King Kong is coming!!!

Listen up! New Zealand folks!

A crowd has begun to form along Wellington's Courtney Place in anticipation of the New Zealand premiere of King Kong, Peter Jackson's latest film.

By 11am an estimated 200 fans lined the red carpet outside the Embassy Theatre on a scorching summer's day in the capital.

Buskers, stilt walkers and comedians will start the entertainment on the red carpet at 3.30pm. Kiwi celebrities including Dave Dobbyn, Karl Urban and Marc Ellis will arrive at 5.30pm, when Wellington rock band Odessa will play music to pep up the crowd. Jackson and the stars, except for Jack Black who has commitments in the United States, will start arriving at 6pm.

After speeches, guests will watch the three hour-long King Kong in the Embassy from 7pm, followed by a premiere party at Massey University's Grand Hall.

TODAY'S EVENTS

3pm: Allen St and Blair St closed to most vehicles.

3.30pm: Entertainment begins on red carpet, which will run from Allen St to Embassy Theatre. Includes buskers, stilt walkers and comedians 5pm: Guests begin arriving.

5.30pm: NZ celebrities arrive, including Dave Dobbyn, Karl Urban, Daniel Carter, Trelise Cooper, Marc Ellis, Norm Hewitt and Shihad frontman Jon Toogood.

6pm: King Kong stars arrive - Peter Jackson, Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks, Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Thomas Kretschmann and Philippa Boyens.

6.45pm: Speeches.

7pm: Invitation-only King Kong screening. Roads will begin opening.

10.30pm: Invitation-only party at the Great Hall, Massey University.