Wellington Heritage Festival 2026 Opening Celebration - with the Multicultural Council of Wellington
Description
Celebrate the opening of Wellington Heritage Festival 2026 with an evening of culture, heritage and performance at Te Papa.
Wellington Heritage Festival and the Multicultural Council of Wellington invite you to join us for a vibrant celebration marking the beginning of this year's Festival.
The evening will bring together communities from across the Wellington region for a programme of cultural performances, kapa haka, traditional Chinese lion dance, an interactive cultural quiz, and more.
Alongside the performances, we'll officially open Wellington Heritage Festival 2026 and celebrate the people, communities, and cultures that contribute to the rich and diverse heritage of Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui.
This event is presented by Wellington Heritage Festival in partnership with the Multicultural Council of Wellington, with support from Te Papa Tongarewa.
Want to discover even more events around the region? Over 160 heritage and culture events await on our website:
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Koha entry & RSVP
Admission is by ticket only, and booking is required.
We encourage those who are able to make a voluntary koha when booking. Your koha helps cover the cost of this celebration and supports Wellington Heritage Festival to keep heritage accessible to communities across our region.
A donation receipt for koha of $5 or more will be issued automatically for tax-credit purposes when you book.
Event details
Thursday 22 October 2026
Doors open: 5:30pm
Programme: 6:00pm–8:00pm
Venue: Soundings Theatre, Te Papa Tongarewa
This is an all-ages, family-friendly event.
Please book a ticket for every person attending, including children.
If you have any accessibility requirements, please let us know when booking.
Places are limited, so advance booking is strongly recommended.
Want to support Wellington Heritage Festival beyond this event? You can also become a Friend or Festival Member:
Agenda
- 6:00 pm
Mihi whakatau and opening karakia
- 6:09 pm
Kapa haka performance: Te Huatai Katorika
Kapa Haka rōpū representing Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, St Bernard’s College, and St Patrick’s College Silverstream.
- 6:19 pm
Introduction MC Roger Blakeley, Chair Wellington Heritage Festival Trust
- 6:21 pm
Address from Festival Co-Patron, Honorary Dame Companion Suzanne Snively, ONZM, DNZM
- 6:24 pm
Address from WHFT CEO & Festival Director, Alex Hockley
- 6:27 pm
Address from President, Multicultural Council, Wellington, Rachel Qi
- 6:30 pm
Feature Cultural Performance: Traditional Chinese Lion Dance
- 6:40 pm
Cultural Stage Performances
- 7:12 pm
Interactive session: Cultural knowledge quiz & lucky draw, Rachel Qi
- 7:17 pm
Cultural Stage Performances
- 7:41 pm
Closing address
- 7:52 pm
Closing karakia
- 8:00 pm
End of event
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