St Helens twice came from behind to book their place in the Super League Grand Final for a sixth straight year.
Wigan led 12-8 at the break with tries from Josh Charnley and recalled Eamon O'Carroll, either side of the bursting Lee Gaskell's stunner for Saints.
But second-half tries from Paul Wellens, Jamie Foster, who kicked five goals, and James Roby proved crucial, despite Sam Tomkins' late consolation.
And that booked Saints' date with Leeds at Old Trafford next Saturday night.
Victory over the reigning champions now means a chance for Saints to end their run of four straight Grand Final defeats, especially to avenge their three successive losses to Leeds, in 2007, 2008 and 2009, as they bid for a first Super League triumph since their double-winning year of 2006.
While it means a Grand Final for Saints coach Royce Simmons to end his first season in charge, it was a disappointing finale for his fellow Aussie, South Sydney-bound Michael Maguire, in what proved his final game in charge.
And, although Saints enjoyed the breaks on the night as they ended Wigan's dream of the double, they defended superbly to ultimately deserve a second play-off derby victory inside a fortnight - and payback in particular for their 22-10 Grand Final defeat by Maguire's men at Old Trafford a year ago.
It is also the first time since the Grand Final began in 1998 that it will not be contested by either of the teams finishing the regular season in the top two.
After dominating the early exchanges, Wigan drew first blood through Pat Richards' early penalty before the visitors went one better when Foster's error triggered the game's first try.
Thomas Leuluai stabbed a neat enough kick to the corner, Foster's attempt to kick clear ended with an air shot and he then missed his tackle as Charnley galloped in for his 23rd try of the season.
Richards pulled the conversion and worse was to come when they passed up the chance of a second try, Joel Tomkins failing to hold onto a scoring pass from brother Sam with the Saints line gaping.
It always looked likely to be a crucial moment, especially when Saints then took a real foothold in the contest.
Wellens was held up over the line by Sam Tomkins and Leuluai and Gaskell wasted a great opportunity following a clean break down the middle. But Gaskell then made no mistake two minutes later when he burst through to register his fourth try in five games.
Foster then added the extras before slotting a penalty to make it 8-6 but back came Wigan.
After Sam Tomkins just failed to get on end of Finch's kick, Wigan then did score again when O'Carroll, who has had such an unhappy time with injuries, came off the bench to score.
Fed by Leuluai, the Hull-bound prop rolled in next to the upright, Richards slotting the conversion for a 12-8 half-time lead.
Wellens then tied it up at 12-12 when Wigan allowed him in wide out on the left, Foster adding the extras and then slotting a penalty for a four-point cushion.
Four became eight when Foster himself went in at the left corner, his first missed kick of the night leaving Saints 20-12 up going into the final quarter.
Wigan battered away but Sia Soliola snaked out an arm to stop a charging Harrison Hansen before Michael Shenton did the same to deny Sam Tomkins. And it was all over bar the shouting when Roby nipped in for his side's fourth try.
Sam Tomkins made the scoreline a little kinder with the final score of the night, converted by Richards, who landed three of his four kicks at goal. But, in their final game at the temporary Stobart Stadium home, it was Saints' night.
Source:BBC
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