Held biennially in beautiful Nelson Whakatū at the top of the South Island, the festival is set against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes, boutique vineyards, and a thriving arts scene. Beyond the concert hall, visitors can explore nearby national parks, discover award-winning wines, and enjoy the region’s outstanding food culture.

At the heart of the festival is artistic director Gillian Ansell of the New Zealand String Quartet, who personally invites an exclusive lineup of leading international and New Zealand musicians for ten days of exceptional music-making. The carefully curated programme spans classical masterpieces, contemporary commissions, artist talks and masterclasses — all presented in the intimate, acoustically superb Nelson Centre of Musical Arts.

Join us from 29 January – 7 February 2026 for an unforgettable chamber music experience in one of Aotearoa’s most inspiring cultural destinations.

The 2026 stellar line-up features exclusive performances by the celebrated Jupiter String Quartet (USA), renowned pianist and Avery Fisher Prize winner Jeremy Denk (USA), the charismatic tenor Colin Ainsworth (Canada), festival-favourite clarinettist James Campbell (Canada) and the dazzling Australian double bassist Phoebe Russell, alongside the New Zealand String Quartet and a host of this country’s finest performers.