Word on the internet is that if you love dancing outside, pulsating euphoric crowds, golden hour epiphanies on the edges of oceans, you are in luck, because the global electronic music event Ultra is coming to New Zealand.
With so many local music festivals announcing cancellation or hiatus, it’s a small miracle that Ultra is coming to our shores. And even better that it’s making its Aotearoa debut right here in Wellington, on the Waterfront.
Even though I’m a nature kid and love overnight EDM festivals in the middle of nowhere, bass bouncing off the hills, I’ll lean into city pleasures for a festival of this stature.
And even though New Zealand has been LEFT OFF THE MAP on the Ultra global events online map, crowds are expected to reach 20,000. So book your tickets/hotels/flights quick smart. And book a day off too, as it’s on a Friday – 10 April 2026. The event is also smack bang in the middle of term holidays, really making it one of those ‘if you want it, be proactive’ moments.
So far, the announced artists are all boys bar one (Nicole Moudaber and Nina Kraviz would both be epic), but I’ll take it. Headliners include Darren Styles, DJ Snake (co-writer for Lady Gaga’s Sexxx Dreams, amongst other things), The Chainsmokers, Marlo, and Nico Moreno.
The sole woman artist is Ukrainian DJ and producer Miss Monique, bringing progressive house and melodic techno. There will also be local artists performing, but exactly who is yet to be revealed.
Funhouse Wellington will be open as usual on the day of the festival and over the weekend.
Whether you want to bring the sweat and glow into a more intimate scenario, or simply recover with a sensual massage or GFE in the sanctuary that is Funhouse, we are within easy walking distance from the waterfront.
And a side note for any international guests in town for this (or other) events – sex work is fully decriminalised here, including brothels! But as above, being proactive will bring you the best, sweetest things, because Funhouse Wellington is appointment only.