Things to Do This Weekend in Nelson

Everything to see and do in Nelson.

Your weekly guide to the best things to do this weekend in Nelson: what’s on, where to go and where to eat. Fine weather is on the cards, so it’s a good weekend to get outdoors. Here’s the plan for Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August.

Updated live from the forecast. Pop back closer to the weekend for the sharpest read.

This weekend’s weather

FriOvercast15° 0%
SatDrizzle14° 36%
SunOvercast12° 22%
Weather data: Open-Meteo

What’s on this weekend

FRI14
NBS Live Lounge: Midnight SwimMusic
Nelson Centre of Musical ArtsThe NBS Live Lounge series hosts Midnight Swim for an early-evening set from 5pm.
FRI14
Open Mic Night!Music
The Dog’s BoneA Friday night open mic session at The Dog’s Bone starting 8pm.
SAT15
Silk & SoulMusic
Nelson Centre of Musical ArtsAn intimate live music evening featuring three vocalists, starting 7.30pm.
SAT15
Viami MiceMusic
The BoathouseGlam hair-metal band Viami Mice bring their live show to The Boathouse from 8pm.
SAT15
The Velvet Jax at The TurfMusic
Turf HotelThree-piece high-energy covers band The Velvet Jax play the Turf Hotel from 9pm.
SUN16
Dixie SwingMusic
The Honest LawyerLive dixie and swing over a Sunday lunchtime session from 1pm.
FRI14
Digitise SlidesWorkshops
Motueka LibraryDrop-in sessions from 10am each weekday to convert old photographic slides to digital files.
FRI14
A Family’s Sailing LegacyWorkshops
Motueka LibraryA local history talk on one family’s sailing history, starting 10.30am.
SAT15
ZineWorkshops
Riverside Community Cultural Centre, MotuekaA zine-making session from 10am for anyone wanting to make their own self-published booklet.
SUN16
Author Talk: Iain B CampbellWorkshops
Elma Turner LibraryAn author talk with Iain B Campbell starting 1.30pm.

See everything on in Nelson →

Things to do this weekend

Weather-matched things to do this weekend in Nelson: fine weather is on the cards, so we’ve leaned towards the coast, walks and parks.

Playground

Paddy’s Knob Reserve Nelson: Views, Natural Playground and Walks

Get ready to discover the breathtaking views and unique playground features at Paddy's Knob Reserve, where adventure awaits around every corner.

Read the guide →
Walk

Heaphy Track Nelson: Great Walk in Kahurangi National Park

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Heaphy Track, where unique wildlife and stunning landscapes await—what hidden treasures will you find along the way?

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Park

Kahurangi National Park Nelson: Trails, Caves and Wilderness

Open the door to breathtaking landscapes and unique wildlife in Kahurangi National Park, where adventure and natural wonders await your discovery.

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Waterfall

Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve: Walks, Swimming & Camping Near Nelson

Marvel at the breathtaking waterfalls and crystal-clear swimming holes at Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, where adventure awaits around every corner. Discover its hidden gems!

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Fishing

D’Urville Island Fishing: Snapper and Kingfish Near Nelson

Unearth the secrets of D'Urville Island's premier snapper and kingfish fishing—discover the best spots and techniques that await you!

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Walk

Jester House Playground Tasman: Café, Eels & Gardens Near Nelson

A delightful adventure awaits at The Jester House Playground in Tasman, where whimsical fun and tasty treats promise to enchant families—discover what else lies in store!

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Park

Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project | Nelson Lakes Conservation

Harnessing community efforts and innovative strategies, the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project transforms ecosystems in Nelson Lakes National Park—discover its remarkable impact and future aspirations.

Read the guide →
Walk

Fringed Hill Nelson: Challenging Hike with Panoramic Views

I challenge you to conquer Fringed Hill for breathtaking views over Nelson, but are you prepared for the adventure that awaits?

Read the guide →

Sunrise and sunset this weekend

Nelson sunrise & sunset times, updated automatically, with today’s daylight, golden hours and a 7-day forecast.

Sunrise
07:19
Sunset
17:44
Daylight
10h 25m
12 am6 amnoon6 pm12 am
First light
06:51
Golden hr am
07:19–07:46
Solar noon
12:31
Golden hr pm
17:17–17:44
Last light
18:12
This week: Daylight is getting longer by about 2 minutes a day this week.

Sunrise and sunset times for Nelson are calculated from the city’s location and update automatically each day. Knowing the exact times helps with planning sunrise walks, photography, fishing, tramping and getting home before dark. The daylight bar and table above show today’s first light, sunrise, solar noon, sunset and last light, plus the times for the week ahead. All times are New Zealand local time for a flat horizon, so hills or tall buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset a little earlier.

Day Sunrise Sunset Daylight
Today · Thu 13 Aug 07:19 17:44 10h 25m
Fri 14 Aug 07:17 17:45 10h 27m (+2 min)
Sat 15 Aug 07:16 17:46 10h 30m (+2 min)
Sun 16 Aug 07:15 17:47 10h 32m (+2 min)
Mon 17 Aug 07:13 17:48 10h 35m (+2 min)
Tue 18 Aug 07:12 17:49 10h 37m (+2 min)
Wed 19 Aug 07:10 17:50 10h 39m (+2 min)
Sunrise, sunset and twilight times are calculated for Nelson using standard astronomical formulae. Times are New Zealand local time for a flat, unobstructed horizon and are approximate.

Keep exploring Nelson

Two more ways to make the most of your time in Nelson. Tap through below.

Frequently asked questions

What is there to do this weekend in Nelson?

This weekend in Nelson you can pick from weather-matched things to do, the events on this weekend, and the best spots to eat, all rounded up on this page and updated live from the forecast.

What’s on this weekend in Nelson?

The “What’s on this weekend” section above lists this weekend’s events in Nelson, concerts, markets, theatre and more, each with its date and venue.

What can I do this weekend in Nelson if it’s raining?

On wet weekends we lean the picks towards indoor options in Nelson such as museums, galleries and covered attractions. The weather block at the top shows the weekend forecast so you can plan around it.

Are there markets this weekend in Nelson?

Any markets running this weekend in Nelson show up in the events section above, tagged so they’re easy to find alongside the weekend’s other happenings.

Are there free things to do this weekend in Nelson?

Often, yes. Many of Nelson’s museums, galleries, parks and markets are free to enter, and the free picks are highlighted in each weekend’s round-up.

What can families do this weekend in Nelson?

For families this weekend, look to Nelson’s playgrounds, beaches and daytime community events, and the weekend picks call out the family-friendly options.

How often is the Nelson weekend guide updated?

Every Friday morning. We rebuild the guide each week for the coming Friday to Sunday, with the latest events, weather-matched things to do, and current picks for eating out.