2026 Lunar New Year - Galloping into the New Year

Gallop into the 2026 Lunar New Year with us! 🐎

Wellington’s CBD will come to life with the thunderous rhythms of taiko drummers and dragon dancers, mirroring the sounds of galloping of horses to welcome in the Lunar New Year of the Horse.

Join us for an evening of spectacular activities across Courtenay Place, Te Papa, and Upper Frank Kitts Park and a Fireworks Display over the Wellington Waterfront at 9.30pm. 🎆

This will pave the way for a weekend of lunar new year celebrations in the capital city, with Fesital Day taking place on Sunday 22 February!

📍Courtenay Place (outside St James Theatre)

🥁 7:30 pm – 7:45 pm: Taiko Drumming – Taikoza Wellington
🐉 8:00 pm – 8:15 pm: Dragon Dance – WCSCC Dragon Dance Group

📍Te Papa

🥁 8:00 pm – 8:15 pm (Forecourt): Taiko Drumming – Taikoza Wellington
🐉 8:30 pm – 8:45 pm (Wellington Foyer): Dragon Dance – WCSCC Dragon Dance Group

📍Upper Frank Kitts Park

🥁 8:30 pm – 8:45 pm: Taiko Drumming – Taikoza Wellington
🐉 9:00 pm – 9:15 pm: Dragon Dance – WCSCC Dragon Dance Group


We'll light up the sky with a Fireworks Display over the Wellington Waterfront at 9.30 pm 🎆

You may also like the following events from Lunar New Year Festival:

• Happening on, 21st February, 09:30 am, 2026 Lunar New Year - Fireworks Display in Wellington
• Happening on, 22nd February, 01:00 am, 12026 Lunar New Year - Cultural Entertainment in Wellington

Also check out other Arts events in Wellington, Theatre events in Wellington.