After a lot of careful thought, we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel this year’s Collins St Festival.

As a small, home-grown Hawke’s Bay team, we’ve been part of this community for a long time, and we put everything we have into creating experiences you’ll love. But despite the planning, effort, and excitement following last year’s event, ticket sales this year have been far lower than we needed to move forward.

We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased tickets early. We know times are tough right now - the cost of living is affecting everyone, and spending on events isn’t always at the top of the list. Your early support genuinely means more than you know. For small, grassroots festivals like ours, those first tickets are what give us the confidence to bring the magic to life. This year, we simply couldn’t get there.

We’d love to hear from you.
As we reflect on what this means for the future of Collins St Festival, we’d genuinely love your feedback.
Did you plan to come but hadn’t grabbed tickets yet?
Was there something from last year you hoped we’d tweak?
Anything you haven’t mentioned before?

Send us an email hello@collinsstfestival.co.nz - we’re all ears. Your insights help shape what comes next, and guide how we move forward from here.

At the end of the day, Collins St Festival exists for our community. And while we are sad not to be putting the party on for you this year, we’re grateful for every bit of support, energy, and dancing on the street you’ve brought us so far.

Thank you for being part of this journey. 💛

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Collins Street Festival is back for Round 2! On Saturday 29th November, one of Ahuriri’s coolest little streets will once again transform into a summer party, serving up live tunes, tasty eats, and all the good street vibes you could wish for. From 3pm to 10pm, Collins Street will be buzzing with music, food, and flavour - the ultimate Hawke’s Bay afternoon.

Headlining the event is Sola Rosa (DJ Set), the ever-evolving project of Andrew Spraggon, bringing his signature blend of funk, soul, and electronic grooves in a not-to-be-missed performance. Making their Hawke’s Bay debut are Ōtautahi’s favourite dance-floor instigators Yurt Party, bringing a high-energy fusion of Balkan, Latin, and Dub. Adding to the party, we’re stoked to welcome the legendary Tropical Downbeat Orchestra, bringing their trademark energy with big grooves, and irresistible rhythms to keep you dancing all night. 

Keeping the beats rolling, we have Bitta Batta bringing their infectious Neo Soul and Afrobeat rhythms, powerhouse vocalist and singer-songwriter Mon Shelford delivering the soul-funk goods, and Yes Yes No adding their punchy mix of indie rock and power pop – ensuring the afternoon doesn’t skip a beat.

Collins Street Festival will be a feast for the senses. Partnering with local beverage creators, there’s a touch of something for every palate. Food trucks will be lining the road, serving up Hawke’s Bay’s finest flavours to keep your tastebuds happy while you dance the night away. For those looking to level up their day, VIP tickets offer exclusive access to spaces at The Urban Winery and The National Distillery, both located right next to Collins Street and just steps from the action.

This event is strictly R18, so do leave the little ones at home. Come ready to taste and ready to hit the dance floor. It's a night you won't want to miss!