Ten Years Of Art, Story And Spectacle: The 2025 Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival Programme Has Landed

The 2025 Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival programme has been
officially unveiled, marking a milestone tenth year for one
of the region’s most anticipated cultural
events.

Taking place
from 9 – 19 October across Hastings, Havelock North and
Napier, the Festival will present live music, dance,
theatre, circus and a range of visual art exhibitions and
family-friendly events.

Festival Director Jade Baker
says the 2025 programme is a celebration of legacy and
possibility.

“This year’s Festival is a reflection
of everything we’ve learned that the community loves, over
the past ten years. But it’s also a call to keep
going.”

“Creativity bridges imagination and
reality,” continues Ms Baker. “It fuels problem solving,
innovation, and connection and it deserves greater
recognition in Aotearoa. The arts don’t just enrich lives;
they shape stronger, more resilient communities. They help
us make sense of the world around us and remind us what it
means to be human.”

“Whether it’s your first
time at the Festival or your tenth, we want everyone to feel
welcome. There’s something in the programme for every age,
every price point, and every kind of curiosity,” says
Baker.

Headlining the Festival is Cirque Bon
Bon – a glittering, high-energy circus spectacular
fresh from sell-out shows across Australia. Other highlights
include the return of internationally acclaimed soul singer
Deva Mahal, bold new contemporary dance work
Holding Ground by New Zealand Dance Company,
critically acclaimed theatre pieces Hysterical and
Guru of Chai, immersive jazz cabaret The Velvet
Rebels, and an intimate indie-folk gig,
Fables.

The Festival
also features a wide range of visual art, family-friendly
events, and regionally rooted programming that reflects the
creative spirit of Hawke’s Bay.

Mayor of Hastings
Sandra Hazlehurst says the return of the Festival marks an
exciting milestone for the region.

“It’s a real
pleasure to welcome the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival back to
Heretaunga Hastings for its tenth anniversary. This event
brings such vibrancy and creativity to our community, and
it’s wonderful to see it return with a programme that
reflects the best of who we are.

From performances at
Toitoi: Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre to family
events and exhibitions, the Festival offers something for
everyone, and it plays an important role in strengthening
the cultural life of our region. I encourage everyone to get
out and support it.”

Ms
Baker encourages locals to plan their Festival early and get
behind the arts this October.

“Come out for a night
of laughter, music, story or spectacle. Bring your mates,
book your tickets, and support the artists who inspire,
challenge, and connect us. Some shows will sell fast – so
get in early and be part of it.”

The full programme
is available to view on the Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival
website. Tickets will go sale 9.00am Thursday 31 July via www.hbaf.co.nz and
Eventfinda.

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