Wellington Pride Festival is happening from 7 – 23 March this year and it’s time to get excited!

The first Pride celebrations in Te Whanganui-ā-Tara were organised as part of campaigning for Homosexual Law Reform in 1986, and honestly you only have to read the Facebook comments (don’t read the Facebook comments) to see exactly why Pride is still so very necessary. But as well as being still very much a political protest, it’s also a time of celebration and joy even – or especially – when the world feels so dire right now. But with over sixty events as part of the two weeks, what to choose?

Lucky for you, this ‘ista also happens to be on the festival board (small city, many fingers, pies, etc), so I asked some of my fellow boardees what their picks for the festival are.

Jeremy

Jeremy with a group of friends hugging on the street
Jeremy and friends at last year’s Parade

I’m going to have to go for events starting with P … the Parade and the Picnic – great outdoor bookends to our Festival 🙂

P

P and friend, wearing hi vis vests to marshal at last year's OITC event
P and friend, marshalling at last year’s Out in the CIty

Out in The City is an event close to my heart – the first Wellington Pride Festival event I ever volunteered for!  I can’t wait to stand with our community OUT and proud and enjoy perusing all the fabulous stalls & activities on offer.

Ginger’s Pop-up has an incredible guest panel and I’m excited to be attending and have the opportunity to meet some of the inspiring wāhine on the panel. Being able to open and close the festival with events in collaboration with mana whenua at Hau Tapua and the Pride Picnic is what makes the 2025 so special for me!

Steven S

A friend and Steven S in a rainbow Glamaphones photo frame at last year's Out in the City
Steven (right) with a friend at the Glamaphones stand at Out in the City in 2021

I’m most looking forward to the Gala Opening. All the acts are my favourites! And who doesn’t like a good opening!

But seriously, the events where my choir will be in will be fab, showcasing the diversity all in one place – we will be at Out in the City, Out in the Zoo, and our very own open rehearsal for peeps to come try us out. Also look out for the loudest group in the Parade!

The Picnic will also be a highlight for me. I’m looking forward to seeing what MC King Markiss has in store for us, and a full set of bangers done classical by Orchestra Wellington. Lastly, knitters and crocheters, come join me at Wellington Museum’s Chosen Family event where I’ll be launching a mega rainbow group crafting project!!!

Taylor

A banner for the Hīkoi, featuring the progressive pride flag, the tinoranga titiratanga flag and a trans flag I’m excited for the Dawn Service, Hīkoi, and Picnic! These 3 watch the energies of the Festival open with the sun, reach their height as we stand united in protest, and then whakatau, calm and close in the gardens. Mahi wairua is an area that inspires me, and to watch others engage and support the festival through this mahi is something I’m excited to see and be a part of.

As a member of Tīwhanawhana, I’ll also be performing at the Opening Gala and the opening of the Pride Parade. Standing with this rōpū will bring me joy as we share our community with Te Whanganui-ā-Tara.

Joanna

Fat babe Joanna tries to feed a rainbow cupcake to a large poster of herself in a rainbow skirt.
The actual event will feature more people than just me. Probably.

As for myself? I have very limited energy so I’ll mostly be sticking to the WPF signature events and keyboard support, but I can’t wait for Fist Club, because Willy SmacknTush is an unstoppable force, and I look forward to a swim at Out in the Pool.

I’m too old for it but I love love love that Wellington Library is running a sign-making workshop with Mandy Hager – how cool to give our rangitahi access to such an activist treasure! I’m hoping to make it to one of the Drag Bingo or Drag Quizzes if my friends ever confirm which of the many dates will work best for them, and I can’t wait to be all set up for the event that I’m running – Fat Queers Eating Cake – and enjoying kai as both an act of community and defiance.