Rainbow groups and activities
Rainbow Dragon Club
Sunday 3rd November 6pm @ Newtown Community Centre cnr Rintoul and Colombo Streets
A fortnightly boardgame and tabletop game club for the LGBTQ+ community and for women.
You are welcome to bring along your own games, miniatures, and paints. Or just bring
yourself and try out a game in their collection! Follow on facebook.
CampGround Rainbow Comedy Night
Thursday 7th November 8:30pm @ Ivy Bar and Cabaret, 63 Cuba St.
A comedy showcase of our best LGBTQAII+ standup comedians, on the first Thursdays of the month [usually]. Featuring polished pros and hilarious up-and-comers. Support your community by laughing with us! ... tix on eventfinda or at the door.
The Glamaphones
'Raise your Voice' - Musicals with The Glamaphones
Saturday 9 November 7-8pm @ Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, Coastlands Theatre, 34a Raumati Rd, Paraparaumu
There’s no tune like a show tune! Join the Glamaphones as they perform songs from classic Broadway musicals. From Carousel to the Lion King come messages of hope and acceptance. Tickets from eventfinda.
The Glamaphones are Wellington's all-inclusive rainbow choir based at St Andrews on the Terrace. They are a friendly mixed choir and welcome anyone who wishes to sing - no auditions! They sing a range of music including pop, classical, spirituals, world, choral, musical, and jazz classics. Follow the Glamaphones on facebook or their website. Rehearsals on Thursdays 6.30pm (usually) at St Andrews on the Terrace.
LGBTI history walk tours
Saturday 2nd November 1pm: the not-so-straight artists tour Fully booked!!
Saturday 16 November: the Fabulous Carmen walk tour Fully booked!!
Sunday 1st December 1pm: Resonance walk tour
Join this free 90-minute walk tour of inner city Wellington looking at sites
of significance to Wellington’s LGBTI rainbow communities. Most of the walk is on the flat
using accessible public footpaths.
While many of the buildings still exist, the inhabitants and their activities have changed dramatically
over time. This walk tour gives you an opportunity to be transported back to earlier days to
discover stories of courage and resilience while standing in the locations where it all happened.
The tour recounts stories drawn from our other tours – making it a great introduction to our larger
series of monthly LGBTI rainbow walk tours in Wellington.Visit Carmen’s curio shop, stop by the
infamous Club Exotic, talk about a poetic same-sex romance, visit the site of the discreet Dorian
Society and more.
More info on the walktours webpage. The tour is free but please register at www.taonga.nz/walktours. No bookings no walk!
Walk Tours NZ is a volunteer group that offers free, accessible, inclusive and community-focused walking tours around Wellington highlighting the city’s rich LGBTI rainbow heritage. Usually held on the first Sunday of the month. They walk on flat, accessible public footpaths. Tours are limited to approximately 20 walkers.
Vinegar Hill rainbow camping
Vinegar Hill has been a popular camping spot for Gay and Lesbian people and their families
over Christmas and the New Year holiday period in the height of summer since 1977. The
draft programme for 2024/2025 is now out on the facebook group page (a private group so you have to join). It
looks delicious so pack your tent and get there.
The Vinegar Hill website has more information.
Gates open mid December, and the social programme runs from 27th to 31st
December.
Rainbow Wellington
Rainbow Wellington is an LGBTI+ organisation that focuses on networking, events and lobbying. Their website has information about past and present campaigns as well as directories of local LGBTI+ businesses, groups and activities. Follow on facebook
PrideNZ.com audio archive
Follow news of the latest audio files of interviews and events added to PrideNZ on their facebook page
- The Events section on the Pride NZ webside has audio from many queer/rainbow events, conferences and campaigns from around the country - a treasure trove with more being added regularly.
- The On This Day page has a rich mix of rainbow life - from events that happened over 100 years ago to today.
- An interactive map of rainbow related sites in Wellington with links to interviews and articles on the website.
- Check out the historical timeline of GLBTTIQ events and people in New Zealand. Sample it by decade or settle in to read the big page with the full list.
Same sex dancing classes
The Sunday night DANSS classes are for the LGBTI community and friends who wish
to learn some classical Ballroom, some funky Latin American and some elegant New Vogue
dance moves. A partner is not necessary however an attitude in wanting to learn and
having fun is required.
Classes are held at the Thistle Hall, corner of Cuba and Arthur Streets.
Beginner's class start at 7 pm and the Intermediate classes start at 8 pm. Payment
is by koha/donation.
Check the DANSS facebook page or website for more information.
Gay bars
Ivy Bar and Cabaret
James Smiths Basement, 49 Cuba Street - ivybar.co.nz - they have lots of shows and events
S&M's - Scotty and Mal's Cocktail and Lounge Bar
176 Cuba Street - www.scottyandmals.co.nz
facebook and other social media groups
- Rainbow Hutt Valley | Te Ngākau Kahukura o Te Awa Kairangi
- Rainbow Wellington Dogs (& their owners)
- Queer crafters in the Hutt
- Queer whānau building Pōneke
- Queer Network NZ - Wellington Chapter - information sharing network
- Queer Wellington
- Tīwhanawhana is a takatāpui community group in Wellington that welcomes people of all diverse sexualities and gender. The kaupapa of Tīwhanawhana is primarily for takatāpui: building community, telling our stories and leaving legacies.
- Out at Work - union group
- UniQ Victoria - facebook groups for queer students
- UniQ Massey Wellington
- Lost Gay Wellington
- Queer Network NZ Wellington Chapter
- Vinegar Hill Gay Camping for rainbow people and their families over Christmas and the New Year holiday period
and no doubt there are many many more ...
Social sporty groups
- Rainbow Team Wellington - has an omnibus list of sporty and cultural groups.
- Frontrunners - a friendly group for gay and lesbian runners meeting twice a week for sociable runs.
- Different ropes - queer indoor climbing Wednesdays 5pm-7pm at Fergs Rockclimbing, Queens Wharf
- Out in the Pool - Keith Spry Pool, Johnsonville, 6-8pm on the first Sunday of the month
- Different Strokes Wellington - a GLBT friendly swim club in Wellington.
- Wellington Racqueteers - a group for LGBTI folks who are interested in playing social badminton.
- Different Spokes - Wellington queer cycling group
- Wildcats Women's Cricket - Women’s Social 8 a side T20 (20/20) cricket team
- Richter City Roller Derby - Wellington’s all female, flat track roller derby league
- Wellington Rainbow Bowling League on facebook
- Wellington Wanderers - a rainbow community group who walk every Saturday morning - open to all. They try and alternate between Wellington and Kapiti areas each fortnight. All walks are events in the Facebook group
- Rainbow Outdoors Wellington - A group for queer and/or trans people - including takatāpui, intersex, and non-binary folk - to get involved in outdoors trips such as tramping, day-hikes, camping, climbing, etc., and to meet other like-minded people.