Nelson Fringe Festival

23/09/2026

B-I-N-G-O! We're back for another night of crazy fun!

Come join us for prizes, challenges, games and general silliness.

All proceeds go towards keeping Nelson Fringe fringey.

Nelson Fringe Bingo Night
Wed 21 Oct. Doors open at 5pm. First game at 6.30
The Boathouse, Nelson, 326 Wakefield Quay
$20

Info & bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/nz/event/21156

Nelson City Council Uniquely Nelson Nelson Tasman

08/09/2026

We love a good zine. Rowan Taigel has done a couple of zine workshops at Fringes past and they were great!

Zine Fest Nelson is coming up on 10 October, but before that, there's a wee taster!

ZineFest Nelson Happening – Sunday 13 September, 3pm

Come down to The Free House (95 Collingwood St) hang out with local zinesters, make some zines, find out what a zine is, and pick up a zine-making kit. They'll also be there to support anyone who wants to sign up for ZineFest Nelson to show and sell their zines.

Expect a friendly, supportive atmosphere, with glue, scissors, staplers and other DIY craft supplies available for zine-making, plus chips for the table! Bring along any zines you’re working on, or arrive empty-handed and start making straight away.

Enjoy a relaxed Sunday afternoon with the ZineFest Nelson crew. Drop in any time between 3 and 5pm. For more information, visit www.zinefestnelson.com

03/09/2026

Chookas to Beautiful Words New Zealand (and thanks for the shout out!).

Write on

31/08/2026

Well, this is fun! Have a look at the map to reassure yourself that you're never far away from a fringe!

World Fringe

Explore Fringe festivals around the world by month, region and country. Use the interactive planner to discover possible touring routes and build your own festival journey.

29/08/2026

We can't be the only ones noticing that there's heaps of events coming up - it must be Springtime!

Beautiful Words New Zealand is about to kick off next week at Project 100; Nelson Arts Festival has just launched their programme; and Refinery ArtSpace have a fantastic new gallery space at Tāwera - Your Art Space. There's Justin Eade's new play, The Blunderstudy at the theatre at The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū ; and the return of Zine Fest Nelson - phew!

In fact - there's still time to be a part of Zine Fest (10 October 2026) at Founders Heritage Park. They're looking for zinesters and self published heroes - applications close 20 September.

28/08/2026

If you missed seeing Julian Noel's one-man play, BONES at Nelson Fringe, you've got another chance tomorrow, Saturday at 3pm.

Nominated for 10 awards at the Nelson and Dunedin Fringe Festivals, BONES is an acclaimed one-man play co-created by Julian Noel and director Martine Baanvinger. Raw, funny and profoundly moving, Julian brings eight unforgettable family members to life in a performance that has been hailed as "a tour de force" and "an unmissable piece of theatre."

There's more info on Julian and his play here: https://www.bonestheplay.com/

Bones is in Nelson as part of the Ordinary Wonders exhibition and event programme, presented by Hikitia! RISE: Respect Inspire Support Empower.

Bones
Tāwera - Your Art Space at 77 Trafalgar St
Sat 29 August at 3pm
It's free, but please do register.
More info here: https://events.humanitix.com/bones-one-man-play-followed-by-a-facilitated-discussion-with-julian-noel-hx6tvmjf

The full programme of workshops and events is here: https://www.rise.net.nz/ordinary-wonders-2026

BONES a one man play by julian noel & martine baanvinger nominated for 10 awards including best in Fringe, best actor, best director, best script. won, most promising Maori performer & best writing “powerful theatre” raw. honest.        unapologetically real” “Julian is a gifted and fear...

25/08/2026

Russell returns! One of the gem shows of the 2026 Nelson Fringe was Becoming Hazlito, by local poet and storyteller Russell Black.

Russell is doing a return performance at Waa! Club this Friday 28 August.

All the info is in the Waa! newsletter - we totally recommend signing up - you'll be blown away by the range of events, gatherings, support groups, sing-alongs - that place it going off!

So the Best Of The Cure And Siouxsie And The Banshees show has sold out. But I reckon their might be enough support to bring them back for an all-ager (and the same for the Goth night).

24/08/2026

A call out to creative and event organisers - we talk about entertaining, engaging and even challenging our audiences, but it's also important to look after them. Here's a free seminar organised by Hikitia RISE: Respect Inspire Support Empower

The Art of Holding Spaces: Creating safe theatre, film, exhibition, and music industry experiences

Come together with fellow creatives for a warm, practical hui on creating safer arts spaces. We’ll discuss how to support audiences at theatre shows, film screenings, exhibitions, and in the music industry, especially when content can be challenging. We’ll share ways to build support around events and foster genuine inclusion. Plus, we’ll enjoy a panel discussion with industry professionals sharing real-world insights on fostering safety, respect, and care in our creative work.

The Art of Holding Spaces
Wed 26 August 5:30pm -7pm
At Tāwera, the new Whakatū Nelson arts hub
77 Trafalgar St, Nelson

Click the link for more info and to register.

Explore practical ways to create safe, inclusive theatre, film, and exhibition experiences with creatives and industry peers.

20/08/2026

If you missed Naked Embarrassed Female at this year’s Fringe, here’s your chance to see a free screening tonight!

Screening of the award-winning Embarrassed Naked Female, followed by a facilitated discussion on consent, digital safety, and power online.

18/08/2026

This one is going to be a great night out with plenty of laughs. Don't miss!

Written by Justin Eade. Directed by festival director Giles Burton, and starring a starry stellar cast with quite a few past festival stars - Donna Botha, Douglas Brooks, Nick Kemplen, Naomi Strain, Trish Sullivan and Cameron West.

Thu 3, Fri 4 & Sat 5 Sept at 7:00pm
Sat 5 Sep at 2:00pm
More info & tix https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/the-blunderstudy/nelson

https://www.topsouthnow.co.nz/news/6a8235d12b7137038bf8e63b

Nelson playwright debuts The Blunderstudy