Major events and festivals in Nelson
Light Nelson
Light Nelson encapsulates everything that makes the city of Nelson New Zealand’s artistic and creative centre. The light festival is a multi-sensory experience that both adults and children can enjoy. As well as lights, there are dance performances and live musical performances. It takes place in July every year so if you book flights Palmerston North to Nelson around this time, make sure you add the event to your calendar. Admission is free.
Cherry Blossom Festival
For a taste of Japan in New Zealand, book Palmerston North to Nelson flights for the Cherry Blossom Festival. During the month of September, Nelson celebrates its Sister City Connection with Miyazu. The festival takes place in the stunning Miyazu Gardens and features a day of entertainment ranging from flower arrangement (ikebana) to martial arts. There’s also a wide selection of delicious Japanese cuisine on offer.
Summer Movies Al Fresco
Movie fans with Palmerston North to Nelson flights during summer will love Summer Movies Al Fresco. As Nelson has some of the best weather in New Zealand, particularly during summer, event organisers take full advantage of it by staging huge outdoor cinemas at various locations throughout the city. It’s a great opportunity to do something as a family or couple and it also coincides with the Isel Twilight Market so you can pick up some fantastic local food and snacks. The market also has lots of arts and crafts stalls too.
Nelsons Craft Beer & Musical Festival
Thanks to the area’s fantastic agricultural conditions, Nelson Tasman is one of the best areas in the country for beer, wine and cider. So to celebrate the city’s globally renowned reputation, the city throws the Nelsons Craft Beer & Musical Festival. If you plan to fly Palmerston North to Nelson in March, you’ll be just in time for the week-long event. Like so many of the city’s events, the festival doesn’t miss an opportunity to showcase some of the area’s fantastic local musicians and artists. There are gigs and concerts throughout the week.
National parks near Nelson you can’t miss
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is near the very top of New Zealand’s South Island and is one of the main reasons visitors book Palmerston North to Nelson flights. There are lots of ways to get to the park from Nelson. You can walk, catch a cruise or even kayak if you're up for the challenge. The park is known for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which crosses beaches, cliffs and ridges and boasts some of the best scenery in the region. You can also camp in the park or stay in a cabin. Some of the top camping spots include Akersten Bay, Anapai Bay, Bark Bay Campsite and Apple Tree Bay Campsite. Mountain biking is popular as well. You can go for a ride on the Moa Park Track, which you can get to from the Canaan Downs car park. Although it’s one of New Zealand’s smallest national parks, there’s still dozens of great activities to do when you book cheap flights Palmerston North to Nelson.
Nelson Lakes National Park
Nelson Lakes is approximately 90 minutes' drive from Nelson and is home to gorgeous, secluded blue lakes, forests and scenic alpine hills. If you’ve booked flights Palmerston North to Nelson over the weekend, it’s worth visiting for the day, particularly if you want to spend time outdoors and are travelling during summer. The park itself is situated around two large lakes - Rotoiti and Rotoroa - which are popular with campers. It’s also a great spot for fishing and tramping. Some of the best walks include the Flower Brothers Walk, the Lake Rotoiti Circuit and St Arnaud Range Track. Bird and wildlife watching is another popular activity in Nelson Lakes National Park.
A brief history of Nelson
If you want to learn more about Nelson and its fascinating history when you fly from Palmerston North to Nelson Airport (NSN), there are several fantastic museums worth checking out.
Nelson Provincial Museum
The Nelson Provincial Museum is one of the best places for providing a varied and detailed history of Nelson. With more than 1.4 million items of interest and featuring exhibitions on everything from Armistice Day to the city’s Russian Connection, there’s a lot to discover at the museum. It’s situated right in the centre of the city on Trafalgar Street so is easy to get to and is right next to other spots worth checking out including The Suter Art Gallery and Queens Gardens.
WOW (The World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars)
For an alternative take on the city’s history, visit WOW (The World of Wearable Art and Collectable Cars) when you fly Palmerston North Airport (PMR) to Nelson. The perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon, the museum has hundreds of cars, fashion items and lots of other weird and wonderful artefacts that celebrate the city’s quirkier side. It’s not just for adults; there’s lots for kids to enjoy as well.
