A giant yellow swing towering above central Nelson will be one of the headline attractions of this year's Nelson Arts Festival as organisers launch a programme featuring more than 50 events, while confirming the popular Mask Parade will not go ahead.
The festival returns from Thursday, 22 October to Sunday, 1 November, bringing theatre, music, comedy, circus, literature, visual arts and community events to Whakatū.
Festival organisers say the much-loved Mask Parade has been put on hold following discussions with Nelson City Council, educators, stakeholders and the wider community.
"The Mask Parade has been a much-loved part of the Nelson Arts Festival, and we're incredibly proud of its legacy," festival general manager Ruth Roebuck, says.
"With mounting pressure on the resources required to participate in the event and following extensive consultation with our core funder Nelson City Council, key stakeholders, educators and representatives from the wider community, we have made the decision to step back from delivering the Mask Parade in 2026.
"We're taking a pause to give the event space, and in consultation with the community, decide where it could go next."
Ruth says the festival remains committed to creating opportunities for children and young people to engage with the arts.
"The festival is always evolving, and we're exploring new ways for our community, including our tamariki and rangatahi, to take part and experience the arts – and as such there's still lots to bring people together this year, including free community events such as The Gathering Tide and the Swing Street Party, and we're really excited about what's ahead."
One of those events is the Big Swing Street Party, which will transform Upper Trafalgar St into a space for free music, dance, art and community participation.
At its centre will be Swing, a nine-metre-tall bright yellow installation by Australian artist Ian Pidd.
The giant swing is arriving in New Zealand for the first time after appearances at the Sydney Opera House and festivals across Australia.
Whether you are a teenager, an adult, in a wheelchair, willing or slightly nervous, everyone will be able to be taken back to their six-year-old self, simply join the line and wait.
The festival's 2026 programme is built around the theme of Joy, with artistic director Janelle Bish saying it celebrates connection, generosity and local creativity.
"There are moments in history when simply choosing to gather, create and imagine becomes an act of quiet defiance. This year's programme is a celebration of joy, generosity and connection,” Janelle says.
“ Alongside exceptional national and international artists, we've invested more deeply into the incredible creative talent that exists here in Whakatū Nelson. We're telling local stories, commissioning new work, creating opportunities for artists to grow, and opening spaces where our community can come together, participate and belong. We hope people leave feeling uplifted, connected and reminded that joy is something we create together," Janelle says.
The festival will open with Auckland Theatre Company's production of Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking, directed by Katie Wolfe and adapted from the work of Witi Ihimaera Smiler.
Another free community event, The Gathering Tide, will see up to 100 local performers take part in a sunset performance on Tāhunanui Beach, created by Nelson choreographer Chloe Loftus.
International acts also feature, including Canadian circus company Machine de Cirque, which will make its only South Island appearance in Nelson.
Other highlights include performances from The Phoenix Foundation, Byllie-jean, James Nokise and Bailey Poching, alongside exhibitions, literary events and local productions.
The full programme is available at Nelson Arts Festival.
