Nelson Arts Festival

Nelson Arts Festival An annual festival of unmissable arts experiences for and with Whakatū Nelson | 22 Oct - 1 Nov 2026

13/10/2026

This one’s for the kids who dream of reaching the stars! 🚀

Join 8-year-old Ellen as the spaceship on her bedroom ceiling comes to life, taking her and a crew of space pioneers on an extraordinary adventure.

A live radio play. With pictures! THE VALENTINA is a gorgeous interstellar adventure for anyone who’s looked to the stars and imagined the cosmos.

THE VALENTINA
The Rebel Alliance

The Pastorius Waller Theatre At The Suter
Fri 30 Oct, 1pm + Sat 31 Oct, 10.30am

Supported by: Cutting Edge Signs & Graphics
Funded by: Creative New Zealand

Introducing…HOLOGRAPHIC 4-piece indie rock from Nelson Holographic came together just ten days before the 2026 Rockques...
12/10/2026

Introducing…HOLOGRAPHIC

4-piece indie rock from Nelson

Holographic came together just ten days before the 2026 Rockquest heats as a last minute entry, and went all the way to the Regional Finals. The Nelson four piece plays indie rock that swings from upbeat and energetic to groovy and mellow, and they're always experimenting with new sounds.

Tune Up
KIRBY LANE
Fri 23 Oct | 5.30pm – 8.30pm

Supported by Smokefreerockquest

Meet Tina Makereti, the award-winning author bringing her powerful kupu to life in Ā MUA.Weaving storytelling, taonga pu...
12/10/2026

Meet Tina Makereti, the award-winning author bringing her powerful kupu to life in Ā MUA.

Weaving storytelling, taonga puoro and strings, this performance journeys through past, present and future, inspired by the Māori creation story. Tina hopes audiences leave with “a sense of hope and awe”.

You can also catch Tina alongside Joseph Trinidad in our Pukapuka Talk, BIG WORLDS IN SHORT, sharing how writing about family and ancestors can help us understand ourselves.

Ā MUA Chamber Music New Zealand
Sat 24 Oct | 7.30pm
The Pastorius Waller Theatre at The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū
Book Tickets: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/a-mua/

BIG WORLDS IN SHORT
Sun 25 Oct | 10am
NCMA
Book Tickets: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/big-worlds-in-short/

Anyone who buys a Pukapuka Pass will go into win a $300 voucher to the incredible Maruia River Retreat NZA private natur...
12/10/2026

Anyone who buys a Pukapuka Pass will go into win a $300 voucher to the incredible Maruia River Retreat NZ

A private nature and wellness resort in the Nelson-Tasman region, top of the South Island, designed for deep rest, rejuvenation, exploration and celebration.

Check out the Pukapuka Talks Pass, which gives you a whopping 25% off when you buy three or more tickets in a single transaction.

To activate the discount, choose your first session, and then scroll down to the button that says ‘BOOK MORE TICKETS’ and the remaining Pukapuka Talks Pass sessions will appear so you can them to your shopping cart.

Pukapuka Talks are presented by: Go Media

Thank you to:
Paper Plus Nelson

Or follow this link: https://nz.patronbase.com/_NelsonArtsFestival/Seasons/View?season_id=PT26

You’ve done it again, Nelson! 🪩 BATTLE CHORUS – DISCO has officially joined the SOLD OUT club! We can’t wait to hear you...
11/10/2026

You’ve done it again, Nelson! 🪩

BATTLE CHORUS – DISCO has officially joined the SOLD OUT club! We can’t wait to hear you belting out those disco classics in a glitter-filled sing-off at NCMA.

Supported by: Bowater Toyota

We’re loving your enthusiasm for this year’s Festival – thank you for getting behind the programme and making these shared moments possible! ❤️

Still making your Festival plans? There’s plenty more to discover, so gather your people, grab your tickets and come join in!

Nelson Arts Festival events: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/events/

11/10/2026

Who is this world for?

A big question at the heart of YMCĀ. Hear from choreographer Oli Mathiesen.

Oli Mathiesen, the artist behind The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, which was presented at Nelson Arts Festival in 2024, is the creative force behind YMCĀ, a brand-new Māori contemporary dance work commissioned by Atamira Dance Company.

Go behind the scenes of the premiere season, discover the ideas shaping the work, and meet the artist bringing YMCĀ to life.

YMCĀ
Atamira Dance Company
Theatre Royal Nelson
Sat 31 Oct | 7.30pm

Book Tickets: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/ymca/

Supported by: MediaWorks New Zealand

You might have seen the headlines: Writers festivals are the new raves!And Pukapuka Talks is bringing that energy to Nel...
11/10/2026

You might have seen the headlines: Writers festivals are the new raves!

And Pukapuka Talks is bringing that energy to Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

The hub will be buzzing, with our PaperPlus pop-up bookstore, signing sessions, hot coffee (thanks to Sublime), snacks, and comfy places to lounge, read and connect.

Join us for Pukapuka Talks in just under two weeks!

Pukapuka Talks are presented by: Go Media

Thank you to:
Paper Plus Nelson

Introducing…MUDBONE 4-piece alternative rock from Richmond MUDBONE are a four piece from Waimea College playing hard hi...
11/10/2026

Introducing…MUDBONE

4-piece alternative rock from Richmond

MUDBONE are a four piece from Waimea College playing hard hitting, high energy alternative rock. Tain O'Neill, Logan Olsen, Flynn Ellis and Ashdyn McDowell have been building their sound at school gigs, and Tune Up is their chance to show Nelson what they've got.

Tune Up
KIRBY LANE
Fri 23 Oct | 5.30pm – 8.30pm

Supported by Smokefreerockquest

10/10/2026

Why now?

Why is making YMCĀ urgent, now? Choreographer Oli Mathiesen explains.

Oli Mathiesen, the artist behind The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, which was presented at Nelson Arts Festival in 2024, is the creative force behind YMCĀ, a brand-new Māori contemporary dance work commissioned by Atamira Dance Company.

Go behind the scenes of the premiere season, discover the ideas shaping the work, and meet the artist bringing YMCĀ to life.

YMCĀ
Atamira Dance Company
Theatre Royal Nelson
Sat 31 Oct | 7.30pm

Book Tickets: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/ymca/

Supported by: MediaWorks New Zealand

Congratulations to Hannah Curwood, our 2026 By Whakatū Residency recipient!Hannah Curwood (Hannah in the Wars) is a Nels...
10/10/2026

Congratulations to Hannah Curwood, our 2026 By Whakatū Residency recipient!

Hannah Curwood (Hannah in the Wars) is a Nelson-based songwriter, vocalist, musician and music teacher whose post-punk sound has drawn comparisons to PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. During her By Whakatū Residency, she'll record, mix, and master a new full-length album with her band, following the forthcoming single Dirty Light, with Come As You WAA!, the community choir she founded, featuring on one track.

“We were incredibly impressed by the calibre and ambition of this year’s By Whakatū Residency applicants. The selection process highlighted the depth of creative talent here in Whakatū and the exciting ideas emerging from our local arts community.

We’re delighted to support Hannah as this year’s recipient. Her clear creative vision, strong artistic aesthetic, and genuine passion for taking community on her journey felt like a natural and exciting fit.”

- Janelle Bish Artistic Director

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