Resonance - Music-making and community in Motueka
An exhibition celebrating Motueka’s instruments and clubs
Hou Rongo: Moriori, Music and Manawa
A multi-sensory experience
Immerse yourself in Hou Rongo: Moriori, Music and Manawa, a multisensory experience celebrating the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous Moriori people. Blending ancient wisdom with innovative technology, Hou Rongo transports visitors to Rēkohu (the Chatham Islands), amid the realms of the etchu (deities).
International Rubery Book Award
The Rubery Book Award is now open for submissions! An internationally recognised prize celebrating outstanding work from independent authors and small presses, the Award offers a powerful platform for writers seeking global visibility.
Beer Chair Competition
2026 Competition to design & construct a miniature chair
First prize $3,000 Runner up $500
Summer Movies Al Fresco in Nelson
Warm evenings. Big screens. Classic films under open skies. This summer’s outdoor movie programme is rolling through parks and neighborhood's across Whakatū.
For the full schedule of films, visit the Summer Movies Facebook page here.
Sculpture in the Gardens - Call to artists
Calling all artists – if you would like to be part of this renowned and popular outdoor sculpture show, make your submission now…
He āheinga tohunga mahi toi - Artist in Residence opportunity-
Live and make art in an Auckland regional park for eight weeks during October and November 2026.
Introductory Jewellery Making Workshop
This course will introduce you to the basics of jewellery making so you can begin to create pieces such as rings, earrings, and pendants. You’ll explore a range of techniques in a fun and friendly workshop environment.
Robyn Kahukiwa - Tohunga Mahi Toi
Powerful artworks celebrating Māori identity, strength, and storytelling through mātauranga and intergenerational narratives.
Call for local artists - Utility Cabinet Art Project
Six Nelson city cabinets have been selected for murals at this latest round. Keen to go for it? Send us your design ideas by Closing date 2nd March 2026.
Adam Chamber Music Festival
Join us from 29 January – 7 February 2026 for an unforgettable chamber music experience in one of Aotearoa’s most inspiring cultural destinations.
My Fancy Car - Children's Public Mural Project - Call for Entries
We are asking children up to 12 years of age to create an image of what their ‘Fancy Car’ would look like and send them to us to be considered for inclusion in an exciting new public mural for Nelson.
Local Art Funding round closing soon...
Grants available for projects planned between mid-April - mid-August 2026….
Indian Woodblock Printing Workshop
Indian Block Printing Workshop - Presented by Experience India
Learn the arts origin, growth, techniques and its uniqueness!
Mapua Community Hall. Sunday 15 February. Two sessions to choose from.
Ordinary Wonders 2026
Call for Artists and Storytellers for a community collaborative exhibition
Rufous Whistler Summer Tour
Rufous Whistler returns to Aotearoa! Fresh from a huge 2025 – a 60-show album tour, a debut album National Panic that hit #2 on the ARIA Country Charts
Three-day Oil Masterclass Workshop
Three-day Oil Masterclass with Min Kim
The Suter Gallery
24th, 25th and 26th January
$450
Bookings by art2die4@brycegallery.co.nz
Where conversations speak and music flows
A lunchtime collaboration between Wellington band Krakerjack, Cultural Conversations and Waa club and micro venue.
Two-day Watercolour Workshop
Two day watercolour workshop with Min Kim
22nd - 23rd Jan
The Suter Gallery
Bookings by art2die4@brycegallery.co.nz
Two-day Plein air oil workshop
Two day Plein air oil workshop with Min Kim
Composition, tone and texture
Queen’s Gardens
19 - 20th Jan
$300
Book by art2die4@brycegallery.co.nz
Two day drawing workshop
Two day drawing workshop with artist Min Kim
The Suter Gallery, 208 Bridge St
$300
Bookings by: art2die4@brycegallery.co.nz
Life Stories
Nanette de Kool presents a new body of work utilising spinning and weaving
Casual Healing Rangatira Tour: Fairfield House Nelson
Music, Kai and Community is at the heart of Casual Healing's 2026 Summer tour. Join Nikau Te Huki at Fairfield House, as part of his epic 24-stop national tour of Aotearoa, showcasing his 2025 collection of elemental EPs and spreading the matauranga of Kotahitanga, Togetherness.
Clube Do Choro Chch With Special Guests
Join us for an evening of upbeat and joyful Brazilian music at Fairfield House
Ras Judah & Culture Embassy
Join us in the Fairfield courtyard for a musical treat with Ras Judah and Culture Embassy – a 10-peice NZ band fusing African, Reggae/Ska, Jazz and Afro-Latin rhythms.
Anthropology VL.4 Art Exhibition
A show by international award-winning multimedia artist Venus Hoy. Join us for wine and nibbles.
5 Montgomery Square
EDGE: Furniture Makers Exhibition 2025
'EDGE' is a presentation of exquisitely crafted furniture by the full-time students at the Centre for Fine Woodworking in Nelson. The edge is where we find courage – where raw timber meets the chisel, where hesitation meets decision.
The Dog's Bone FIRST Birthday
Your favourite alternative space for art, music, comedy and more is turning ONE. The Dog's Bone has been churning out beers and burgers for 365 days and on December 6th they will be churning out some BANGERS too. A back to back DJ set from Kennedy (DAU Records) and Serpico (F'n'S/Minuit) - playing hot and funky house. Joined by Amez slicing up her keyboard LIVE with ninja precision and Kyla delivering freestyle vocals and vibes - the icing on the birthday cake! The ladies of the house are fired up to slay this one. No warm ups - no fillers - the gang of four will be rolling peak time from 9PM till close. Come and celebrate this most awesome addition to our little city! $20 presale tickets at HumaniTix and on the door it's $25 (The DB has a very limited capacity so you might wanna get your tickets pretty quick)
https://events.humanitix.com/the-dogs-bones-birthday-first-birthday-with-the-dau-crew
Lisa Chandler: What Remains - exhibition opening
Join us to celebrate the opening of 'What Remains' — a powerful new exhibition by Ruby Bay artist Lisa Chandler.
Saturday 6 December, 5.30pm
The Suter Art Gallery
RSVP Essential.
About the exhibition:
Artist Lisa Chandler continues her exploration of loss and human connection in What Remains. Her paintings echo recent global events — from disasters and conflict to the empathy and care that emerge in times of crisis.
Making The Cut
Aled is a furniture designer from Wales. He has over 40 years experience in designing and making furniture and products for private, corporate and education institutions in the UK and the USA.
Jazz Jam Nights
JAZZ JAM NIGHTS
GUEST BANDS
PERFORM FOR AN HOUR FOLLOWED BY A JAM SESSION
Jazz Jam Nights at The Barn
The Honest Lawyer, Monaco, Nelson
Thu 6 Nov 2025 & Thu 4 Dec 2025.
7:00pm-9:30pm.
Light Falls — Ana Krakosky
Light Falls
Ana Krakosky
6 Nov - 29 Nov
Opening 5:30pm on 6th November
Photography - art - books - jewellery - gifts
255 Hardy Street - Nelson
Mīharo! 20 Years of Wonder: Celebrating Twenty Years in the Heart of Whakatū
Haere mai! Join us for 20 Years of Wonder, a community celebration marking twenty years since the Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Taiao opened its doors on Trafalgar Street in the heart of Whakatū.
EMBARGOED RELEASE
Whakatū Nelson, 23 September – Cultural Conversations is proud to announce the upcoming launch of Their Arts Journey, an exciting new online Arts Directory that celebrates and amplifies the voices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) artists across the Nelson Tasman region that are often found outside the mainstream.
Nelson Fringe
Apply now for Nelson Fringe 2026!
Nelson Fringe are committed to supporting local people across the region. If you have an idea, get in touch: info@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Applications close 3 November 2025
Nick Hyde
Nick Hyde - Epic Tour
The Boathouse - 5th September
Chanel Arts Centre, Motueka - 6th September
Tickets available through Eventfinda
Kōpū Exhibition
We’re transforming how Whakatū Nelson City looks, feels, and tells its story. Whakatū is ready for a future where our public spaces reflect the richness of our cultural identity, a deeper connection to place and foster a shared sense of belonging....