Events at McEwan Park, Lower Hutt

About McEwan Park

McEwan Park is an open-air sports and events ground in Petone, Lower Hutt, within the Wellington region. It mainly consists of turf playing fields and open grass areas. For decades it has been the home of Petone Football Club and local sports leagues (mapcarta.com), giving it a long community-sports legacy. In recent years it has gained wider fame as a scenic, harbourfront festival venue. The park sits along Marine Parade with sweeping views of Wellington Harbour on one side and bush-covered Hikoikoi Reserve on the other. This unique coastal setting – level grass behind a steep native-forest hillside – lends the venue a laid-back, natural vibe. There is no fixed auditorium or permanent stage – instead MAJOR EVENTS construct temporary stages and sound systems on the open field. McEwan Park’s combination of size, sea breezes and nearby bush makes it stand out among Wellington-area venues (www.huttcity.govt.nz) (www.huttcity.govt.nz). There is rarely a formal building of note here, but the open, green space is beloved by the Petone community for sports, games and outdoor gatherings. (The park is owned and managed by Hutt City Council and forms part of Petone’s network of reserves.)

Events and Programming

Today McEwan Park hosts both community sports and large-scale events. Local football matches are played here regularly, since the park is home to Petone FC (Wellington’s oldest football club) and other Wellington soccer competitions (mapcarta.com). That season peaks in winter each year. More recently, McEwan Park has become known as a concert and festival site, especially in the summer. Notable events include the annual “THIS IS LIVING” electronic music festival (by promoter Breaking Beats) held at the park each March. This festival – aimed largely at Massey University orientation crowds – has featured multiple DJs and live acts; past line-ups have included UK drum’n’bass legend Andy C along with New Zealand acts like The Upbeats & MC Tiki (www.huttcity.govt.nz). Each festival iteration runs roughly 2pm–10:30pm, with dozens of performers across two stages (www.huttcity.govt.nz) (www.rnz.co.nz). Organisers report crowds of several thousand for these events (around 4,000 in 2024 and about 5,000 in 2025) (www.huttcity.govt.nz). In addition to music fests, the park occasionally hosts family and fitness events. For example, the XRACE endurance/treasure-hunt race (teams of family members solving mystery challenges) ran at McEwan Park in February 2025 (www.huttcity.govt.nz). In short, programming ranges from grassroots sports tournaments on weekends, to seasonal festivals and special community happenings. Most large shows at McEwan are one-offs or annual festivals rather than fixed weekly concerts. Multi-day fairs (like late spring or summer carnivals) and pop-up markets can also appear nearby.

Tickets and Booking

McEwan Park itself has no box office or ticket window. Tickets for major events are sold online or through promoters. For big scheduled shows (like the electronic music festival), tickets typically go on sale months in advance through the event’s official site or authorised ticket outlets. These events often sell out, so it’s wise to buy as early as possible. Organisers may offer presales or tiered releases (early bird, general release, VIP passes) as dates approach. For example, past festivals sold out early-bird and final-release tickets. Pricing varies by event: large festivals at McEwan have charged on the order of NZ$100 per general-admission ticket (prices increase as demand grows). Family or children’s events will have their own pricing (often modest entry fees). Some events might also offer group discounts or combo-deals (for instance, transport bundles or VIP add-ons like pre-event boat cruises (www.huttcity.govt.nz)). Always check the event’s official information – the park’s ground has no single “box office”, so look for authorised announcements or local event listings. At the gate, small local matches or community sports days are often free or have a token entry, but for large concerts you generally cannot buy tickets on the spot. If an event does allow on-site sales, expect only a limited number of last-minute tickets, so advanced purchase is strongly recommended.

Seating and Layout

McEwan Park is essentially a flat, open grassed area with no fixed seating. For large shows, organisers erect temporary stages (often with one at each end of the field) and set up general admission areas. Audiences stand or sit on the lawn; it’s common to bring low camping chairs or blankets, as you would at an outdoor festival. There are no reserved rows or built-in grandstands – all good vantage points are first-come, first-served. For most events the best view is in front of the stage area. Because the park is open, sound is projected across the field. Stage placement can be arranged so that late-afternoon sun is behind performers, providing shade to early-arriving fans. There’s no permanent roof, so sun or rain protection must come from your own shade gear. The ground being mostly flat means sightlines are generally clear, but you might stand slightly back or at an angle if you prefer a cool breeze from the harbour. On very large festival days, the crowd often occupies a few hundred metres back from the stages. Small VIP or fenced areas (for press and staff) are occasionally set up near the front, but most of the audience is free-standing. Behind the fields and to one side is Hikoikoi Reserve: a gentle wooded hill, which means if you’re a bit elevated (toward the top of the bank) you can also see the stage from a higher angle. Overall, McEwan’s layout is informal – think broad parade lawn – so your seating “choice” is more about how early you arrive and which area of the lawn you claim.

Getting There and Parking

McEwan Park’s address is 24 Marine Parade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012. It sits at the northern end of Petone beside the harbour. Driving in, you can reach Marine Parade via State Highway 2 (from Wellington or Lower Hutt) and then turn into the park’s driveway on Marine Parade. The park has a small on-site car park (first-come, first-served). In past events, staff noted that parking at McEwan itself is limited (www.ticketfairy.com), so you may be redirected to nearby lots. Public street parking is available along Marine Parade and adjoining Petone side streets, and there are free and paid parking zones on Jackson Street nearby. Note that since late 2024 Petone introduced paid parking along Jackson Street ($3 per hour, 9am–5pm) (www.huttcity.govt.nz) – though after hours and on weekends it’s often free. Birch Street and other adjacent roads may have additional spaces, some unrestricted. For large events, organisers have sometimes arranged shuttle buses or recommended public transport to ease congestion. By train or bus, Petone Station is only a few blocks from the park (about a 5–10 minute walk north on Marine Parade or Hutt Road). Several Metlink buses (for example, routes 83 or 84 from Wellington via Petone) stop on Jackson Street or nearby, within easy walking distance. Taxi or ride-share drop-offs on Marine Parade can let you off at the park entrance. If you arrive on foot, McEwan Park is connected to the Petone foreshore walkway, so it’s just a short stroll from Petone shops toward the harbour. In short, you can drive and use the limited car park, find nearby street parking (metered on weekdays) or use public transit via Petone town. Advance planning is wise on big event days, as traffic flows onto Marine Parade can be busy and local parking fills up early.

Inside the Venue

At events, entry is usually by gate with ticket scanning and security screening (bag checks) as needed. Expect to queue up at security before entering. Once inside McEwan Park, the atmosphere is casual and open. The playing fields become festival grounds, often dotted with vendor stalls. There are usually several food trucks or pop-up stands offering snacks, drinks and sometimes local beer – since McEwan Park has no permanent concession stands. At large concerts one or more licensed bars are typically set up on grass, allowing attendees to buy alcohol (with ID) – official passport or driver’s licence checks apply at bars. Alcohol is only served by event staff in fenced areas, and outside booze is prohibited by licence; security patrols are common. Basic amenities are available: the park DOES have public toilet facilities (porta-loos or permanent restrooms depending on the event). In fact, a local youth sports website notes that McEwan Park has toilets and even parking on site (www.sportzone.org.nz), although for big crowds more portable toilets are usually added. There is no official coat-check or cloakroom, so large bags should be avoided. Cell phone reception is generally fine here (open sky near Wellington supports mobile data), but there's no public Wi-Fi. If you need to stay connected, note that phones and smart watches work as usual. Litter bins and hand-sanitiser stations are typically provided. The ground is mostly flat grass – you can wander around freely, but be mindful of cables or hoses on the grass (markings may be present for running power). In evening events, generous stage lighting and sound rigs light up the field. The cool sea breeze and picnic-like vibe give McEwan Park a relaxed feel inside, far less claustrophobic than urban arenas. It’s a true outdoor experience: bring sunscreen or rain gear as needed. Security and event staff are usually visible (often wearing hi-vis or club uniforms). There’s often on-site medics or first-aid because it’s a public event space. Overall, once past the entrance gate, you can expect festival-style vendors, lawns suitable for sitting, a friendly but organised atmosphere, and the natural backdrop of the harbour and hills.

Nearby Amenities

McEwan Park sits at Petone’s waterfront, so a variety of amenities are a short walk or drive away. Directly adjacent you’ll find the leafy Hikoikoi Reserve trails if you fancy a quick forest walk. A five-minute stroll northeast along Marine Parade brings you to Petone Village (Jackson Street), which is lined with cafes, restaurants and pubs. For pre-show dining, popular spots include BeachFront Bar & Eatery (a pizza/brewery pub) and Driftwood Bistro (a casual waterfront sports bar) on Marine Parade. On Jackson Street itself you can try a range of cuisine: local favourites include Mexican or Cuban street-style bars, pizza places like Mama Brown, and heritage venues like the Freemasons Arms hotel. Grab a coffee at one of the independent cafes or a craft beer at a microbrewery; Petone is a foodie hub. If you have time, the Petone Settlers Museum (in the old Centennial Hall) has a café and is a nice break en route. For lodging, Petone offers several motels and the Rydges Petone (formerly a major hotel on Marine Parade, check current status) within 10 minutes’ drive. Hutt city centre (CBD) is only ~7km away on SH2 if you need bigger hotels or late-night options. After events, buses run on schedule from Jackson Street back into central Lower Hutt and Wellington, and ride-shares/taxis are still available on main roads. Late-night snack options are also in the vicinity (some fish ‘n’ chips shops, 24/7 dairies in Petone). If staying locally, the park’s marine-front car park links to a walking/biking path all the way to Wellington, so weekend visitors often combine a walk with Petone’s village vibe. In summary, you won’t be far from food, drinks or shops. Arriving 1–2 hours early is recommended not just to park but to enjoy a meal or drink nearby and then head back to catch the start of your event.

What Makes This Venue Special

McEwan Park’s charm comes from its natural setting and community roots. Unlike a traditional theatre or stadium, this park feels like an expansive seaside lawn that just so happens to host music and sports. Attendees often remark on the refreshing open-air environment right next to the harbour – you might even see yachts and cargo ships sailing on the water while listening to a DJ. In fact, Breaking Beats promoters have called it an “amazing venue with an awesome setting that’s close to the ocean and native bush” (www.huttcity.govt.nz). Legendary local events have put McEwan on the map: the first year of the “This is Living” festival drew thousands and created a buzz that Petone could now be a destination for big concerts. Culturally, the park ties Petone’s heritage into each experience – it’s still owned by the city council and remains a community sports site, yet now shines in the larger Wellington region’s entertainment calendar. The nearby Petone suburb has a working-class history and a reputation for the arts, and McEwan Park events feel very “of Petone” – community-spirited, energetic and welcoming. Architecturally there’s nothing elaborate here – the venue’s uniqueness is its simplicity. But it has already hosted some memorable performances: from headline DJs that invigorated a crowds of students, to local rugby sevens training sessions. Lower Hutt’s mayor has even said that hosting a 5,000-strong electronic music festival at McEwan Park “will put the city on the entertainment map” (www.huttcity.govt.nz). In short, what makes McEwan Park special is the contrast: a humble suburban field turned into a high-energy festival ground, all while keeping the easygoing seaside charm that has given Petone so much of its character.

Visitor Tips and Information

Accessibility: McEwan Park is flat and open, so it’s fairly wheelchair-friendly on the main area. Attendees with mobility needs should note that the ground is grass, not paved, so it can be uneven after rain. Events may provide dedicated accessible paths or shuttle assistance – check ahead. There are public restrooms on-site (including accessible toilets). Service animals and guide dogs are allowed except in designated sports fields (in fact, by local bylaw the east field is a dog-prohibited zone (www.huttcity.govt.nz)). If attending festivals, be prepared for weather: bring sunscreen, hats, and extra layers since evenings by the water can get chilly. For rain, ponchos are wiser than umbrellas (which can block views and are often discouraged). Bag checks are common, so avoid large bags or prohibited items. Speaking of which, smoking and vaping rules follow national park/event regulations: usually only in clear designated areas away from crowds. Alcohol can only be consumed if bought on-site from a licenced stall. Photography is generally fine for personal use; drones or professional video/boom mics usually require special permission. Ticketing: Double-check if your event is 18+ (like most major music festivals) or all-ages. Carry ID if you plan to drink. It's also wise to carry a reusable bottle and fill stations (if provided) to stay hydrated. Transportation: Since parking can be tight, consider carpooling or public transport. The last train on event nights from Petone typically runs around midnight, so plan your trip accordingly or use ride-share. At night the park itself is closed-off after events, so follow staff directions to exits. Miscellaneous: Pets (other than assistance dogs) are not allowed on the main event field, as noted. Keep valuables safe – while the atmosphere is friendly, an open park means you should watch belongings. Overall, arriving early not only secures a good viewing spot but also lets you enjoy nearby Petone eateries before the show. Finally, don’t forget the views – arrive a bit before sunset to see the harbour scenery. Every visit to McEwan Park combines a bit of a mini-vacation by the bay with the excitement of a picnic-party or sports match, so pack accordingly and enjoy the unique outdoors vibe.