A Glimpse of The Nightlife in New Zealand

By: New Zealand Visa Online

Updated on Apr 26, 2023 | New Zealand eTA

The nightlife of New Zealand is fun, adventurous, dreamy, and elite. There are numerous events to suit the taste of every soul coming from different parts of the globe. New Zealand is filled with joy, fun, dance, and music, the night skyline of New Zealand is nothing but perfection. Experience superyachts, stargazing and stunning performances.

There is a common saying that everything looks a lot more pretty at night, and this stands true when it comes to New Zealand. When you come to New Zealand, you can expect to have a collage of memories with your partner or travel buddies that will include going to the liveliest nightclubs in town and dancing your worries away, having a dining experience at 328 m into the sky, or simply taking a quiet romantic walk in a bridge with your partner. It is about time that you ditch your sleep for a night filled with thrilling experiences, head over to the places listed out below to get a true dose of New Zealand nightlife.

New Zealand Visa (NZeTA)

New Zealand Visa Application Form now allows visitors from all nationalities to obtain New Zealand eTA (NZETA) by email without visiting New Zealand Embassy. Government of New Zealand now officially recommends New Zealand Visa or New Zealand ETA online rather than sending paper documents. You can obtain NZETA by filling out a form in under three minutes on this website. The only requirement is to have a Debit or Credit Card and email id. You do not need to send your passport for Visa stamping. If you are arriving to New Zealand by the Cruise Ship route, you should check the New Zealand ETA eligibility conditions for Cruise Ship arrival to New Zealand.

What can you expect from the nightlife in Wellington?

A celebration of New Zealand’s fine culture and cuisine, at Wellington, you can expect to have a taste of the best!

Go stargazing at space place

While stargazing is always a great experience, watching the stars at the Space Place Planetarium is truly a unique experience that you will cherish for a long time to come! The dome-shaped planetarium hosts many astronomical events, the multimedia exhibits, and the interactive galleries are simply unmatched, and nothing can come close to the stargazing experience through the giant Thomas Cooke telescope.

Space Place

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Here you can expect all the modern-day amenities along with lush comfort, and we can guarantee you, the plenty of adventure options that you will be offered here is a memory that will stay with you in the long run. Learn more at The Top 10 Luxury Villas In New Zealand.

Enjoy street performances and live shows at Wellington Night Market

Wellington Night Market

If you want to get a taste of the local culture and cuisine, head over to Cuba Street on a Friday or Saturday! Here locals gather to celebrate food, flavor, brotherhood, and bonhomie and simply have a fun night. Filled with glamour and glitter, here you will witness some great Street shows and live performances, and taste delicious international food. There is simply nothing that can diminish the spirit of community building in the world’s coolest capital!

Catch the mesmerizing performances at the Opera House

Opera House

Located at 111/113 Manners St right at the heart of the capital, here you can participate in a variety of exciting shows and elegant classical performances, compelling launch events to even wonderful wedding events! Brace yourself you have a fascinating night filled with exceptional performances, surrounded by an elegant surrounding, at the pride of Wellington. You can buy the tickets for the performances right from The Opera House itself.

Simply, eat, drink, and celebrate

Mishmosh

One of the most energetic cities which is always packed with friendly and fun-loving people, there is plenty of places in Wellington where you can sit and simply relax for a while. Especially the Bohemian Cuba Street will offer you a variety of great clubs, bars, and eateries, where you can relish some of the tastiest dishes of your life.

Malthouse, Courtenay Arms, and Mishmosh are the most popular bars in the area, whereas at the clubs, such as The Establishment, RedSquare, S&M’s, and Mishmosh you can enjoy a great night with the locals. If you like some live music, do not miss out on The Rogue & Vagabond, The Library, and Meow!

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A New Zealand Visa for Polish citizens is required for visits up to 90 days. Learn more at New Zealand Visa for Polish Citizens.

Witness fire dance at Frank Kitts Park

Fire dance

The Fire Nights in Frank Kitts Park at Wellington is one of the most beloved ways to spend an exciting night for tourists at Wellington! A magnificent highlight of the nightlife of New Zealand, these shows mostly take place on Tuesdays in Summer. This popular spot has been divided into several small spaces to host different kinds of performances for the visitor’s delight. The people of Wellington are lovers of music and dance, and there is no better way to get proof of this than to catch the fire dance and fire spinning actions at Frank Kitts Park!

 What can you expect from the nightlife in Christchurch?

If you are expecting to catch some great music, magic, and comedy performances in New Zealand, Christchurch will offer you nothing but the best!

Be a part of the traditional Maori Performance

traditional Maori Performance

Getting a rich insight into the Maori traditions and culture is bound to fortify your nightlife experience in New Zealand. The Maori performances in Christchurch depict the history of the tribe through dances and songs, and especially through the traditional war dance called “Kapa Haka”. Here you will also be served a delicious seafood meal filled with seasonal delicacies. You can catch the performances at Rotorua, Waiheke Island, Hokianga, and Whanganui National Park too.

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If you wish to know the tales and explore the alternative islands in New Zealands North Island, you must take a glimpse at the list we have prepared to make your island-hopping adventure a bit easier. Learn more at Must Visit Islands of North Island, New Zealand.

Take the late-night tour of the Christchurch Art Gallery

Christchurch Art Gallery

If you want to get a glimpse of the vivid nightlife of New Zealand, you need to take the free guided tour at the Christchurch Art Gallery, called Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Starting at 7:15 pm, the tours will last for an hour and you can expect you get a rich insight into the famous art collections of New Zealand, as well as a few international ones.

Catch the great music, magic, and comedy performances at Darkroom

performances at Darkroom

Yet another happening place in New Zealand, Darkroom is the perfect way to savour the very best of New Zealand’s nightlife! Seated on St. Asaph Street, here at the bar you are sure to catch some great live music, including jazz and Indie.

If you are visiting on the first Monday of the month, you might get to be a part of the thrilling might nights, with the best hypnotists, magicians, and comedians of the town. While the entry fee for the rest of the nights is free at the Darkroom, the Magic nights charge NZD 10 for entry.

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Finnish passport holders can enter New Zealand on New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Learn more at New Zealand Visa from Finland.

 What can you expect from the nightlife in Auckland?

A city that glitters with a million nightlights, Auckland is where you need to be if you want to experience exciting nightlife! Below we have listed the best ways to savour the night in Auckland.

Head over to the buzzing bars, pubs, and nightclubs

Pubs

One of the biggest tourist attractions in New Zealand, simply nothing can come close to the exciting parties in Auckland, the most popular place in New Zealand. If you want to visit a place crowded with buzzing cafes, pubs, and bars, the Britomart precinct is your place! Get a dose of the beautiful decor and ambience of Mexico and Ortolana, or simply head over to the Britomart Country Club and dance the night away with your friends. 

You might also like Auckland’s happiest strip, the local name for Ponsonby Road, an upscale area that buzzes with great eateries, nightclubs, and pubs. Known for the grand coffee spots, bars, and fancy restaurants, you simply cannot miss out on Grand Central, and The Crib located at Ponsonby Central. Get ready to be dancing at your toe’s rill the wee hours of dawn.

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Go shopping in New Zealand and immerse yourself in bustling markets, artisan foods, designer labels and gifts infused with cultural uniqueness and beauty. Learn more at Travel guide to Shopping in New Zealand.

Dance your heart out at the Superyachts

Superyachts

If you want to get a glimpse of the vivid nightlife of New Zealand, you need to take the free guided tour at the Christchurch Art Gallery, called Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Starting at 7:15 pm, the tours will last for an hour and you can expect you get a rich insight into the famous art collections of New Zealand, as well as a few international ones.

Enjoy the stunning scenery around the Te Wero Bridge at Viaduct Harbour

Te Wero Bridge

If you are a lover of romantic walks, you will especially enjoy taking a walk across the Te Wero Bridge at Viaduct Harbour! With an exceptional view of the surrounding areas, prepare yourself to have a night straight out of a movie scene.

The area also has numerous fancy restaurants and bars lined in front of the waterfront, where you can enjoy a peaceful meal with the luxury yachts serving as your background. Famous for hosting several world-class events with celebrities and VIPs around the year, there is no dearth of amazing things in this area!

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Taiwanese passport holders can enter New Zealand on New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Learn more at New Zealand Visa from Taiwan.

Enjoy a heartful dinner at the Skytower in Auckland

Skytower

Do you love to dine with a view? Then the 360-degree dining experience at the Orbit in Skytower is simply glowing to blow your mind! Set over at a height of 328 m above ground, the Skytower is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Auckland. Here you can also take part in adrenaline-pumping games and activities, there is simply no match to the perfect night in Skytower!


Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your New Zealand eTA. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). United States citizens, European citizens, Hong Kong citizens, United Kingdom citizens, Mexican citizens, French citizens and Dutch citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA. United Kingdom residents can stay on New Zealand eTA for 6 months while others for 90 days.

Please apply for a New Zealand eTA 72 hours in advance of your flight.