Over 50,000 people are set to eat, drink, play, slay, laugh, dance, applaud, and perform in Wellington this week – with
more than 33,000 of those, visitors to the region.
Mayor Tory Whanau says this week will be a massive boost to our local economy, hospitality industry, and the general
vibe of the city.
“Thousands of people will be heading into central Wellington over the week, and they’ll be enjoying all the city has to
offer including restaurants, bars, cafes, shopping and sightseeing,” says the Mayor.
There will be eight cruise ships visiting the capital and a whopping six major events, headlined by the record-breaking
Ed Sheeran concert at Sky Stadium. There will also be whānau friendly celebrations for Waitangi weekend, Fat Boy Slim and Sol3 Mio entertaining at the Botanic Garden’s ki Paekākā’s Anderson Park, and comedians Sarah
Millican and Tom Segura will be bringing the lols to sold-out crowds.
“The city will be the busiest it has been since Eminem was in town in 2019, so there are plans in place to make sure
everyone has a great time – and a safe time,” adds the Mayor.
On Thursday alone, around 54,000 people are expected to descend on the CBD. The bulk of them will be heading to Ed
Sheeran’s sold-out Sky Stadium concert, with a record-breaking 46,234 people attending. Serenading punters walking to
the stadium along the waterfront will be a variety of musical artists from TSB Arena’s balcony from 4pm. There will also
be two cruise ships visiting the capital that day.
WellingtonNZ’s CEO John Allen says weeks like this is when Wellington comes to the fore, an electric atmosphere takes
over the city and everyone feeds on the energy.
“We know many of you will want to soak it up eating out, or watching the plethora of free entertainment, so it’s worth
booking at your favourite spot so you don’t miss out.
“Apart from being prepared, my advice is to get out there, have a lot of fun, and as Gen Z says, slay the week.”
With so much going on, the city will be busy, so be patient and where possible it’s recommended to leave your car at
home and bike, walk, scoot or take public transport to events.
Check out metlink.org.nz for public transport information and Council’s social media channels on updates for Waitangi Day events.Wednesday 1st Feb
Cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, 4180 passenger capacity plus crew
Sarah Millican, St James – sold outThursday 2nd Feb
Ed Sheeran +-=÷x tour, Sky Stadium – 46,234 ticket holders – 35 per cent from out of the region
Waterfront performances from 4pm to 6pm including Zoe Moon and Earth Tongue by TSB Arena, a DJ over the water in the
Kumutoto Precinct, and a four-piece brass band roaming from Frank Kitts Park to the stadium
Cruise ship Majestic Princess 3650 pax and Grand Princess 3100 passengers, both plus crewFriday 3rd Feb
Tom Segura, The Opera House – sold out
Fatboy Slim, Anderson Park – sold out
Cruise ships Pacific Explorer 1998 pax, Silver Whisper 388 Viking Mars 930 pax, all plus crewSaturday 4th Feb
Sol3 MIO with award-winning artists Hollie Smith and Ria Hall, Anderson Park
Wellington Summer Sampler along the waterfrontSunday 5th Feb
Whānau Film Night, Waitangi Park, 6pm – 9pm, public free event
Cruise ship Zuiderdam with 2272 pax capacity plus crew
Wellington Summer Sampler along the waterfrontMonday 6th Feb
Te Rā o Waitangi – Waitangi Park and Wellington Waterfront, 12 noon – 6pm, public free event
Viking Neptune, 930 passengers plus crewRoad Closures for Ed Sheeran
Traffic restrictions will be in place before and after the show.Road closures are as follows from approx. 4pm:Bunny Street closed at Featherston Street endNo right turn closure from Waterloo Quay, southbound onto Bunny StreetStout Street, no right turn onto Bunny StreetFeatherston Street left lane closed south of Mulgrave Street to Whitmore StreetFeatherston Street, no left turn onto Bunny Street.In addition to the above closures listed, further road closures are in place from 7pm and will end once pedestrian
levels have returned to normal:Stout Street, no right turn onto Bunny Street and Featherston StreetThorndon Quay closed between Davis Street and Mulgrave StreetMulgrave Street closed between Aitken Street and intersection of Thorndon Quay/Featherston StreetLane closures on Aotea QuayFeatherston Street closed from Mulgrave Street to Whitmore Street.
Click here for a full list of road closures.