Winter is always a difficult time for our central city businesses. Fewer visitors make it tough for our retailers, cafes, bars and restaurants. It is particularly hard this winter with the national economy struggling to recover from the post-Covid downturn.
Council is limited in what we can do to insulate Nelson from the recession. One way we can help is by supporting an active events programme that brings people into the city
One of those events – the Whakatū Winter Festival – begins today with ice skating on an artificial rink at Morrison Square. First offered in winter 2023 on a pop-up rink inside a building in Wakatu Square, the ice skating was so popular it’s back this year until Sunday as part of an expanded Winter Festival.
On Friday and Saturday nights, there will be live local music on the stage at 1903 Square in upper Trafalgar Street, and at Morrison Square. There will also be a night market, extended opening hours at the Nelson Provincial Museum for the Toi Koru exhibition and a Silent Night Disco at Morrison Square.
Zip up your coat, grab the family and come into the city to enjoy this cool festival. The ice skating costs $7. Visit trybooking.com/nz and search “winter wonderland” to book a spot.
It was disappointing the popular biennial Te Ramaroa Nelson Light Festival was postponed this winter because of a shortfall in sponsorship. It was great news last week that Bayleys Nelson has become the festival’s naming partner, securing this free, midwinter festival for 2026. The city centre was pumping in 2023 as 50,000 visitors enjoyed more than 40 dazzling light installations.
Council is a key funder of Te Ramaroa and the Winter Festival. It also supports other wonderful events in the central city including the Nelson Arts Festival from 23 October to 2 November incorporating the popular Mask Carnivale, the Santa Parade on 30 November, The Spectacle on 5-6 December, the New Year’s Eve celebrations and the Adam Chamber Music Festival from 29 January to 7 February 2026. Council is investing in these events as part of its city revitalisation programme.
