21 March to 3 May 2026

tuku whakatū

Six weeks of events to share (tuku) Nelson’s unique stories of people and place.

The TUKU 26 Whakatu Programme is out now!

This year’s events and activities are a vibrant and exciting demonstration of Nelson’s cultural heritage.

Tuku 26 Whakatū aims to tuku (share) stories of people and place from across the region.

Click here to see all of the amazing event in this year’s festival!

Or download a pdf of the printed programme.*

Our events

Download TUKU26 programme

*Note: the PDF Programme is accurate as of 09/03/26. If changes to event listings happen the most up to date/accurate event listings can be found here

all Tuku festival events work on the same principle:

Three young girls with decorative hair accessories and glittery makeup, wearing traditional costumes and sitting outdoors on the grass.

passionate “event hosts” create the events that deliver all those magic moments for the festival goers.

Nelson City Council is immensely proud that each year, over 70% of all the festival events are delivered not by its staff, but ‘by the community, for the community’.

Women laughing and holding a phone at an outdoor event

Two smiling children with colorful paint on their faces, thumbs up, celebrating Holi festival.

Tuku 25 Whakatū was a blast!

Tuku 25 Whakatū delivered 109 events that were enjoyed by an estimated 11,516 people.

The cultural diversity of events rose for the sixth year running, making Tuku the most culturally diverse council-led Heritage Festival in New Zealand.

Click here to see how the festival is tracking.