The best time to visit Wellington
Wellington is a year-round city, but timing helps. Late summer and autumn tend to bring the settled, sunny, calmer weather; summer is warm and festival-filled; winter is cool and breezier but perfect for the capital's indoor culture and food scene; and spring is fresh (and famously windy). Whenever you come, pack a windproof layer. Here's how the seasons compare.
Summer, autumn, winter, spring
Summer (Dec–Feb) is warmest and liveliest — long days, the waterfront in full swing, festivals. Autumn (Mar–May) is often the sweet spot: settled, sunny and calmer, with CubaDupa in March. Winter (Jun–Aug) is cool and can be wet and windy, but the museums, cafés and craft beer come into their own (and Wellington On a Plate is in August). Spring (Sep–Nov) is fresh and breezy, with World of WearableArt. See our food & festivals guide.
Windy Wellington — pack layers
Wellington's maritime climate is mild — pleasant summers around 20°C, cool winters rarely near freezing — but the wind is legendary, funnelled through Cook Strait and strongest in spring. Happily, the city also serves up many still, brilliant days, especially in late summer and autumn. The rule is simple: bring layers and a windproof, waterproof jacket, and you'll enjoy it in any season. See our getting around guide.
For quiet and value
For fewer crowds and better rates, the cooler and shoulder months are ideal — Wellington's indoor culture (museums, galleries, cafés, craft beer) makes it a great cool-season city break, often at lower prices. The busiest, priciest times are summer and around major events, rugby tests and concerts, so book ahead for those. See our where to stay guide.
Best time to visit Wellington: your questions
Many locals say summer and autumn (roughly January to April) bring the settled, sunny, less-windy weather, making it the sweet spot. Summer (Dec–Feb) is warmest and liveliest with festivals; autumn is often calmest; winter (Jun–Aug) is cool and can be wet and windy, but the museums, cafés and craft-beer scene shine (and Wellington On a Plate is in August); and spring is fresh but notoriously windy. See our food & festivals guide.
It has a well-earned reputation — "Windy Wellington." The city sits where winds funnel through Cook Strait, so breezy days are common, especially in spring. That said, Wellington also gets many gloriously still, clear days, particularly in late summer and autumn. Pack a windproof layer and you'll be fine — and the wind is all part of the character. See our getting around guide.
Wellington has a temperate maritime climate — mild rather than extreme. Summers are pleasant (around 20°C) and relatively dry; winters are cool (11–13°C), wetter and windier, but rarely freezing. The weather can change quickly and the wind is a factor year-round, so layers and a waterproof, windproof jacket are wise whenever you visit. See our things to do guide.
A packed calendar. Highlights include the vibrant CubaDupa street festival (March), the biennial New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Beervana (craft beer, August), Visa Wellington On a Plate (food, August), and the spectacular World of WearableArt show (spring). There's almost always something on — a great reason to visit in the cooler months. See our Wellington tour.
The cooler winter and shoulder months are generally quieter and better value for accommodation (outside big events, rugby and concerts). If you don't mind cooler, breezier weather, it's a fine time to enjoy the indoor culture — museums, galleries, cafés and craft-beer bars — often at lower prices. Book ahead around major events. See our where to stay guide.