New Zealand Festivals Bucket List

New Zealand is famous for lots of things, and their festivals are no exception!

There are lots of reasons to love Festivals in New Zealand, and having been to some of them myself, I can safely say I have added a few to my festival bucket list! New Zealand festivals are so unique that whatever your pleasure or poison, there is something for everyone.

My New Zealand Festivals Bucket List

#1: Bay Dreams

When: January
Where: The Mount / Nelson
Cost: From $99+
If you are like me and get the January blues, want to go back to a festival and keep the NYE celebrations going, this is the festival for you! With tickets starting at under $100 and with glamping options available, Bay Dreams has two locations to enable even more people to enjoy it. Plus with headliners in 2022 such as Netsky, Chase and Status, and Tash Saltana, you wouldn’t want to miss out!
More info: https://www.baydreams.co.nz/

#2: Highlife

When: 31 December
Where: Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana
Cost: $125 – $254.11 + fees
Calling itself the Ibiza of Matakana, expect high-shelf spirits, dancers, boujie clothes, and insta-inspo galore. This R22 event is for a slightly older crowd but that won’t mean it’s any less mad! NYE at a winery, not far from Auckland + fireworks + DJ’s + drinks and epic food, what’s not to love? I can’t think of a better way to bring in the new year with my friends! >> Read my full Highlife Festival Review here <<
More info: https://highlifenye.co.nz/

#3: Snowboxx

When: September
Where: Wanaka
Cost: From $250 + booking fees
Mid-winter can be made slightly sweeter with Snowboxx. This incredible music festival is held at NZ’s largest ski area, with world-class acts, mountain top raves, legendary slope-side après & much more it’s one not to miss out on!
More info: https://www.snowboxx.nz/

#4. Goldrush

When: January
Where: Waihi, Coromandel
Cost: From $134 – $185 + booking fees
Beat the January blues with this fabulous festival in the new year. New to 2022, Goldrush is a one-day festival with enough packed in that you could have done with a whole weekend! With DJs coming from all over the world, it’s a festival I can’t wait to go to! >> Read my 8 tips for Gold Rush Festival <<
More info: https://bit.ly/3hFbKqC

#5: Rhythm & Alpes

When: 29 – 31 December
Where: Cardrona Valley, near Wanaka & Queenstown
Cost: From $130.00 + booking fees
If you are thinking of heading to New Zealand’s South Island for New Year’s Eve then this is the festival for you. With huge mountains & beautiful lakes as your backdrop, plus a rocking lineup, it’s the best party in town on NYE. This is the only 2-day camping festival held in the South Island and so it has made its way onto my New Zealand Festival Bucket List as an absolute must!
More info: www.rhythmandalps.co.nz

#6: Flamingo Pier

When: February
Where: Waiheke, Auckland
Cost: From $tbc
A fabulous, smaller-scale festival on beautiful Waiheke Island, this boutique DJ-based festival is the ideal way to spend a summer weekend. Why not pop into a winery after the festival or explore the beaches between festival acts… I mean if that doesn’t sound idyllic, what will?
More info: https://www.flamingopier.net/

#7: Splore

When: February
Where: Auckland
Cost: From $175 + booking fees
Splore is a three-day music and arts festival staged annually on the shores of Tapapakanga Regional Park. With its family-friendly nature, fabulous fancy dress, and wide range of music and activities to keep you busy, it’s a festival which caters to everyone!
More info: https://www.splore.net/

#8: Dimension

When: February
Where: Nukutawhiti, Northland
Cost: From $229 + fees
Labeling itself as not just a festival, but as a four-day transformational journey, Dimension Festival is a place to lose yourself, find yourself, and immerse yourself in an otherworldly experience. With 3 stages playing non-stop music it’s a place to discover self-expression and creativity.
More info: https://www.dimension.nz/

#9: Earth Beat

When: March
Where: Ātiu Creek Regional Park
Cost: From $245 + booking fees
Earth Beat is Aotearoa’s most innovative and earth-friendly music and arts festival. A 5-day legendary party with 3 stages and over 70 mind-expanding workshops, it’s a festival with something for everyone.
More info: https://earthbeatfestival.com/

#10: Joe’s Farm – aka – The Other Side

When: December
Where: Matakana
Cost: From $149
A festival tucked away in the middle of the countryside in Whangamatā with rolling hills and cow filled fields as a backdrop, it’s a festival which is bound to get you dancing and singing your way into the New Year!
More info: https://theotherside.nz/

#11: Shipwrecked

When: February
Where: Te Arai Festival Site
Cost: From $108 + booking fees
Shipwrecked is a boutique music and arts festival nestled between three lakes in an idyllic landscape not far from the hum of Auckland. Taking inspiration from the international festival scene, it doesn’t let it spoil its unique Kiwi charm. Shipwrecked Festival is a place to come together to celebrate and immerse yourself in a weekend of underground music, visual and interactive art, nature and life itself.
More info: https://www.shipwrecked.co.nz/

#12: Northern Bass

When: December
Where: Mangawhai (about 1 hour north of Auckland)
Cost: From $99 + booking fees
A festival not far from where I’m living and held in ‘the winterless north’ only about one hour from Auckland, this festival champions BASS – Whether that’s d&b, grime, hip hop, you name it it’s got it. Combine music with a sandy beach lagoon and a volleyball court, along with a whole host of incredible food and drink, it’s bound to be a banging bassfest in the north for NYE.
More info:https://northernbass.co.nz/

#13: Hidden Valley

When: 27 December
Where: Matakana
Cost:  From $76.12 – $214.35
After selling out 5 years in a row, the iconic post boxing day party returns as the first out the gate for Summers festie season in picturesque Matakana.
More info: https://www.hiddenvalleyfestival.com/

#14: One Love

When: January
Where: Tauranga
Cost: From $129 + booking fees
A fabulous reggae and roots festival which brings some sugar, spice and all things nice to beautiful Tauranga!
More info: https://www.onelovefestival.co.nz/

#15: Laneway Festival

When: January
Where: Auckland CBD
Cost: $tbc
A festival which has come highly recommended, and for many this is a festival favourite, Laneway Festival (also takes place in Australia) is another on the list for me.
More info: auckland.lanewayfestival.com

#16: Rhytm & Vines

When: December
Where: Waiohika Estate, Gisborne
Cost: From $130 – $680
Best known for being the festival where you’re the first to see the sunrise of the new year, it HAD to be on the bucket list. Started by a group of friends that wanted to celebrate New Year with each other, listening to local music, in a beautiful setting it had humble beginnings. Fast forward and it’s now one of the most popular festivals in the country bringing in over 350,000 people annually! With day tickets starting at only $130 and with camping, VIP, glamping, and weekend tickets available, this festival is an NYE & end-of-the-year MUST.
More info: https://www.rhythmandvines.co.nz/

#17: Homegrown Festival

When: March
Where: Wellington
Cost: From $164 + fees
A festival which showcases it’s very own homegrown talent, it brings together thousands of New Zealand music fans and over 40 of Aotearoa’s best bands and DJs! Celebrating all music genres from; Reggae, Roots and Hip Hop to Rock, Pop, Electronic, and Drum & Bass across 5 massive stages this is a must do. Having only really just found out about it, it’s one that might be a latecomer to the list, but has made it’s way to being one of my MUST DO FOR 2022!
More info: https://www.homegrown.net.nz/

#18: Electric Avenue Festival

When: February
Where: Christchurch
Cost: From $150 + fees
A festival I have heard so many good things about, Electric Avenue regularly brings in big names to take centre stage for a one-day extravaganza in Christchurch. Celebrating multiple music genres including Pop, Electronic, and Drum & Bass this festival is another must-do for me.
Read these Tips For Electric Avenue Festival > Tips for Electric Avenue Festival
More info: https://electricavenuefestival.co.nz/info/

Have I missed one? If you think I have to add another one or two to the list, let me know in the comments below!!

Kia pai Ko te hakari
(Enjoy The Festival)
X
Sophie – TFB

[ Some of the images on this post are not by That Festival Blogger. Any that require accreditation have been linked. Please note prices and dates may vary depending on COVID guidelines and ticket vendors ]