Events

Your free guide to events in Nelson, New Zealand. Find out what's on in the Nelson Tasman region, including shows, festivals, sporting events, theatre, ...

Prowl the stalls for bargains at the Nelson Sunday market.

Second-hand pre-loved clothing and garage-sale items plus new goods, produce, plants and food stalls.

A treasure and bargain seekers delight!

Held in Richmonds Sundial Sq in the centre of town. This Market hosts a wide variety of stalls from woodcrafts to plants, flowers to fine foods. This market has mainly local crafts and foods, come down and see for yourself. Plenty of Free Parking.

Come on down to McCashins Brewery every Saturday from December - April for Fun, Food and heaps of local wares.

With live music stay for a drink and dinner or have a coffee in our brand new garden bar

Fresh, tasty and local is what it's all about plus a few bargains as well.

Of course there will be Stoke beer, Rochdale and Frute Cider's and tasty food from Crepe's, baked potatoes to good old fashioned Kiwi BBQ.

Plus Blast Bouncy will be here to help us celebrate which means fun for the kids too.

So come on down and join us for Summer in the sun at McCashins Brewery.

Held in Founders Heritage Park. This Market hosts a wide variety of stalls from woodcrafts to plants, flowers to fine foods. There are plenty of tables so come on down, bring the family and have a picnic on the Village Green. This market has mainly local crafts and foods, come down and see for yourself. Plenty of Free Parking.

The Nelson Farmers Market is on every Wednesday, rain or shine, all year round at Fashion Island. The Nelson market is designated "certified" which means that produce is grown or produced by the farmer presenting it for sale and that it was grown locally. This assures fresh, high quality produce is brought to the consumer at a reasonable price.

The 2012 Woollaston Jazz and Blues Festival celebrates its 21st birthday with a 6 day musical party in parks, bars aacross the Nelson Tasman region. Over 200 musicians and 50 events equals a summer feat of music in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet! All the events are individually listed on the ItsOn website.

The festival kicks off wiht the Port Nelson Fairfield Park Concert featuring Oval Offic from Christchurch, Tessa Quayle (a 2011 Jazz Tui Award finalist), the amazing Spiral from Auckland and Aaron Saxon and his ANZAC Fusion Band - a band featuring some of the best jazz and funk players in Australasia. Look out for the Woollaston Estates Gala concert Series featuring Erna Ferry and her stellar band with a tribute to the great Peggy Lee and return of one of the masters of the jazz songbook, internationally renowned jazz singer Malcolm McNeill.

We would particularly like to welcome Christchurch to the festival. We know how tought this year has been and we have gone out of our way to host Canterbury musicians. The only ground shaking over the week of the festival will be from dancing feet and clapping hands!

No matter what music you are into their is something in the programme for everyone...enjoy!

The epic Sk8 and BMX tour returns to Tasman this summer, showcasing the best boarders and bikers the region has to offer.

Entries taken on the day, with lots of cool prizes up for grabs thanks to Cheapskates, Village Cycles and MoreFM.

Added to the Tasman Skatepark Tour 2012 is the return of the TST Championship Leader Board, were riders across all ages and disciplines compete for competition points gained from placings at each heat. TST champions will be crowned for bike, skate and scoot disciplines, and walk away with an impressive prize pack thanks again to our tour sponsors.

Complementing the thrills and spills of the park, will be pumping tunes with live music from Master Pilot, Mix Master Mootree, The Dark Country, and Lamerenegade,

Mapua Wed 4th Jan, 5pm
Takaka Sat 7th Jan, 2pm
Tapawera Wed11th Jan, 5pm
Motueka Sat 14th Jan, 2pm
Brightwater Wed 18th Jan, 5pm
Richmond Sat 21st Jan, 2pm

Join us in the airiest cinema in the region, screening a film for everyone. Come early to play giant board games, listen to some fine NZ music, share food with your friends and as darkness falls allow the flicker of the screen to transport you. Pack a picnic bring a rug or your couch, wear warm clothes or pyjamas and pocket a torch to light your way home.
This years movies are:
The Five Pennies (1959) 2hrs. PG
A semi-biographical musical film of brilliant cornet player and band leader Red Nichols .
National Velvet (1949) 2hrs. G
Catch Elizabeth Taylor & Mickey Rooney in their race to win the Grand National.
The Misfits (1961) 2 hrs. PG
Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable & Montgomery Clift star in this Arthur Miller scripted film set in early 60s Nevada.
Silent Antics 90mins. PG
An evening of film from the Silent Era, filled with the crazy antics of Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy & more.
For more movie information & viewing times visit www.nelsonfestivals.co.nz
Movie will not screen if it is raining. If the weather is doubtful check Summer In Nelson on Facebook and ‘like’ us for updates.
Or call 022 130 2329 to hear our weather message updated after 7pm.

Enjoy fun in the sun at the races!

Action packed, fun-filled day for all the family.

Races held over two days Friday 6th January and Sunday 8th January.

Although racing is a very important part of the weekend, it's not just about the horses...

Live entertainment all day including music, food, Best Hat competition, Fashion in the Field and of course… the racing!

Free entertainment for the children including face painting, bouncy castles, balloons and lots more.

Children Under 18 years FREE entry.

Organising your staff, client or family function?
How about a day at the races?

Hospitality packages to suit your budget!
Umbrella Party, Mini and Maxi Marquees packages available.

Find out more visit www.nhrc.co.nz or contact Chris Butler at CB Marketing (03) 546 8269 or enquiries@cbmarketing.co.nz.

Limited packages available - So be quick!
Sponsorship packages also available

Each year the Nelson Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Club puts on a display in the Stoke Memorial Hall of qualifying motorcycles all owned by current members. Club rules restrict the machines to over 25 years old, from all continents and all the famous manufacturers.

Come in and view some of the legendary machines from the British makers such as Norton, Triumph, BSA, AJS & Matchless, Velocette and others. From Europe there will be Ducati, BMW, and Motoguzzi, to name but a few. From America the Indians and Harley-Davidsons of yesteryear. And from Japan a new breed of modern classics, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki.

Wander around the hall and see how technology changed the motorcycle. Take a seat, rest your legs, and watch road racing from the Isle of Man TT. And other circuits from around the world.

This event is becoming a regular feature of the Nelson holiday calendar, many people fitting it into their annual holiday.

On Sunday 8th from 9 am to 12 noon there will be a swap-meet at the site. Anyone who wishes to sell motorcycle related material from bikes, clothing, books, parts, etc - the swap sites are free. (No household goods please.)

All are welcome

The Pokororo arts & craft fair will be held on the second Sunday in January 2012 as usual.

This hugely popular show, Pokororo Village Hall in the Motueka valley, has been held for many years.

Always a huge sucess in the area with tourists and locals alike with stalls depicting arts and crafts from the area.

Organic wine stall.

Food stalls selling local and international foods

Free entry so bring the kids.

Coin donations appreciated.

Country & Western singers " Kruzin "

Zombies and creatures of the night will lead the brave of heart to tormented tortured souls who will recount fom them their personal tales of horror!
Get into the spirit and join us on a unique interactive tour with live performances that are not for the faint hearted.
Door Sales at the venue Box Office.
Bar available post tour

They are polictians, Surfers, concrete layers, radio show host, mayors and most of comedians.

Come and laugh your pants off with two of the funniest men in NZ in one of the best venues around.

Dinner will be served at 6 with show from 8 on Saturday night.

This how WILL SELLOUT so book early and we do give priority seating to diners so please give us a ring and we can reserve you a spot.

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is famous for talent and entertainment. Lead by Age Pryor (Woolshed Sessions,Fly My Pretties) with Gemma Gracewood and friends they will light up the evening.

Friendly and funny, super talented and charming. A gaggle of NZ musicians playing Ukuleles and singing the best music.

Join us for this seated concert at the back of the wine cellar. Parking on Neudorf Road.

Pets of all kinds, Childrens rides, Entertainment and Food, Pony and Horse events, Baby show, Giant Aerial Lolly scramble, Grand Parade of all animals and vehicles ... DON'T MISS IT !

NO WATCHES - GUESS YOUR TIME
The infamous Trevor Ruffell Tusk Trophy (the Boar's Jaws) for Closest Finisher to Estimate is once again up for grabs.

This unique event was inspired by the Nelson Striders running group who made international press when out for their Sunday morning run up the Maitai Valley in August 1994. What started as a peaceful jog ended up with the group scrambling up a bank to avoid the agitated wild boar. Caretaker Trevor Ruffell came to the rescue and had to drown the pig with his bare hands in the Maitai River.

It’s picnic time, the Teddy Bears are ready for a party and they don’t want to do it alone. Bring the family along and join the teddies as they picnic in the summer sun like only teddy bears can. There’ll be fun and games for all, including sand saucers, teddy make-overs, food stalls, and so much more…we’ve bearly begun. So come along with your bear and a picnic. As always dollies are welcome… as long as they’re well behaved.
Remember it can be hot for the bears and their owners so don’t forget to slip, slop, slap and wrap.

No festival can claim a backdrop like ours!
Staged around Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti and where the regions Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman meet this premiere 'Festival of the Lake' will showcase our unique region.
With family style activities and entertainment there will be lots for you to experience.
Plan to stay the night to enjoy the range of Land-Water-Air activities.
- Farmers Market and Colourful Arts, Crafts and Artefacts from the Top of the South.
- Madhatters' Dinner Party with Nelson top chef Grant Dicker including entertainment and 3 course meal.
- Treasure Hunt
- 4WD expedition with Department of Conservation botanist (BYO vehicle)
- Microlight flights & Light plane scenic flights
- Informative walks & talks
- Acoustic music, buskers and more.
- Unleash the artist in you, have a go at the didgeridoo and enjoy the Open Air Film evening featuring 'The Five Pennies'.
- Special childrens entertainment by Carrot & Pickles.
Some activities incur a fee.
See our website for full progamme details and times. The programme varies each day.

Yacht racing in Tasman Bay featuring keelers from Nelson, Waikawa and Wellington. Racing takes place over four days in Tasman Bay and across to the Abel Tasman National Park.

Race Schedule:
Sun 22 - 3 short races
Mon 23 - 40 mile Tasman Bay race finishing at Torrent Bay
Tue 24 - morning race: Torrent Bay Tonga Island return
Tue 24 - afternoon race: Torrent Bay to Nelson
Wed 25 - 3 short races

Entries close 12 January 2012

A fun filled late afternoon Festival and Country Market in the beautiful Moutere Valley highlighting local horticultural industries and businesses held on Sunday 29 January 2012 from 4pm.

In 2012 the Sarau Festival has a particular focus on the health giving properties of blackcurrants and on the local developing cheese industry. Alongside this will be local wineries, breweries, fruit and vegetable growers together with those producing art and craft in the Moutere aread.

The Sarau Festival is filled with music and events and highlights the district by offering two cycle rides in conjunction with the Festival. The first is a challenging 25km ride through pasture, vineyards, hop gardens, raspberry, boysenberry and blackcurrant fields and is run in conjunction with the Neson Mountain Bike Club. The second is offered by the Gentle Cycling Company and covers approximately 12km or nearer to flat rural land.

Each year a guest chef offers an exhibition - twice during the afternoon. Moutere History is highlighted with masses of displays and family records.

For more details and to find out about the Festival Competitions check out www.saraufestival.co.nz

Food caught, shot, harvested, cultivated, hooked or cooked locally. And free after entry.

Plus spit roast and hangi.

Games, bouncy castle, water slide & live music. Plus our famous 4-way tug-o-war.

Pay bar.

Adults $25. Accompanied kids free.

Nelson is hosting the Patches of Tasman Mini Symposium which will be held over four days from 12th - 16th April 2012.  We are very pleased to have the support of principal sponsor Bernina New Zealand in bringing you this event.  We are anticipating 400 quilters coming to Nelson along with 30 tutors.

A great selection of products will be represented by our on-site merchants, and of course you will be able to attend classes in the latest techniques presented by top tutors from throughout New Zealand. In addition we are pleased to be able to bring you the Hoffman Challenge and our own special challenge and there will be an exhibition featuring local quilters.