Dunedin Arts Festival

25/08/2025

https://mailchi.mp/artsfestivaldunedin/adparnassumotepotidance-17990184
We are thrilled to announce that we are presenting world renowned Italian violinist Luca Ciarla this October!
As part of our commitment to bringing world-class shows to Dunedin - even in between festivals! - we're thrilled to be bringing such an international heavyweight.
Also, there's plenty of amazing theatre to see in Dunedin in the next month, as well as the always fun Otago Polyfest. Click the link to find out more...

Luca Ciarla Indian Ink Theatre Company Errick's Venue Dunedin The Regent Theatre Birds of a Feather Otago Polyfest

15/08/2025

https://mailchi.mp/artsfestivaldunedin/adparnassumotepotidance-17990080
There's still some amazing theatre to see in Dunedin in the next month, as well as an opportunity to help out one of our Festival whanau. Click the link above to read more.

Dunedin theatre company Birds of a Feather is presenting 'Every Brilliant Thing' - "one of the funniest plays about depression you'll see."

NZ theatre icons Indian Ink Theatre Company are coming to Dunedin with their new show 'Paradise Or The Impermanence Of Ice Cream' at The Regent Theatre, and we have a special discount just for you!

Also, Otago Polyfest are looking for volunteers.

Click the link at the top of this post for more info.

11/08/2025

From Errick's Venue Dunedin stage at the Dunedin Arts Festival to Going Global.
Way to go IVY!
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/summit-offers-chance-global-break?fbclid=IwY2xjawMGfuFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHqYMQE3kq-xYqZ5wSQvIReqTlnko1l04Pgg7q4TvF7K_pnhusZoSegUvZIOL_aem_gL4nFmSagnKoZXSnpKBQew

A Dunedin band feels it is on the verge of breaking out globally after being selected among the best independent acts from New Zealand. Early ’90s...

23/07/2025

OPENS TONIGHT! Got your ticket yet?
If not, you can get them here: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/YEG

POV when you forgot THE NEUROSPICE GIRLS opens tonight... 😮

It's finally here. It's opening day, and these ND dynamos are ready to rip it up!

Don't you dare miss out on this odyssey. Ticket link in comments...

📸 Andrew MacKay (Kea Photos)

17/07/2025

If you're looking for your theatre hit next week, we recommend this one. Lizzie is an amazing performer (and this is her story), plus the team behind this are all incredible - plus it's in a funky new space!

Lizzie Tollemache's dream of an all inclusive space is coming true in Dunedin this month.

15/07/2025

It's been a bit chilly lately, so here're some stats from this year's festival to warm you up!
March & April's Dunedin Arts Festival delivered a bold and inclusive celebration of creativity, connection, and place. Spanning twelve days, the Festival attracted approximately 20,000 attendees, showcasing a diverse mix of local, national, and international talent.

A quick snapshot of attendance:
94 total performances
23 sold out performances
252 Artists involved
6,489 Tickets allocated
13,275 attendances at Free and schools shows
19,764 Total attendances
75% of our audience rated us an 8/10 or higher
96% of people agree that the Festival makes Dunedin a better place to be
People averaged just over two events each, which equates to approximately just under 10,000 unique attendances
23% of our audience were attending for the first time
$166.83 was the average spend per attendance (dinner, parking, babysitters, etc.). This means the Festival brought $4 million into the Dunedin economy.

So once again thank you for your support!

Planning for the 2027 Dunedin Arts Festival has commenced, with a renewed focus on co-creation with local organisations, digital innovation, and regional touring. But we may have a few treats for you between now and then.

A couple of treats we'd love to share with you are...

THE NEUROSPICE GIRLS

Featuring true stories, a diagnosis gameshow, shame spirals, unbridled 90s nostalgia, and the mystery of what exactly to do with the parts of yourself that you hide and pray nobody notices!! Join the other high-masking weirdos as we zig-ah-zig-ah our way out of existential crisis into hope...

Lizzie has been part of the Dunedin Arts Festival before, and is one of the country's best-known performers, and this is her story - unfiltered!

THE NEUROSPICE GIRLS
by Lizzie Tollemache
premiere production of an original NZ play!

23-27 July, 2025
24 Filleul St

Presented by Hic Sunt Dracones Productions

Click the link below for tickets.

Also...

At the World's Edge Festival returns this October, marking its fifth anniversary with a programme that explores the complex relationship between music and nature.

This year’s line-up brings some of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed chamber musicians to Central Otago and the Southern Lakes, including pianist Michael Houstoun, cellist James Bush, and Composer in Residence John Psathas. They are joined by a cast of renowned international artists that features UK violinist Anthony Marwood, US violist Yura Lee and Australian harpsichordist, Erin Helyard.

Over seven ticketed performances and a series of free events, AWE features celebrated chamber works, lesser-known pieces, and bold new compositions that highlight the many ways composers engage with nature.

At the World’s Edge Festival runs from 4–12 October 2025, with performances in Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Bannockburn.

Click here for more info and tickets: https://mailchi.mp/artsfestivaldunedin/adparnassumotepotidance-17989642

27/06/2025

Science, Mid-Winter and more - https://mailchi.mp/artsfestivaldunedin/adparnassumotepotidance-17989445
The New Zealand International Science Festival (NZISF) kicks off tomorrow and runs all the way through until the 6th July!
There are so many more things to see and do, and the full programme can be found here: https://scifest.org.nz/programme
But also, the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival starts tonight!
Transforming First Church and surrounding grounds into a luminous celebration of light and imagination.
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/events/landing/15365

26/06/2025

Crowd gathering early for Marlon Williams at

08/05/2025

Congratulations to the Upu team who just opened at the Sydney Opera House and have a SOLD OUT season! It was a pleasure having you here in Ōtepoti, and we know the Australians will just love the show as much as we did here!

02/05/2025

Thank you to the amazing team at Strawberry who looked after all of our sound and AV needs throughout the festival.
From Kate Bush to Canadian chaos, taonga puoro to tambourine and violins to virtually anything else - you were there. Thanks!

01/05/2025

Thank you to longtime partner Southern Lights & Services Ltd, who once again provided all the lighting for this year's Festival. Where would we be without you? Sitting in the dark, more than likely! Thanks!

01/05/2025

Thanks to OAR FM Dunedin - Community Access Media and all the support you gave us this festival. Lots of great interviews, that really helped spread the word. You guys rock!

Discover podcasts and radio shows made by the people of Ōtepoti Dunedin and Otago, reflecting the diversity of our communities.