Things To Do in Wellington at Night
When you’re on a road trip, you want to make the most of your time exploring.
Luckily, visiting Wellington City means you’ll have plenty to do both day and night. Have a chilled evening exploring New Zealand’s capital city with our awesome ideas below. Get around easier with a rental car from RaD Car Hire Wellington, located right by the Wellington Airport.
Does Wellington Have Good Nightlife?
Wellington offers a vast range of things to do at night regardless of your interests. From dining at trendy cafes and bars on Cuba Street to seeing epic views of the Wellington Harbour on Mount Victoria, there’s something for everyone.
How Many Nights Do You Need in Wellington?
Around three days is a good amount of time to visit Wellington city centre.
Your Guide to Wellington’s Nighttime Activities
Got a few hours free? Here are our favourite things to do in Wellington at night:
1. Visit Space Place at Carter Observatory
Explore the interactive galleries and exhibits in Space Place’s mini museum or learn about the stars from the informative planetarium shows. You can even use the telescope from sunset until 11 pm on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The low light pollution of New Zealand makes it one of the best places in the world to see the night sky.
2. Face Nautical Terrors at the Fear Factory
Think you can handle the horrors? The central Wellington branch of the famous Fear Factory has a spooky storyline about a doomed ghost ship. Experience a live fright flick with real performers every night - it’s like Halloween all the time, right in the heart of the windy city.
3. Go Craft Beer Hopping
Wellington has no shortage of funky bars serving locally brewed craft beers. You can even find a craft beer trail brochure on the Craft Beer Capital website or by asking the bar staff at one of the featured joints. Follow the map along the Wellington waterfront, drink on up, and collect the stamps to grab some free stuff at the end.
4. Laugh Out Loud at a Comedy Club
Wellington is the origin of some of New Zealand’s most famous comedians, and you can experience fresh Kiwi humour for yourself in the city’s many stand-up comedy clubs. Head to the Fringe Bar in Te Aro for weekly laughs - or even try your hand at the venue’s Raw Meat Mondays, which allows new performances from beginners and seasoned pros alike.
5. Experience Home-Grown Theatrical Performances
If performing arts is more your style, you’ll love watching the thriving local theatre scene at Bats Theatre. Or visit the Opera House opposite Te Aro Park for a wide variety of live shows. As the home of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, St. James Theatre features its brilliant productions alongside international acts.
6. See the Sights at Mount Victoria
Wellington has plenty of walking tracks with magical sights at all hours of the day. Enjoy 360° views of the city from the peak of Mt. Victoria, or head to Scorching Bay to enjoy the calm sea when the sun comes down. If you want to travel a bit further, the Red Rocks on the southern coast offers incredible views of the Aurora Australis, depending on the time of year.
7. Watch a Game or Show at the Sky Stadium
Wellington Regional Stadium, also known as the Sky Stadium or Cake Tin, is the region’s main event venue. It’s the best place in the city to watch a sports match, as it showcases everything from rugby to football to cricket. The former Westpac Stadium also hosts international concerts and community events.
8. Embark on a Night Tour of Zealandia
Many of New Zealand’s endangered species are nocturnal, so what better way to catch a glimpse of them than by exploring the native sanctuary of Zealandia at night? On the 2.5-hour tour, you’ll have a relaxed evening learning all about the country’s scaly and feathered friends, and see unique species such as the morepork, wētā, glow worms, tuatara and even the kiwi bird!
9. Get Competitive at Arcades and Board Game Bars
Wellington’s got heaps to do for fans of video and board games. Check out the recently renovated underground arcade at Willis Lane, complete with mini golf and bowling on the side. Or go to the Counter Culture Board Game Cafe for nightly fun with friends and family. Enjoy an old-school Saturday night with Ye Olde Pinball Shoppe’s vast selection of retro pinball machines.
10. Stay the Night at Wellington Zoo
Meet cool critters after hours at the Wellington Zoo sleepover experience. Enjoy exploring the zoo once everyone else is gone and get up close and personal feeding some of the awesome animals. Don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag to stay overnight - this is the perfect birthday party opportunity for kids!
11. Dance All Night Long at a Live Music Gig
Wellington has a music scene as diverse as its people. Have fun dancing the night away at the many bars, clubs, and venues featuring live music, such as San Fran on lower Cuba Street or Havana Bar in Te Aro. Experience fresh New Zealand beats all over.
12. Spot Glow Worms at Wellington Botanic Gardens
Take a ride up the Wellington Cable Car to see the botanical gardens. The grounds are open 24/7, so you can stroll in any time. While it might be hard to make out the native plants in the dark, there’s something else very special to see: glowworms! The bright bugs are easy to spot in the spring after rain, making the city’s botanic gardens one of Wellington’s best free things to do.
Get the Most Out of Wellington with RaD Car Hire
Discover the hidden gems of central Willington City and beyond with RaD Car Hire. We make organising a fun Friday night easy with our 22 branches across the North and South Island. Book your rental car now! If you’re travelling all across New Zealand, check out our guides on the best day trips in Auckland and what you should do on your drive from Christchurch to Nelson.