Aotearoa's events calendar is stacked with gigs this summer. Photo / Laneway Festival NZ
Aotearoa's events calendar is stacked with gigs this summer. Photo / Laneway Festival NZ
They’re a New Zealand summer tradition, and with music events big and small taking place around the country - including Rhythm & Vines, the Summer Concert Tour, Laneway and more - the Herald’s ultimate gig guide is here to help you plan ahead for the festival season.
Kiwis love to let their hair down when the days extend and the weather warms, which explains why our summers are packed with world-class gigs jammed into four months.
Whether you’re eyeing up performances from award-winning artists such asCharli XCX, Coldplay and Hozier in Auckland, or you’re ready to have your main-character moment at a New Year’s party in stunning locations like Waipara (Rolling Meadows), Mangawhai (Northern Bass), and Golden Bay (Twisted Frequency), there’s an event tailored to every type of person.
So, start getting your festival fits sorted, check your calendar and consult your friends, because we’ve put together every major concert and festival you need to know about over summer.
Keep track of your favourite events on social media to make sure you’re notified of any changes, and keep up to date at nzherald.co.nz/entertainment for all the biggest news and reviews. And with Autumn just as jam-packed with gigs - including Synthony in the Domain on March 28th - keep an eye out for our Autumn gig guide next year.
Concert is open to all ages. Children under the age of 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult.
TWENTY ONE PILOTS
Twenty One Pilots are celebrating the release of Clancy with The Clancy World Tour, their biggest headline tour ever.
Twenty One Pilots began embarking on a huge global tour earlier this year, selling over three million tickets to shows in North America, Europe and Australasia in celebration of their critically-acclaimed album Clancy, released back in May. Catch the Ohio duo at their highly-anticipated gig at Spark Arena on November 17.
Tate McRae is set to perform two shows in New Zealand. Photo / Instagram
The 21-year-old entered the spotlight at the age of 13 after reaching the finals in the show So You Think You Can Dance. Yet it was her 2020 hit You Broke Me First that finally pushed her into global stardom. Having broken into the mainstream and now dating fellow musician the Kid Laroi, McRae has built a sizeable fan base, with Kiwis able to see her perform at Spark Arena and TSB Arena later this month.
Where: Spark Arena, Auckland, and TSB Arena, Wellington.
When: Auckland, November 19, and Wellington, November 21, 2024.
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier will make three stops in Aotearoa for his Unreal Unearth Tour.
Such was the demand for Kiwis in the south wanting to see Hozier live that the Grammy-nominated singer added a second show in the Garden City. While the first two shows are sold out (minus ticket resales), there are still limited tickets available for the Take Me To Church singer’s Saturday show at Christchurch’s Wolfbrook Arena.
Where: Spark Arena, Auckland, and Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch.
When: Auckland, November 20, and Christchurch, November 22 and 23, 2024.
Hidden Valley kicks off at Matakana Country Park on December 27. Photo / Radlab
Around 8,000-10,000 people make their way to the Auckland getaway of Matakana every year for Hidden Valley Festival, which started in 2016. With a mix of house, techno, drum and bass, and everything in between booming through the speakers, organisers have made sure the line-up has something for everyone.
Le Currents joined New Zealand's packed festival line-up in 2020. Photo / Le Currents
Taupō‘s annual culture and arts festival makes its way back to Owen Delany Park this December for another sizzling day out. Established in 2020 to cater for Aotearoa’s indie-surf rock scene, this year’s festival-prescribed theme is “disco cowboy”, inviting festivalgoers to bring some country flare to their look.
New Zealand bands like Leisure and Coterie, who won Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards, will grace the stage alongside international acts such as Dope Lemon. Get your cowboy boots on and join the one-day disco before your New Year’s stop.
Hidden Lakes takes place under the trees of Christchurch's premier events location, Hagley Park. Photo / Hidden Lakes
Set under the canopy of trees that surrounds Victoria Lake in Hagley Park North, Hidden Lakes is a three-stage festival providing a unique and natural space for people to connect and enjoy a top-notch line-up of genre-bending electronic music. The event attracts about 5,000 people during that awkward limbo period between Christmas and New Year’s, as many don’t want to miss this memorable experience in the heart of Christchurch.
The Rhythm & Vines line-up includes rapper Ice Spice, DJs Sammy Virji and Luude, and Kiwi legend Sir Dave Dobbyn.
Rhythm & Vines has become somewhat of a rite of passage into adulthood for Kiwi teens since its inaugural event in 2003, and that isn’t changing any time soon, with 25,000-30,000 attendees expected this year. The seasoned R&V crew deliver an international experience to Gisborne without fail, with thousands of people each year being the first in the world to welcome the New Year sun at one of New Zealand’s most popular festivals. If you’re looking for the quintessential end-of-year party for 20-somethings this year, look no further.
Who: Ice Spice, Sammy Virji, Luude, Meduza, Sir Dave Dobbyn and more.
Northern Bass have announced a talented line-up this year.
To all the drum and bass lovers, this one’s for you. Drive one hour north of Auckland to get to Mangawhai, and you’ll be transported into the bush for a three-day rave. Forget wearing your nice clothes as the festival’s notorious for its changing weather, but once you’ve got your pack of friends together and the beats begin, you’ll never want to leave.
Who: AJ Tracey, Alix Perez, Hybrid Minds + Tempza, Montell2099 and more.
AUM runs across four days in South Head on Auckland's upper west coast. Photo / Mili Villamil
AUM joins several festivals in celebrating a milestone year in 2024. As part of its 10th anniversary, the music, arts and camping festival will treat punters to four music zones, visual art and performances, health and wellbeing-focused workshops, and more. There’s a clear expectation to respect and follow AUM’s guidelines while staying on the land; safety, respect, consent, inclusiveness, and kindness are some of the few to remember.
Highlife is moving to Waiheke Island for this New Year's Eve. Photo / ATEED
Selling out earlier this month, the exclusivity of Highlife courts Aucklanders older than 23 who aren’t keen to commit to an overnight festival and all the risks that come with them. Moving from Matakana to Waiheke Island’s Wild Estate Vineyard this year, the festival advises wearing “a smart yet fun style of attire”, so leave those jandals and singlets at home.
Who: Jonathan Ulysses, Steve Richards, Dick Johnson, Tim Phin, Waxxfanatic and more.
Wellington's night sky will light up with fireworks when the clock strikes midnight. Photo / Getty Images
If you’re in Wellington over the New Year’s period, the city is doing things slightly different this year. On top of the celebrations around Whairepo Lagoon, which will have live music, a countdown to midnight, and fireworks over the harbour to ring in the new year, Courtenay Place bar owners have joined forces to host a New Year’s Eve street festival, complete with circus performances, more music, and “dressed up” venues. Organisers like Jeremy Smith, who owns Trinity hospitality group, believe the new event will “make a statement”.
Where: Courtenay Place and Whairepo Lagoon, Wellington.
Rhythm and Alps in the Cardrona Valley will kick off on December 29 with the ultimate ending on New Year's night. Photo / George Heard
R&V’s little sister doesn’t get anywhere near as much attention as it should, but the Cardrona Valley-based festival has its own vibe going on. Positioned under picturesque mountains and only a short drive from Wānaka and Queenstown, Rhythm & Alps offers a more subdued experience while still having all the great music and the same ethos you’d expect from up north.
Twisted Frequency is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. Photo / Alex Che Noni
Aotearoa’s most eclectic underground arts and music festival is turning 10 this year. Situated deep in Upper Tākaka’s Cobb Valley, the off-grid, community-focused gathering has no service, showers, or drinks vendors, although five days with good company and an alpine river onsite should suffice. The event, driven by its ethos of “community, connection, culture” that upholds safety and inclusivity, draws crowds looking for an alternative New Year’s experience to one of the country’s sunniest spots.
Savage performing on the main stage at Rolling Meadows in 2023. Photo / Rolling Meadows NZ
A 10,000-strong festival in sunny Waipara established amid Covid lockdowns and closed borders, Rolling Meadows kicked off at The Bone Line in 2021, filling a spot in the South Island’s chronically under-served New Year’s events space. With four stages, plenty of food and drink venues, and a skateboarding competition, all you’ll need is a tent, sunscreen, and some friends to boogie with.
There'll be fireworks, food and entertainment in Queenstown over the New Year's period. Photo / Getty Images
Queenstown Lakes District Council is ensuring those in the resort town for New Year’s Eve end the year on a high. A free event with fireworks and music is planned in Earnslaw Park, with food and drinks stalls pumping until 1am. If you choose not to end your journey into 2025 there, all of Queenstown’s top clubs and bars will remain open into the early hours of the morning.
The Coro Classic moved from South Waikato to its current site in Matarangi this year. Photo / The Coro Classic
The second rendition of The Coro Classic was a smashing success in January, hosting about 4500 people in the idyllic beach town of Matarangi. Auckland-raised, London-based brothers Chaos in the CBD are coming home for summer and headlining the Saturday beachside party in 2025, playing alongside a variety of talented local artists and international acts.
Who: Chaos in the CBD, Daily J, Camo & Krooked, Bbyfacekilla, David Dallas and more.
While still in its infancy, having started in 2023, Juicy Fest has done an impeccable job at running an event of this calibre and size both here and in Australia. There are some big names on the ticket and only one stage at each event, so tickets may run out faster than before.
Golden Lights is one of the first festivals in the New Year. Photo / Golden Lights
The one-day gig will return to the fields of Trusts Arena in Henderson next January. Organisers are running with a small but dynamic line-up that includes the return of Aussie pop singer Becky Hill, Kiwi friends and DJs Sachi, dance music star JYOTY and an all-female group of DJs, producers and curators called Girls Don’t Sync. Get your friends together for this West Auckland favourite.
Who: Becky Hill, JYOTY, Luude, Sachi, Girls Don’t Sync and more.
Fisher is coming to New Zealand for two massive shows in 2025. Photo / Instagram
Fisher will make his grand return to Aotearoa for the first time in over six years with two shows in both the North and South Island. The Aussie dance music artist is one of the most in-demand DJs in the world, with 2018 track Losing It catapulting him to fame and earning him a Grammy nomination. These shows are set to be some of the most anticipated parties in the country, unfolding exclusively in the stunning inner-city parks of our two largest cities.
Where: Hagley Park North, Christchurch, and Victoria Park, Auckland.
When: Christchurch, January 10, and Auckland, January 11.
Country star Luke Combs performing at his 2023 concert at Spark Arena. Photo / Oli Spencer
Although Luke Combs hosted a single show at Spark Arena in August last year, many Kiwi fans missed out on getting to see one of the world’s biggest country music stars perform live. So, the Beautiful Crazy singer will return in January for two record-breaking shows at Eden Park, becoming the only country star to have headlined the arena. With Herald entertainment editor Jenni Mortimer saying Combs was “more impressive than many of the world’s biggest acts I have witnessed take on Aotearoa’s biggest arenas”, this one’s not to be missed.
Concert is open to all ages. Children under 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult.
SOUNDSPLASH
The Soundsplash main stage is at the base of a natural amphitheatre.
Soundsplash overlooks the Tasman Sea at an expansive location near the Waikato township of Raglan. Hosting Kiwis of all ages for more than 20 years, Soundsplash runs three unique stages for artists to spin their own sounds, a kai village boasting an array of choices, transport services, and several campgrounds.
Gibbston Valley Winery will be the first stop for the 2025 Summer Concert Tour. Photo / Greenstone Entertainment
Celebrating 15 years of the annual Summer Concert Tour, renowned artists Cold Chisel, Bic Runga, Icehouse and Everclear will headline performances in three stunning locations. The tour will make a start at the Gibbston Valley Winery before it moves up North for two shows over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, giving plenty of time and choice for out-of-towners to consider.
Benson Boone performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 1 in Chicago. Photo / Getty Images
Moving his now-sold out show from Auckland’s Powerstation to Spark Arena in August to accommodate growing demand for the star, Benson Boone’s meteoric rise has seen him open one of the London stops on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and score a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Appearing on American Idol in 2021 before quitting the show midway to carve his own path, Boone found real success on TikTok, signing to Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds’ label and releasing his smash hit Beautiful Things.
Where: Spark Arena, Auckland.
When: January 24, 2025.
Tickets: Sold out.
Concert is open to all ages. Children under 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult.
The Annual Folk Festival will celebrate 50 years in 2025. Photo / Dan Brunskill
The Auckland Folk Festival has a cracking line-up descending on Kumeū Showgrounds for its 50th year. It’s a long-standing tradition and pretty much Coachella for local folk music fans. A mix of contemporary and traditional folk songs will fill the town over four days in January, so start arranging your Auckland Anniversary Weekend plans now.
Who: Austral, Hina, Tall Folk, Adam McGrath, Krissy Jackson and more.
One Love 2025 will be a massive celebration of reggae music, unity and good vibes. Photo / One Love
New Zealand’s premier reggae music festival One Love made its debut in 2014 and boasts around 50 local and international artists promising the best in classic and contemporary reggae. With a second stage introduced in 2024, you can catch your favourite tunes at the main stage while listening to up-and-coming Kiwi artists at an Aotearoa stage across the two-day event in Tauranga.
Who: Maoli, Rebel Souljahz, Katchafire, J Boog, 1814 and more.
Tickets: No longer available; ticketholders will be refunded.
Concert is open to all ages. Children under 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult.
DIMENSION FESTIVAL
Dimension takes place deep in the Northland bush. Photo / NOREYES
The four-day electronic music festival in rural Northland offers a distinctive experience with non-stop music zones, cultural engagements, art and food markets. Whether you’re going for a river swim, laying under the trees, or cutting shapes on the dance floor, it’ll be impossible to bore yourself out this way.
Who: Grouch, Optimus Gryme, Paige Julia, Mallki, Harry Charles and more.
Laneway 2024 was a massive success at its new home at Western Springs Stadium. Photo / Laneway Festival NZ
Beginning as a weekly show in a tiny Melbourne bar, Laneway Festival is known for its finely curated line-up featuring many of the industry’s biggest names and rising stars, including Charli XCX, whose announcement made headlines. While past years have seen it at Albert Park and Wynyard Quarter, 2024 marked its arrival at the grassy surrounds of Western Springs. Now a popular and permanent fixture in the summer events calendar, the Waitangi Day festival gives Aucklanders one final excuse to let their hair down and have fun.
Who: Charli XCX, Beabadoobee, Barry Can’t Swim, Clairo, Djo and more.
Shipwrecked Festival is approximately 90 minutes from Auckland. Photo / Mili Villamil
Located approximately 90 minutes drive north from Auckland, Shipwrecked is situated between three blissful lakes in Te Ārai. The events space has been transformed into a playground of activities, music, art, and sound to nourish the soul, forging a temporary community that values creativity and supports self-expression and connection.
Who: Breakfast Club, Dick Johnson, Xandra, Freddy Murkey, Manisah and more.
Festival is open to all ages. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
ELECTRIC AVENUE
Electric Avenue is expecting more than 60,000 people to attend the two-day festival next year.
The South Island’s largest festival will expand to cover two days in 2025, giving the country’s other 30,000-people festival - R&V - a run for its money. Another event hitting its 10-year milestone, the organisers have put together what is arguably its best line-up yet to match the momentous occasion.
