Accessibility

WHEELCHAIR USERS

Wheelchair users are welcome in all spaces in the Festival and all venues have step-free access. 

Some venues have specific seats allocated for wheelchair users — please get in touch when booking if you have any questions: access@nelsonartsfestival.nz

More mobility access info

SERVICE DOGS

Service dogs are welcome at our festival venues. Please let the box office staff know via email or phone if your service dog will be accompanying you when you book your ticket.

COMPANION SEATS

We’d like to support everyone who needs support in accessing our festival events. Please let us know if you require a companion seat alongside yours. 
You can book a complimentary companion ticket through the Theatre Royal box office in person or by contacting access@nelsonartsfestival.nz

HIGHLY VISUAL EVENTS

Events that have a large visual component and/or minimal audio i.e. visual art exhibitions.


The Theatre Royal also has a hearing assistance system in place. 
Please note: The earpieces provided may not compatible with all hearing aids, so it is recommended that users provide their own headsets.

NO LANGUAGE BARRIERS

Events that are non-verbal or have minimal language.

NEW ZEALAND SIGN LANGUAGE (NZSL) INTERPRETED EVENTS

NZSL interpreted events feature trained interpreters on the stage signing what is being said during the event for Deaf people who use New Zealand Sign Language to communicate.

AUDIO BASED EVENTS

Events that have a large audio component to them i.e Pukapuka Talk and music events.

AUDIO DESCRIBED EVENTS

Arts Access Aotearoa defines audio description as: a narrated commentary for blind and vision impaired patrons that provides descriptions of the visual elements. In a theatrical performance, audio description narrates what’s happening on stage in between the dialogue or songs: for example, new scenes, settings, costume, body language, facial expression, movements across the stage and sight gags. 

Their narration is transmitted to wireless receivers and headsets worn by the audience members.

SAFE SPACE

Nelson Arts Festival is committed to providing a safe space for all. We have zero tolerance for discriminatory and bullying behaviours.
See all Events



How to book




Right here, right now (online)

Visit individual event listings for all your web purchasing needs (plus paperless tickets) or for all the ticketed events in one snapshot click the button below.
Book Now!

In Person

Tickets are available to purchase at the Theatre Royal Box Office at:
Theatre Royal (78 Rutherford Street), open 12pm - 4pm weekdays.

By Phone

You can also call Theatre Royal on 03 548 3840 (and select 1).

Or, if you have any questions about an event or tickets you have purchased you can email boxoffice@theatreroyalnelson.co.nz or info@nelsonartsfestival.nz.

How to Pay

You can pay with cash, eftpos or credit card. Tickets ordered over the phone can be collected in person or emailed to you free of charge — please enquire at the time of booking.

Ticket Prices & Service Fees

All ticket prices are inclusive of GST but do not include the per ticket service fee. If using a credit card, this will also incur a fee. The following are our per ticket service and credit card fees:

  • $1.50 per ticket for internet purchases
  • $2.50 per ticket for counter purchases
  • Credit card fees 3%

Door Sales

Door sales are available one hour prior to the performance time. Please check availability (some performances will sell out) on the individual show listings.
I'm Ready - Book Now!

Pay What You Can (PWYC) Ticketing

WHY & HOW IT WORKS

How can more people feel seen and heard by the Festival? How do we open our door a little wider? We are proud and delighted to announce - not one, not two, but ALL of our ticketed shows will be Pay What You Can (PWYC) in 2022 and 2023!

We believe that Pay What You Can makes the Festival more financially accessible to more of our community, and will build love of the arts in the hearts of Whakatū and beyond. With various factors it’s been and continues to be a tough time out there, and we want to help give the gift of the Festival to as many people as we can.

We know many of you will be familiar with this system, but for those of you who are coming upon it for the first time, here’s a brief overview:

WHAT IS PAY WHAT YOU CAN?

We know that price is a barrier for some, and this new model is another step along the road to making all of our activities accessible to everyone.

When you buy a ticket there are a range of prices to choose from, and to help you with this decision, we have included a recommended price per ticket. This recommended price is what we’d traditionally charge for tickets. 
Any amount paid over this will help us continue to offer the Pay What You Can model, while helping to support our activities with artists, tamariki and rangatahi, and our local community.
SO THERE'S  A RECOMMENDED TICKET PRICE?

Correct - this price is set to make a contribution to the costs of putting on the event. It doesn’t cover all of the costs, but it makes a dent.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER PRICES I CAN PAY?

Yep. That's the beauty of Pay What You Can! When you book, you'll be given different options to choose from. If the recommended price is inaccessible for you, please select a bracket which is manageable. If you are able to pay more than the recommended price, you will be helping to provide access for the whole community.

IF I PAY LESS DO I GET A "BAD" SEAT?

Absolutely not! Shows at the Theatre Royal and the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) have allocated seating so you can choose whatever seat you want when you book. Other venues are general admission so it is first in, first served, no matter what price you paid for your ticket. If you have specific access requirements, get in contact via access@nelsonartsfestival.nz

ANY QUESTIONS? Email us at info@nelsonartsfestival.nz
Booking Information

Our Pay What You Can ticketing is made possible by funding from The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund, Manatū Taonga | Ministry of Culture and Heritage, as well as the support of our Kārearea Partner, Nelson Building Society.

Important information

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices include GST but do not include service or credit card fees.

Exchanges & Refunds

Once you have purchased your tickets, we are not able to refund them. However due to the uncertainties posed by COVID-19, we’re offering additional flexibility in the instance of COVID-19 related complications.

If you are feeling unwell please stay home and email us to let us know. We will exchange or refund your ticket where possible (and if contacted pre-event) as thanks for putting your community first. 

Allocated versus General Admission

Apart from Theatre Royal and NCMA, all venues are general admission. First in, first served!

Latecomers

We reserve the right to admit latecomers only at a suitable point in a performance. If there is no suitable point, latecomers may not be permitted to enter. Latecomers are not entitled to a refund or transfer.

Devices

The use of mobile phones or other similar devices is not permitted during shows. The use of cameras or other recording devices is strictly prohibited.

Accessibility

For more information visit our Accessibility information above.

Disclaimer

At the time of loading the website [and printing the brochure!] every effort was made to ensure that programme details were correct. However, some changes may occur after publication. Please continue to check the Festival website for the latest information and don't hesitate to contact us if in any doubt.

Pay What You Can

On the booking page, there are a range of prices to choose from, and to help you with this decision, we have included a recommended price per ticket. This recommended price is what we’d traditionally charge for tickets, and any amount paid over this will help us continue to offer the Pay What You Can model, while helping to support our activities with artists, tamariki and rangatahi, and our local community.

We know that price is a barrier for a lot of folx, and this new model is another step along the road to make all of our activities accessible to everyone. We will not be offering Early Bird tickets or Group bundles this year.

Find out more about the WHY and HOW of Pay What You Can above.

Our Pay What You Can ticketing is made possible by funding from The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund, Manatū Taonga | Ministry of Culture and Heritage, as well as the support of our Karearea Partner, Nelson Building Society.


Content Warnings


Some events have aspects that some audience members may find disturbing or uncomfortable. This ranges from audio or visual effects like strobe lighting, or content such as references to sexual assault or drug use. 

Please check back here for individual show listings for event-specific information.
  • Beyond Belief: Drug references, sexual references, rape/ sexual assault, mental illness
  • Bloodlines: Violence, murder
  • Breaking the Cycle: Drug references, alcoholism
  • Eli Matthewson: Strong language, sexual references
  • Erny Belle: Drug references, strong language, reference to violence, alcoholism, child abuse
  • Fever: The Return of the Ula: Strong language, sexual references, haze, strobe, audience participation
  • Gloriously Queer: Sexual references
  • Pax Assadi: Strong language, references to racism
  • Piano Burning: Fire, smoke
  • Savage Domesticity: Violence, references to the Holocaust
  • ScatterGun: Drug references, strong language, sexual references, mental illness, death/grief
  • Showy Ovaries: Strong language, sexual references
  • The King of Taking: HazeThoroughly Modern Māui: Haze
  • VÏKÆ: Drug references, strong language, mental illness
  • The Forgotten Epidemic?: Mental illness
  • Wiri Donna: Rape/sexual assault themes
Ka pai? Book now.

Covid-19

LOOKING OUT FOR YOURSELF & OTHERS

Sadly, this pandemic is not over yet. In order to protect the performers in our events, we kindly encourage you to wear a mask while in indoor performance spaces. 

The Festival team, artists and audiences are required to comply with the latest Government health advice at the time of the event. 
We ask for your patience, care and trust as we navigate events and gatherings at this time.

Refunds & Cancellations

To honour our duty of care for our artists and our community alike, if an artist gets sick and can no longer travel or perform, events may be postponed or cancelled. 
We will offer exchanges or refunds to our ticket holders should this happen - keep an eye on your emails and our social media.

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our community first and foremost.
Booking Information


Safe Space



Nelson Arts Festival is committed to providing a safe space for all. 
We have zero tolerance for discriminatory and bullying behaviours.

Huge thanks for their ticketing expertise to

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