CubaDupa Festival delivers a $1.17 million economic boost to central Wellington

📈 Key Insights from New Zealand's largest urban festival,:
✅ $4.74M total spend – a 33% increase vs. a typical weekend
✅ 18,412 visitors – up 5,262 people from average visitor count
✅ Hospitality boom:Restaurants
🍽️ +50% ($932K)Bars & Nightclubs
🍻 +101% ($723K)Fast Food 🍔 +81% ($348K) ✅ Cuba Precinct spending +120%
✅ Wellington locals spent an additional $835K (+37%)
✅ Visitor spend hit $1.63M, up 26%

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CubaDupa has proven to be more than just a cultural celebration - it’s become an economic powerhouse for Wellington, after analysing $4.74 million of ANZ card transactions in Wellington’s CBD over March 29, 30.

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The festival, New Zealand’s largest outdoor arts and music event, attracted 18,412 visitors to Wellington’s CBD, an increase of 5,262 to the usual numbers that come to the area on the weekend.

Attendees spent up large over the Saturday and Sunday, contributing $1.17 million to the overall $4.74 million spent over the weekend.

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Spending in the Cuba Precinct itself surged by 120% and spilled over into the nearby Courtney Precinct, showing the knock on impact the festival has for the rest of the city.

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Local Wellingtonians couldn’t resist stopping by at CubaDupa which was held on a beautiful sunny weekend, forking out a total of $3.11 million over the event period.

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City residents spent an additional $835,000 over the Saturday and Sunday, 37% more than their usual weekend pattern.

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At the same time visitors splashed out $1.63 million over CubaDupa, 26% more than a regular weekend. Their money went to accommodation providers, restaurants and bars, we found.

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The strong local engagement, coupled with increased visitor spending, shows just how valuable CubaDupa has become in supporting local businesses and strengthening the Wellington economy.

Economic development agency, WellingtonNZ noted there were a number of high profile events in the capital over the weekend which also drew people into the city.

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“Wellington experienced a wonderful lineup of events over the weekend - not only was there a fantastic turnout for CubaDupa but also shows across the city including Graham Norton at Michael Fowler Centre and Bob Geldof at the St James Theatre, which contributed to a buzzing atmosphere throughout the weekend,” said Heidi Morton, Events and Experiences General Manager at WellingtonNZ.

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The hospitality and retail sectors did particularly well from the CubaDupa Festival.

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The amount going through cash registers at restaurants increased by 50%, reaching a total of $932,089 during the event, while festival goers splashed out $732,378 at bars and nightclubs, a surge of 101%.

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Fast food outlets meanwhile saw an 81% increase in consumer spend, reaching $348,297.