The Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival was absent from the 2024 arts calendar. Arts Inc. Director, Jade Baker, fills Lizzie Russell in on what’s coming this year.
Is there going to be a 2025 Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival, and if so, when?
Yes! We are delighted to share that the 10th Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival will take place 9-19 October. As one of Hawke’s Bay’s most loved arts and culture events, it’ll be a chance to experience an exciting mix of bold ideas, beautiful performances and incredible global and local talent – all concentrated into ten unforgettable days.
What’s been going on since the last big one in 2023?
Over the past year, we’ve been through a period of consolidation and creative reset. We’ve looked closely at our model, connected with our community, and reshaped things to build a stronger and more sustainable future for the Festival. While we didn’t deliver a full-scale Festival in 2024, we have had lots going on under our umbrella organisation – Arts Inc. Heretaunga, including a new Sculpture event, the Bridge Pa Sculpture Trail which we launched in March of this year in Partnership with Paritua. The response was amazing, and we’re excited to grow this large-scale outdoor art event further in 2026.
Some other highlights from the past year include the Uku Clay National Ceramic Awards and work with artist Richard Brimer to develop a programme of musical collaborations, with amazing artists like Connan Mockasin, Riki Gooch and Jeff Boyle, for his fantastic exhibition 40 Vintages. This was also supported by Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers and a raft of local wine makers who got behind this great Hawke’s Bay story. We were also delighted to support the Hawke’s Bay Poetry Slam as part of our enduring partnership with the Hawke’s Bay Readers and Writers Festival, which continues for this year.
Looking ahead we now have five key programmes that we deliver annually: Hastings Arts Centre, Hastings Blossom Parade, Hawke’s Bay Arts Trail, Bridge Pa Sculpture Trail and, of course, the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival. We are one of the few festival organisations in Aotearoa engaging with artists and audiences year round – and that’s something we’re really proud of.
What can we expect from the 2025 Festival?
The 2025 Festival is a special one – it marks our tenth anniversary, and is a celebration of everything we’ve learned, loved, and lived, while casting our eyes forward to what’s next.
This year’s programme includes circus, music, theatre, comedy, dance and visual arts – a mix of returning favourites and exciting new artists within your favourite genres. We’ve shaped the schedule with the audience experience at its heart, making it easier to see multiple shows without having to choose between them. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a first-time Festival goer, there will be something in the programme for you!
Who’s making it happen?
The Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival is produced by Arts Inc. Heretaunga, a small but mighty charitable trust with deep roots in our local community. Every dollar needed to deliver the Festival is fundraised, which means we work with purpose, care, and a real sense of accountability to our audience and supporters.
We’re deeply grateful for the ongoing backing of Hastings District and Napier City Councils, and for the incredible support of our corporate sponsors, philanthropic grant-makers, Festival Patrons, and Members. It’s this collective investment that makes the Festival possible.
What are you most looking forward to in the 2025 Festival?
There’s a moment that happens in the theatre, when an audience member sees, hears or feels something that connects them to an idea deeply, when they understand something new about themselves and those around them. I just love that in live performance.
I can’t wait to welcome the Festival audience back, to be in the room with the community and to experience those moments together.
How can we get involved?
This really is a Festival by and for the community, and we’d love people to get involved in whatever way feels right – whether that’s through volunteering, helping to spread the word, or coming along and bringing a friend.
Our Patrons of Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival programme is a huge part of making the Festival sustainable, so if you’re passionate about the arts and creativity in Hawke’s Bay, we’d love to have you on board.
One of the key things that you can do to support any arts organisation right now is to buy tickets early – it’s a small act that makes a big difference. We’re so excited about what 2025 has in store.
Cirque Bon Bon presale is now live, with full festival programme available from 31 July. Tickets available on HBAF and Eventfinda websites.
