Newtown Festival

The capital's mayor says it's obvious the city is alive and vibrant, despite ugly incidents at the Pride festival and schools' climate strike.

“Madonna was playing – it was a celebration of different communities within the rainbow community. [T](https://www.takina.co.nz/organise/takina-events/) [ākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre](https://www.takina.co.nz/organise/takina-events/) will open. [recent commentary that Wellington had lost its mojo](https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/131046760/is-wellington-an-expensive-drain-hole-the-jurys-out) was “tone deaf” and, while noting the city wasn’t immune to the impacts of climate change and the cost of living crisis, she said the events the capital boasted this weekend had made it obvious that Wellington was alive and people were enjoying themselves. [Homegrown](https://www.homegrown.net.nz/) and [CubaDupa](https://www.cubadupa.co.nz/) set to bring massive crowds to Wellington’s waterfront and Cuba St precinct respectively over the coming weeks. * [Two weeks of events planned for Wellington Pride Festival](https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/wellington/124470426/two-weeks-of-events-planned-for-wellington-pride-festival?rm=a) [Pride Festival](http://www.wellingtonpridefestival.com/) throughout the weekend, the [Dragon Boat Festival](https://www.dragonboatfestival.org.nz/), and, further north, Hutt Sounds, the [Karapoti Classic mountain bike race](https://www.karapoti.co.nz/) and the Golden Shears shearing competition. [2021 and last year](https://www.newtownfestival.org.nz/the-newtown-festival-we-know-and-love-cannot-take-place-in-2022/), Whanau said it was nice to see Wellingtonians out enjoying live music, gorging on delectables and celebrating the rich, diverse community of Newtown. [climate strike](https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/300821596/in-pictures-school-students-protest-for-more-action-on-climate-change) where students stormed Parliament, some politicians were heckled. [Ed Sheeran and Fat Boy Slim to bring thousands of people to Wellington](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/131099312/ed-sheeran-and-fat-boy-slim-to-bring-thousands-of-people-to-wellington?rm=a) [Event-packed day to close Pride festival in Wellington](https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/124636132/eventpacked-day-to-close-pride-festival-in-wellington?rm=a) [Newtown Festival](https://www.newtownfestival.org.nz/) for the first time ever.