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
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.
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
AIGA
Theatre Royal
Tues 29 Oct | 6.30pm | 65 min
An exploration of identity, desire, family, and of being disabled and Pasifika, AIGA (Sāmoan for family/whānau) is ground-breaking theatre told through the lens of Pacific Toa award-winner Lusi Faiva.
MASK CARNIVALE 2024
Whakatū Nelson CBD
Fri 1 Nov | 5-10pm
Mask Parade starts at 5.15pm | Carnivale from 5.45pm
What better way to celebrate 30 years of Nelson Arts Festivals than with this all-time favourite – please join us for the street party of the year, Whakatū! There’s so much to enjoy: the parade, pop-up performances, a whole zone curated by the amazing folx at Pasefika Arts and Culture Collective (PACC), a stellar music line-up, and delicious kai from our food vendors. We can’t wait to see you there!
MOON
Suter Theatre
Sat 2 + Sun 3 Nov | 10am | 45 min
A clown dressed as Napoleon lands on the moon. Bubbles go everywhere. Intergalactic sounds emanate from a spaceman. What on earth is happening on this moon? These new dads have made a show that their kids would like. Bring yours, especially if they’re 7 and under!
THE BUTTERFLY WHO FLEW INTO THE RAVE
Theatre Royal
Sat 2 Nov | 8pm | 70 min
A three-day rave condensed into an award-winning art performance: three dancers, non-stop, endurance, club culture. A spectacle of the human body as victim to music, passion and our endless desire to achieve more. Prepare to be (literally) moved. Dance floor tickets available!
WERO (CHALLENGE)
Deville Music Hub
Sat 2 Nov
Doors Open 8pm | Main Acts 8.30pm – 1.30am
Join us for an unforgettable night at Wero, a curated club event that honors and celebrates the vibrant contributions of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities within Aotearoa’s electronic music scene. This unique gathering is more than just a club night; it’s a powerful homage to those who have dared to challenge societal norms, push boundaries, and reshape the cultural landscape.