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A street turned stage
Cuba Street and its neighbours become a free playground of music, theatre, dance and food for two days.
Festivals & traditions
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Crowds along Cuba Street during CubaDupa 2023; a file photo. · Report image rightsWellington · New ZealandFestivals & traditions
2027.03.20 — 2027.03.21 · Coming soon
The whole street is the stage.
CubaDupa 2027
CubaDupa is Wellington’s free street festival, a festival of colour, art, music, theatre, dance, food and thousands of artists. As an ode to the end of summer, familiar city streets become a celebration and every corner of the Cuba Quarter a playground for the most exciting new work made in Aotearoa New Zealand. It takes over Cuba Street and its neighbouring streets on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March 2027. The 2026 edition had more than 210 acts, 220 performances and 70 food vendors, from street music, theatre and dance to immersive, participatory experiences; the 2027 lineup is still to come.
GOWOAH / Wellington
A REASON TO GO
A REASON TO GO
Cuba Street and neighbouring streets2027.03.20 — 2027.03.21Festivals & traditionsFree admission
FIND YOUR REASON
What draws you to this experience?
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2026: more than 210 acts
Last time brought 210-plus acts, 220 performances and 70 food vendors, from street music to immersive, participatory work.
Festivals & traditions03
An end-of-summer street party
An ode to the end of summer that runs until midnight on Saturday, turning familiar streets into the city’s party.
Festivals & traditionsA LITTLE CLOSER
A closer look.
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2018 · US Embassy New Zealand · Photo source · CC BY 2.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights
MAKE IT YOUR EXPERIENCE
Does this fit what you are looking for?
This could be for you if you are…
- Street performance and music lovers
- Anyone in Wellington in March
Before you decide
The 2027 lineup and timetable are not out yet.
Sunday ends at 6pm.
The streets get crowded, so keep children close.
FIND YOUR PLACE
Explore the layout. Plan your route.
This edition’s stage and creative-zone map is not out yet.
Open official guide ↗FROM AN IDEA TO A PLAN
Make a plan that works for you.
Dates & times
2027.03.20 — 2027.03.21Saturday 20 March 2027, 12pm to midnight, and Sunday 21 March, 11am–6pm (Wellington time); stage times to be announced.
Pacific/AucklandMore programme details
- A street turned stage
- 2026: more than 210 acts
- An end-of-summer street party
Venue & travel
Cuba Street and neighbouring streetsCuba Street is in Wellington’s centre, with stages along it and the neighbouring streets.
Entry & companions
Free entry; food and shopping are extra. Stages follow a timetable, so not every stage has something on all the time.
Tickets & access
Free entry
Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.
Sources & image credits
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
Tom Ackroyd · CC BY-SA 4.0 Image source
CubaDupa
Crowds along Cuba Street during CubaDupa 2023; a file photo.
Information checked on 2026-10-16
Suggest a correction ↗Festivals & traditionsA painted-face lantern at the 2009 Auckland Lantern Festival, then held in the city centre; a file photo.
Photo source · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Cropped preview· Report image rights
02month2027.02.18 — 2027.02.21Local dates
BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival 2027
Auckland’s lantern festival: four evenings in Manukau for the Year of the Goat, 500-plus handmade lanterns, free tickets and weekend fireworks.
New Zealand · Auckland
Free (tickets required)Why Go
Festivals & traditionsAotea Square at dusk in April 2026, where The Choir of Man’s Spiegeltent will stand; the light installation shown is not part of the festival.
Photo source · CC0 · Cropped preview· Report image rights
03month2027.03.04 — 2027.03.21Local dates
Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival 2027
Auckland Arts Festival runs for 18 days in March, opening its programme with The Choir of Man, a pub show with a real bar on stage.
New Zealand · Auckland
Tickets per show · The Choir of Man NZD 75–99Why Go
Festivals & traditionsThe night glow at Balloons Over Waikato in 2010, balloons lit up together after dark; a file photo.
Photo source · CC BY-SA 3.0 DE · Cropped preview· Report image rights
03month2027.03.13 — 2027.03.19Local dates
Balloons Over Waikato 2027
One of New Zealand’s largest free events: a week of dawn balloon launches by Hamilton Lake, opening with a night glow.
New Zealand · Hamilton
Free (Night Glow needs a ticket)Why Go
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