WellingtonEvents

See 100 years of your favourite characters and films and experience the magic of Disney Animation at this exhibition in Wellington.

Every Disney character starts with a drawing. Discover how they are brought to the screen at ‘Disney: The Magic of Animation | Ngā Tāoreore Tūmatarau’. See the internationally acclaimed exhibition at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The exhibition features artworks from classic stories and films spanning 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios. See more than 600 art pieces up close, from original sketches of timeless characters to modern, computer-generated wonders. Go behind the scenes to witness the artistry that goes into creating beloved on-screen characters.

ʻTangledʻ (2010) Dan Cooper, Concept art, Digital paper, © Disney.

Disney: The Magic of Animation is curated by the team at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. It offers a rare glimpse at the development of characters and animation techniques. See works from classics like Mickey Mouse’s first talkie ‘Steamboat Willieʻ (1928) and ‘Fantasia’ (1940). Don’t miss modern favourites like ‘Frozen’ (2013) and ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ (2021). Artwork from Disney’s latest release, ‘Moana 2’, is also included in the exhibition.

The exhibition features interactive animation stations for kids of all ages. Practice your colouring magic or enjoy costumes for the little ones. Take a spin with Belle and the Beast in the ballroom, and watch Alice forever falling through an immersive projection experience.

Kristen McCormick, Art Exhibitions & Conservation Manager of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, helped curate the exhibition. Kristen and her team hand-selected the artworks on display from a collection of over 65 million.

This is the first time Disney: The Magic of Animation has come to New Zealand and is exclusive to Wellington.

Guests will have a rare opportunity to see how the film makers and artists develop our stories and work through different ideas and concepts as they create the films we know so well.

Kristen McCormick, Art Exhibitions & Conservation Manager, Walt Disney Animation Research Library
A father and daughter pose with cardboard cut-outs of Mickey and Minnie Mouse on display at the Disney: Magic of Animation exhibition.

Looking for more?

The Wellington Art Show

28 February – 2 March 2025Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre

Vivienne Westwood.

Vivienne Westwood & Jewellery

17 January – 27 April 2025Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Three people look at The Art of Banksy exhibition in a dark room.

The Art of Banksy

28 November 2024 – 20 January 2025Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre

On a hill the sign for Carlucci Land sits among large rocks. It is made of corrugated iron and painted in different colours.

Carlucci Land Mini Golf

Pay a visit to Carlucci Land just 10 minutes from the central city to discover why this 18-hole mini golf course has become a Wellington landmark.

An aerial view of the bustling Habourside Market in Te Aro Wellington. There are tents set up, heaps of colourful produce and many people shopping.

Harbourside Market

Head to the Wellington waterfront and enjoy the sights and flavours of the city’s oldest and most popular market.

The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.

Seashore Cabaret

Eclectic and quirky, Seashore Cabaret serves up fun and fast diner food with views across the Petone foreshore.

The interior of Little Penang on Victoria Street, customers enjoy their meals and the chef is seen in the kitchen out the back.

Little Penang

There’s a good reason Little Penang is always full. The restaurant has made ex-pat Malaysians cry at their tables, from the joy of eating such good, and authentic, food.

The rustic outdoor dining area of Fidels with a customer sitting down and drinking.

Fidel’s

At the top of eclectic Cuba Street, Fidel’s Café is a Wellington institution serving Cuban coffee, “good, honest food” and a bohemian atmosphere.

The cozy cottage exterior of The House of Good Fortune.

The House of Good Fortune

Home to the Good Fortune Coffee Co., this quirky little café serves up fair trade coffee and vibrant cabinet food.

The exterior looking into Dough Bakery Upper Hutt.

Dough Bakery

Masters of artisan bread and baked goods, Dough Bakery offers a range of loaves, sweet treats, and pastries.