Twizel Arts Festival 2026
Description
Small Town. Big Creativity.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Mackenzie Basin, the inaugural Twizel Arts Festival is a weekend where our town's creativity takes center stage. Visual arts and photography, dance, craft, performance, and storytelling all in one place, all in one weekend.
Come for a single event or stay for it all. Either way, we look forward to welcoming you and sharing all the Big Creativity of our Small Town.
Festival Highlights
A taste of what's on across the weekend. Exhibitions, workshops, live performances, and market stalls, with something for everyone. For more details and full programme, please visit Twizel Arts Festival page.
WINE & CHEESE OPENING NIGHT
Friday. 5.30pm
Celebrate the opening of the festival with an evening of art, live fruit carving performance, and more.
ART GALLERY
Saturday & Sunday. 10.00am - 2.00pm
Explore works from local and regional artists throughout the festival weekend.
WORKSHOPS
Saturday & Sunday. See Workshops for available times. | TICKETED EVENTS, limited spaces.
Pottery with Nikki Wallace-Bell: ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT - BOOK HERE
Get hands-on with clay and learn from one of Aotearoa's talented ceramic artists.
Landscape Photography with Jeff Ng: SOLD OUT - JOIN WAITLIST
Saturday 10am to 12pm. Optional hands-on evening session at 7pm.
Discover techniques for capturing the beauty of the Mackenzie landscape, with an optional sunset photography session.
Weaving Workshops & Demonstrations with Evita: GET TICKETS
Learn traditional Māori weaving skills and explore the art of creating beautiful handcrafted pieces.
Earrings: Saturday 12.30 m to 2.30pm
Kono Kete (basket): Sunday 9am to 12pm followed by weaving demonstration at the Craft Market: 1.30pm to 3pm
COMMUNITY SHOWCASE ft. WEARABLE ARTS SHOW
Saturday. 5pm - 8.30pm | TICKETED EVENT, limited spaces.
A highlight of the weekend, this showcase celebrates creativity, storytelling, and imagination through wearable art, with special performances from Lakes Ballet and local Highland dancers.
This year's Wearable Arts theme, "Follow the Flight Paths Home," celebrates our braided river environment and the native birds that return here to nest. Participants of all ages have created wearable art inspired by flight, migration, nature, conservation, and the idea of home.
Come find your way home.
CRAFT MARKET & WEARABLE ARTS PARADE
Sunday. 10.00am - 3.30pm
Support local makers, artists, and creative businesses. The Twizel Department of Conservation will be running fun activities for kids, and a local artist will be doing a special fruit carving tutorial - there's going to be something for everyone!
SELF GUIDED ART TOUR
Discover public art and creative spaces around Twizel at your own pace.
We would love to see you enjoying the sights, be sure to tag us #TwizelArtsFestival.
More Information
GET INVOLVED
The Twizel Arts Festival is a community event, built by the community, for the community.
We're still welcoming:
Volunteers
Artists and makers
Community groups
Creative collaborators
If you'd like to be part of helping shape this exciting new event, we'd love to hear from you.
CRAFT MARKET STALLHOLDER REGISTRATION
Apply below for a stall at the Craft market on Sunday, 27 September. Places are limited and subject to approval from event organisers.
Once your application has been accepted, navigate to 'Get Tickets' page to pay for the stallholder fee.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
