Wellington Summer City Festival

Hot town, summer in the city... it must be the 2012 Wellington Summer City Festival.

The Summer City Festival is Wellington's summer in the city festival of outdoor fun and entertainment - and with a wide array of events and concerts over three months, there are heaps of reasons to get out and join in the action in Wellington.

The Wellington Summer City programme is on now and runs to mid April. There is something to cater for everyone’s taste, and most of the events are free.

The Wellington Summer City festival will be jam-packed with sizzling events and concerts for the entire city to enjoy this summer. There is a huge array of music with the ASB Gardens Magic Concert Series in March, bringing you the finest in local and national talent to the Sound Shell in the Wellington Botanic Garden - often referred to as the Botanical Gardens.

Other perennial favourites like the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Positively Pasifika festival and the colourful Chinese New Year celebrations will keep thousands of people entertained. With its festive atmosphere, the Newtown Festival in March will not disappoint either.

On Waitangi Day (6 February) Wellington will be alive and hopping. The annual One Love concert usually held at Hataitai Velodrome, is this year on the Wellington Waterfront at the Foxglove Ballroom and surrounds, along with Te Ra o Waitangi.

There will be plenty of thrilling sporting action on offer in Wellington, with the party atmosphere of the 2012 NZ International Sevens at Westpac Stadium from 3-4 February, the AMI Round the Bays Fun Run and the Wellington Dragon Boat Festival in mid March. Cricket fans should note there will also be top quality cricket action at Wellington's Basin Reserve this summer too.

Whatever your tastes, there is something for everyone, and with many events free there is no excuse not to enjoy Wellington this summer. So get up, get out and get dancing with this year's Festival of Fun - Wellington's Summer in the City.


Here is the programme guide

Why we love the Hawkes Bay

We got away for the long weekend of Wellington Anniversary weekend and went up to the sunny Hawkes Bay.  These are just some of the reasons we love the Hawkes Bay:

Summer snowflake

view from Te Mata Peak

Apple picking boxes on orchard on St Georges Rd

Junior ride on tractor

sunrise from Te Mata Peak

Sunrise from Te Mata Peak

Ya Bon Boulangerie & Patisserie, Joll Rd, Havelock North

Otari Wilton's Bush

On a windy summers day in Wellington, we love to go for a walk in the bush.  It's still warm in the bush, yet you're sheltered from the wind.  One of Wellingtons best and most popular bush walks is at the Otari-Wilton's Bush.  Parking is free at the south end, between the Otari School and the Wilton Bowling Club, and also at the north end on the Wilton Bush Road.

You may find your way to the Troup Picnic Lawn, which is a lovely sheltered green with picnic area, toilet, water, a stream and plenty of play appeal for dogs and children.  But, be warned, if you go on a weekend in the summer you will be driven nearly mad by the smell of BBQ cooked meat.  Of course, you can nip out to the supermarket at Croften Downs to buy some 'emergency' sausages, steaks or kebabs and other supplies.  The two electric powered hot plate stations are free to use, although we found the one above quite slow at cooking.

All the children found themselves in the water, whether they planned on it or not.  We always plan on it, as we know the appeal it has.  It has that irresistable appeal of shallow slow running water which is not too cold as it doesn't get very deep, and the other most important factor, stones.  We've discussed the water and stones effect on children earlier, and although there is no cafe here, you can bring your own supplies and enjoy a fantastic day outside.  At this time of year do bring sunscreen and a hat for everyone though.

This dragonfly was a big hit with everyone also.  It was very tame, happily sitting as it was oogled by noisy children and amazed adults alike.  It seems to be channeling its inner kitten with those facial features.  And was positively enormous, at 15cm across the wing span.

The Wellington City Council Otari Wilton's Bush information pamphlet can be found here for more details and maps:

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/gardens/otariwiltonsbush/pdfs/otari-forest-tracks.pdf