What’s On in Nelson

Your weekly guide to the best events, gigs & markets across Nelson Tasman

This week · 3–9 June 2026
🎵 Live music & gigs
Lunchtime Concert: Arie d’amore italiane

Thu 4 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

An intimate midday opera recital of Italian love arias at NCMA, starting 12:30pm.

Jazz Jam Nights 2026

Thu 4 Jun · The Honest Lawyer

Weekly open jazz jam at the Monaco riverside pub, kicking off at 7:00pm.

Alexandr Misko: The International Guitar Sensation

Thu 4 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Russian fingerstyle guitar virtuoso Alexandr Misko performs live at NCMA from 7:30pm.

NBS Live Lounge: Tessa Quayle Jazz Set

Fri 5 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Local jazz vocalist Tessa Quayle headlines the early-evening Live Lounge from 5:00pm.

NBS Live Lounge: Tessa Q Jazz Set

Sat 6 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Second showing of Tessa Quayle’s jazz set at NCMA, 5:00pm start.

Ceilidh Dance Party Fundraiser

Sat 6 Jun · Victory Community Centre

Live folk band, callers and traditional ceilidh dancing from 6:15pm in aid of Victory.

Wellington Sea Shanty Society EP Release Tour

Sun 7 Jun · The Dog’s Bone

The Wellington Sea Shanty Society bring their EP release tour to The Dog’s Bone on Achilles Avenue, 7:00pm.

🎉 Festivals & culture
Make It Nelson

Fri 5 – Sun 7 Jun · Nelson City Centre

A city-wide maker festival of hands-on workshops, demonstrations and craft happenings across more than 30 venues.

Make It Nelson: Make It at the Cathedral

Sat 6 Jun · Nelson Cathedral

Late-evening craft, light and music takeover of Nelson Cathedral as the festival’s flagship event, from 7:00pm.

🎭 Arts, theatre & exhibitions
Ireland: The Voyage

Fri 5 Jun · Theatre Royal Nelson

A musical and storytelling journey through Irish history and song, 7:30pm at the Theatre Royal.

Social Animal

Sun 7 Jun · Theatre Royal Nelson

Touring theatre production exploring connection and modern life, evening show from 6:00pm.

Resourceful Craft Workshops

Sat 6 Jun · Fairfield House

Drop-in arts and crafts workshops at the historic Fairfield House, 9:00am onwards.

Life Drawing Nelson

Tue 9 Jun · Refinery ArtSpace

Untutored life drawing session with a live model at the Refinery ArtSpace, 6:00pm start.

🎓 Workshops & talks
The First 1000 Days

Wed 3 Jun · Saxton Oval Pavilion

Public talk on early-childhood development and well-being, 7:00pm at Saxton Pavilion.

Riverside Reads Book Club: The Vanishing Point

Wed 3 Jun · Elma Turner Library

Library book-club discussion of Andrea Hotere’s novel The Vanishing Point, 5:30pm.

Generative AI for Business

Thu 4 Jun · Mahitahi Colab Boardroom

Practical workshop on turning generative AI curiosity into a business edge, 9:00am.

Armchair Traveller’s

Sat 6 Jun · Whakatu Presbyterian Church

Illustrated travel talk evening at Whakatu Presbyterian Church, 7:30pm start.

Paint and Wine Night: Cat in the Moon

Tue 9 Jun · Eddyline Pizzeria & Brewpub

Guided social painting class with food and drinks at Eddyline, 6:30pm.

👪 Family & free
Volunteering Drop-in with Volunteer Nelson

Wed 3 Jun · Stoke Library

Free drop-in to chat about local volunteering opportunities, 10:00am at Stoke Library.

Nellie Knitters

Wed 3 Jun · Nightingale Library

Free community knitting circle at Nightingale Library Memorial, 1:00pm.

Paper Play

Wed 3 Jun · Stoke Library

Free after-school paper craft session for kids at Stoke Library, 3:30pm.

Take Note Open Mic Night

Wed 3 Jun · Waka Bar & Grill

All-welcome open mic for musicians, poets and performers, 7:00pm at Waka Bar.

Library Knitters

Thu 4 Jun · Elma Turner Library

Friendly weekly knit-and-natter group at Elma Turner Library, 10:00am.

🛍️ Markets & night markets
Nelson Farmers Market

Wed 3 Jun · Morrison Square

Weekly producers’ market with fresh local fruit, vegetables, baking and prepared food, 8:00am to 1:30pm.

The Nelson Saturday Market

Sat 6 Jun · Montgomery Square

Over 200 stalls of arts, crafts, produce and gourmet food across Montgomery Square, 8:00am to 1:00pm.

⚽ Sport & outdoors
Run Club

Wed 3 Jun · The Dog’s Bone

Free midweek group run starting from The Dog’s Bone on Achilles Avenue, 5:30pm.

Saturday Morning Yoga: Devachan

Sat 6 Jun · Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre

All-levels Saturday morning yoga session hosted by Devachan, 8:00am start.

🎬 Film & screen
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour: Whakatū Nelson

Fri 5 & Sat 6 Jun · Trafalgar Centre

Two nights of award-winning mountain and adventure short films, with the Ruapehu programme Friday and Tasman programme Saturday, both 7:00pm.

Coming up later this month
NBS Live Lounge: Ampersand

Fri 12 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Jazz duo Ampersand headline the next NBS Live Lounge at NCMA from 5:00pm.

1970s Disco Party

Sat 13 Jun · The Playhouse Cafe & Theatre

Glitter-ball disco night at The Playhouse in Mapua, doors from 6:00pm.

Lunchtime Concert: Raffaele Bandoli & Tom Rainey

Thu 18 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Free lunchtime jazz concert with Bandoli and Rainey at NCMA, 12:30pm.

NBS Live Lounge: Riverwood

Fri 19 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Rock band Riverwood take the NBS Live Lounge stage from 5:00pm.

Abba and Fleetwood Mac Tribute: Craig Allot

Fri 19 Jun · The Playhouse Cafe & Theatre

Double tribute show covering Abba and Fleetwood Mac classics in Mapua, 6:00pm.

You, Me, Everybody: Midnight Album Tour

Fri 26 Jun · The Boathouse

Folk-pop trio You, Me, Everybody play The Boathouse for their Midnight album tour, 8:00pm.

NBS Live Lounge: The Back of Beyond

Fri 26 Jun · Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Folk outfit The Back of Beyond close out the month at the NBS Live Lounge, 5:00pm.

Sources: Eventfinda and Nelson Tasman. Always check the venue or organiser for the latest details.