Wellington comes alive with sound for Music Month this November

Wellington is set to become a city alive with sound this November as Wellington Music Month returns for a four-week celebration of live music, local talent, and cultural energy across the capital.

From laneways and rooftops to bars and public spaces, Music Month will showcase the full spectrum of Wellington’s music scene.

The programme includes free performances, pop-up gigs, DJ takeovers, and collaborative events with venues and community groups – all designed to reconnect people with the spirit of live music in the heart of the city.

According to Brett McCall, Event Manager for Eat Drink Play, the festival is more than just entertainment – it’s about revitalising Wellington through shared cultural experiences.

“Music Month is about reconnecting people with the soul of the city – through live music, local venues, and shared experience. It’s a chance to experience the city differently – to stumble across a performance in a laneway or find your new favourite band on a rooftop.”

A key highlight this year is Eat Street, happening on Saturday, 15 November. Courtenay Place will transform into a pedestrian-only zone from Tory Street onwards, becoming a stage for all things music and performance. In collaboration with the Aotearoa DJ Academy, emerging DJs will join a high-energy programme that spans live bands, street artists, open-air acts, and even a morning coffee-fuelled fitness rave.

Headlining Eat Street are rising indie-pop sensation Lucy Summerfield and alt-rock crowd-pleasers First Reserve, both set to perform on the main stage as part of the evening setlist.

“This is our second year closing Courtenay Place for an event like this,” says McCall. “It’s quickly becoming a staple in the city’s music calendar. Repurposing public space for cultural events like this is an exciting direction – and something we’re eager to expand on.”

McCall says the event also marks a step towards reimagining Courtenay Place for broader audiences, with potential for regular street closures and monthly events leading into upcoming Golden Mile developments.

Emerging talent also takes the spotlight with the return of the Tripod Sessions, presented in partnership with Massey University. Held throughout November, these showcases will feature fresh faces from Massey’s College of Creative Arts performing original music live on the Tripod Stage – the Weta installation at the bottom of Courtenay Place opposite the Embassy Theatre.

“The Tripod Stage is all about discovery,” McCall explains. “It’s where new artists get their first real connection with an audience – and where the next big thing might just be found.”

Local venues are encouraged to get involved by hosting live events as part of the official Music Month programme. Musicians can also apply to perform, with financial support available through the Vitalise Wellington Performance Fund, which can subsidise up to half of artist fees.

With the full programme now live – packed with household names, hidden gems, and brand-new acts – Wellingtonians are invited to explore the gig guide, hit the streets, and back local music in all its forms.

Music Month Wellington – November 2025 is presented by the Wellington Community Revitalisation Society as part of Vitalise Wellington, with support from Wellington City Council, Wellington Airport, Centreport, Prime Property, Gilmours, and Massey University.