Wellington events & things to do in November 2026
Start with Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekaka, Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne, plus Mount Victoria Lookout. November in Wellington averages 17°C / 63°F highs, 12°C / 53°F nights, and about 10 rainy days.
Expect 17°C/63°F days and about 10 rainy ones in November. 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…
- Royal New Zealand Ballet presents The Sleeping BeautyNov 1 – Nov 7St James Theatre Wellington · Source: Ticketmaster
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Wellington in November 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
63°F / 53°F
17.4°C / 11.8°C
RainPrecipitation
10d
3.5in · 90mm
LightDaylight
14.4h
Sea
60.8°F
16°C
November warms up, with longer evenings around Cuba Street and Oriental Bay.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Nov 1 – Dec 1
- Nov 9
- Nov 14
Show all 15 events for November
- Nov 14 – Nov 15
- Nov 18 – Nov 28
- Nov 22
- Nov 23
Richard Dawkins - 50 Years of The Selfish Gene
Arts & Theatre · Miscellaneous Theatre.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Nov 25
- Nov 26 – Nov 27
- Nov 27
- Nov 27
- Nov 27 – Nov 28
- Nov 28
- Nov 29 – Nov 30
- Nov 29
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 November 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 November.
Common questions about Wellington in November
- What to pack for Wellington in November
Pack for November's weather, not a generic Wellington checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 17°C / 63°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 12°C / 53°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 10 rainy 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 November
- Yes. November in Wellington averages 17°C / 63°F highs, 12°C / 53°F nights, and about 10 rainy days.
Ready to plan Wellington?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Wellington plan for November 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.