Get excited:


Over 200 artists will join us in Whakatū for 11 days of awe-inspiring, audacious, accessible and: unmissable arts experiences this spring.

Take a look at our programme trailer and then head to All Events to find your favourite(s):

Piki mai, kake mai.
Welcome to Nelson Arts Festival 

Many boats in one ocean, looking to many stars in one sky.

Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tina.
Seek out distant horizons and cherish those you attain.

2024, our 30th Nelson Arts Festival.

A Festival (and a fleet) carving a path through the cresting wave.
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Awe-inspiring.
Audacious.
Accessible.

Celebrating 30 years of unmissable arts experiences for and with our community.

Take a trip down memory lane with our festival archive and memory wall.

Featured Events

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Our Mission

To ignite creativity and connection through transformative arts experiences. 

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