Nelson Arts Festival

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

Our Artistic Director Janelle Bish recently joined Fresh FM’s Community Conversations for a sneak peek at the 2026 Nelso...
29/07/2026

Our Artistic Director Janelle Bish recently joined Fresh FM’s Community Conversations for a sneak peek at the 2026 Nelson Arts Festival.

Hear about our first ticket release, what audiences can expect this October, and why the Festival continues to be a highlight of Whakatū’s arts and culture calendar.

Listen here: https://freshfm.co.nz/programme/community-conversations/

Applications Open: BY WHAKATŪ RESIDENCY 2026 Nelson Arts Festival is seeking applications for the BY WHAKATŪ RESIDENCY 2...
27/07/2026

Applications Open: BY WHAKATŪ RESIDENCY 2026

Nelson Arts Festival is seeking applications for the BY WHAKATŪ RESIDENCY 2026.

This residency supports artists from Te Tauihu to explore, test, develop, and deepen creative ideas through dedicated time, space, mentorship, and development funding.

Nelson Arts Festival seeks to award one project with early development funding. This opportunity is open to individual artists or collectives across all artforms. The residency prioritises seed funding for specific project development, including but not limited to research, experimentation, creative development, and connection with Te Tauihu.

This fund seeks to initiate and support the development of projects for future festival presentation, that artists of Whakatū.

The selected project will receive:

Development funding of up to NZD $2,500 + GST

Access to Artshub Project Space

Mentorship and professional support

Opportunities to connect with the wider creative community

A public sharing opportunity as part of Nelson Arts Festival

A finished work is not required.

Applications close: Friday 28 August 2026

For more information, visit our website: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/participate/by-whakatu-residency-2026/

Ready to apply? Complete the application form here: https://airtable.com/appTc0N2zRs4OcohJ/pagp1uWq4H7ruximb/form

Entries are now open for the 2026 Te Tauihu Short Story Awards!They are run by the New Zealand Society of Authors Top o...
24/07/2026

Entries are now open for the 2026 Te Tauihu Short Story Awards!

They are run by the New Zealand Society of Authors Top of the South Branch committee. Being the only annual bilingual short story competition in Aotearoa, offering a total prize pool of $3,600, the awards are open to all writers living in New Zealand. 2026 Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction winner Ingrid Horrocks will judge the English category (after local writers Grant Smithies and Sylvan Thomson wrangle the shortlist) and Renee Kahukura Iosefa will judge te reo Māori entries.

Entries close 30 September and the winners will be announced during this year’s Nelson Arts Festival.

Meet Yohann Trépanier — Co-writer and Co-director of Machine de Cirque.Creative, entrepreneurial and inventive, Yohann h...
23/07/2026

Meet Yohann Trépanier — Co-writer and Co-director of Machine de Cirque.

Creative, entrepreneurial and inventive, Yohann has performed on stages around the world.

He has also worked with Cirque du Soleil, and his duo Les Beaux Frères became an international sensation with performances viewed more than 40 million times online.

Expect serious skill, creativity and plenty of surprises.

🎟 Book now: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/machine-de-cirque/

—
The Nelson Arts Festival is proudly supported by the New Zealand Government’s Events Boost Fund, through its investment in our major signature event, Machine de Cirque.

Machine de Cirque Partners: Rutherford Hotel Nelson CLM Gravity Events Nelson
100% Pure New Zealand

Nelson is alive with the sound of Jazz music!The Nelson Jazz Winter Festival came out swinging last night at The Boathou...
22/07/2026

Nelson is alive with the sound of Jazz music!

The Nelson Jazz Winter Festival came out swinging last night at The Boathouse. If you missed it, there's plenty more chances to get into the swing of things with 26 events across Nelson until Sunday 26th, featuring some of Aotearoa’s finest jazz musicians. There's even 19 free performances in local cafés, bars and community venues giving everyone a chance to enjoy.

Check out the programme here: https://www.nelsonjazzclub.com/jazzfest2026

After many years at Yaza Café, Nelson Live Poets has a new home, meeting every third Tuesday of the month at WAA! (Whaka...
21/07/2026

After many years at Yaza Café, Nelson Live Poets has a new home, meeting every third Tuesday of the month at WAA! (Whakatū Arts and Action, 183 Bridge Street, Nelson). Last month was a huge success (our Artistic Director Janelle Bish and Pukapuka Talks Programme Lead Kerry Sunderland were lucky enough to be there).

Come along tonight to hear from local poets, slam poets and songwriters, all capably wrangled by Hazlito (AKA Russell Hazlitt-Black). Koha at the door.

Hazlito is also on a mission to revive Slam Poetry in Whakatū Nelson with two dedicated slam events planned: on National Poetry Day (Friday August 28) and the Golden Bay/Nelson Regional Poetry Slam will take place at the Mussel Inn in September.

Love the arts? Join the team behind the Festival.We're looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help bring the N...
21/07/2026

Love the arts? Join the team behind the Festival.

We're looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers to help bring the Nelson Arts Festival to life this October. Whether you're welcoming audiences, supporting artists or lending a hand behind the scenes, there's a role for everyone.

Meet great people, be part of the Festival from the inside, and help create unforgettable experiences for our community.

Find out more and sign up today: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/participate/volunteer/

Meet Vincent Dubé: General Manager and Co-Writer of Machine de Cirque.Vincent has spent more than 20 years performing in...
16/07/2026

Meet Vincent Dubé: General Manager and Co-Writer of Machine de Cirque.

Vincent has spent more than 20 years performing internationally, including with Cirque du Soleil and several renowned circus companies.

As the principal founder of Machine de Cirque, he is the creative force behind the company’s signature style — blending physical brilliance, humour and emotional storytelling.

His imagination helped shape the wildly inventive world you’ll experience on stage this October.

🎟 Book now: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/machine-de-cirque/

—
The Nelson Arts Festival is proudly supported by the New Zealand Government’s Events Boost Fund, through its investment in our major signature event, Machine de Cirque.

Machine de Cirque Partners: Rutherford Hotel Nelson CLM Gravity Events Nelson 100% Pure New Zealand

Cherishing New Zealand's own Sir Sam Neill, beloved performer and champion of the arts, and so much more.Across his care...
14/07/2026

Cherishing New Zealand's own Sir Sam Neill, beloved performer and champion of the arts, and so much more.

Across his career spanning more than five decades, Sam gave memorable performances that made him stand out on the world stage. As ambassador for Wānaka Festival of Colour, he gave his passionate support to artists, and believed strongly in the vital role the arts play in our communities.

Our thoughts are with his whānau and friends.

Thank you for everything, Sir Sam. You will be sorely missed.

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