About the Fringe Festival
Not just your average fringe festival
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 work to give both performers and our audience a great experience, presenting work from both established and emerging artists.
We're really committed to supporting local people across Te Tauihu/Top of the South, especially new talent.
We love that our festival, based in a regional city, can showcase locals alongside folk from all over Aotearoa and around the world!
Welcome to the Festival
Welcome to Whakatū/Nelson’s celebration of small-scale and alternative performance.
We are sure that you will find something in this year's programme to inspire and entertain, whether it’s from just around the corner in Nelson or half way round the world from the UK, USA or Taiwan.
Most shows are about one hour long, and there is about half an hour between shows. So once you have seen one, why not grab a drink and plunge straight back in for something completely different.
And there really are a lot of different things: dramatic and moving theatre, stand up comedy, poetry, physical theatre, even someone ripping up Britney Spears on the accordion.
We are sure that you will find something in this year's programme to inspire and entertain, whether it’s from just around the corner in Nelson or half way round the world from the UK, USA or Taiwan.
Most shows are about one hour long, and there is about half an hour between shows. So once you have seen one, why not grab a drink and plunge straight back in for something completely different.
And there really are a lot of different things: dramatic and moving theatre, stand up comedy, poetry, physical theatre, even someone ripping up Britney Spears on the accordion.
So take a chance and risk spending an hour at something strange alongside whatever you would normally go for.
If you are really inspired, join our mailing list and we will let you know when it is time to apply for the 2026 Fringe with your creation!
Several shows in this year's festival did just that, from sitting in the audience to taking centre stage.
If you are really inspired, join our mailing list and we will let you know when it is time to apply for the 2026 Fringe with your creation!
Several shows in this year's festival did just that, from sitting in the audience to taking centre stage.
Giles Burton, Festival Director
Venues
More info on venuesRefinery ArtSpace
114 Hardy Street, Nelson
Yaza Comedy Club
Montgomery Square, Nelson
Red Door Theatre
95 Atawhai Drive, The Wood, Nelson
Bars
We have two licensed Festival Bars: one at Yaza! Cafe and the other at Red Door Theatre.
Refinery ArtSpace is serving a range of tasty no-alcohol drinks and snacks.
All three bars will open one hour prior the first evening shows.
Refinery ArtSpace is serving a range of tasty no-alcohol drinks and snacks.
All three bars will open one hour prior the first evening shows.
Ticketing
Tickets online
Buying your tickets online is the simplest and cheapest way to happiness.
All tickets are available online. Tickets are $18 + 50c booking fee.
Tickets for Zeelowguys Kids Show are $10 +booking fee – kids on the knee free.
Tickets for FunnYouth and The Extra are $14 +booking fee.
Tickets for ROADKILL are $25 +booking fee
If you’d like to add a contribution, we encourage you to upscale your ticket price as a direct donation to our artists and to the Fringe - $28 and $50.
All tickets are available online. Tickets are $18 + 50c booking fee.
Tickets for Zeelowguys Kids Show are $10 +booking fee – kids on the knee free.
Tickets for FunnYouth and The Extra are $14 +booking fee.
Tickets for ROADKILL are $25 +booking fee
If you’d like to add a contribution, we encourage you to upscale your ticket price as a direct donation to our artists and to the Fringe - $28 and $50.
Box office door sales
Tickets on the night are $20 at the door.
We have three Festival Box Offices: Refinery ArtSpace, Yaza! Café and Red Door Theatre. The box offices open one hour prior the shows at their respective venues. Eftpos and credit card preferred.
All tickets are for general admission. There is no allocated seating.
Please contact us if you require accessible access.
Once you have purchased your tickets, we are not able to refund them.
Due to scammers we recommend being wary about buying resold tickets.
We have three Festival Box Offices: Refinery ArtSpace, Yaza! Café and Red Door Theatre. The box offices open one hour prior the shows at their respective venues. Eftpos and credit card preferred.
All tickets are for general admission. There is no allocated seating.
Please contact us if you require accessible access.
Once you have purchased your tickets, we are not able to refund them.
Due to scammers we recommend being wary about buying resold tickets.