South Coast Arts Trail 2025
News
Last call for South Coast Arts Trail artists
5 June 2026
There's something about the South Coast of Wellington as winter turns to spring. It can still be fresh, but the change of season is what gets us excited. The days are getting longer, the sea's catching the sunlight, and it feels good to be out and about again.
For one weekend every September, studio doors open up and down the South Coast, and artists welcome people in to see where and how their work is made. This September marks the fifth South Coast Arts Trail | Te Ara Toi o Te Ākau Tonga, and we'd love for you to be in it.
The South Coast Arts Trail is a free, self-guided wander through the South Coast of Wellington, from Owhiro Bay through Houghton Bay and Island Bay to Berhampore, taking in studios, community venues, exhibitions and the public artworks dotted around our neighbourhoods. Last year, around 4,000 people made the trip!
We welcome artists of every kind, from established names and first-timers to community groups and the young artists coming through our local schools and early learning centres. If you live or work or have a strong connection to the South Coast, there's a place for you on the trail.
Registrations are open now, but not for much longer. They close at 11:59pm on Sunday 7 June, and it only takes a few minutes to register.
Ready to open your doors this September?
We can't wait to see what you bring to the 2026 South Coast Arts Trail.
Creativity around every corner: Over 50 Artists to showcase their work at the South Coast Arts Trail this September
12 August 2025
Wellington’s biggest community arts trail, the South Coast Arts Trail, is back in early spring for another colourful weekend of art, creativity and community.
The South Coast will come alive over the weekend of 13–14 September 2025, as locals and visitors will have the chance to explore the creativity of over 50 artists from Ōwhiro Bay, Houghton Bay, Island Bay, and Berhampore.
From visiting artist studios and galleries to discovering public artworks with plenty of choice along the way to have a coffee, a bite to eat or shop, the South Coast Arts Trail invites everyone to enjoy our region through a self-guided arts trail by walking, biking, scootering, or however you like to move!
Now in its fourth year, the theme for the 2025 South Coast Arts Trail is 'Creativity around every corner', encouraging people to explore further afield, and to discover works by established and emerging artists, featuring art forms as diverse as painting, drawing, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, installations, photography, printmaking, and illustration, as well as talks and tours at galleries and community venues.
One of the unique features of the South Coast Arts Trail is its focus on youth involvement, with art exhibited by students from local schools and early education centres.
“What sets us apart is we have always involved our young people, encouraging budding artists to exhibit their art alongside some of our more established artists,” says Fran De Gregorio, Chair of the South Coast Arts Trail and the South Coast Business and Promotions Association.
“We’re proud to say there'll be artists represented from the ages of 3 to 93!”
The South Coast Arts Trail is a free event for artists to register, organised entirely by local volunteers, made possible through community sponsorship, and continues to grow as a signature event on the Wellington arts calendar.
"It's the perfect opportunity to discover the beautiful South Coast of Wellington through art, while supporting our creative and business community, and creating a place for all to thrive.”