Wellington's Giant Music and Arts Festival CubaDupa Is Finally Coming Back in 2023

Alert the group chat — Pōneke's favourite way to see out summer is set to make its hotly anticipated post-COVID return. Annual arts festival CubaDupa will bring a giant celebration of performances, parades art, restaurant deals and more to the capital in March.

After being cancelled — and then resurfacing as a virtual event — during the COVID outbreak, the 2021 post-lockdown iteration of the annual arts festival saw a turnout of nearly 150,000 hit the Cuba Street precinct for two days of creative delights. But sadly the 2022 festival had to be canned amidst snap lockdowns and COVID uncertainty.

Oliver Crawford

If you mourned the absence of your yearly highlight we've got great news — CubaDupa will return bigger and better next year, running from Saturday, March 25 to Sunday, March 26 2023.

Chief Executive of the Creative Capital Arts Trust and CubaDupa producer Drew James says next year's program has been two years in the making and "will blow people away".

Oliver Crawford

The exact lineup hasn't been announced (hold fire for that in January), but we know there will be 28 stages around the central Cuba Street precinct, including the surrounding laneways. Those stages will hold award-winning local musicians, circus and cabaret acts, and curated community performances. Guaranteed to appear will be street vendors hawking delicious eats to keep you fuelled and more than one parade — get a spot on one of the surrounding rooftop bars for the best view.

Oliver Crawford

If you're part of the crowd roaming the streets might bump into dance and music ensembles or sunset dance parties — or choose to chill out with family-friendly activities and social zones.

Whatever takes your fancy, it's guaranteed to be good vibes only — so put those dates in your diary now.

CubaDupa will take place on Cuba Street and its surrounding precinct from Saturday, March 25 to Sunday, March 26 2023. The full lineup is expected to drop in January — we'll keep you updated as those details come.