The party continues for the Wānaka Festival of Colour. The annual celebration of the arts marks 20 years in 2025 with another autumn showcase of established and emerging artists performing throughout the alpine village’s streets and spaces.

High on this year’s highlights list is triple bill Subtle Dances, a collab between choreographers Sarah Knox, Cameron McMillan and Loughlan Prior and a troupe of dancers, and musicians Amalia Hall, Ashley Brown and Somi Kim of the NZ Trio performing music by Rhian Sheehan, John Psathas and Claire Cowan.  

Artistic Director Sophie Kelly has curated the kind of diverse programme that the festival has become famous for. Connecting with community and strengthening diversity and inclusion are big drivers for the event’s backers, the Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust.

Fitting right into that theme are another of this year’s highlights, the Topp Twins. Jools and Lynda will share a stage with interviewer Kathryn Ryan for an evening of anecdotes and life lessons from the country’s favourite yodelling lesbian country duo.

festivalofcolour.co.nz