CubaDupa

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Arts & CultureWellington
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration2 daysListed event span
CrowdLargeAbout 100,000 people
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsCubaDupa's roots stretch back through
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NZD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

CubaDupa in Wellington

CubaDupa closes Cuba Street and surrounding blocks in central Wellington for a free weekend of music, parade, street theatre, and visual art each March. Descended from a lineage of Cuba Street carnivals dating to the 1980s and relaunched under its current name in 2015, it now draws well over 100,000 people across two days.

Cuba Street has hosted some form of street festival on and off since the 1980s, when local figure Martin Wilson organised the Upper Cuba St Carnival as an early attempt to bring performance out of Wellington's theatres and onto its most distinctive shopping strip.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

CubaDupa's roots stretch back through several earlier incarnations of Cuba Street celebration, including the 1980s Upper Cuba St Carnival and the Cuba Street Carnival launched in 1998, which drew inspiration from London's Notting Hill Carnival and grew to crowds of up to 150,000 before funding pressure after the 2008 financial crisis pushed organisers to consolidate under the Creative Capital Arts Trust

02

The mystery stays covered

Relaunched with Wellington City Council in 2015 as CubaDupa, the festival now programmes a dozen music stages, parade groups, and street theatre along the closed length of Cuba Street, deliberately blurring the line between performer and audience

03

The city starts moving

It is largely volunteer-run, drawing on artist minders, zone supervisors, and parade marshals to keep a free, all-ages event running smoothly across a full weekend

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival continues Cuba Street's decades-long identity as Wellington's bohemian

Water and renewal

Living ritual

arts-focused precinct

The sacred route

Living ritual

carrying forward a tradition of street carnival and parade that predates CubaDupa itself by more than thirty years

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Wellington you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Layered clothing is essential given Wellington's changeable wind and early-autumn temperatures; comfortable walking shoes matter since the festival footprint spans several blocks of closed...

Safety

CubaDupa is best approached as a guest: follow local crowd guidance and avoid blocking participants.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after CubaDupa does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

NZD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.29 S, 174.78 EOpen in Google Maps

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

Nearest airportWLG — Wellington
TransportStay close enough to the part of Wellington you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after CubaDupa does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Wellington via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Wellington, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearLayered clothing is essential given Wellington's changeable wind and early-autumn temperatures; comfortable walking shoes matter since the festival footprint spans several blocks of closed streets.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for New Zealand and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is CubaDupa?

CubaDupa is listed for Past edition: 28–29 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does CubaDupa take place?

The festival is listed in Wellington, New Zealand. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

How big is it?

Large: 100000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcubadupa.co.nz
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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