Te Wāhi Toi/The Arts Place exists to connect the creative community of Queenstown and Wānaka with audiences, students, teachers, spaces and each other. We are a not-for-profit organisation powered by Three Lakes Cultural Trust and inspired by local arts and culture.
Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025: A Celebration of Art, Creativity, and Community
In 2025, the...
In 2025, the festival returns with a nine-day programme featuring over 60 events, spanning theatre, music, dance, cabaret, storytelling and more. Kicking off on Saturday, 29th March, the much-loved Community Whānau Day will welcome audiences with a full day of free, interactive events celebrating the creative energy of the region. With performances, installations, and cultural showcases, this opening day sets the tone for a week of artistic exploration and connection.
At its core, the Festival of Colour is about more than just entertainment—it’s about fostering meaningful conversations, sparking curiosity, and creating moments that resonate long after the final curtain falls. Over the past two decades, the festival has proudly showcased a mix of established and emerging artists from Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. With a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, the festival collaborates closely with local schools, organisations, and community groups to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to engage with the arts in a meaningful way.
Bringing an event of this scale to life is no small feat, and it’s all made possible by a passionate team dedicated to delivering a world-class experience. At the helm is The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust, which provides strategic direction and leadership. The core festival team includes Executive Director Ruth Heath, Artistic Director Sophie Kelly, Event Manager Laura Williamson, and Technical Manager Danny Hones. As festival time approaches, the team expands to include an artist liaison, ticketing manager, front-of-house staff, volunteers, school programme coordinators, media managers, lighting and sound technicians, and an incredible team of 100 volunteers who generously contribute their time and skills.
While the festival itself spans just over a week, the journey to bring it to life takes far longer. Planning begins two years in advance, with a major focus on curating a diverse and engaging artistic programme. Artistic Director Sophie Kelly searches for compelling performances, travelling to arts festivals around the world—including the Edinburgh Festival and Adelaide Fringe Festival—to discover new talent and innovative works.
Equally important is securing the funding required to make the festival possible. Unlike many events, ticket sales only account for 30% of the festival’s budget, meaning the remaining funds must come from a mix of grants, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic donations. The festival team is deeply grateful for the continued support from the local community and funding partners, particularly in an era when many arts festivals across New Zealand are struggling to stay afloat. Despite these challenges, the Wānaka Festival of Colour remains a beacon of creativity and resilience, proving time and again that the arts are an essential part of community life in the Southern Lakes.
Looking at the programme ahead, there are a few standout performances that audiences can look forward to.
One of the additions to this year’s lineup is Tōrua, a roving dance experience that invites audience members to travel through the streets and along the lakefront with the performers, wearing headphones to experience a specially curated soundtrack. Award winning entertainer Rutene Spooner shares his cheeky, charming and moving cabaret performance in his latest show Be Like Billy? and festival favourites return with the ingenious and delightful new work Suitcase Show, an eclectic box set of short stories told in their celebrated dark spiky and comedic way.
For lovers of contemporary dance, the collaboration between BalletCollective Aotearoa and the acclaimed NZTrio is not to be missed. Their performance, Subtle Dances, a standing ovation contemporary ballet performance like no other.
The festival also boasts one of the most iconic venues in Wānaka—the Pacific Crystal Palace, an intimate cabaret-style space where audiences can experience the magic of live performance up close. With a carefully curated selection of music, cabaret, and conversation sessions, this venue is the perfect spot to soak up the festival atmosphere while enjoying a glass of local wine and delicious food from Federal Diner.
While the Festival of Colour has grown into one of New Zealand’s most cherished arts events, the team is always dreaming of new ways to elevate the experience. If funding were no obstacle, they would love to commission a large-scale digital installation, creating an immersive art piece that runs throughout the festival. The dream also includes the construction of a new performing arts venue in Wānaka, providing much-needed space for larger-scale productions and ensuring the arts continue to thrive in the region.
For now, the focus is on delivering an unforgettable 2025 festival, and organisers encourage the community to embrace the experience fully—to try something new, explore performances outside their comfort zone, and make the most of everything on offer.
The Festival of Colour is built on the passion and support of the local community, and there are many ways to get involved. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, partnering with the festival, or simply attending events, organisers welcome your enthusiasm and participation. If you’d like to be part of the team, email [email protected] to learn more about volunteer opportunities and ways to support the festival.
With theatre, dance, music, conversations, and unforgettable moments and making memories in store, the Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of creativity and community. Mark your calendars for March 29th – April 6th, and get ready to experience the magic of the festival for yourself.
