With dramatic forest, mountainous landscapes and camping in vineyards, New Zealand’s music festivals offer more than just music. From partying in paddocks to drinking your way around Wellington, shoes or no shoes, the memories will last a lifetime.
The music scene caters to all ages, with Homegrown leading the way for families. For those wanting to lose all sense of humanity, Northern Bass can guarantee mosh pits and sleepless nights. For everything in between, you’ll have to read on.
We have been researching New Zealand’s most exciting festival experiences, varying from one to three days for you to add to your 2023/24 bucket list. Let the good times roll.
1. Rhythm and Vines
December, 3 days
Gisborne
Rhythm and Vines (R&V) is an iconic 18+Kiwi festival where you can welcome the new year from a tent, among the vines of the Waiohike Estate, a 6.7-hectare vineyard. Originally starting as a 24-hour event, the demand was so high it extended to a three-day festival. It is the first festival in the world to welcome the first sunrise of the new year.
The festival was started by university friends Andrew Witters, Hamish Pinkham and Tom Gibson who wanted to host a New Years’ party for family and friends. Lucky for them, one of their fathers owned a vineyard and so R&V was born under Rhythm Group. The festival grew from 1800 attendees to an expected 20,000+ each year, it is considered one of the largest festivals in New Zealand.
In the beginning, R&V played mostly reggae bands and DJs. It has since branched out, keeping up with the trends and homing in on the wants of their audience. The festival is regarded as one big party where people can connect through a love of dance and bass music. Most recent artists have included Chase & Status, Wilkinson, Dom Dolla, Becky Hill and Sub-Focus.
R&V predominantly target a student audience, so you can expect anything from shirts to sequins and florals to fishnets. Throw in some tan lines and two pieces, and you’re good to go. Powder & pamper rooms are also available around the site for any hair and make-up emergencies.
Once you get hungry, there are plenty of vendors to choose from. Take your pick from a choice of seating spaces in the sunshine. If it’s gets too hot, we hear there’s a waterslide. After this, why not dance off the calories at the Dance Your Style tent.
Tickets to R&V range from $170 for a single day, up to $777 for a three-day festival pass and four nights camping. People can drive themselves, or if you’re drinking, buses will run from Gisborne. ID must be provided upon entering this event. Wristbands will be provided to purchase any food or drink in the venues; remember to pack some cash or your eftpos card to top this up. For more information about tickets and line ups, you can visit Rhythm and Vines.
2. Rhythm and Alps
December, 2 days
Wanaka
Sister of Rhythm and Vines, Rhythm and Alps (R&A) is New Zealand’s premier festival that takes place in alpine playground Cardona Valley. It started in 2011, with the aim of bringing a little magic to the South Island. Now 10,000 people travel each year from all over, to experience this legendary New Years’ Eve celebration.
After previously managing Rhythm Group, Wanaka local Alex Turnball took over R&A in 2014 under his own company Bench Music. The festival continues to be successful and shares some acts with Rhythm and Vines.
Past performances have included big names Fat Freddys Drop, Ocean Alley, Benee and Kaylee Bell. The festival takes inspiration from the UK electronic scene, so expect the big DJ drops and 3am sets if you dare. With five stages and over 50 acts, sleeping almost doesn’t seem to be an option.
So, grab your girlfriends and your glitter, bandeaus and bucket hats, and prepare to dance the night(s) away. Closed toe shoes are recommended for ultimate comfort and warm clothing to keep you going through the night. Aside from that, the sun is usually out all day long, so sunnies and suntan are a must.
Beyond music, R&A has 15 food vendors, three bars and The Campshop for all your festival essentials. For further escapism, The Playhouse has a range of activities such as yoga.
Camping and glamping options are available. Campervans and motorhomes are also welcomed. For extra convenience, you can opt for the Ultimate Festival Kit where your tent and everything inside is pre-pitched for your arrival. Yello is the main transport provider, who run buses all day to and from Queenstown and Wanaka. One day tickets start from $190 and go up to $340 for two days, this doesn’t include camping costs. ID must be provided upon entry and like R&V, you’ll receive a wristband to make purchases. For more information, see Rhythm and Alps.
3. Fridayz Live
November, 1 day
Auckland
Formally Friday Jams Live, Fridayz Live is your ultimate one-day 18+ throwbacks party. For any 90s/2000s babies who want to reminisce in old school dance and high school heartbreak anthems, this night is for you. Although, we wouldn’t recommend on ridin’ solo for this one.
The festival was born after Hit Network delivered the best of R&B each week to listeners. People wanted more, so they teamed up with Frontier Touring in 2016, presenters R&B Fridays (Australia) and ZM and Flava gave epic shows each year across Auckland, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, for one night only.
With unbeatable line-ups, Fridayz Live has hosted Jason Derulo, Akon, JoJo, Ne-Yo, Jay Sean, Usher, Taio Cruz… you get the gist. Now over 30,000 Kiwis flock to Spark Arena, bringing their most cherished memories and new-found attitudes with them. Prepare to feel reborn listening to the likes of It Girl, Too Little Too Late and Miss Independent.
Dress for the era (as advised), with shiny and sleek slip dresses, bandanas and board shorts. Not forgetting the flared pants of course. The best part is, your outfit doesn’t need to be weather dependent, win!
After spending years under the sun in Western Springs, Spark Arena gives Fridayz Live a real concert feel, driving people back indoors. Doors open around 4pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to pre-drink and eat.
The venue is conveniently located in the CBD, with plenty of public transport and taxis on offer. You won’t struggle to find a place to stay either, as Auckland is full of hotels and hostels depending on your budget. Reserved seating tickets start from $119.90, or platinum floor standing for $199.90, and you can purchase these via their website Fridayz Live.
4. Jim Beam Homegrown
March, 2 days
Wellington
True to the name, Homegrown has featured the same growing Kiwi acts each year, with the odd exception. Look up nostalgia in a dictionary, and you’ll find Homegrown. Arguably safe and simple, this mainstream festival must be doing something right, because it still sells out each year. Guess it hasn’t lost its’ charm!
Interestingly enough, the music festival started from an extreme sports competition in Hamilton before coming to Wellington. In 2008, Homegrown displayed 35 local bands, soloists and DJs to 13,000 people and it was a huge success. Now the event is sponsored by Jim Beam and can expect 24,000 attendees each year.
Homegrown is best known for a broad mix of reggae, roots, hip-hop, pop, rock, electronic and drum and bass. Past acts have included The Black Seeds, Kora, The Mint Chicks, Shapeshifter and David Dallas. Homegrown stayed loyal to these acts and saw them performing multiple years. With Kiwi legends performing across five impressive stages, you really are among the cream of the crop.
Appealing to all ages, from babies (under-fives go free), to teenagers, parents to grandparents and all free spirits in between, it’s like one big family party. Anybody under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Dress code is simple, anything goes! Smart, casual, shirts, no shirts, just bring the good vibes with you. Just remember, the weather in Wellington is impossible to predict, so be prepared for anything.
Unlike other festivals, Homegrown grants ticket holders the freedom to go in and out as much as they please, so you can also enjoy everything the capital has to offer. You know what they say, you can’t beat Welly on a good day! Especially when the sun is shining, the perfect sign off to the summer season.
Aside from the music, Homegrown is an experience within itself, with carnival rides, interactive displays and food stalls all placed on Wellington waterfront.
Doors open at 11am, with acts kicking off from 1pm until 11pm. As the sun sets on a memorable day, remember you’re only a 15-minute walk into the centre, making accommodation and (non) transport easier than ever. With a selection of hostels, Airbnbs, or a relative’s house, the options are endless.
Homegrown made an exciting announcement earlier this year that it will be running for TWO days next year, double the fun! Tickets go up to $185 (for one day general admission) so keep your eyes peeled for early bird offers on their website Homegrown.
5. Northern Bass
December/ January, 3 days
Auckland
Think fun in a field with friends… on a farm. Northern Bass is a three-day 18+ electronic party that will have you dancing into the new year. Come rain or shine, Worsfold Farm in Kaiwaka Mangawhai welcomes 10,000 ticket holders each year.
Founded in 2013, Fuzen Entertainment decided to take their club experiences to the next level. After successfully running popular Auckland venues Fu bar and Zen for 13 years, they closed their doors in 2011 to focus on bigger events.
For all night owls, acts play until 4:30am on NYE! With a smaller set up of two main stages, Northern Bass is still set to steal hearts through showcasing emerging and established talent. Past performers have included Ancy C, Shapeshifter, Skepta, Joey Bada$$, Shapeshifter and DJ and producer Alix Perez.
Anything goes on the farm, animal dress included. With beads and braces to shirts and singlets, hairbands and halos to shades and sweatbands, this colourful and high-energy festival creates a safe space for youngsters to let loose. Walk towards the light(s) and feel the bass beneath your feet.
Food and drink stalls and water stations are available throughout the festival, so reusable bottles are recommended to bring. Northern Bass also offer free return buses to campers to visit nearby hotspot Mangawhai Heads, soswimwear is a must! Soak up the sun, or a pint, to start your day right.
Glamping or camping is available, and more recently a Green Camp has been introduced for more mindful campers. This is where tents are pre-pitched (at an extra cost) in premium locations, with the promise of keeping the campsite clean. Day tickets start from $189.90 and three-day tickets start from $299.90 (not including camping). For more information, visit Northern Bass.
