About McEwen Park Petone
McEwen Park (often spelled McEwan Park) is a scenic open-air sports and events venue on Marine Parade in Petone, Lower Hutt (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). It lies on the Hutt River / Te Awa Kairangi foreshore, adjacent to Hikoikoi Reserve and Petone Beach. This flat, grassy park is primarily used for community sports (such as soccer or rugby training) and large outdoor gatherings. It is surrounded by pōhutukawa-lined walkways and native bush, giving it a unique coastal setting described as “close to the ocean and the surrounding native bush” (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). Historically a local recreation ground, McEwen Park has recently gained prominence as a premium summer venue for festivals and concerts in Lower Hutt. Its green expanses and waterfront backdrop make it stand out among Wellington-region venues, offering wide-open views and a laid-back atmosphere along the river’s edge.
Events and Programming
McEwen Park hosts a diverse mix of events, from music festivals and concerts to family-friendly challenges and cultural gatherings. The park became notable in 2024 as the outdoor home of “This is Living,” an electronic music festival promoted by Breaking Beats. At the inaugural event (March 2024) and its follow-up in 2025, more than 25 DJs and producers performed across two stages, drawing **thousands of attendees** (www.huttcity.govt.nz ) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). Those festivals featured top drum & bass, house and UK garage acts (including international names like Andy C and New Zealand artists like The Upbeats & MC Tiki) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). Local officials note McEwen Park’s layout and vibe are ideal for these lineups; as one organizer put it, the park’s “outdoor setting” and waterfront views complement lively music events (www.huttcity.govt.nz ) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). Ticketed performances typically run for 8–10 hours on a summer weekend day.
Apart from big concerts, the park also accommodates community events. For example, the XRACE family challenge (15 Feb 2025) used McEwen Park for teams to complete fun physical tasks (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). School and sports groups hold their activities here too – the “Little Dribblers” youth soccer league plays on McEwen’s fields each Saturday (www.sportzone.org.nz ). Seasonal events and one-off gatherings (Picnic in the Park, outdoor markets or cultural celebrations) have been held informally as well, taking advantage of the park’s space and Petone’s nearby village atmosphere. Because the venue is outdoors and weather-dependent, most music events occur in summer (December through March), while sports and community programs run throughout the year. 2024–2025 highlights include two large festivals (Breaking Beats: This is Living) and regular local sports meet-ups, with ticket prices for major concerts typically in the $100–$150 NZD range (GA tickets) (www.ticketfairy.com ).
Tickets and Booking
Tickets for events at McEwen Park are generally sold online through the promoter or authorized vendors. There is usually no permanent box office at the park itself, so attendees must purchase tickets in advance. For major festivals (like the electronic music events), tickets often sell in phases: early bird, general admission (GA), and group discounts. For example, the “This is Living” festival in 2025 offered GA tickets around NZ$119 (plus fees) (www.ticketfairy.com ) and a 4-person group pass at roughly NZ$109 each (www.ticketfairy.com ). Subscriptions to event newsletters or social media can alert fans to presales or VIP packages. VIP packages — such as exclusive stage-front viewing or bonus amenities — are occasionally offered for flagship events (e.g. the 2025 festival included optional VIP “boat parties” offsite (www.huttcity.govt.nz )). Because events at McEwen Park can draw thousands of people, it’s wise to plan ticket purchases early. Limited tickets or early sell-outs have been noted (organizers sometimes remind fans that “limited tickets” remain and suggest acting fast (www.huttcity.govt.nz )). When available, official channels (organizer websites or apps) are the safe way to buy. Door sales at the venue are rare for big events, so rely on advance tickets or local outlets.
Seating and Layout
McEwen Park has no permanent seating – concerts and shows set up stages on the grass, and audiences stand or sit on the ground. All attendees share a general admission area. As a result, anyone wanting to sit should bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets (if permitted by the event rules). When a stage is erected (usually at one end of the park), the most desirable spots are close to the stage or along the front fencing. Those areas offer the best audio and view, but they also fill up first. Further back guests can spread out or find shade, but may experience fainter sound and smaller visuals. Some attendees prefer the rear of the field where it’s less crowded, or along the sides if the venue layout allows space. Note that loudspeakers and stage effects will typically be directed toward the audience in front of the stage, so sound covers the width of the field from that orientation.
Because McEwen Park is entirely outdoors, acoustics depend on sound systems rather than building design. Organizers usually install professional PA systems and monitors to cover the crowd. On calm evenings, sound carries cleanly over the water, though breezes can sometimes shift the mix. Attendees sometimes mention using ear plugs for comfort at high-volume shows. There are no balconies or VIP platforms in the park itself, but large-scale events often cordon off special viewing sections or hospitality areas near the stage (marked “VIP” or “Golden Circle” on tickets). If a festival offers seated hospitality, it is usually in temporary VIP tents or port-edge stands. From any point in the open field, visitors can see the stage overhead rigging and lighting; sightlines are generally unobstructed unless someone tall stands in front. Fans are free to move around during general admission shows, so finding a good spot is a matter of arriving early and staking out space.
Getting There and Parking
McEwen Park’s exact address is Marine Parade, Petone, Lower Hutt (postcode 5012) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). It is right by the river’s mouth, about 12 km north of Wellington CBD. The park is easily accessed by several modes of transport. By car, you drive along State Highway 2 (the Hutt Road/Marine Drive) and turn into Marine Parade at Petone. On-site parking is **very limited** during events; organizers have noted only first-come spots at the venue itself (www.ticketfairy.com ). The city provides paid parking nearby, for example along Jackson Street (2h limit, NZ$3/hr) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ) and in adjacent car parks (Peel Carpark, Riddiford Garden Car Park). Mobility parking and local zones are also in effect on Jackson Street (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). Because these are busy event days, many visitors park remotely and walk or use shuttles.
Public transit to McEwen Park is convenient via Wellington’s Metlink network. Petone Railway Station (Hutt Valley Line) is on Page Street near the Petone Village, roughly a 10–15 minute walk from the park. Buses 83/84/85 (and others) also run along Hutt Road, stopping near Petone Beach or the train station – from there the park entrance is a short stroll. For large events, organizers often operate dedicated shuttles: for Breaking Beats festivals, courtesy buses departed every 15 minutes from Petone Station and central Wellington (Wakefield Street) directly to McEwen Park (www.ticketfairy.com ). Rideshare and taxi drop-off points are typically at the park entrance on Marine Parade. Visitors walking or cycling can use the Hutt River Shared Path; there is bike parking available in Petone near the park. Because festival hours extend into evening, planning secure transportation home is wise: Metlink trains run late, but taxis/ride-hail remain popular after dark.
Inside the Venue
Upon entering McEwen Park for an event, attendees typically encounter festival-style setups. Entry gates and security checkpoints are arranged near the main access paths. Events staff check tickets (often via QR-code scanners) and may do bag searches. Once inside, the atmosphere is open and casual. The main stage dominates the view, with attendees gathering on the grass. Mobile bars and food trucks line one side of the park; visitors can usually buy local beer, wine or non-alcoholic drinks if permitted (glass bottles are almost always banned). Food options often include pork pies, hot chips, burgers or sweet festival treats, so raincoats and cash/card are recommended. Merchandise tents (selling band tees or memorabilia) may appear at music events.
Facilities at McEwen Park include permanent toilets and parking for everyday sports use (www.sportzone.org.nz ), though for large concerts several portable toilets and handwashing stations are often brought in. By event design, organizers add amenities: first-aid tents staffed by medics, event-help booths for lost children/phones, and possibly coat-check or phone-charge stations. Visitors should note that cell phone coverage (Vodafone/2degrees/Spark) is generally good here, but high data use may be slow; public wifi is not typical in the park. There is no official cloakroom in the open park – belongings are on your own, so guests often bring small daypacks or fanny packs. During an event, security and volunteer crews mingle with the crowd around the edges to assist with directions or queries. The vibe is festive: expect stages of music between acts, people dancing on the grass, and sometimes late-evening entertainment such as outdoor movie projections. Concert lighting illuminates the audience zones after dark, but outside show times the park has no fixed lighting, so pathways to exits may be dim.
Nearby Amenities
Petone Village, just north of McEwen Park along Jackson Street, is the main hub for dining and shopping. Within a 5–10 minute walk you’ll find many cafés, pubs and restaurants catering to all tastes. Casual Kiwi favorites are plentiful: think fish & chips shops, gourmet burger joints, pizza places and family-style bistros. Well-known local spots include Jackson Street’s gastropubs and boutique eateries (e.g. Craft Hangar or Petone’s microbreweries). For coffee and snacks, several roasters and bakeries are open early. If you plan to arrive hours before an event, popular lunch or dinner stops can fill up, so giving yourself time is wise. Late-night food options (after a show ends) become more limited; glow-light vendors often sell snacks at big festivals, but if the event wraps up late the quickest way home on the train passes through central Petone with some takeaways available.
Accommodation around Petone is modest: there are a few motels and holiday parks near the waterfront and in Petone Central. Budget lodgings or Airbnb rentals in Petone are convenient for festival-goers. For a wider range of hotels, downtown Lower Hutt (10min drive) or Wellington city are easily accessible by car or train. As for nightlife if a show runs late, ride-shares or late-evening buses can return you to Wellington or Hutt suburbs; Metlink trains on the Hutt Valley line run until around midnight on event days. Taxi ranks and Uber pick-ups are commonly at Petone Station or on Jackson Street. Plan ahead for your return trip, as crowds can make roads busy at closing time.
What Makes This Venue Special
McEwen Park’s charm lies in its combination of natural beauty and community spirit. It is not a purpose-built stadium, but rather a local park that transforms into a vibrant festival site. The setting is distinctive: on one side the Hutt River slips into Wellington Harbour, with the Tasman Sea visible, and on the other side native bush-clad hills. Organizers and attendees frequently praise this backdrop. For instance, both the Breaking Beats director and the mayor highlighted the park’s “awesome setting” by the water as a reason it was perfect for a music festival (www.huttcity.govt.nz ) (wellington.scoop.co.nz ). No other venue in the Greater Wellington area offers such a fusion of riverside scenery and big-event capability.
Culturally, McEwen Park matters because it brings large-scale entertainment into Lower Hutt. Traditionally, most big concerts in the region were held in Wellington City or on the Kapiti coast, but bringing them here has boosted Petone’s profile. City leaders see events at McEwen Park as a way to enrich local arts and economy. The Mayor has noted that festivals here add to the “cultural depth” of Lower Hutt (www.rnz.co.nz ) and even put the city on the “entertainment map” (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). Economically, attracting thousands of visitors to the suburb supports nearby businesses (cafés, shops, and services). On a human level, the park is beloved by locals as a meeting spot – families picnic here on sunny weekends, dog-walkers use the trails, and now concert-goers mingle in the same space. Its humble sporting roots (hosting local teams and youth leagues) combined with recent standout events (like world-class DJs lighting up this “newest outdoor concert venue” (theguide.live )) make McEwen Park a special hybrid venue: community hub by day, festival ground by night.
Visitor Tips and Information
McEwen Park is mostly a flat, open grass site, so mobility access is quite good. Wheelchairs and strollers can navigate the leveled paths without stairs, and handicap parking or drop-off zones are typically arranged during events. Still, if you have specific needs (wheelchair spaces or assisted-viewing areas), contact event organizers ahead for exact plans. Arriving early is recommended. Big concerts draw thousands, and lines for entry or bars can form; getting there an hour before gates open usually ensures time to make it through crowd checks and find a prime spot. During a show, bring sun protection (hat and sunscreen) and comfortable layers. The Wellington region weather can turn cool after sunset or wind off the harbour, so a light jacket can be very helpful late in the evening.
What to bring: blanklets or low camping chairs are allowed but avoid large umbrellas or tall folding chairs (they block others’ views). Most events prohibit outside alcohol, glassware, professional cameras or drones – check the show’s website under “venue rules” for specifics. Water bottles (sealed, plastic) are usually permitted. The park can be dusty or muddy, so closed shoes are safer than sandals. It is also wise to bring cash or cards for food stalls, though many accept cards. Keep an eye on personal items; open fields mean pickpockets are rare, but unattended valuables should be avoided. One final tip: pets are welcome in the ordinary park (there is even a dog-wash station at nearby parks), but for ticketed events dogs are usually not allowed, so plan care accordingly.
Can I buy tickets at McEwen Park or do I need to pre-purchase?
There is no permanent box office at McEwen Park. Tickets for concerts and events are almost always sold in advance through the event promoter or authorized ticketing platforms. Always secure tickets early, as popular shows can sell out. For example, the Breaking Beats festival sold limited tickets (including transport add-ons) online (www.huttcity.govt.nz ), indicating advance sales only. Door/onsite sales at the park are rare.
What are the ticket prices for events at McEwen Park?
Prices vary by event. Big festivals in early 2024–25 have been in the ballpark of NZ$100–$120 for a general admission (GA) ticket. For instance, a “This is Living” electronic music festival listed its GA tickets at about NZ$119（plus fees） (www.ticketfairy.com ). Group deals (e.g. four-person bundles) were roughly NZ$109 each (www.ticketfairy.com ). Smaller or free community events may charge very little or nothing. Always check the specific event’s info page for exact pricing.
Where is McEwen Park located and how do I get there?
McEwen Park’s address is Marine Parade, Petone, Lower Hutt 5012 (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). By car, follow SH2 into Petone and turn onto Marine Parade. For public transport, take the Hutt Valley Line train to Petone Station, then walk (~10–15 minutes) or use event shuttles. During some festivals, free shuttle buses ran from Petone Station and Wellington CBD to the park every 15 minutes (www.ticketfairy.com ). Several bus routes along the Hutt Road also stop near Petone Village – from there it’s an easy walk to the park.
Is there parking available near McEwen Park?
McEwen Park has on-site parking, but it fills quickly during events (limited and first-come basis (www.ticketfairy.com )). Petone now has paid street parking on Jackson Street ($3/hr for 2-hour limit) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ), plus a few public carparks (Peel, Riddiford Garden). For big events, many guests park offsite and walk or use shuttles. Mobility-parking spaces are available along Jackson Street (note changed to paid same as other spots) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). Ride-share drop-offs at Marine Parade are common for concerts.
Are events at McEwen Park family-friendly and are there age limits?
It depends on the event. Family-oriented activities like the XRACE challenge at McEwen Park are open to all ages (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). However, many music festivals held here (e.g. Breaking Beats’ electronic music days) have strict 18+ age limits (www.ticketfairy.com ). Always check the ticket or event website – age restrictions will be clearly stated (often 18+ for late-night dance events). If children attend an all-ages show, they should be supervised at all times.
What seating or viewing options are there?
McEwen Park events are generally standing-room only. No permanent seats are provided. Audiences stand or sit on the grass, so it’s best to arrive early to claim a good spot. Some attendees bring portable beach/chairs or picnic blankets if permitted. The front rows near the stage offer the best sound and sightlines, while the back or edges are more spacious for people who prefer to spread out. A few events may reserve VIP areas directly in front of the stage (especially if VIP tickets are sold), but these are arranged by the promoter.
What items can I bring (or not bring) to McEwen Park events?
Policies vary by event, but generally no outside alcohol, large bottles, or glass containers are allowed. Small sealed water bottles might be okay. Umbrellas or large folding chairs are often banned because they obstruct others’ views. Professional camera equipment and drones are typically prohibited. Common sense carries: bring sun protection (hat, SPF) and a warm layer. Check each event’s rules; items like baby strollers or small clear bags are usually permitted, but security staff will have a final say at entry.
Are there restrooms and food vendors inside the park?
For everyday park use, there are permanent restrooms at McEwen Park (www.sportzone.org.nz ). During large events, organizers bring extra portable toilets to supplement them. Expect clean but basic facilities (often portable stalls). Food and drink vendors are event-dependent. Concerts and festivals usually feature a variety of food trucks or stalls offering snacks and meals, and bar tents selling drinks. If you arrive early, plan to eat beforehand, as queues may form. Any permanent park kiosk would only be open on race days or weekends.
Is McEwen Park accessible for disabled attendees?
Yes, the park itself is flat and has paved walkways suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Events usually provide accessible viewing platforms or reserved areas; it’s best to contact organizers if you need special access. Accessible parking is available on the adjacent Jackson Street (pay-for-use) (www.huttcity.govt.nz ). During events, there are typically ramps and staff to assist. In short, McEwen Park and its event setup are generally inclusive, but confirming specifics (like accessible toilets and seating) with the promoter beforehand is recommended.
What transport and parking are recommended for a major event?
For big events, public transit is often easiest. Take the train to Petone Station and walk or use the event shuttle buses (which in past festivals ran every 15 minutes from Petone and Wellington (www.ticketfairy.com )). If driving, plan to park well before the show. Use nearby public lots or Jackson Street parking (which costs ~$3/hr (www.huttcity.govt.nz )). Arrange a meetup spot before or after the event since phone signals may be spotty during large crowds. Because event parking is limited, carpooling or shuttle buses is highly recommended over driving alone.
Are pets allowed at McEwen Park during events?
McEwen Park is normally a dog-friendly recreation area, and pets on leashes often use the park outside event times. However, during organized concerts or festivals pets are usually not allowed on site for safety and noise reasons. If you bring pets on a normal day they should stay on the grass paths well away from any temporary stage structures. Always check the specific event’s website – it will state whether animals are permitted (but the rule is often “no pets” during crowded events).
What should I do if it rains or the weather is bad?
McEwen Park is completely outdoors, so weather is a key factor. Most festivals and concerts proceed rain-or-shine unless there are severe safety concerns. Bring a rain jacket and perhaps a waterproof case for your phone. Since mud can form on the grass, wear sturdy footwear. If an event is going to cancel or postpone, the organizers will notify ticket holders via email or social media (as a proactive rumor). In any case, keep checking the event’s official info. Prepared attendees stay comfortable and enjoy the show even if a light drizzle occurs.
What are the usual operating hours and entry times?
As a park, McEwen Park is open to the public during daylight hours (as shown on council maps, though check local signage). For ticketed events, gates typically open 1–2 hours before the first act. For example, a festival running 1pm–10:30pm had gates open around noon (www.ticketfairy.com ). You should aim to arrive shortly after open gates to avoid long queues. Local sports play on weekends mostly mornings and afternoons, but those schedules vary by club.
