Join us for the 25th Nelson Mask Parade! Make this the biggest opening night celebration for the Nelson Arts Festival yet, celebrating 25 years!

Join us for the 25th Nelson Mask Parade! Make this the biggest opening night celebration for the Nelson Arts Festival yet, celebrating 25 years!

The theme for this year is Discovery! From Kupe to Cook to Curie, da Vinci to Darwin to Dora the Explorer, we want everyone to show off what discovery means to them.

We’re calling on schools, community groups, businesses and individuals to make masks, make costumes, and most importantly, make a big 25th birthday to-do for the Mask Parade! 

One way businesses can get involved is to have masks from previous parades on the display in your windows or in store. We can supply these to you if you are interested in getting involved. We’d love to dress the whole town to celebrate this wonderful event.

In addition to the Mask Parade & Carnivale, Pic’s Piki Mai makes a welcome return the same evening. This incredible projection onto the Cathedral Church Steps and tower was last seen in 2011 when it played to 1000s of people each night. Pic’s Piki Mai is free and will run from dusk to midnight each evening from 18 – 28 October.

Make a night of it, there is so much fun to be had!! 

Mask Parade Assembly Area: Montgomery Square

Parade Route: Montgomery Square onto Bridge Street, Trafalgar Street, Hardy Street, Morrison Street, Selwyn Place, Church Street, across Hardy Street to Montgomery Square.

PARADE DATE: FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER
THEME: DISCOVERY!

Register for the Mask Parade here: https://www.nelsonartsfestival.nz/festival-info/mask-parade-enrolment-form/

Find out more about Pic’s Piki Mai and all other things on offer at the 25th Nelson Arts Festival here: https://www.nelsonartsfestival.nz/  

Get in touch with us if you would like to have masks on display in your windows or if you need any more information.  Email: nelsonmaskedparade@gmail.com