Nelson Events and Festivals

Woollaston JazzFest: the Nelson City Council sponsors this event that has brought performers such as Whirimako Black and the Jazz Divas to Nelson from other parts of New Zealand; Dan Teka and Jamie Oehlers from Australia; and Fiona Pears from the UK. In the past, more than 60 music events have been held over a five-day period. Nelson Summer Kite Festival: the venue for this colourful annual event is Neale Park in Nelson. For nearly two decades this festival has drawn kite-flyers from both of New Zealand’s islands, from Australia and around the South Pacific. Competitions are held and prizes are awarded for kite design.

Global Football Festival: the Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council co-sponsor this event in order to encourage young immigrants to Nelson to join together around this popular sport. Players, male or female, who are at least 16 years of age, may join in. Each participant chooses the country they wish to represent in the tournament.

Mapua Easter Fair: brings together artisans and food vendors from around New Zealand to the Mapua domain annually, around Easter. Nearly 300 stalls are set up, with vendors selling various art and craft items, potted plants and all sorts of delicious foods. There’s live entertainment featured on the main stage to liven things up and fun shows on the children’s stage to amuse the younger fair-goers.

Anzac Day: this important national holiday is celebrated on 25th April each year. Events are held at Kings Park in Nelson, and at various other venues throughout the city centre, beginning with the dawn service at Kings Park’s State War Memorial precinct. This is followed by the Anzac Day March, which makes its way through the city streets, beginning at 09:00 at Langley Park.

Founders Annual Book Fair: for a full week in early June, this fair celebrates the city’s love of books and reading. The fair has been held for a number of years, and at last count features over 50 categories of second-hand books for sale.

Winter Music Festival: to help warm up the winter days, the Nelson School of Music sponsors an ambitious and varied programme that features new works and many long-time festival favourites. Acclaimed musical artists from around New Zealand perform at the School of Music Auditorium.

Nelson Arts Festival: this large-scale series of events held in October is a showcase of talent from around the country and Pacific Rim. All festival events are free and great fun for the whole family. There are poetry readings, sculpture and soft-sculpture exhibits, paintings and much more.

Isel in Bloom: Nelson's celebration of spring begins every year at Isel Park, which boasts a number of flowering trees that were planted around the homestead here in the 1840s. The park is a woodland garden that explodes in bloom in spring and features primulas, azaleas, and rhododendrons as well as thousands of other flowering bulbs. A glass house onsite houses orchids and vireya rhododendrons.

Rose Day: the summer season is ushered in with annual celebrations at the Broadgreen Historic House and Samuels Rose Gardens as the roses begin to bloom. On this festive day, you’ll be entertained by live music and various performers and see displays of rose art and handicrafts made from roses. There are food stalls and plenty of activities and games for children on offer ensuring everyone in the family will enjoy this day.

Mayor's Christmas Dinner: every year on Christmas Day the mayor of Nelson hosts a dinner for elderly residents who might otherwise spend the day alone. This highlight of the Nelson Christmas season is made possible by the mayor’s sponsorship, a very dedicated team of volunteers and funds from the business community. Interested visitors are invited to help alongside local volunteers.