
Hawke's Bay Arts Festival returns with 10th anniversary programme
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The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival returns October 9 to 19, with Cirque Bon Bon and more.
The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival is set to make its return this spring, marking a decade of showcasing local and international talent across the region.
Running from October 9 to 19, the festival, which was cancelled last year because of financial pressures, will bring 11 days of music, theatre, circus, dance, visual arts, and family-friendly events to venues across Hastings, Havelock North, and Napier.
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,' Baker says.
'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 of what it means to be human.'

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Ten Years Of Art, Story And Spectacle: The 2025 Hawke's Bay Arts Festival Programme Has Landed
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Scoop
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NZ Herald
24-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay Arts Festival returns with 10th anniversary programme
The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival returns October 9 to 19, with Cirque Bon Bon and more. Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival returns October 9 to 19, with Cirque Bon Bon and more. The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival is set to make its return this spring, marking a decade of showcasing local and international talent across the region. Running from October 9 to 19, the festival, which was cancelled last year because of financial pressures, will bring 11 days of music, theatre, circus, dance, visual arts, and family-friendly events to venues across Hastings, Havelock North, and Napier. 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,' Baker says. '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 of what it means to be human.'