The capital’s premier open mic comedy competition, the Wellington Raw Comedy Quest, returns for 2025. A stepping stone for many New Zealand comedians, the Raw Comedy Quest offers the chance to witness the rising stars in stand-up comedy before they hit the big time. The first heat kicks off in Wellington on 3 July at Fringe Bar, MC’d by 2020 Quest finalist and 2025 Billy T nominee Lesa Macleod-Whiting.
Read MoreWhich one are you? The tutu, the peacemaker… or the odd one out? SIBLINGS is a bold, genre-defying new theatre work exploring the messy, funny, profound world of siblinghood - a story as old as time but told in an entirely new way. This world premiere plays for a limited 5-performance season at Te Pou Theatre from 24-28 July.
Read MoreTe Wehi Ratana’s story takes centre stage in ration the Queen’s veges following a theatrical act of redaction, resistance, and reclamation, playing to Circa Theatre, Wellington from 16 August – 13 September.
Read MoreNew Zealand’s best loved UK comedian is back with an all-new show touring this October and November.
Read MoreFrom the minds of award-winning playwright Jess Sayer and director Oliver Driver,comes MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein - a blood-drenched phantasmagoria that reimagines the infamous stormy evening when Mary Shelley, the mother of gothic horror, conceived Frankenstein. Auckland Theatre Company proudly presents this world premiere, playing at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 19 August – 7 September. You’d kill to get a ticket.
Read MoreNZTrio He Taonga Wairere, a leading force in New Zealand chamber music, is pleased to announce the second instalment in their 2025 series with Fantastique, a captivating programme set to tour to seven centres around Aotearoa in July and August, before also heading to Australia.
Read MoreThis Takurua (Winter), Stardome Observatory & Planetarium is the go-to destination for out-of-this-world fun!
Read MoreAfter a sold-out national tour in 2023, media personality, entrepreneur and beloved over-sharer Abbie Chatfield is taking her brutally honest and wildly funny live show The Trauma Dump Tour to New Zealand for the very first time this September.
Read MoreOpening next month, the prestigious international World Press Photo Exhibition returns to showcase the world’s most compelling photojournalism from around the globe. Following the closure of Smith & Caughey’s at the end of July, the exhibition has a new home for 2025 thanks to the generosity of the owners of 131 Queen Street and the team at Krukziener Properties. The exhibition will run as scheduled from 26 July – 24 August, with tickets available online via Eventfinda or at the door.
Read MoreThis Matariki, Karangahape Road invites you to Whāia Te Waiora — a vibrant and deeply grounded Matariki celebration led by our people, for our people.
Read MoreDoc Edge, New Zealand’s premier international documentary festival and an Oscar®-qualifying event, is proud to announce the finalists for the Doc Edge Awards 2025. The Awards will be held on Thursday, 3 July, at the Grand Millennium Auckland and will be co-hosted by respected broadcaster Neil Waka and beloved cultural icon Geeling Ching.
Read MoreAuckland’s baddest, booty-shaking, big-hearted dance-comedy maniacs, Dynamotion, are back to wreak merry havoc on your holidays with A Christmas Crisis — burning up the floor in Q Theatre from 10 – 20 December.
Read MoreAfter a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year’s festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential.
Read MoreThe three finalists for this year’s coveted Fred Award have been chosen by a panel of expert judges and will compete at tomorrow’s final showcase Last Laughs, hosted by Eli Matthewson. The award will go to the Best New Zealand Show in the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo and is one of the highest commendations in Aotearoa’s comedy industry.
Read MorePresented by Base Entertainment, internationally renowned performer, illusionist and creator of smash-hit shows Celtic Illusion, Celtica, and Ballroom Blitz, Anthony Streetreturns to Aotearoa this winter with something audiences have never seen before. ILLUSIONIST ANTHONY STREET, a bold new show where the spotlight falls not just on the magic, but on the man behind it.
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