Aunty Donna: The Magical Dead Cat Tour
On December 17, The Opera House will host Netflix’s favourite comedy trio from Australia, Mark Samuel Bonanno, Zachary Ruane and Broden Kelly for a night of entertainment. Comedy fans will be in fits of laughter seeing award-winning sketches live from the trio and other friends. Get tickets via Ticketmaster. And read further about the tour here.
The Opera House, 113/111 Manners Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
10. Explore Wellington’s history at a new exhibition
Te Whanganui-a-Tara is a huge new interactive exhibition exploring Wellington’s history and culture through a large-scale timeline, dating back to the Te Orokohanga. Developed with Wellington-based artists, creatives and scientists, it tells stories right up to the pandemic of today.
📍3 Jervois Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
11. Watch the FIFA World Cup 2022
Get ready for a month of football mania because the FIFA World Cup 2022 takes place until December 18. For example, we’re sure Wellingtonians will be out in force on December 11 when New Zealand faces Bangladesh. Check out where you can watch the games here.
12. Visit the beach
Wellington is blessed with a stunning coastline with delightful beaches to relax at this summer season. Discover the best ones to visit here.
13. Relax at Wellington’s first champagne bar
The Champagneria is the first-ever champagne bar to open in Wellington. It specialises in a host of champagnes and sparkling wines from across the globe, alongside boozy brunches, high teas and more. Read all about it here. Certainly, one of the best things to do this month.
8 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
15. Argentinian Asado Evenings
Nikau relaunched their Argentinian-style asado dining experience paired with wine for barbecue lovers. Read all about it here.
📍City Gallery Wellington, Te Ngākau Civic Square, 101 Wakefield Street, Wellington 6011
16. Go on a night tour at Zealandia
Explore Zealandia sanctuary at night for the most surreal experience. Learn about unique species and New Zealand’s history from a guide and see plenty of rare and endangered species like tuatara and glow worms, to name a few.
📍 53 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
17. Xcape Wellington
An escape room is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping for the weekend. With only 60 minutes to escape, you must try and unlock the keys by solving puzzles and riddles in a room with your team. If you’ve never done an escape room before, now is your time.
📍 69 Pharazyn Street, Melling, Lower Hutt 5010, New Zealand
18. Get out your frustration at Sweet Axe
As one of our favourite date ideas, it’s also an excellent thing to do with a group. Certainly, a way to let out your anger, provoking endless laughter and interesting conversations.
📍60 Cambridge Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
19. Go to the cinema
Grab your partner, your friend, or go on your own, but head to your nearest movie theatre to catch one of the best recent releases on the big screen.
📍 Various Locations
20. Admire the Paper Pals exhibition
Head to the Te Papa Museum to see local artist Ben Pearce’s exhibition. The sculpture features four giant origamis with a panda, baboon, pūkeko and pukeko. It’s free and will remain there until 2024.
📍55 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
21. Go Glamping
As one of our favourite Wellington date ideas, it’s a fantastic thing to do during the summer. For example, Canopy Camping Escapes have an exclusive Wellington site. Wonderfully, Boho Bach offers spectacular views in a beautiful and private setting.
📍 Fortification Road, Karaka Bays, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
22. Go on an instagrammable food hunt
Courtesy of Secret, check out the most instagrammable foods in Wellington and embark on a foodie adventure.
📍 Various Locations
23. Weta Workshop
From bizarre costumes to mystical creatures, learn how physical effects of major TV and film masterpieces were created at this studio tour. In a unique universe, you’ll meet iconic craftspeople and more. Weta Workshop is best known for its Oscar-winning work on Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. For more information, visit Weta Workshop.
📍 21 Camperdown Road, Miramar, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
24. Attend a Candlelight Concert
Why not see a world-class candlelight concert? Past performers included tunes from Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and more. Read all about it here and purchase tickets.
📍Various Locations
25. Indulge on Dutch sweets
Head to Harbourside Market to indulge on authentic and drooling Dutch sweets. Read all about them here. Definitely, one of the best things to do for foodies.
📍 Riverside Market, Wellington
26. Take on a summer activity
For those would love the summer days, we’ve rounded up a range of best seasonal things to do for you to take advantage of. From rooftop bars to adrenaline forest adventures and wine tasting…you won’t be bored. Check out our guide here.