Lōemis Festival unveils its most ambitious winter programme yet
Friday, 27 March 2026
Wellington’s midwinter arts calendar is set for a major lift with Lōemis Festival announcing its largest and most internationally stacked programme to date.
Running from June 9-21 this year, the 11th edition of the festival spans music, food, immersive art, spoken word and film, bringing artists from the United Kingdom, United States, Japan and across New Zealand to Wellington.
Headline acts include Palestinian rapper Saint Levant, New York indie outfit Chanel Beads — fresh from supporting Lorde on tour — and UK electronic post‑punk group Snapped Ankles. All three will make their New Zealand debuts at Lōemis. Iconic no‑wave musician, writer and poet Lydia Lunch also returns to the country for a festival‑only appearance.
Festival director Andrew Laking said the programme had long been in development.
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“Lōemis is about gathering in the depths of winter — bringing people together to experience work from some of the most exciting and distinctive artists from Aotearoa and around the world — and in 2026 we’re doing that at a much larger scale than in previous years. It feels like the right time for this kind of energy in Wellington.”
A major centrepiece is the world premiere of Shayne Carter’s REforms performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The programme also features bespoke culinary events led by top Wellington chefs, artisanal markets and a large‑scale night procession.
International names join a strong Aotearoa contingent, including Japanese psych‑rock pioneers Acid Mothers Temple; Troy Kingi performing his new hip‑hop album Night Lords with guests from the recording; English electronic industrial artist Kavari; experimental US pianist Kelly Moran; UK indie artist Cate Le Bon; US jazz‑inflected indie‑pop musician Mei Semones; and New York/Berlin multimedia artist Discovery Zone (JJ Weihl).
Audiences will encounter work across the city, from the soon‑to‑reopen Hall of Memories — hosting the premiere of Norman Meehan’s Little Prayers— to a three‑space culinary experience at Zealandia. An acoustic series at the restored Erskine Chapel features Erika Grant, Orchestra of Spheres, Baroque Voices and a taonga pūoro ensemble led by Riki Gooch, Ruby Solly, Al Fraser and Sam Palmer. The festival also introduces a bespoke indoor night market and The Night Crossing, a waterfront procession of puppetry, music and fire.
Heidi Morton, the Events and Experiences GM at WellingtonNZ, says the Lōemis Festival is a welcome addition to Wellington’s Major Events portfolio, adding a distinctive flavour to the city’s event calendar.
“Its winter timing gives people another reason to get out and experience Wellington’s creative pulse year‑round. We’re proud to support an event that reflects the spirit of our city and brings people together during a season when moments of warmth and connection are important.”
View the full programme and get tickets at loemis.nz