Wellington events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekaka, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, plus Mount Victoria Lookout. December in Wellington averages 20°C / 67°F highs, 14°C / 57°F nights, and about 9 rainy days.
Expect 20°C/67°F days and about 9 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekaka★ 4.7 · 10.3k reviewsThe botanic garden was established in 1868 on the hillside above the city.
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne★ 4.7 · 6.1k reviewsThe fenced ecosanctuary opened to visitors in 1999 in a former reservoir valley, protecting native birds, tuatara, forest, and wetlands from…
- Cornelia Parker ExhibitionDec 1 – Jan 1City Gallery Wellington · Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Wellington in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
67°F / 57°F
19.6°C / 13.9°C
RainPrecipitation
9d
3.5in · 90mm
LightDaylight
15h
Sea
63.7°F
17.6°C
December is early summer, with holiday demand and fast-changing wind on ferries and lookouts.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 4 – Dec 6
Wellington Jazz Festival 2026
A vibrant celebration of jazz music featuring local and international artists performing across multiple venues in Wellington.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5 – Dec 26
Wellington Night Market - December 2026
Weekly night market featuring street food, crafts, and live entertainment in central Wellington.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 6
Wellington Santa Parade 2026
Annual festive parade through Wellington city streets featuring floats, performers, and Santa Claus to kick off the Christmas season.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Show all 9 events for December
- Dec 7 – Dec 8
- Dec 9
- Dec 10 – Dec 24
Wellington Christmas Market 2026
A festive market offering crafts, food, and entertainment in the heart of Wellington, perfect for holiday shopping and family fun.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 11 – Dec 12
- Dec 12
- Dec 12 – Dec 20
New Zealand Festival of the Arts - December Edition 2026
A curated program of theatre, dance, music, and visual arts showcasing New Zealand and international talent.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 28Boxing Day (substitute day)Public holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 28Long weekend
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 26-Dec 28Long weekend
About Wellington
City overview
Wellington is New Zealand's compact windy capital wrapped around Wellington Harbour, with steep hills, cable-car views, Parliament, Cuba Street, Oriental Bay, and film-industry workshops packed close together. Lambton Quay, Te Aro, Mount Victoria, Thorndon, Miramar, Kelburn, and the waterfront make the city feel walkable but vertical.
Food & drink
Wellington food works best as a coffee, seafood, and brewery crawl: flat whites are pulled at compact roasters, green-lipped mussels and paua turn up on harbor menus, and cheese scones, fish and chips, lamb, chocolate, and hokey pokey ice cream fill the gaps between walks. Cuba Street, Hannahs Laneway, Harbourside Market, Leeds Street, the waterfront, and Miramar cafes make the first route.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Mount Victoria Lookout
- 2Wellington Cable Car
- 3Wētā Workshop
- 4New Zealand Parliament and Beehive
- 5Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- 6Old St Paul's
- 7Cuba Street
- 8Oriental Bay
1Mount Victoria Lookout
4.7★ · 6,338outdoorOpen dailyThe lookout rises above the harbor, airport, central city, and Cook Strait approaches. Walking tracks start near Oriental Bay and Mount Victoria village, with road access for faster sunset visits.
2Wellington Cable Car
4.6★ · 7,394outdoorOpen dailyThe cable car opened in 1902 and climbs from Lambton Quay to Kelburn above the harbor. The top station connects to the Cable Car Museum, Botanic Garden, Space Place, and downhill walking routes.
Wikipedia
3Wētā Workshop
4.6★ · 4,590outdoorOpen dailyThe Miramar workshop district is tied to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar, and other film projects. Tours show props, miniatures, armor, creature work, and practical effects close to the airport side of the city.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4New Zealand Parliament and Beehive
- 5Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
- 6Old St Paul's
Neighborhoods
1CBD and Lambton Quay
The central business district is narrow and practical, with offices, shops, cable-car access, laneways, the railway station, and Parliament nearby.
2Te Aro and Cuba Street
Te Aro is creative and food-heavy, with Cuba Street, bars, cafes, galleries, theatres, vintage stores, and late-night music.
3Waterfront and Oriental Bay
The harbor edge is open and walkable, with Te Papa, promenades, sculptures, rowing sheds, beaches, restaurants, and ferry views.
Day trips
80km / 1-1.5h by car over Remutaka Hill or train plus local transfer
Wairarapa and Martinborough
The wine region adds pinot noir cellar doors, Greytown shops, Featherston book stops, and rural scenery beyond the hills.
50km / 45-60min by Kapiti Line train or car from Wellington
Kapiti Coast
Beaches, Paekakariki, Paraparaumu, and Kapiti Island nature trips make the easiest north-coast day.
7km / 20-25min by ferry from Queens Wharf
Matiu/Somes Island
The harbor island has quarantine history, wildlife, walking tracks, and strong city-and-harbor views without a long transfer.
Getting around
Metlink buses, trains, harbor ferries, the cable car, walking routes, and Snapper cards cover most city trips, though hills and wind slow short distances. The airport, Miramar, Zealandia, Wairarapa, and Kapiti Coast each need separate timing rather than a single central-city walk.
Planning a Wellington trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Wellington in December
- What to pack for Wellington in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Wellington checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 20°C / 67°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 14°C / 57°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 9 days.
- How many days do you need in Wellington
- 4 days covers the main Wellington highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Wellington worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Wellington averages 20°C / 67°F highs, 14°C / 57°F nights, and about 9 rainy days.
Ready to plan Wellington?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Wellington plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.