Festival Accessibility

Nelson Arts Festival is passionate about providing accessibility for our community and creating a safe and welcoming space for all.

Here, you’ll find information to help you access and enjoy the Festival — including venue access, accessible ticketing, companion seats and content warnings. 

If there’s something you’d like to know that isn’t included here, please get in touch with our Access team at access@nelsonartsfestival.nz. 

Accessibility Programme

We’re committed to making Nelson Arts Festival more accessible for our community, and we’re continuing to learn, listen and grow our knowledge in this space. 

This year, we’re thrilled to continue our accessibility programme, with New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) included in our programme. 

If you have any thoughts, feedback or suggestions about accessibility at the Festival, we’d love to hear from you: access@nelsonartsfestival.nz. 

Make an Accessibility Request

Accessibility at the Festival

We’ve included accessibility symbols throughout our event listings to help you quickly identify the accessibility features available at each event.

You’ll also find information about accessibility at our Festival venues, including venue access, facilities and other useful information to help you plan your visit.
Wheelchair access is available at all of our Festival venues, although accessible areas and seating options vary between venues.

Some venues have designated wheelchair spaces or accessible seating. Please check the individual venue information for details about access, seating and facilities.

If you have any questions or specific access requirements, please contact us at access@nelsonartsfestival.nz.
More mobility access info
Service dogs are welcome at our festival venues. When you book your ticket, please let the box office staff know if your service dog will be accompanying you. You can do this by emailing or calling the venue.

We provide complimentary companion seats at all of our Festival venues for people who require one. 

If you require a companion seat, please let us know when booking. For information on how to book a complimentary companion ticket, please visit our How to Book section. 

If you have any questions about companion seating, please contact us at access@nelsonartsfestival.nz. 

When you see this icon on a festival event listing, it let's you know that the event has a large visual component and/or minimal audio, e.g. visual art exhibitions.
When you see this icon on a festival event listing, it let's you know that this event is non-verbal or has minimal use of language.

The NZSL symbol in our programme and event listings indicates that New Zealand Sign Language interpretation is available for that event. 

NZSL interpretation is provided by a trained interpreter who signs the spoken content of the performance or event. 

If you’re planning to attend an NZSL interpreted event, please let us know as early as possible so we can plan for the number of NZSL users attending. Contact us at access@nelsonartsfestival.nz. 

When you see the Audio Description symbol in our programme and event listings, it indicates that Audio Description is available for that event.

Audio Description provides a live, spoken description of the visual elements of a performance, including things such as settings, costumes, movement, facial expressions and actions on stage. The description is delivered through a headset or listening device. 

For more information about Audio Description or to discuss your access needs, please contact us at access@nelsonartsfestival.nz. 

Large Print Programme

For a larger print version of our 2026 programme brochure, click on the link below:
Download large print brochure

Accessible Ticketing Options

We’re committed to making the Festival as accessible as possible, including through our ticketing options.

When booking tickets for Nelson Arts Festival events, you’ll find a range of ticket options designed to support different needs and circumstances.

We're grateful for continued support from funders and partners which enables us to continue developing and improving our accessible ticketing options.

Our accessible ticketing options include:
Concession prices are available for community services, Gold Card and student card holders.

Concession tickets are 10% off the standard ticket price and are also available on some Early Bird ticket prices. Availability varies between events.

Please select the concession ticket at checkout, and the discount will be automatically applied.

Please bring your valid concession card or student ID with you to the event as proof of eligibility.
Book your tickets early to receive a discounted price. A number of Early Bird tickets will be available for each show.
Some of our whānau shows have special ticket offers for families attending together.

To be eligible, tickets must be purchased in one transaction and include at least one adult ticket and the minimum number of tickets specified for the offer.

The whānau offer is available as a ticketing option when booking eligible events. Please check the individual event listing for the specific offer available.

Group discounts are available on selected Festival events. Check individual event listings for details of any group offers available. 

Buy tickets to three or more different Pukapuka Talks shows and receive 25% off. 

This offer is for individuals and cannot be used to purchase multiple tickets to the same event. If you’re booking tickets for a group attending together, please see our Group Discount instead. 

Receive 10% off each ticket when you book tickets to both Comedy Double Bill performances on the same night. 

Card Holder Discount is not applicable to this offer. 

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? Email us at info@nelsonartsfestival.nz

Book Now!

How to book

Book Online

Take a look at the programme to book individual events, or head to our dedicated booking page, below:
Book Now!

In Person | By Phone

Swing by our friendly Box Offices if you prefer to book in person:

Theatre Royal 
78 Rutherford Street | 12pm - 4pm weekdays
Phone: 03 548 3840 (Select 1)

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA)
48 Nile St | 10am - 4pm weekdays
Phone: 03 548 9477

Got questions?

If you have any questions about an event or tickets you have purchased you can email: 
boxoffice@theatreroyalnelson.co.nz or access@nelsonartsfestival.nz

How to Pay

You can pay with cash, eftpos or credit card. Tickets ordered over the phone can be collected in person or emailed to you free of charge — please enquire at the time of booking.

Ticket Prices & Service Fees

All ticket prices are inclusive of GST but do not include the per ticket service fee. If using a credit card, this will also incur a fee. The following are our per ticket service and credit card fees:

  • $2.00 per ticket for internet purchases
  • $2.00 per ticket for counter purchases
  • Credit card fees 1%

Door Sales

Door sales are available one hour prior to the performance time. Please check availability on the individual show listings. Some events will sell out.
I'm Ready - Book Now!

Booking Information

Ticket prices include GST but do not include service or credit card fees.
The Festival team are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community.

Please adhere to health and safety information at our venues, and comply with any safety instructions from staff and volunteers. 
Once you have purchased your tickets, we are not able to refund or exchange them.

If an event is postponed or cancelled, we will offer exchanges or refunds to our ticket holders.

All our events start on time – except for unforeseen circumstances. Please note that for safety reasons, some events may have a lock-out, which means that late-comers cannot be admitted.

Latecomers

We reserve the right to admit latecomers only at a suitable point in a performance. If there is no suitable point, latecomers may not be permitted to enter. Latecomers are not entitled to a refund or transfer.

Theatre Royal, NCMA and Trafalgar Centre have allocated seating. 

All other Festival venues are general admission, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

To ensure a safe space for our artists, the use of mobile phones or other similar devices is not permitted during shows. The use of cameras or other recording devices is strictly prohibited.

Content Warnings

Some Festival events may include content or effects that some audience members may find disturbing, uncomfortable or challenging. This may include things such as strobe lighting, loud or sudden sounds, or references to topics such as sexual assault or drug use. 

Events with content or trigger warnings are marked with an alert symbol in our programme and event listings. Specific content warnings are provided within each individual event listing, so you can make an informed decision about what’s right for you. 

Disclaimer

At the time of loading the website [and printing the brochure!] every effort was made to ensure that programme details were correct. However, some changes may occur after publication. Please continue to check the Festival website and our social media pages for the latest information and don't hesitate to contact us if in any doubt.

Safe & Respectful Space

Nelson Arts Festival is committed to providing a safe space for all. We have zero tolerance for discriminatory and bullying behaviours.

Venues

Central Whakatū & around town

Theatre Royal - 78 Rutherford St
The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū - 208 Bridge St
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) - 48 Nile St
The Trafalgar Centre - Paru Paru Road
Deville Music Hub - 22 New St
Elma Turner Library - 27 Halifax St
Nelson Provincial Museum  - Cnr Trafalgar and Hardy St
Kirby Lane - 105 Bridge St
The Boathouse - 326 Wakefield Quay
Fairfield House, 48 Van Diemen Street 
Upper Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Kismet, 151 Hardy Street
WAA! Club, 183 Bridge Street
Tāhunanui Beach, Rocks Road / Bisley Avenue
Tāwera, 77 Trafalgar St
Tāhunanui School Hall, 69 Muritai Street
The Vic Public House, 281 Trafalgar Street

Further afield: Te Tai-o-Aorere

Neudorf Vineyards - 138 Neudorf Road, Upper Moutere
Te Noninga Kumu Motueka Public Library - 32 Wallace St, Motueka
Village Theatre - 32 Commercial Street, Tākaka

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