Nelson Arts Festival

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

“If Lloyd Webber can do CATS, we can do CHOOKS!”CHOOKSThe Boathouse, Nelson | Thu 29 Oct, 8.30pm + Fri 30 Oct, 7pm CHOOK...
30/08/2026

“If Lloyd Webber can do CATS, we can do CHOOKS!”

CHOOKS
The Boathouse, Nelson | Thu 29 Oct, 8.30pm + Fri 30 Oct, 7pm

CHOOKS is a riot of comedy, cabaret and clowning and more than one gloriously unhinged chicken impression. Join passionate chicken farmer Bridget and her faithful netball team as they set out to bring Las Vegas razzle dazzle to rural Aotearoa. ‘The Girls’ are holding no punches as they strut, squark and cackle their way through rapid fire sketches, big show stopper songs and hilarious dance routines.
This is the kind of show that makes you feel like you’ve been part of something wild, weird, and wonderful. Co-devised by seven midlife women who refuse to disappear, settle down, or behave themselves.

Presented by multi-award-winning mischief-maker Tessa Waters, creator of The Feminist Clown Posse and Fringe Wives Club

‘The Best live show of 2025” – The Press

Performed and created by Tessa Waters Emma Brittenden, Kate Finnerty, Elizebeth Fraser, Mary Davison, Emma Newborn and Andy Brigden

Previous awards for Tessa Waters
Winner: Best Variety Act, Good Times Comedy Awards (2024)
Winner: Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Edinburgh Fringe (2018)
Winner: Best Cabaret, Adelaide Fringe (2018)

Supported by: Atkinson Crehan Law

Book tickets now: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/chooks/

It’s a feverish Saturday Night singalong in Whakatū!BATTLE CHORUS – DISCONelson Centre of Musical Arts | Sat 24 Oct | 8....
29/08/2026

It’s a feverish Saturday Night singalong in Whakatū!

BATTLE CHORUS – DISCO
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts | Sat 24 Oct | 8.30pm

The crowd-favourite BATTLE CHORUS is back, and this time it’s DISCO!

This wildly entertaining social sing-along experience transforms the audience into the stars of the show. Under the guidance of acclaimed Aotearoa musicians Jason Te Mete and Jodes Langdon, you’ll be divided into two teams, learn the choruses of some iconic Disco classics, then battle it out in an unforgettable sing-off packed with rhythm, nostalgia, and glitter.

No singing experience is required, just a willingness to join in, have a laugh, and celebrate the power of music to bring people together. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a shower-singing superstar, BATTLE CHORUS is all about community, connection, and collective fun.

Dust off your flares, sequins, and platform shoes, because disco dress-ups are strongly encouraged. With bragging rights, the BATTLE CHORUS crown, and a prize for best dressed all on the line, it’s time to boogie your way to victory.

Don’t miss the beat! This very popular event has limited capacity and will sell out!

Supported by: Bowater Group Ltd

Book tickets now: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/battle-chorus-disco/

If you love a good page turner, we have three increcible events for you!The Stories We Tell Ourselves Charlotte Grimshaw...
28/08/2026

If you love a good page turner, we have three increcible events for you!

The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Charlotte Grimshaw and Josie Shapiro discuss their latest novels, The Black Monk and Good Things Come and Go, in which they explore complex family dynamics, the lingering effects of grief and trauma, the urge to create art, and the dark shadow cast by addiction and secrets.
https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/the-stories-we-tell-ourselves/

Behind the Headlines
Kiri Allan’s Go Hard or Go Home and Charlotte Glennie’s Every Second Counts are both honest and hard-hitting memoirs that begin with accidents that dramatically changed the course of their lives.
Sponsored by: Maruia River Retreat
https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/behind-the-headlines/

Making Sense & Making Fun
Joseph Trinidad’s Lucky Creatures is a bold and playful collection about rebuilding life in Aotearoa New Zealand after his family emigrated from the Philippines. Standup comedian Pax Assadi, who grew up here in a Pakistani/Iranian immigrant family, will be discussing his joyfully chaotic memoir, Mortified.
https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/making-sense-making-fun/

Image: A combination of all the authors head shots with the 6 book covers.

Check out the full programme here! https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/events/

A special shout to Motueka-born poet Ben Brown, whose latest collection, This Imperfect Light (published by Dead Bird Bo...
28/08/2026

A special shout to Motueka-born poet Ben Brown, whose latest collection, This Imperfect Light (published by Dead Bird Books) was launched last night in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Today is National Poetry Day and we want to mihi to all the wonderful poets who have appeared at the Nelson Arts Festival over the past 30+ years: Mark Rafills, Jessica Le Bas, Cliff Fell, Sam Hunt, Cilla McQueen, Brian Turner, Bill Manhire, Carrie Rudzinski, Hera Lindsay Bird, Tusiata Avia, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Tayi Tibble, Chris Tse, Rebecca Hawkes, Hinemoana Baker, Ruby Solly, Kirsten Le Harivel, Maggie Rainey Smith, Mary McCallum, Ariana Tikao, Arihia Latham, Henrietta Bollinger, Iona Winter and Matariki Bennett.

Watch this space for some news about poets who might be swinging into town as part of this year’s festival. In the meantime, don’t miss the next Nelson Live Poets on Tuesday 15 September from 7pm at WAA! (Whakatū Arts & Action) and Rebellious Words - A poetry zine making workshop with Rowan Taigel on Saturday 19 September, as part of Beautiful Words at Project 100.

Last Chance: BY WHAKATŪ RESIDENCY 2026 close today!Nelson Arts Festival is seeking applications for the BY WHAKATŪ RESID...
27/08/2026

Last Chance: BY WHAKATŪ RESIDENCY 2026 close today!

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/.../by-whakatu-residency-2026/

Ready to apply? Complete the application form here:
https://airtable.com/appTc0N2zRs4O.../pagp1uWq4H7ruximb/form

The mojitos will be flowing when Gareth Ward and Louise Ward convene at Kismet to discuss Murder and Mojitos, book three...
27/08/2026

The mojitos will be flowing when Gareth Ward and Louise Ward convene at Kismet to discuss Murder and Mojitos, book three in the bestselling Bookshop Detectives series. In this high-stakes final instalment, Art Deco glamour, a Cuban crime queen and a grammar-obsessed killer collide. Chaired by Doug Brooks.

MURDER & MOJITOS
Kismet Cocktail & Whisky Bar | Wed 28 Oct | 5.30pm

* Both alcohol and non-alcohol cocktails for sale on the night. Special prizes for the best dressed flapper and shiek (cake eater)!

Booksellers Garth and Eloise Sherlock (and their cowardly dog, Stevie) have been roped into hosting Murder and Mojitos, a glamorous Art Deco festival event starring Cuba’s queen of crime fiction. Between flapper frocks, rooftop hijinks and competitive cocktail shaking, it should be the bookshop’s biggest break yet.

But when mysterious parcels arrive at the shop and a body turns up on a quiet local beach, every clue points back to Arthur Pinter – the literary-obsessed serial killer from the Sherlocks’ past. With the mojitos flowing and half of the town in costume, Garth and Eloise must untangle a web of old betrayals, new alliances and international intrigue before the festival’s finale turns into a bloodbath. Can they protect their staff, their small town and their beloved bookshop – or will this be their final chapter?

Supported by: CUIK
Presented by: Go Media
Thanks to: Paper Plus Nelson , Penguin Random House

Book tickets now: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/murder-mojitos/

“If Lloyd Webber can do CATS, we can do CHOOKS!”CHOOKSThe Boathouse, Nelson | Thu 29 Oct, 8.30pm + Fri 30 Oct, 7pm CHOOK...
26/08/2026

“If Lloyd Webber can do CATS, we can do CHOOKS!”

CHOOKS
The Boathouse, Nelson | Thu 29 Oct, 8.30pm + Fri 30 Oct, 7pm

CHOOKS is a riot of comedy, cabaret and clowning and more than one gloriously unhinged chicken impression. Join passionate chicken farmer Bridget and her faithful netball team as they set out to bring Las Vegas razzle dazzle to rural Aotearoa. ‘The Girls’ are holding no punches as they strut, squark and cackle their way through rapid fire sketches, big show stopper songs and hilarious dance routines.

This is the kind of show that makes you feel like you’ve been part of something wild, weird, and wonderful. Co-devised by seven midlife women who refuse to disappear, settle down, or behave themselves.

Presented by multi-award-winning mischief-maker Tessa Waters, creator of The Feminist Clown Posse and Fringe Wives Club

‘The Best live show of 2025” – The Press

Performed and created by Tessa Waters Emma Brittenden, Kate Finnerty, Elizebeth Fraser, Mary Davison, Emma Newborn and Andy Brigden

Previous awards for Tessa Waters
Winner: Best Variety Act, Good Times Comedy Awards (2024)
Winner: Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Edinburgh Fringe (2018)
Winner: Best Cabaret, Adelaide Fringe (2018)

Supported by: Crehan Law

Book tickets now: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/chooks/

A community-led exhibition celebrating the South Asian sareeUNRAVELLING THE SAREE: BEYOND THE FOLDNelson Provincial Muse...
26/08/2026

A community-led exhibition celebrating the South Asian saree

UNRAVELLING THE SAREE: BEYOND THE FOLD
Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao | Fri 28 Aug – Sun 15 Nov | Gallery opening hours

Celebrating the South Asian saree as both a traditional and contemporary living garment, the exhibition explores the stories, cultural meanings, memories and personal connections carried in sarees from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Embracing all bodies, the exhibition considers the saree as a powerful expression of culture, identity, resistance and creativity.

A community-led exhibition celebrating the South Asian saree as both a traditional and contemporary living garment, the exhibition explores the stories, cultural meanings, memories and personal connections carried in sarees from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Embracing all bodies, the exhibition considers the saree as a powerful expression of culture, identity, resistance and creativity.

FREE

A community-led exhibition celebrating the South Asian sareeUNRAVELLING THE SAREE: BEYOND THE FOLDNelson Provincial Muse...
26/08/2026

A community-led exhibition celebrating the South Asian saree

UNRAVELLING THE SAREE: BEYOND THE FOLD
Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Tai Ao | Fri 28 Aug – Sun 15 Nov | Gallery opening hours

Celebrating the South Asian saree as both a traditional and contemporary living garment, the exhibition explores the stories, cultural meanings, memories and personal connections carried in sarees from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Embracing all bodies, the exhibition considers the saree as a powerful expression of culture, identity, resistance and creativity.

A community-led exhibition celebrating the South Asian saree as both a traditional and contemporary living garment, the exhibition explores the stories, cultural meanings, memories and personal connections carried in sarees from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Embracing all bodies, the exhibition considers the saree as a powerful expression of culture, identity, resistance and creativity.

FREE

If Indie Trap with a touch of Sci-fi and Theatrical RnB all birthed a fairy – it would be Byllie-jean.BYLLIE-JEANDeVille...
26/08/2026

If Indie Trap with a touch of Sci-fi and Theatrical RnB all birthed a fairy – it would be Byllie-jean.

BYLLIE-JEAN

DeVille | Sat 31 Oct | Doors 7pm

A product of these islands at the bottom of the world, raised by shearers and preachers, to***co pickers and truck drivers in small hoods and remote valleys, she spins yarns to melody in two languages.

Bringing the acclaimed world of her EP Filter into a live experience, along with a collection of new, unreleased songs emerging from her current creative practice.

Byllie-jean writes and sings to find peace in rhythm, sovereignty through synthesisers and transcendence from the humanoid pandemonium via 808s.

She rides the same tail winds as the hoards of shapeshifters and storytellers with oro to offer as reciprocation for life on a magical and generous planet.

Supported by: VenueTech

Book tickets now: https://nelsonartsfestival.nz/event/byllie-jean/

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