The Best Music Festivals In NZ You Need To Experience In 2023 And 2024 – Urban List

By Lauren Sanderson
14th Sep 2023
We don't know about you but we are long overdue for a good festival. 
Across the country, we'll be locking in tickets to some of the best festivals Aotearoa has to offer including the triumphant return of Laneway Festival, all promising an epic mash-up of beats, good vibes and all-around fun times. 
So dust off your festie attire, grab your crew and take your pick from our ultimate guide to the best festivals in New Zealand. Let the partying begin! 
Wave goodbye to spring and say hello to summer at Auckland's fave inner-city dance fest, Spring City. The line-up is yet to be announced but one thing's for sure is that it's going to be lit. The Auckland Domain will be brought to life by a plethora of epic acts which include L.A.B, Temper Trap, The Avalanches DJ Set, Joy Anonymous, Foley and more with light shows, and tasty food, so be sure to get amongst it. 
Matakana is where the party’s at this month as festival favourite Hidden Valley is back bigger and better than before. The one-day fest will see the king of drum and bass, Wilkinson, mix up a storm, and DnB heavy-weight Hedex take the stage alongside Channel Tres, Goddard, Hamdi, and heaps more. Get you amped up for 2024 at this cheeky pre-nye party with a steiny in hand, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
There’s no better way to finish off the year than a festival, especially when it’s right there in your own city. One of Christchurch's best events, Hidden Lakes takes place under the sun in Hagley Park, always with a banging lineup, multiple stages, and awesome crowds of people to boogie with. For locals who enjoy touring Aotearoa’s festivals all summer long, Hidden Lakes is an ideal place to kick off in the December heat with a cold steiny in hand.
Northern Bass is a staple in the NYE festival scene. Hundreds of people from all over New Zealand and even the world flock to Mangawhai every year to attend this three-day festival. End your 2023 by dancing the night away, and start 2024 as you mean to go on by listening to sick beats, moving your feet, and digging into some tasty treats. 
Set amongst the vines in sunny Gisborne, Rhythm & Vines is practically a rite of passage. It’s also the first festival in the world to welcome the first sunrise of the new year. Magical. Each year the three-day festival has a jam-packed line-up with more talent than you can shake a musical stick at.
This year will be no different—it's going to be an absolute summer scorcher filled with an epic mash-up of beats and good vibes. Check out the Steinlager Zone next to the Rhythm stage to really let your hair down.
Set in the stunning Southern Alps, Rhythm & Alps has got to be one of the best festivals around. This year’s festival comes with an insane lineup of homegrown Kiwi talent including powerhouse BENEE and reggae legends Fat Freddies Drop. Also joining the bill are Ocean Alley, Peking Duk, Sigma, Sythony and heaps more. Mountains, music and marvellous moves—does it get much better? We think not. 
Reset, receive and recreate at Resolution Festival—a four-day festival focusing on wellness, health and happiness at Ariki Estate. Promising a cracking line-up of local artists, epic workshops, wellness classes, yoga, barn raves, dance therapy, interactive art installations—the list goes on. So, If you’re after something a little different, or looking to add more meaning to your New Year, then ditch the booze and enter this utopia of community, wellness and magic.
If 90s music is your jam then Juicy Festival is the place to be this summer. Step back in time and party it up with hip-hop legends T-Pain, Ashanti, Mario, and heaps more. Juicy Fest is a one-day festival that will travel around New Zealand, playing in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, and Auckland before jetting off to Australia. If you grew up in the era of hip-hop and R&B then it's time to jump on that nostalgia train and reminisce on the sounds of the 90s and 2000s.
If you're looking for an epic mash-up of beats, vibes and all-around good times then head to Golden Lights Festival—a two-day dance odyssey at Waitakere's Trusts Arena. Whether you wish to immerse yourself in electro, indie rock or some dirty drum and bass, this epic fest has got something for everyone. 
So grab a cold steiny and party it up with Foals, Wilkinson, Sub Focus, Peggy Gou, and heaps more. It's going to be lit. 
Aucklanders listen up. Victoria Park is where it’s at this coming summer as Plane Sailing returns, bringing us an epic lineup of artists right on our doorsteps. The electronic music fest was a sell-out last year, so be sure to get your tickets pronto. Grab your mates and make some epic memories this summer at Plane Sailing.
Reset, receive and recreate at NZ Spirit Festival South Island—a four-day festival focusing on wellness, health, and happiness at Ariki Estate, Kaipara. Promising a cracking line-up of local artists, epic workshops, wellness classes, yoga, dance therapy, interactive art installations—the list goes on. So, If you’re after something a little different, then enter this utopia of community, wellness, and magic.
Calling all house and techno fans. If you haven’t experienced the magic of Sonorous Festival yet, then 2024 is your year. An epic line-up of talented artists will take over Auckland's Hunting Lodge Winery on 3 February, with some of the best names in house and techno creating some interstellar sonic grooves for you to get amongst.
If electronic music is your thang, then boy do George FM have a treat for you this summer. Party it up at the stunning Matakana Country Park at Summer Classic, a one-day festival featuring the biggest local electronic lineups of all time.
MONTELL2099, Sachi, Loods, Bushbaby, and Fredrick are just some of the names that will be dishing out the entertainment. Be sure to soak up the sun, views, and the good vibes, with a steinlager in hand—it’s going to be a gooden.
Big news fam, one of Auckland's fave boutique festies—Laneway Festival—is making the move to Waitangi Day at the new and improved Western Springs venue and they've just announced a bangin' lineup.
Stormzy, Steve Lacy, and Dominic Fike are headlining and performing in Aotearoa for the first time. Add to this heavy hitters from across the globe including Unknown Mortal Orchestra, d4vd, Raye and more joined by a huge lineup of local talent including Atarangi, Church (debuting his new solo show) Daily J, Erny Belle, hanbee and Molly Payton. Phew!
We for one are absolutely fizzing, so register for pre-sale access then sit back, relax and wait for the magical day of beats, eats, sunshine and good vibes to come around.
Become a pirate for the weekend at Shipwrecked—a boutique music and arts festival that is sure to capture your heart. Nestled between three lakes in an idyllic landscape not far from the hum of Auckland, the Shipwrecked Festival site at Te Arai has been lovingly curated over the years to transform into a spectacular playground.
Taking inspiration from the European festival scene, with uniquely Kiwi vibes–it's going to be an unforgettable experience. So come together to celebrate and immerse yourself in a weekend of underground music, visual and interactive art, nature, and life itself.
Just when you thought you couldn’t take another weekend spent moshing to the beat by day and getting down and dirty camping at night, the allure of seeing out the last of the summer sun at Splore should change your mind.
This three-day festival/giant dress-up party is in a league of its own with everything from music and performing arts to workshops, installations, wellness centres and a whole lot of love.
This year's headliner is none other than Sampha, a Mercury Prize winner who will grace the stage with his full band. With his impressive talents as a singer, songwriter, and producer, it's no surprise that heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, Travis Scott, Drake, Solange, Frank Ocean, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, and Alicia Keys have all recognised his exceptional voice and songwriting skills.
Plus, joining the lineup is the iconic Notting Hill Carnival sound system legend and the mastermind behind the “rare grove” concept, Norman Jay MBE. He'll be treating you to his exquisite blend of soul, disco, boogie, acid jazz, and house music right on the beautiful shores of Tāpapakanga. Get ready for a musical experience like no other!
So settle in on the beautiful shores of Tapapakanga Regional Park, put on your party pants and prepare for a three-day entertainment extravaganza. Get amongst the magic that is Splore.
Think nothing much happens in New Plymouth? Think again. Once again, WOMAD is set to bring the best in music, art and dance together in what’s going to be a bloody good time. This is a cultural festival with many different settings up for exploration.
Get amongst their Kunming Garden to find your inner zen or hit up their global village where you can eat your way around the globe with international cuisine. You’ll be kept busy with art installations, site performances and workshops as well as grooving to the epic tunes of the 'World’s Festival'.
Reset, receive and recreate at NZ Spirit Festival North Island—a four-day festival focusing on wellness, health, and happiness at Ariki Estate, Kaipara. Promising a cracking line-up of local artists, epic workshops, wellness classes, yoga, dance therapy, interactive art installations—the list goes on. So, If you’re after something a little different, then enter this utopia of community, wellness, and magic.
If you're looking for an epic mash-up of beats, vibes and all round good times then head to 121 Festival—a three-day dance odyssey set in the lush landscape of Tauherenikau. Whether you wish to immerse yourself in euphoric disco, thumping bass, the sultry sounds of live music, or an unforgettable headline set, this epic dance fest has got something for everyone. 
Wellington’s waterfront is in for a treat. 2024 sees Jim Beam Homegrown continue its stellar record of showing Wellingtonians how to party. Every year the line-up gets better and better, so we’re expecting no less for their next celebration of Kiwi music culture. Setting new sell-out records every year in their six-stage waterfront party, reserve your tickets now to ring in the end of summer in the nation’s capital.
As well as promising a cracking line-up, epic workshops, wellness classes, comedy, poetry, markets—the list goes on, Earth Beat Festival focuses on sustainability and believes that we should care, respect and show gratitude towards Mother Earth—and we couldn't agree more.
Show your love at this zero-waste fest by celebrating sustainability and new ways of living and learn about permaculture, regenerative planting and much more.
The festival also holds strong Māori values and hosts a variety of workshops for you to get amongst. The best part is that this diverse event is just a 75-minute drive from Auckland on the beautiful shores of the Kaipara. 
While you're travelling the country, why not take one of these amazing Kiwi road trips.
Image credit: Splore, Snow Machine, Rhythm & Vines, Plane Sailing, Laneway Festival, Splore, 121 Festival.
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