article: You would be forgiven for thinking these colourful scenes of dancing, singing and beating drums is something straight off the streets of South America. But in actual fact it’s Wellington in New Zealand. The quaint capital city put on one hell of a show last weekend for its inaugural CubaDupa festival – a colourful party that shut down streets and spanned several blocks. Scroll down for video . The wacky and delightful Electric Groove Rider stormed down Wellington's Cuba Street at the weekend for the city's inaugural CubaDupa festival – a colourful party that shut down streets and spanned several blocks . Wellington Batucada – a community-based percussion group – brought the flamboyant world of samba to Cuba Street with late night revellers eager to be part of the dancing street party unfolding . Wellington’s iconic and bohemian Cuba Street was the centre point of all activity and drew in thousands of locals and tourists for the contagious and frenetic festivities. The massive scale festival – the first of its kind in several years - saw lively street performances, circus acts taking over parks, performers dancing in shop windows and music stretching across the corners of the city. Performers dressed in outrageously outlandish costumes strolled casually through the nooks and crannies of CubaDupa just like the average-dressed tourist. CubaDupa transformed everyday parking blocks into stages across the Cuba Street precinct, with more than 100 different performances scheduled over the weekend. The quaint capital city put on one hell of a show at the weekend for its inaugural CubaDupa festival – a colourful party that shut down streets and spanned several blocks . Performers dressed in outrageously outlandish costumes strolled casually through the nooks and crannies of CubaDupa just like the average-dressed tourist . CubaDupa transformed everyday parking blocks into stages across the Cuba Street precinct, with more than 100 different performances scheduled over the weekend . And not even the rain could dampen the carnival spirit with thousands soaking up the party vibes along the Cuba Street precinct. As the rain started to fall on Saturday afternoon, Brazilian-style drumming group Sambatron led the crowd in an energised dance procession down the main street. The party continued with Wellington’s Cuban salsa specialists, Cuban Fusion and Cuban Quartet Calle Cuba, hosting a dance class that drew in the young and old for a large scale conga line. No one even batted an eyelid as revellers spontaneously broke out into a dance at the first sound of a beating drum or trumpet. Wellington’s iconic and bohemian Cuba Street was the centre point of all activity and drew in thousands of locals and tourists for the contagious and frenetic festivities . Many craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Spanish street performers Osadia creating wacky hairstyles straight out of The Hunger Games . Not even the rain could dampen the carnival spirit with thousands soaking up the party vibes along the Cuba Street precinct . The massive scale festival – the first of its kind in several years - saw lively street performances, circus acts taking over parks, performers dancing in shop windows and music stretching across the corners of the city . The punk costumed, theatrical dancers that make up the wacky and delightful Electric Groove Rider was a huge drawcard as performers made their way up and down the street in a unique pedal powered mobile sound system. A flashmob took over a circus-themed carpark with children and even the elderly invited to take part as they performed a hilarious mashup of the Kiwi classic Poi E and Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Wellington Batucada – a community-based percussion group – brought the flamboyant world of samba to Cuba Street with late night revellers eager to be part of the dancing street party that quickly unfolded. But it wasn’t just the musical and dance performances that had everyone on their feet. Many craned their necks to catch a glimpse of Spanish street performers Osadia creating wacky hairstyles straight out of The Hunger Games. Various performers took to Wellington's Cuba Street in an array of culture and colour over Saturday and Sunday . Unicorn Roxy Coervers and princess Courtney L'Amour were among the festival-goers dressed to impress . Culture was at the heart of CubaDupa with traditional dances and costumes a highlight of the event . Circus acts twirled from suspending ropes and hoops in what would have been just a regular carpark on any other day . Cuba Street is regularly a hub for entertainment and food, so it’s no wonder the varying eclectic tastes were on show in true street festival style. Wellington is said to have more bars, restaurants and cafes per capita than New York – and they were certainly out in force during CubaDupa. More than 60 vendors were on hand on Saturday to serve food on the street, with many eateries setting up stalls outside their shops to draw people in. On Sunday, Cuba Street was transformed into a massive outdoor café with resident eateries including Scopa, Ombra and Mattherhorn setting up tables on the street for the hungry festival-goers. CubaDupa, which is a retake on the former Cuba Street Carnival, is said to have cost about $500,000 to put on and will be funded for the next five years. Daily Mail Australia was at CubaDupa as a guest of Positively Wellington Tourism. Spanish street performers Osadia were busy creating wacky hairstyles straight out of The Hunger Games . Cuba Street is regularly a hub for entertainment and food, so it’s no wonder the varying eclectic tastes were on show in true street festival style . Musical and dance performances had everyone on their feet for the city's inaugural CubaDupa festival .
highlights: Wellington held its inaugural CubaDupa festival bringing in performers from across the world .
  New Zealand's capital shut down several streets for the colourful party that spanned several blocks .
  The iconic and bohemian Cuba Street was the centre point of all activity and drew in thousands despite the rain .
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   Electric Groove Rider stormed down Wellington' s Cuba Street at the weekend for the city' s inaugural CubaDupa festival 
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