Family Friendly

Immerse yourself in nature at the Sanctuary and witness six artists from around Aotearoa create sustainable, ephemeral artworks using only natural materials.

Likened to Kate Bush, Anna Meredith and Björk, Esther Swift explores ritual, connection, isolation, and the natural world with pedal harp and voice, spanning genres from classical chamber to Scottish folk music. Prolific, bold, innovative – all the way from Scotland for this special performance.

Crochet extraordinaires Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole are among THE most exciting contemporary visual artists in Aotearoa right now with their ngā toi celebrating cultural heritage through captivating storytelling and artistic innovation. We are immensely proud to commission their new large-scale project, Waka of Dreams. 

Our 2024 Schools Programme features three stellar storytellers – Lauren Keenan, Rachael King, and Claire Mabey – who share their spellbinding tales (think ‘writers are rock stars’ vibe) and support tamariki to create their own.  

Keen to get right amongst the arts action and grow your skills under the guidance of our amazing Festival artists? We hear you!  

Via ceramics, papier maché, textiles, poetry, pen and ink, Sam Duckor-Jones builds communities, casting a fluorescent pink lens across the fears and triumphs of an aspirationally shimmering live-alone gay in 21st century Aotearoa.

Renowned around the world for their visual storytelling in public spaces, urban artists Charles and Janine Williams explore the intricacies of identity vs cultural misconceptions in this exhibition of mixed media works – a must-see celebration of ngā toi Māori! 

Leading Māori ceramicist Carla Ruka brings together a collective of artists to explore the powerful symbolism of clay in a new exhibition at The Suter Art Gallery. Delving into the realm of Hineukurangi, the Māori deity of clay, this showcase offers a unique perspective on Māori culture and artistry.

‘It was so Surreal’, is a common expression of strange visual phenomena which may feel fantastical, absurdist, dream-or nightmare-like, or as if ‘reality’ is muddled with the bizarre. The genes of Surrealist art are widespread in contemporary art practices today, but also in visual culture at large, such as film and advertising; so much so, we take them for granted.

A participatory art installation to create paper cranes for all people who have lost their lives during the current crisis in Palestine. Origami cranes are the Japanese art form Senbazuru, a traditional belief that by folding 1,000 origami cranes, one’s wish would come true.  

Midday music delights are back to brighten your lunch hour! First up: Rosemary Galton and Kyoko Takashima. 

Come celebrate the future of Aotearoa music right here in Whakatū! Tune Up will again transform Kirby Lane into an outdoor music hub with an amazing line up of rangatahi musicians.

Likened to Kate Bush, Anna Meredith and Björk, Esther Swift explores ritual, connection, isolation, and the natural world with pedal harp and voice, spanning genres from classical chamber to Scottish folk music. Prolific, bold, innovative – all the way from Scotland for this special performance.

The whispers return to our city’s bollards! Led by artist and tutor Klaasz Breukel, Level 5 & 6 NMIT Digital Art & Design students share their reflections on how the arts can carve a path forward through the cresting waves of a fast-changing world. 

We invite nature lovers and music aficionados alike to immerse themselves in a magical fusion of music and the natural world at the Sanctuary. New Zealand String Quartet presents an unforgettable experience that evokes the beauty of nature and birdsong. 

Award-winning musicians and collaborators Ariana Tikao (Kāi Tahu) and Bob Bickerton have joined forces to create Muriwai. A confluence of two rivers, their music merges Māori and Celtic musical traditions through Celtic harp, vocals, and taonga puoro. 

Piezo transducers wired to locally found objects, augmented electronica and real-time projection of ghostly hints of underlying sound coalesce in a series of sculptural instruments. From the creators of Piki Mai, see a new multimedia work develop across two days or join for the final performance.

Midday music delights are back to brighten your lunch hour! This week, enjoy a stunning hour with pianist Ya-Ting Liou.

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!

South Korean-born Yeyeong Jenny Jin has won many awards, including the 2023 Michael Hill International Violin Competition. 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition winner, Jeonghwan Kim joins Jenny as part of a 10-centre tour for an evening of mesmerising sonata.

Good art is good for you, and that’s why we’re prescribing you a day dedicated to browsing, looking and listening. Slow Art Day returns with a slow-paced but jam-packed programme of artist talks and beautiful exhibitions all over town. 

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! 

We’re proud to again gift a paid residency to an artist from Te Tauihu, to progress their mahi or trial new ideas. This will culminate in a sharing during the Festival where the selected residency artist can show the community what they’re working on. Our 2024 recipients are Hariata Herekoe and Chloe Loftus.

Experience the greatest concert film of all time like never before: Stop Making Sense was shot over three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in December 1983 and features Talking Heads‘ most memorable songs. Dance floor tickets available! 

The incredible, award-winning Tami Neilson performs a collection of her favourites from Willie Nelson’s Songbook, while sharing stories of working with the man himself.

Join World of WearableArt Founder & Ambassador Dame Suzie Moncrieff, Show Director Malia Johnston and award-winning designer Gill Saunders for an entertaining evening of memories.