Short answer: The World of WearableArt 2027 show, known as the WOW Show, runs from 16 September to 3 October 2027 at TSB Arena on Queens Wharf, Wellington. 2027 is WOW's 40th anniversary year, and a large WOW exhibition is also planned for Wellington that spring. Explera DMC New Zealand plans rooms, transfers and touring around the show for groups.
The WOW Show is an international design competition staged as a theatre show, with garments and wearable art pieces brought to life on stage. This briefing is for travel agents, tour operators and incentive planners who want to build a Wellington stay around the 2027 season.
When and where is World of WearableArt 2027?
- Dates. 16 September to 3 October 2027, as listed by the organisers.
- Venue. TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, on the Wellington waterfront.
- Awards night. 17 September 2027, according to the competition's key dates.
- Show length. About 100 minutes including the AV presentation, with no interval.
- Show days. In 2026 the shows ran Wednesday to Sunday, with no performances on Mondays or Tuesdays. We confirm the 2027 pattern before quoting.
- Tickets. The organisers had not announced when 2027 tickets go on sale when we checked. Visitors can register on the WOW website to hear first.
What else is planned for the 40th anniversary?
WOW began in Nelson in 1987, so 2027 marks 40 years. Australasian Leisure Management reported on 21 September 2026 that WOW plans its largest exhibition to date for the anniversary, with more than 50 rarely seen works at Tākina, Wellington's convention and exhibition centre, from mid-August to October 2027. Exact exhibition dates and ticketing had not been published when we checked, and we confirm them before quoting.
What should agents plan for?
- Rooms. A show season brings extra visitors to Wellington, and central hotels can fill on show weekends. We hold rooms with clear release dates as soon as a group is likely.
- Evening transfers. TSB Arena is on the waterfront, within walking distance of many central hotels. We plan coach pick-ups for groups that need them and confirm the timings when the show schedule is released.
- The days around the show. Te Papa, the Wellington Cable Car, Zealandia and a day in the Wairarapa or Martinborough wine country fit a two- or three-night stay. Our Wellington capital city briefing covers the city.
- Conferences. Incentive and conference groups meeting at Tākina can add a show night. See our Tākina conference groups briefing.
- Spring weather. September is early spring in Wellington and the city is often windy. We add warm layers to the pre-departure notes.
- Rugby World Cup overlap. Rugby World Cup 2027 starts in Australia on 1 October, so the last WOW weekend meets the opening weekend of the tournament. See our Rugby World Cup 2027 briefing.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We are the Wellington DMC for travel agents and tour operators, and we build show nights into New Zealand programmes with group tours, hotels and lodges and coach and private transfers. We do not sell show tickets; we plan the programme around tickets bought through the organisers. See also our group booking lead times guide. Every dated event is on our 2027 events calendar.
FAQ
When is the World of WearableArt Show in 2027? From 16 September to 3 October 2027, according to the organisers.
Where is the WOW Show held? At TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, Wellington.
How long is the WOW Show? About 100 minutes including the AV presentation, with no interval.
Is there a WOW exhibition in 2027? A 40th-anniversary exhibition of more than 50 works is reported for Tākina in Wellington from mid-August to October 2027. Exact dates had not been published when we checked.
Does Explera DMC New Zealand sell WOW Show tickets? No. We plan rooms, transfers and touring around tickets bought through the organisers.
Sources
- World of WearableArt tickets, World of WearableArt, checked 28 October 2026
- WOW competition key dates and deadlines, World of WearableArt, checked 28 October 2026
- World of WearableArt FAQs, World of WearableArt, checked 28 October 2026
- WOW to mark 40th anniversary with major Wellington exhibition, Australasian Leisure Management, 21 September 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
