Upcoming Events in Nelson, Tasman
Sand Sculpture Challenge - 8 February 10am
📅 Sunday 8 Feb
⏰ 10am
📍 Tāhunanui Back Beach (Parkers Cove end)
Be inspired by the forces of nature and join us for a free, creative beach event, open to the whole community and part of our year-long Centenary celebrations.
Families, friends, and first-timers are all welcome. Bring your own buckets, spades, and tools, and create anything you can imagine from sand. You’re welcome to draw inspiration from our 100-year Centenary theme, but creativity in all forms is encouraged.
As part of our 2026 Centenary Event Series, this event celebrates 100 years of memories by the beach. Enjoy spending time on our iconic coastline, connecting with the community, and competing for prizes. No experience is needed, just imagination and enthusiasm.
Judging will take place at 11:30am on the beach.
Main prize: Awarded for the most creative use of the Centenary theme. The winner will receive a Nelson attraction pack, including the Nelson Edition Monopoly game, plus family passes to the Nelson Classic Car Museum, Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, and Natureland. Additional spot prizes will also be up for grabs.
The NELSON MANU CHAMPS is an OFFICIAL QUALIFIER for the 2026 Z Manu World Champs!
On Saturday 21 February, at Nayland Pool, they’re set to find 8 finalists across the Manu and Freestyle divisions who will go head-to-head at the Grand Final in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, on Saturday 14 March 2026.
Get ready for an action-packed day of epic bombs, big splashes and all-round good vibes!
Come watch, give it a go, or just jump on in and sign up!
Follow the aroma of wood-fired pizza and handmade gnocchi, sip an espresso or cool off with silky gelato, and watch chefs work their magic in live cooking demos that always pack out. Music fills the streets, while the Tarantella dance brings everyone to their feet.
At Trafalgar Park, gleaming Fiats, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, Vespas and Ducatis dot the fields in our biggest vehicle showcase yet. Stalls brim with Italian products and artisan goods — olive oils, truffle condiments, cheese, crafts, and plenty more to discover.
Families will love the kids corner with games and face painting, while grown-ups can try their luck in our legendary raffle, or visit our first-ever “Italians in Nelson” exhibition to learn more about the local Italian community. Did you know that Italians have been calling Nelson home since the late 1800s?
Nelson Fringe Festival is an annual event celebrating the performing arts. We present work across a range of styles, including theatre, comedy, dance, improvisation, music, burlesque, circus and whatever else artists offer!
We’re really committed to supporting local people across Te Tauihu/Top of the South, especially new talent. If you are local with an idea we’d love to hear from you and support you bringing the show to the Fringe.
Whether you’re on stage or in the audience, it’s about throwing yourself into a festival of ideas, shows, experiments, adventures and general fringy awesomeness.
Join in at your local Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon™ ! Open to Kiwi kids aged 6 to 15 years. It’s a fun and rewarding day out for EVERYONE.
Kids of all sporting abilities swim, cycle, and run their way around age-appropriate courses, either as an individual or as a team of two.
Every participant who enters receives:
An official Weet-Bix Kids TRY Champions t-shirt, swim cap and Rebel Sport drawstring bag
A TRY Champions medal
Complimentary Weet-Bix Breakfast at event
A downloadable certificate of achievement
Plus the chance to WIN awesome spot prizes and meet their sporting heroes.
Almost half a million Kiwi kids have given it a TRY and now it’s YOUR turn!
Let’s get our Kiwi kids outside and active. Go on “Give it a TRY!”
Every 4 years the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand Incorporated celebrate veteran, vintage, and classic vehicles and the people who love them. This is an international rally that attracts participants from all over the world and New Zealand. In 2026 over 560 vehicles will be taking part.
In 2026 this exciting event takes place in the Nelson Tasman region over the course of the week of 15th to 21st March. The event will consist of vehicle rallies and public events across Nelson Tasman throughout the week. See below for a list of events.
Marchfest 2026 is ready to pour, serving up a fresh take on the festival and going bigger than ever. Over 20 independent breweries are rolling in with their own stands, pouring more than 100 beers to sample. Chat directly with the brewers, discover new favourites, and taste the best of New Zealand’s craft scene, all in one laid-back, sun-soaked day of flavour and good times.
All-day live music keeps the vibes flowing, creating the perfect soundtrack as you explore the festival. You’ll also find mouth-watering bites from top food trucks, local wine and cider on hand, and the ever-popular BrewZone packed with live demos and expert talks for those keen to learn the tricks of the trade.
Whether you’re a seasoned hophead, a music lover, or just chasing good summer vibes, Marchfest is your ticket to one unforgettable day in Nelson.
Raise your glass, grab your crew, and join the celebration!
From 15 June to 12 July 2026, local eateries across the region will go head-to-head, crafting mouthwatering burger and burger-inspired creations in a celebration of flavour, creativity, and local hospitality. From classic comfort to bold, inventive twists, venues will put their best burgers forward in the quest to be crowned a Burger Nelson Tasman favourite.
Burger lovers are invited to eat their way around the region, discover new venues, revisit old favourites, and have their say by voting throughout the campaign. Community participation plays a key role in shaping the outcome, making this a truly local celebration of food and hospitality.
Burger Nelson Tasman is all about supporting local businesses, showcasing culinary talent, and encouraging both residents and visitors to explore the diverse tastes Nelson Tasman has to offer during the winter months.
THANK YOU to our community for getting involved! Around 220 people showed up on Saturday 20 September 2025 to drag 720kg out of the inlet, surrounding bush and beach – a record on both counts!
We love so many people getting involved, showing their care and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) for this beautiful place.
Our clean-up is part of a much bigger effort: the annual nation-wide Clean Up Week which shines a light on how much litter ends up in our environment and brings communities together to tackle the issue head-on.
Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week also incorporates World Clean Up Day which happened also on Saturday 20 September. The event is a global civic action, bringing together individuals, governments, and organisations to tackle waste issues.
Discover the diverse array of events that define Nelson Tasman, showcasing its rich heritage, warm hospitality and boundless opportunities for fun and discovery.