29 January - 7 February 2026
New Zealand’s finest chamber music festival, where musicians and audiences come together in a shared passion for glorious music.
Nestled at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, Nelson is a region renowned for its stunning natural beauty, boutique vineyards, and warm embrace of the arts. Alongside the world-class chamber music performances, visitors have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the national parks and indulge in the region’s delectable food and wine.
Every two years, our Co-Artistic Directors, Gillian Ansell and Helene Pohl of New Zealand String Quartet, invite a selection of international and national musicians to gather for ten days of shared excellence in performance and collaboration, resulting in a programme ranging from classical favourites to new commissions, as well as artist talks and masterclasses. The Festival is housed in one of the country’s finest chamber music venues, the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, renowned for its acoustic.
Our next festival is on 29th January 7th February 2026. Join our enthusiastic audience, and experience a full immersion into a celebration of premier international and New Zealand musicians.