Lōemis Festival Returns For Winter 2026

Lōemis festival enters its eleventh year in 2026, presenting an incredible programme spanning music, food, immersive art, spoken word and film. Bringing together artists from the UK, USA, Japan and Aotearoa for the midwinter multi-sensory arts festival, running for two weeks across Te Whanaganui-a-Tara from June 9 til 21.

Highlights include Palestinian rapper Saint Levant, New York City indie darlings Chanel Beads (following their recent shows supporting Lorde in the US); UK electronic post punk group Snapped Ankles (all visiting NZ for the first time and exclusive to Lōemis). Iconic no wave musician, writer and poet Lydia Lunch (US) returns to New Zealand also exclusive to Lōemis.

The programme also features a world premiere performance by Shayne Carter of his album REforms with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; a series of bespoke food events by several of Wellington’s leading chefs; artisanal markets and a large-scale night procession.

They are joined by artists from Aotearoa and abroad, including psych-rock pioneers Acid Mothers Temple (Japan); Troy Kingi presents his stunning new Hip Hop album Night Lords – joined by an enviable range of guests from the recording (incl Tom Scott, Mokomokai, Mā, JessB, SWIDT & More the live experience promises to blow minds); English electronic industrial artist Kavari – sometimes known as The Priestess of the Underground; Experimental, prepared piano artist Kelly Moran (US); indie rock artist Cate Le Bon (UK); jazz influenced indie-pop artist Mei Semones (US); and New York/Berlin multi-media artist Discovery Zone (aka JJ Weihl).

Audiences can also explore venues across the city, including the soon-to-reopen Hall of Memories for the premiere of Norman Meehan’s new work Little Prayers; a large-scale food event with Pierre-Alain Fenoux across three spaces at Zealandia; an acoustic series at the recently renovated Erskine Chapel featuring Erika Grant, Orchestra of Spheres, Baroque Voices, and a taonga pūoro ensemble with Riki Gooch, Ruby Solly, Al Fraser and Sam Palmer; a bespoke, indoor night market; and The Night Crossing – a waterfront procession with large-scale puppetry, music and fire.

Festival director Andrew Laking said the programme has been in the works for the better part of a year and the team is looking forward to sending it out into the wild.

“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.”

Main photo credit: Soulstice Procession by Vanessa Rushton Photography