Bet we’re not the only ones hanging out for festival season and the chance to shake our booty in the summer sun. Here to help is our annual guide to what’s on where and who’s on the bill. We will keep updating this as info and lineups drop. For now though, time to start your festival planning.

NY 25/26

Lakes Music Festival 

Hagley Park’s party by the water has more music on more stages for its fifth outing. 10 hours of entertainment across three stages, with the Racket Club joining the mix for the first time – get sweaty in this dedicated blackout techno space. Acts announced include: Wilkinson, Kettama, Maribou State (Live), Alix Perez (Strictly Soulful), ATRIP, Home Brew (Live), Emily Makis, Club Angel, Good Neighbours (Live), Mozey, Sam Gellaitry, SIN, Fukhed, Stimulant Disco, Beccie B, Chole, Fidden, Hound, Indecisive, Thanks, Two Faced, Hang The Saints, Haven. Hagley Park, 28 Dec, lakesfestival.co.nz

Rolling Meadows

Big changes this year for Canterbury’s answer to Rhythm & Vines and Northern Bass. Rolling Meadows moves to a larger site much closer to Christchurch than its Waipara beginnings. No change though to the sweet mix of drum ‘n’ bass, hip-hop and EDM for the hardcore crew. Acts announced include: Altitude, A.Street, Chole, Ciko, Damage Control, Danger Dargie, Delicious B2B Cetra, Dylan BT, Eigen, EMMIE, Euge, Fitz, GWYN, Honey for Jupiter, Jenhippo, Jet A-1, Jezza, K-Rolla, Kinect, Lenni Vibe, Lemon Ridge, Maraschino Mommy, McNilla BN2B Shearz, Mish, Moz MC, One Waka, Poolhouse, Procy, Quine, Rollestxn Ave, Rosetta, Sammi Lee, Scabadart, Smouse, T Nics, Tealskie, Yarn, Yen, Zara B2B Thorn. 29-31 Dec, rollingmeadows.co.nz

Northern Bass

Changes also for the festival beloved of bass heads, dub heads and old-skool ravers. Capacity is limited to 6000 this year to create a more intimate celebration centred on the legendary Jungle Stage. Acts announced include: Aitch, Alix Perez, Amplify, Barkaa, Catching Cairo, Chiccoreli + Tali, Degs, Dizzee Rascal, DJ Hype B2B DJ Hazard, Emerson, Emily Makis, Gentlemen’s Club, Gray B2B Crossy, Halfqueen, Keighto, Killjoy (UK), Kings Of The Rollers + Inja, Mystic State, Paige Julia, Pendulum DJ Set, Ruinz, Sicaria, Simula, State Of Mind, Suune B2B Inmotion, The Upbeats, Zero. Worsfold Farm, Kaiwaka, 30-31 Dec, northernbass.co.nz

Rock the Bowl

Surf meets rock at the beautiful Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth. Acts announced include: L.A.B, Rudim3ntal and Supergroove with special guests Troy Kingi, Rubi DU & King Kapisi plus a special performance by Hollie Smith. New Plymouth, 29 Dec trademarklive.co.nz

Rhythm & Alps

Returning for its 15th anniversary party in 2025. Bring in 2026 with 10,000 of your closest friends in the spectacular Cardrona Valley, deep in the Central Otago mountains near Wānaka. Acts announced include: Badger, Beccie B, Catching Cairo, Chaos In The CBD, Corrella, Dick Johnson, Disco Dom (Dombresky), Dizzee Rascal, Fish56Octagon, Fiona & The Glow, Gentlemen’s Club, Halfqueen, Kanine, Kurupt FM, Lady Shaka, Natty Lou, Nice Girl, Pages Layn, Rudim3ntal, Santigold, Suune, Swimming Paul, Synthony, Th' Goodside, The Black Seeds. Wānaka, 29/31 Dec, rhythmandalps.co.nz

Rhythm & Vines

From its site at Waiohika Estate vineyard, this is the first festival in the world to welcome the first sunrise of the new year. Acts announced include: Kid Cudi, Turnstile, Wilkinson, 070 Shake, Kanine, L.A.B, Maribou State, Marc Rebillet, A-Trak, Cyril, Emily Makis, Esha Tewari, Fcukers, Good Neighbours, Home Brew, Inji, Jane Remover, Mozey, Notion, Sam Gellaitry, Skepsis, Sota, Swimming Paul, 1Tbsp, Bl3ss, Club Angel, Corrella, Gray, Hori Shaw, Lance Savali, Linska, Ned Bennett, Sex Mask, Te Wehi, Atarangi, Borderline, Coast Arcade, Corners, Ella Monnery, Emerson, Inmotion, Liberty, Mikeyy, Reasxn, There’s A Tuesday, Vitamin Cos, Where’s Jai, Pirapus Presents F U T U R E. Gisborne, 28 – 31 Dec, rhythmandvines.co.nz

2026

The Valley

A brand-new festival celebrating everything that makes Central Otago special. Music, wine, gourmet food and craft brews amid the stunning landscape of the Kawarau Gorge. Acts announced include: Kora, The Black Seeds, Reb Fountain, Hollie Smith, Robert Glen and the Meadow Sounds Band. The Church, Gibbston, 24 Jan, thevalleyfest.nz

Splore

Back for 2026 after taking a year off, the festival for “mindful party animals” brings three days of music, performance and visual arts to the shores of Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Franklin. Acts announced include: Röyksopp, Sister Nancy, Nightmares on Wax, General Levy + Joe Ariwa, Miss Kaninna, C.FRIM, Franca, Tami Neilson, Christoph El Truento, Estère, Romi Wrights, Te KuraHuia, Benny Salvador, Chiccoreli + Tali, DylanBiscuit b2b ajhoneysuckle, GoldTooth, Half Queen, ilish, Kaiviti, Marjorie Sinclair, NymphLoads, ORIKoL, Vercetti, WAEWAEXPRESS. Auckland, 20-22 Feb, splore.net

Summer Concert Tour

Wānaka’s new outdoor arena at Three Parks launches in style with Greenstone Entertainment moving its popular Gibbston Valley concert over the Crown Range to the purpose-built venue. Acts announced include: Iggy Pop, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Hoodoo Gurus, Zed. Wanaka, 31 Jan. greenstoneentertainment.co.nz

One Love Festival

A magnet for some of the biggest names in reggae from across the country and the world. 2026 details to come. onelovefestival.co.nz

Nostalgia Festival

This festival showcases feel-good New Zealand and international artists against a backdrop of local food, craft drinks, roving theatre, markets and more. Acts announced include: Balu Brigada, Ladyhawke, Troy Kingi, Tami Neilson, Hollie Smith, Harper Finn. Ferrymead Historic Park, 7 Feb. nostalgiafestival.co.nz

Electric Avenue

The festival that has become legendary in its own right brings back one of the legends of Kiwi music, Split Enz, for its 2026 outing. As in 2025, Electric Avenue will be over two days in 2026. The buzz is strong with this one so jump on those tix while you can. Acts announced include: Split Enz, Becky Hill, Sammy Virji, Basement Jaxx Live, The Streets, L.A.B, Disco Lines, Supergroove, Dom Dolla, Pendulum Live, Kesha, Ocean Alley, Royel Otis, Leftfield, Peking Duk and Röyksopp. Hagley Park, 27-28 Feb, electricavenuefestival.co.nz

Selwyn Sounds

With an annual lineup studded with the stars of yesteryear and an all-ages rating, this Canterbury festival is popular with music lovers young and old(er). Acts announced include: Ronan Keating, Tony Hadley ex Spandau Ballet, When The Cat’s Away, Mi-Sex, Opshop, Automatic 80s. Lincoln Event Centre, 7 March selwynsounds.co.nz

Two Minds

This festival “made by dance music fans for dance music fans” returns for a fourth year. Lineup to come. Spencer Park, 14-16 March twomindsfestival.co.nz

Homegrown

After 18 years on the Wellington waterfront, the festival devoted to Kiwi music returns to its roots in the Tron, where more space means bigger and better. Acts announced include: Six60, Lee Mvtthews, Kings, Supergroove (ft. Rubi Du, Troy Kingi & King Kapisi), Corrella, Devilskin, Blindspott, Sons of Zion, Coterie, Villainy, Fly My Pretties, Dragon, Ladi6, The Black Seeds, State of Mind ft. MC Crafty, Aaradhna, Flowidus, Savage, P-Money, stellar*, The Jordan Luck Band, TRUTH B2B Paige Julia, Hori Shaw, Hello Sailor, Shepherds Reign, Te Wehi, Written By Wolves, Rei, The Datsuns, Aunty El, Racing, TwoFöld, DJ Sir Vere, Poppa Jax & Sunshine Sound System. Claudelands Oval, Hamilton, 14 March, homegrown.net.nz

Food + Drink

South Island Beer Festival

Over 30 beers and ciders from craft breweries all over the South Island. Ilam Homestead, 22 Nov, sibf.nz

South Island Wine & Food Festival

A celebration of South Island flavours set to a live soundtrack against the backdrop of Hagley Park. Hagley Park, 6 Dec, winefestival.co.nz

2026

Great Kiwi Beer Festival

The big daddy of beer festivals, with over 300 craft beers and ciders on tap in the January sun. Hagley Park, 31 Jan, greatkiwibeerfestival.co.nz

Marlborough Wine & Food Festival

Held in the heart of Marlborough's wine country, this is New Zealand’s most enduring festival of food, wine and music. Blenheim, 14 Feb, marlboroughwinefestival.com

Wellington Wine & Food Festival

Add champagne, gin and cocktails to the usual festival fare with this one (that’s so Wellington). 2026 details to come. wineandfoodfestival.co.nz

North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival

The “coolest little wine festival in the country” showcases the region’s top drops and seasonal eats courtesy of a wealth of food vendors and wineries. Glenmark Domain, 8 March, ncwineandfood.co.nz

Hokitika Wildfoods Festival

Stalls full of weird and wonderful goodies, as well as a feral fashion show and wonderful West Coast beer. Cass Square, 14 March, wildfoods.co.nz

Havelock Mussel and Seafood Festival

Savour the freshest fish straight from the ocean and the flavours of Marlborough's finest seafood. Havelock Domain, 14 March, havelockmusselfestival.co.nz

Ripe: The Wānaka Wine & Food Festival

Enjoy premium wine and food from Central Otago producers served against a backdrop of panoramic lake and mountain views. Glendhu Station, Wānaka, 21 March, ripewanaka.nz