Nelson has a vibrant and varied entertainment scene with something to suit all ages, tastes and budgets. Nelson entertainment venues may include casinos, night clubs, restaurants, theatres and racing tracks.
Select entertainment in Nelson, New Zealand, from the list below. Alternatively select a different Nelson area.
Nelson Entertainment
New Zealand is often thought as synonymous with outdoor, natural entertainment. But as visitors soon discover, it also has a vibrant and varied entertainment scene with many cities and towns offering a range of entertainment venues including: casinos, gaming and racing tracks, movies and theatres, musical events, children's activities, pools and in larger towns, a nightlife featuring pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Travellers with young (or teenage) children holidaying in Nelson during the summer season (December to February) will almost be spoilt for choice with many family-friendly events organised for visitors and locals alike during the New Zealand Christmas and summer school holidays. Events can be as varied as local bandstands, teddy bears' picnics, community barbecues, farmers' markets, arts and crafts fairs, river fun days (rafts and fancy dress costumes), Santa parades, community carol services, comedy and film festivals, kite days and so on. Even 'grown-up' sounding venues such as race tracks often include family days on their calendars which typically include sausage sizzles, face painting and bouncy castles.
Many outdoor events are often provided for free or for a small donation. If there isn't an event on, there is always free entertainment to be had in community domains (parks), which typically feature a children's playground, barbecue, picnic areas and often swimming or paddling pools.
For all year round entertainment that's totally independent of the weather, you'll find that cinemas and theatres in larger towns and cities offer entertaining programmes. In cities such as Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch there are annual arts, theatre and film festivals showcasing the best of both New Zealand and international performance.
Council-run and privately owned leisure centres also offer visitors and locals great recreational options for swimming, working out at the gym, playing sports or taking fitness classes.
To find out what's on during your visit to New Zealand why not subscribe to our free NZ traveller newsletter...(search NZ Entertainment directory)
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