Your April 2026 LGBTQ+ guide to Wellington—drag, cabaret, mixers, and inclusive sports, plus the best venues to sip and connect across the city.

Queer Things To Do in Wellington: April 2026

Queer Things To Do in Wellington This April 2026

Wellington

Ivy Bar is a bar in Wellington. Located at 63 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.

Ivy Bar

Scotty & Mal's Cocktail & Lounge Bar is a bar in Wellington. Located at 176 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.

Scotty & Mal's Cocktail & Lounge Bar

Book-filled lounge with a cozy, traditional vibe offering craft cocktails & inventive NZ bites.

The Library

Vinyl Bar is a bar in Wellington. Located at 6011/66 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.

Vinyl Bar

The Fringe Bar is a bar in Wellington. Located at 26-32 Allen Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.

The Fringe Bar

Lulu Bar is a bar in Wellington. Located at 31 Courtenay Place, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.

Lulu Bar

Mandatory Menswear Ltd is a shop in Wellington. Located at 21 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand.

Mandatory Menswear Ltd

Celebrated, independent store featuring a wide selection of books in all genres, plus author events.

Unity Books

Aunty Dana's Op Shop is a shop in Wellington. Located at 130 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021, New Zealand.

Aunty Dana's Op Shop

Online bookstore in Aotearoa New Zealand selling books and products with positive LGBTQIA+ representation. Founded in 2021 by Chelsea, a queer-owned, women-led, family-run business based in Kāpiti, Wellington region. A portion of every purchase is donated to nonprofit groups supporting queer, trans, intersex, and Takatāpui communities. Chelsea reads every title stocked to ensure quality representation.

Alphabet Book Club

Wellington’s queer culture is vibrant and creative, intertwined with its arts and political activism. The city’s Pride Festival and inclusive spaces reflect New Zealand’s commitment to equality and its laid-back, welcoming atmosphere.

Join the LILAC Book Group on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, from 18:00 to 19:30 at 187 Willis St., Wellington. The event features books by Ellen Hart, an award-winning mystery author known for her Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenway series. The evening offers a relaxing opportunity to explore lesbian literature, with tea, coffee, and possibly biscuits available. LILAC's Book Group typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month (excluding January and winter). The venue opens at 17:30.

LILAC Lounge

LILAC Book Group

A monthly gathering to discuss lesbian literature, featuring books by Ellen Hart at LILAC Lounge.

LILAC

A vibrant celebration featuring music, food, and entertainment at Wellington's iconic Fishbowl venue.

Wellington CBD - Cuba Street

FISHBOWL FESTIVAL

Fishbowl Wellington

DJ Cam hits the decks at Vinyl. Mid-week groove sorted. DJs + Cocktail Deals.

Vinyl Bar Wellington

Why Not Wednesday

A mid-week dance party with DJ music and cocktail deals at Vinyl Bar Wellington.

Join us for a fun-filled evening at CampGround's Rainbow Comedy Night on May 14, 2026, from 20:00 to 21:30. Enjoy a lively comedy show featuring diverse performers in a welcoming environment.

Ivy Bar and Cabaret

CampGround - Rainbow Comedy Night

NZ Comedy School

A music event featuring various artists and performances.

Camp Sound

Join us for a lunchtime event with Hana Buchanan, a poet, kaikaranga, kaitito waiata, and yoga teacher from Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She will discuss her latest book, Kupu Whenua, which explores themes of connection, loss, reclamation, resilience, and spirituality through poetry rooted in her ancestral lands. The event takes place in-store at Unity Books, 57 Willis St., on Friday, 15th May 2026, at 12:30 PM. All are welcome to attend.

Unity Books Wellington

Lunchtime Author Talk: Hana Buchanan

Join us for a lunchtime event with Hana Buchanan at Unity Books, 57 Willis St., on Friday, 15th May 2026, at 12:30 PM. Hana will discuss her latest book, Kupu Whenua, sharing insights into her poetry and connection to her ancestral lands. All are welcome to attend.

A monthly social gathering for lesbians at Finns Bar in Paekākāriki, with a chance to connect over food and drinks.

Finns Bar

Occasional Drinks & Dinner at Finns Bar

Join us for an interstellar celebration featuring live music, art installations, and cosmic-themed activities. Perfect for all ages and space enthusiasts.

Cosmic Night Festival

Wellington Arts Council

Join us for an electrifying night of music and dance at Electro Fest 2026! Featuring top DJs and live performances. Don't miss out on the biggest electronic music event of the year.

Wellington Town Hall

Electro Fest 2026

Electro Music Events

Join us for an evening of live music featuring Amoreea Gezer, Fetish, Judas Kiss, and Vixen Temple.

Vixen Temple

Music Night at Vixen Temple

A Eurovision-themed drag show fundraiser supporting Justice for Palestine NZ and Team Assal, a group providing aid to families in Gaza. The event features performances by various drag artists and aims to promote awareness and support for Palestine. Taking place at Ivy Bar and Cabaret, Wellington, on Friday, 15 May 2026, starting at 10:00 PM.

QUEERovision: A Palestine Fundraiser

A supportive social event for women who have recently come out or are considering coming out, at LILAC Lounge.

Lesbian coming out meet-up

An exciting drag competition titled 'Rising Star' taking place on May 16, 2026, from 21:30 to 23:59. The event offers a platform for drag performers to showcase their talent and compete for recognition.

Rising Star: A Drag Competition

Poetry Sunday with Iain Britton is an in-store event taking place on 17th May 2026 at 12:00 PM at Unity Books Wellington. The event features Iain Britton, a renowned New Zealand poet, presenting his poetry inspired by Diane Arbus's photography, in a tribute titled 'Uncertain Densities: Poems for Diane Arbus.' The event is open to all and celebrates Britton's latest work, including a limited edition publication. Attendees can enjoy an afternoon of poetry and discussion.

Poetry Sunday with Iain Britton

Learn to Skate programme that will teach you the essential skills in a fun, supportive environment. This course is a prerequisite for our Learn to Derby programme.

Kilbirnie Rec Centre

Learn to Skate Programme

Richter City Roller Derby

A beginner skate training session in a supportive environment for anyone interested in learning to skate.

Christopher de Hamel, a renowned historian of medieval manuscripts, will give a richly illustrated lecture on his life and the journeys of illuminated manuscripts from Europe to New Zealand. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, 19th May 2026, at 12:30 PM at Unity Books Wellington, 57 Willis St.

Lunchtime Author Talk: Christopher de Hamel

Join us for a fundraising screening of the film Pillion in support of Rainbow Wellington. The event takes place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 17:30 to 20:00 at Light House Cuba, 29 Wigan Street, Wellington. The movie explores themes of connection, identity, and relationships, featuring intense BDSM scenes. Doors open at 17:00. All proceeds support Rainbow Wellington's programs and community initiatives. Tickets are limited. For more information, visit the event page on Eventbrite.

Light House Cinema

Pillion : Movie Fundraiser - NEW DATE

Rainbow Wellington

Hosted by the ultimate temptation, Judas Kiss; serving betrayal, beauty, and just the right amount of blasphemy. Expect: Heavenly performances, Forbidden fruit energy, A little sin, a lot of slay.

One Night in Judas

Judas Kiss

A drag show hosted by Judas Kiss featuring performances with themes of temptation, betrayal, and bold artistry.

Tickets are on sale now for the next round of Home Brew, happening Saturday 23 May! Grab them from our website 🎫

Home Brew

A community event called Home Brew with tickets available for a gathering happening on May 23, 2026.

Marlon Williams has announced a significant tour, marking a temporary departure from the stage after working on his latest album 'Te Whare Tīwekaweka' and filming the documentary 'Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds' (2025). The event is a heartfelt gathering for fans to experience his musical repertoire before he takes a break from performing. The concert features Marlon Williams and The Yarra Benders, and tickets went on sale on February 24th at midday. The event is organized by Eccles Entertainment and is sold out.

Wellington City Art Centre

Marlon Williams Tā te Manawa Tour | Wellington

A beginner skateboarding class teaching essential skills in a fun and supportive environment.

The Rainbow Wellington Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2026, starting at 17:30. Further details about the event are not provided.

Rainbow Wellington Annual General Meeting

Weekly live comedy nights featuring top comedians from Wellington and around New Zealand.

Fringe Bar

Fringe Bar Comedy Club

Join Eden & Mel for the Unity Wellington Book Club on Thursday, 28th May at 6:10 pm at Unity Books Wellington, 57 Willis St. The event features a discussion of 'Song of the Saltings' by Rachael King, a novel set on the isolated island of Brack where inhabitants follow an ancient bargain involving sacrifices to the creature Glimm. The story explores themes of mystery, tradition, and change as characters Lotta and Moss uncover secrets that threaten their community.

Wellington May Book Club: Song of the Saltings

Big hair. Loud music. Absolute drag mayhem. Ivy Bar and Cabaret is throwing it all the way back with an 80’s drag spectacular packed with iconic hits, retro glam and nonstop bangers. From pop princesses to rock gods, synth anthems to power ballads, our cast is ready to serve a totally radical night of drag nostalgia. Leg warmers encouraged. Bad dance moves expected.

ALL OUR 80’s

Ivy Bar & Cabaret

An energetic drag show celebrating 1980s music, fashion, and nostalgia.

An 80s Bangers Drag Show at Ivy Bar & Cabaret featuring a lively performance with a disco theme.

All Out Egos

A beginner skate training class in a fun and supportive environment.

Social badminton night for queer, lesbian, bi women, transwomen, non-binary, and non-male identifying people, with skills training and social games.

Badminton Wellington Centre

Wellington Racqueteers Tākatapui Wāhine night

Wellington Racqueteers

A beginner skate training session in a supportive environment to learn essential skating skills.

Monthly potluck dinner for lesbians on the Kāpiti Coast, sharing mains or desserts and socializing.

Kāpiti Coast

Kāpiti lesbians dining out

Kāpiti lesbians

A comedy showdown where four comedians debate life’s big questions in a gladiator-style contest.

Fight Club - Wellington - Session 3

Join us for our June social mixer at Southern Cross Garden Bar to meet and connect with the queer community in Wellington.

Southern Cross Garden Bar & Restaurant

Rainbow Wellington JUNE Social Mixer

Social mixer at one of our city’s amazing bars. This month, it was great to collaborate with chinesepride_nz to celebrate Lunar New Year!

one of our city’s amazing bars

Social Mixer

A social gathering at a local bar to connect with others and celebrate Lunar New Year.

A beginner skate training class in a supportive environment to help you learn essential skating skills.

A beginner skating class teaching essential skills in a fun, supportive setting.

A drag show titled 'Alien: Rebirth' featuring interstellar-themed performances. The event is scheduled to start on June 27, 2026, at 22:00. Additional details about the event are not provided.

Alien: Rebirth - An Interstellar Drag Show

Join us for the National Gala Celebration at Parliament's Banquet Hall to mark 40 years since the Homosexual Law Reform Act. The event features speeches from activists, performances by community members, and opportunities to connect across generations of the rainbow community and allies. Celebrate progress, reflect on the journey, and look forward to an inclusive future with music, food, and meaningful conversations.

Parliament

National Gala Celebration

40 Years of Love, Rainbow Wellington

Bi-weekly Thursday nights featuring vinyl music with DJ Shan and special guests at Lulu Bar.

Open Turntable Jam Sessions

Screening of a mystery sapphic film, with snacks and drinks available for purchase.

Newtown Community Centre - Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora

Sapphic Film Club at Newtown Community Centre

The Aotearoa Rainbow Inter-Club 2026 is a badminton tournament scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Wellington Centre, located at 1 Ruahine Street, Hataitai, Wellington. Participants from various clubs will compete in different grades, with options to attend the awards and after-party. Registration involves completing a form and paying the entry fee, which varies based on the category and timing. The event aims to bring together badminton enthusiasts in a competitive and social setting.

Aotearoa Rainbow Inter-Club 2026

Inter-Club Tournament + Afterparty for Auckland 2024 Rainbow event.

Auckland Badminton Hall

Aotearoa Rainbow Auckland 2024

Fight Club - Wellington - Session 4

The Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese, returns to Wellington with her opulent new show, Nocturnelle. This production blends old-Hollywood glamour, theatrical magic, and high-art 'Stripscapes,' inspired by 19th-century magicians, creating a world of wonder where sensuality meets magic. Following her sold-out 2019 tour, Dita is joined by a cast of celebrated neo-burlesque artists for an evening of glamour, mystery, and magic. Don't miss this chance to witness an icon in action at the Wellington Opera House.

Queer City Guides for Wellington

Queer Things To Do in Wellington This April 2026

Where Things Are Happening

Take Wellington's queer scene with you