Source: Napier City Council
Nuit Blanche – Art After Dark takes over Napier city on Saturday 3 October, bringing live music, art, performance, food and creative activity to the streets and spaces around the city. From 5.30–10pm, five stages will feature live bands, DJs and performers, alongside roving acts, digital projections, interactive art, galleries open after hours and activities for kids and families.
Follow the music, explore the arts quarter, stop into a gallery or simply make your way around and see what you come across. There’ll be plenty of places to stop for something to eat and drink too, with cafés, restaurants and food trucks staying open late. Take a look at the map and programme and start making your plans.
Nuit Blanche is free, family-friendly and happening this Saturday.
Find your way around Nuit Blanche and view the map and programme here www.nuitblanchenapier.com/programme
Music around every corner
Music will be a big part of Nuit Blanche, with five stages spread across the city and more than 20 live acts performing throughout the night. You’ll find local bands, DJs, choirs and solo performers on Hastings, Tennyson, Emerson and Herschell Streets, while Market Street will turn into a DJ and laser light show. The programme showcases some of Hawke’s Bay’s local talent across a broad range of genres, from funk and soul to country, folk, rock and pop!
Catch them if you can
Not everything at Nuit Blanche has a stage or a set time. Roving performers will be making their way through the city throughout the evening, bringing some unexpected moments to the streets. Keep an eye out for circus performers, fire dancers, giant bubbles, luminous fairies, street theatre and other characters appearing as you move between venues and performances. You never quite know what you’ll come across, so keep your eyes open!
Bring the kids
Nuit Blanche has plenty happening for younger visitors too, with activities and performances spread throughout the city.
Kahukura Hawke’s Bay Museum and Napier Libraries will both have special activities, alongside face painting, glitter tattoos, interactive art and the Bay Skate roller disco. There are things to make, create, discover and have a go at, making it easy for families to spend the evening exploring together.
See the city differently
Nuit Blanche is also a chance to see Napier’s galleries and creative spaces after hours, with exhibitions, artists, makers and interactive displays adding another layer to the night. Doors will be open later than usual, giving you the chance to browse artwork, meet creatives and discover some of the city’s smaller spaces along the way.
Take a look at the programme www.nuitblanchenapier.com/programme and see which galleries and creative spaces you want to add to your route.
Dine and delight the senses
Food is a huge part of the Nuit Blanche experience, with Napier’s restaurants, cafés, bars and food trucks staying open late and offering special dishes, drinks and deals. Whether you’re after dinner, something between performances or a late-night treat, there’ll be plenty to choose from across the city.
On Emerson Street, Eat Street on Emerson will bring food trucks into the heart of the event.
Holy Crepe, Polyanaz, Indulgence, Swagberg, Paella A Go Go, Ko Pop Chicken, Dreamy Dumplings, Wombos, Mr Whippy and Teddys will all be there. Just behind the Daily Telegraph, you’ll also find Lil Donuts and Lulu’s Soft Serve at the Hangar. With food stops dotted around the city, it’s easy to grab a bite and keep exploring.
Your guide to getting around Nuit Blanche
There’s a lot happening after dark. Find your bearings with the programme and map www.nuitblanchenapier.com/, then make your own way through Nuit Blanche. You might have a plan when you arrive, but you never quite know where the night will take you.
Getting to Nuit Blanche 
Heading into the city by bus? GoBay will be running two later Route 1 services to help get you home after Nuit Blanche.
Catch a regular Saturday GoBay bus into Napier, then head to Dalton Street for one of the two night services returning towards Taradale, Hastings and Havelock North: 8pm | Route 1 to 107 Middle Road & 9.40pm | Route 1 to 45 Arataki Road
Normal fares apply | For full timetable information, visit gobay.co.nz gobay.co.nz or call 06 835 9200.
Keep an eye on the weather
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for Saturday.
If the weather means there are any changes to Nuit Blanche, we’ll share the latest updates on the Nuit Blanche Facebook page www.facebook.com/nuitblanchenapier, so make sure you’re following along before you head into the city.
For everything else, including the programme and event information, head to the Nuit Blanche website www.nuitblanchenapier.com/.