Venue Submission for Nelson Winter Jazz Festival 2026
Nelson Winter Jazz Festival 2026 is now accepting Expressions of Interest from Venues!
This is our first year of creating a Winter Festival and we are seeking venues who want to host performances at the festival, in the following events:
Dance Lesson / Dance (Ensembles, Big Bands) 22 July
Lunch time café events (Solo Artists, Ensembles) 23-26 July
Afternoon café/bar events (Solo Artists, Ensembles) 23-26 July
Dinner Theatre/Cabaret at Restaurants (Solo Artists, Ensembles) 23-25 July
Evening events at bar (Solo Artists, Ensembles) 23-25 July
Formal Dinner and Ball (Ensembles, Big Bands) 25 July
Hosting Late Night Jam Sessions (Ensembles) 23-26 July
ARTISTS & BANDS
We are happy to work with you on how to pay bands. As are committed to the financial support of bands. Our premise is that bands will be paid, and we recommend $150 per musician.
This could be achievable by various approaches, for example:
Cover Charge
Paid event
Partnership with Nelson Jazz Club
YOUTH
As part of the Festival, we are providing performance opportunities for young musicians from local Schools. As such, we are keen for some venues to offering their premise for FREE gigs during lunch and afternoons. These bands would perform for no charge. For these events, the schools will be keen to set up for Big Bands (10-18 piece) and small ensembles.
Venues are requested to operate under the Council’s Waste Minimisation and Low Sugar Strategies.
Application Timeline
22 March 2026 applications close (Note: may close earlier depending on volume of applications)
March-April 2026 application review period
April 2026 applicants notified of outcome
May 2026 contracting period for successful applicants
