Top music festivals

While Rhythm and Vines features an impressive lineup of international and local acts, half of the attendees buy tickets without knowing who will be performing – they come for the vibe. Set in a vineyard in north of Gisborne, the festival features multiple stages, camping among the vines, and more than a few waterslides, making it a right of passage for under-25s.  The event officially kicks off on 29 December, running through to the first sunrise of the New Year.

Discover Rhythm & Vines

Set against an alpine backdrop like no other, Rhythm & Alps blends music and nature in a way that’s uniquely Kiwi. Each year, the festival welcomes a diverse mix of local legends and international heavyweights across electronic, hip-hop, indie, and beyond, drawing a crowd that’s as passionate about good music as they are about good times. The three-day celebration takes place in the Cardrona Valley over New Year’s Eve. 

Discover Rhythm & Alps

Ring in the New Year at AUM, Auckland’s largest New Year celebration. Over three incredible nights, the festival features four stages with hundreds of artists from New Zealand and around the world. Expect a diverse soundtrack spanning house, drum and bass, techno, bass music, psytrance, plus rock and folk. Beyond music, AUM is known for its art installations, and circus and dance acts.

Discover AUM

New Zealand’s biggest New Year’s Eve party unfolds over two unforgettable nights, beginning on 30 December. Held in the picturesque town of Kaiwaka, an hour north of Auckland, it’s the ultimate destination for drum and bass fans. Expect a powerhouse lineup of international and local talent – past headliners include Dizzee Rascal, Goldie, and Lee Mvtthews. With numbers capped at 6,000, you’ll enjoy an intimate, immersive atmosphere, along with perks like hot showers and a nearby grocery store.

Discover Northern Bass

Splore brings together a bold mix of music, performance, and art for three incredible days, marking the end of summer. Expect live acts from Aotearoa and beyond, interactive installations, thought-provoking workshops, and plenty of outrageous costumes.

Discover Splore

Pasifika Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Pacific Island cultures. As the largest festival of its kind in the world, it brings together music, dance, art, and food from across the Pacific, including Aotearoa New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Tokelau, Tahiti, and Hawaii.

Discover Pasifika

In February, Hagley Park comes alive for Electric Avenue, Aotearoa’s biggest music festival. Over two unforgettable days, the event features world-class international electronic acts alongside a diverse mix of live bands and artists, including many of New Zealand’s top acts. 

Discover Electric Avenue

Maybe you weren’t even born when rock and roll ruled the airwaves and the American motorcar was the ultimate style icon – but you can still experience it at Beach Hop. Beach Hop brings five fun-filled days of rock and roll and classic cars to the stunning Coromandel Peninsula each March. Expect over 1,000 gleaming classic cars on display, including a spectacular parade through town, plus live rock and roll and blues performances. The festival spans three picturesque towns – Pauanui, Waihi, and Whangamata – each hosting its own unique events.

Discover Beach Hop