Wellington Pride Parade

07/10/2026

8 October | Happy International Le***an Day! 🧡🤍💜

Falling perfectly within our Q***r History Series, , today we’re celebrating le***an communities, their histories, and the fascinating Aotearoa connection behind International Le***an Day. 🇳🇿🏳️‍🌈

While historians have noted that the exact origins of International Le***an Day are difficult to pinpoint, there is strong evidence that its roots can be traced back to Wellington.

📅 8 March 1980 — On International Women’s Day, around 40 le***ans marched through Wellington’s Central Park. It is believed that this gathering may have laid the groundwork for what would become International Le***an Day: a celebration of le***an visibility, community, and solidarity that would continue to grow from there.

For the next decade, the day was celebrated in Aotearoa before making its way across the Tasman. 🇳🇿➡️🇦🇺

On 13 October 1990, Melbourne hosted what is widely recognised as Australia’s first International Le***an Day celebration. From there, the tradition continued to spread, eventually becoming an international celebration of le***an communities and histories around the world. 🌎🧡🤍💜

Today, we celebrate the le***ans who came before us, those creating community today, and those shaping what comes next.

Happy International Le***an Day! 🧡🤍💜

📸: Gay Freedom Day Parade, San Francisco, California, June 1979. Photographer unknown.
Source: Q News | Aus

***anDay ***anPride ***rHistory

07/10/2026

Have you purchased your tickets yet? See you all tomorrow! 🌈🪩✨

Our friends at Wellington Pride Parade and the Frisky Events NZ are throwing us a party - and you're invited (as long as you buy a ticket - it IS a fundraiser!)

Join us from 5.30pm this Thursday 8 October for a fabulous evening of drinks, nibbles, live DJ beats and fabulous company at an Eva Street loft apartment; all while raising funds to support the Wellington Pride Festival and our its 100+ rainbow community events. 🏳️‍🌈✨

🍸 YOUR $50 TICKET INCLUDES:

✨ Entry to the event
🥂 A drink on arrival
🍽️ Fabulous bougie nibbles
🎧 Amazing tunes from Sydney DJ Le Snack
💃 An evening of fun, frivolity and fabulous company!

100% of your ticket will be donated directly to the Festival; our generous friends are covering the costs. Plus, it's so funds will be matched by the incredible Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust !

🎟️ RAFFLES & PRIZES

Raffles will be running throughout the night, with fabulous prizes generously donated by our amazing partners including Frisky, Floriditas - Cafè & Restaurant , Loretta Restaurant , Mandatory Menswear and Wellington Chocolate Factory

Tickets available now on Humanatix.

02/10/2026

MEET OUR NEW TRUSTEES! ✨🌈

Nau mai, haere mai to our two newest Trustees! 🏳️‍🌈✨

We’re thrilled to welcome Kimberley Clayton and Jade Willow Buck to the Wellington Pride Parade Trust board.

Kimberley Clayton is a librarian with over 20 years’ experience and who enjoys the diversity that comes with working in public libraries. She will be bringing her organisational skills and love of engaging with community to Pride. Both Kim and her wife of nearly 10 years live in Lower Hutt with a large dog and 2 cats. Kimberley will be overseeing our Governance portfolio.

Jade Willow Buck is the founder and CEO of Cahoots, a Pōneke-based charity creating practical spaces where women and gender minorities can build skills, confidence and community. Jade is passionate about equity, strong communities and turning ambitious ideas into practical action. She looks forward to bringing her vision, experience and can-do approach to the Parade. Jade will be overseeing our approach to Health & Safety.

Kimberley and Jade join Sam, Jeremy and Jack on the Trust, and an incredible team of volunteers dedicated to making Wellington Pride absolutely fabulous!

Strengthening representation across Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s diverse Rainbow communities has been a priority for us this year. We are committed to deepening representation of Māori and Pasifika Rainbow communities; if you or someone you know would love to help shape Pride, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a DM or get in touch via the link in our bio!


Ngā mihi

01/10/2026

| Q***r History Series | Wellington Pride Festival 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

In 1986, amidst intense national debate over the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, Des Smith organised the inaugural Newtown Le***an and Gay Fair at Newtown School.

The first fair was named ‘A Fair for a Fair Law’. It offered a safe, visible space to unite the community, push back against prejudice, and demand justice.

By 1991 the Devotion Festival was launched and quickly expanded by 1992 into an epic dusk-to-dawn dance party at Shed 21 on the waterfront.

As progress continued, the original fair also evolved. The event adapted over the years through iterations like Out in the Square, Out in the Park and Out in the Carpark, before becoming today’s Out in the City, part of Wellington Pride Festival lineup of events.

In 2026 the Wellington Pride Festival celebrated its 40th anniversary as the longest running Pride Festival in Aotearoa.

With more than 90 events, activities, and displays happening across the city—including Out in the City, the Pride Picnic, and the Pride Hikoi—Wellington is gearing up for an unforgettable Pride 2027! 🌈✨

Wellington Pride Parade and Wellington Pride Festival are joining forces to make this one of our biggest, boldest, and most fabulous Pride months yet! 💥🏳️‍🌈

🪩 - Join us next week for a fabulous fundraiser supporting the Wellington Pride Festival! Secure your tickets now before this event sells out! 🎟️ 🌈

🔗 Click the link in bio for tickets and more info.

Tile 2 - Poster from the Le***an & Gay Fair, 1986. Source: Kawe Mahara Q***r Archives Aotearoa
Tile 3 - Devotion Festival, 1993. Source: Te Papa Tongarewa
Tile 4 - Out in the Square, 2013. Source: PrideNZ

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30/09/2026

2026 HIGHLIGHT: A massive thank you to the Embassy of Ireland in New Zealand for backing our kaupapa as a Bronze Partner for the second year running! 🇮🇪✨🏳️‍🌈

Ireland holds a special place in global Rainbow history, having become the first country in the world to legalise marriage equality by popular vote in 2015. We were honoured to have Ambassador Her Excellency Jane Connolly speak at our Opening Ceremony this year, sharing Ireland’s deep and enduring commitment to human rights on the world stage.

The energy, colour and aroha that 'Team Ireland' brought to the streets of Te Whanganui-a-Tara was unforgettable:

"The Embassy of Ireland was delighted to be a bronze partner of the Wellington Pride Parade in 2026.

Having a colourful and visible ‘Team Ireland’ section in the Parade was not just an important expression of solidarity and allyship with Wellington’s Rainbow community and our Irish-Kiwi LGBTQIA+ whānau, it was great fun too.

We know how much work goes into delivering such a successful event – warm congratulations and thanks to all of the committee and volunteers. We look forward to another great Parade and Festival in 2027!"

— H.E. Jane Connolly, Ambassador, Embassy of Ireland

Ngā mihi nui to Ambassador Connolly and the entire Embassy team for standing shoulder to shoulder with our community. We can’t wait to welcome Team Ireland back to the Parade route in 2027! 💚🤍🧡

📸 : Paul Hodgson/Paulo Pics NZ

24/09/2026

| Q***r History Series - Pride Parade Edition 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

In 1993, Wellington City Council approved the city’s first official Pride parade. The parade featured floats, classic cars, live musicians, and accessible transport for people living with AIDS.

This was months before the Human Rights Act 1993 made discrimination based on sexuality illegal.

Whilst the parade name has changed over the years, the core mission has remained the same. Celebrating and advocating for Wellington’s Rainbow communities.

Early Bird registration is open, visit the link in bio to register today. We can’t wait to see you on the parade route in 2027! 🌈✨🏳️‍⚧️🪩🏳️‍🌈

📸

Tile 1 - Wellington Pride Parade 2026

Tile 2 - Devotion Festival Parade, 1995. Source: Te Papa Tongarewa

Tile 3 - Wellington Pride Parade 2026

Comment below if you were part of or attended the first Pride parade in 1993 ⬇️ 🌈

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17/09/2026

🌈 AN EVENING OF PRIDE, DRINKS & FUN! GiveOUT Day Fundraiser for Wellington Pride Festival.

Join us for a fabulous evening of drinks, nibbles, live DJ beats and fabulous company at Jeremy Baker’s (in)famous Eva Street loft apartment; all while raising funds to support the Wellington Pride Festival and its 100+ rainbow community events. 🏳️‍🌈✨

🍸 YOUR $50 TICKET INCLUDES:

✨ Entry to the event
🥂 A drink on arrival
🍽️ Fabulous bougie nibbles
🎧 Amazing tunes from Sydney DJ Le Snack
💃 An evening of fun, frivolity and fabulous company!

100% of your ticket will be donated directly to the Festival; we’re covering the costs so your donation raises as much as we can! ❤️

🍹 OVER THE RAINBOW COCKTAIL BAR

A specially curated bar featuring fabulous Over the Rainbow-themed cocktails will be on offer throughout the night.

👠 The Ruby Red Slipper
🍋‍🟩 The (Hokio) Lime Marmalade Gimlet
🍸 Plus plenty of other delicious delights!

🎟️ RAFFLES & PRIZES

Raffles will be running throughout the night, with fabulous prizes generously donated by our amazing partners.

😈 Including 2 tickets to the Frisky Halloween Party on 25 October! 🎃

🌈 DRESS THE RAINBOW!
If you can, come dressed in a colour of the rainbow 🌈

GiveOUT Day Fundraiser for Wellington Pride Festival. ✨ 100% of your ticket will be donated directly to the Festival; we’re covering the costs!

16/09/2026

WIN A $2,500 PARTY AT SAINT DIABLO! 📣🚨

Think your crew has what it takes to bring the best vibes, looks, and moves to the 2027 Wellington Pride Parade? We’ve teamed up with the awesome team at Saint Diablo to award the ultimate Best Float Prize: a massive $2,500 dine, drink, and entertainment package!

Here is what you need to know:

What makes a winner? Best Float = standout costumes + crowd-stopping choreography! (A vehicle is considered, but totally optional—walking floats are welcome!)
How to enter: You MUST register your float before the early-bird deadline on Friday 18 December 2026 to be eligible.
The judging: Our judges will be scoring on Parade day (Saturday, 13 March 2027), with the prize officially presented at the WPP Appreciation Event in April.
The party: Date and time of your celebration to be arranged directly with Saint Diablo management.
Start planning the outfits, rehearsing the moves, and dreaming up your celebration!

👉 Hit the link in our bio to register your float before 18 December.

🩵🩷🤍🤎🖤❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

14/09/2026

Early-bird registration for the 2027 Wellington Pride Parade is officially OPEN! 🏳️‍🌈✨

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 13 March 2027—we’re returning to the streets of Pōneke, and we want your colour, energy and community pride marching alongside us.

Lock your group in before Friday 18 December 2026 to take advantage of our early-bird perks:

Rainbow Community Groups: 100% FREE entry

Schools, Charities & Other Community Groups: 100% FREE entry

Businesses & Corporate Allies: 20% discount on standard entry fees!

🏆 The Big Perk: Only early-bird registrations will be eligible to win the Best Float Prize! Huge thanks to the legends at Saint Diablo, who have put up a massive $2,500 dine, drink, and entertainment package for the winning crew. 🥳

Don’t leave it until the post-holiday rush. Pull your team together, get creative, and claim your spot now.

👉 Tap the link in our bio to register before Friday 18 December!

🤎🖤🩷🤍🩵❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

14/09/2026

Friendly Reminder: Early Bird Registration opens tomorrow! 🏳️‍🌈✨🏳️‍⚧️🪩🌈