The Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival returns in October, with Cirque Bon Bon opening the 10th edition.
The Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival returns in October, with Cirque Bon Bon opening the 10th edition.
The Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival is making its long-awaited return in October.
The festival was cancelled last year because of financial pressures and declining revenue in the events sector.
Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival director Jade Baker says the 2025 festival was reshaped into a “more agile,sustainable model” to meet resources after a tough year.
“This year’s programme has been developed with care, making every dollar count,” Baker told Hawke’s Bay Today.
“We’re proud to be delivering the festival with a small, nimble, all-female team, backed by generous and loyal funders, sponsors and supporters who believe in what we do.”
To mark its comeback in its 10th edition, the festival will open with the internationally acclaimed Cirque Bon Bon, a high-energy, 70-minute spectacle blending acrobatics, dance, aerial acts, comedy and cabaret.
Fresh from sold-out seasons across Australia, Cirque Bon Bon will run for three sessions on October 17 and 18 at the Opera House, Toitoi.
“We’re asking our community to get behind the festival by buying tickets early, spreading the word, and showing up. Every ticket purchased is a powerful act of support for the arts in Hawke’s Bay,” Baker says.
Cirque Bon Bon, created by Ash Jacks McCready and Julieann Nugent, runs on October 17 and 18.
Created by former Cirque du Soleil director Ash Jacks McCready and choreographer Julieann Nugent, the Cirque Bon Bon performance marks the festival revival.
“This year’s programme celebrates everything we’ve learned, loved, and lived over the past 10 years, while looking boldly to the future,” Baker says.
“Cirque Bon Bon brings that spirit to life in one electrifying package. It’s the perfect way to open our 10th festival.”
The festival will run from October 9 to 19 with various events across Hastings, Havelock North and Napier, mixing local and international acts of circus, music, dance, theatre, visual art and literature.
“We’ve listened carefully to what audiences have enjoyed most in past years and built a programme that offers both familiar favourites and bold new work,” Baker says.
