Courtenay Carnival

Celebrate Wellington’s unique spirit at a big New Year party in the middle of the city’s entertainment district. Courtenay Carnival is being billed as the biggest dress-up party in Aotearoa by organisers. 

The eastern end of Courtenay Place between Cambridge Terrace and Tory Street will close to traffic and turn into a huge hospitality zone to ring in 2025. Enjoy a meal in front of one of the many restaurants extending their dining areas outside. Catch a performance on one of the three outdoor stages. There’s one devoted to DJs, another for street performers, and the third is the main stage. There are plenty of great acts booked including Skram, SMK, and Prins. There’ll also be circus acts, drag queens, and roving performers.   

There’s plenty of family-friendly entertainment planned. With controlled entry points, licensed outdoor areas, and crowd management, you can party in peace and show off your costume. Embrace the theme and compete for the best costume prize. The more creative and extravagant, the better.