Auckland and Bay of Plenty Festivals Set 2026 Dates and Prices
Seven events run from December 27 to January 1, with ticket prices ranging from $149 to $539 including camping.
By Camila Wisniewski ·
Festival season in Aotearoa begins this month with a packed schedule of events across the North Island. Organizers have confirmed dates, lineups, and ticket prices for major gatherings scheduled from late December into early January.
Hidden Valley opens the run on Sunday, December 27, in Matakana. The one-day event costs $210 and features performers such as Dimension, Armand Van Helden, and Skin on Skin. It is followed by Northern Bass in Kaiwaka, which runs for two days starting December 30. Northern Bass marks its 15th anniversary with a lineup including Andy C, Tonn Piper, and Culture Shock. General admission presale tickets are $209.90, while camping passes add $79.90.
Matakanarama hosts 1,500 attendees in Leigh from December 29 to 31. This grassroots event grew from a small flat party to a three-day festival featuring Park RD, Troy Kingi, and Cruze Control. Tickets cost $309, plus $79 for camping. AUM takes place at Leightons Farm in Parakai from December 30 to January 1. The three-day campsite event costs $450 and includes Ocean Alley and Mallrat. It operates as a waste-free, bring-your-own-alcohol event with four distinct stages.
In Gisborne, Rhythm and Vines runs from December 28 to 31 at Waiohika Estate. The four-day event costs $359 for a festival pass, with camping options ranging from $480 to $539. Performers include John Summit, KI/KI, and Netsky. This is the final year the festival will be held in Gisborne before it moves to an undisclosed location. In Tauranga, Famous Last Words celebrates its fifth anniversary on December 31 at Mercury Baypark Arena. The one-day event costs $149 and features Peking Duck and S.P.Y. across four stages, including a new outdoor stage for sunset viewing.
Attendees who attended these events in 2025 offered mixed reviews of logistics. Some praised the organized transport at Northern Bass, while others criticized Hidden Valley for disorganization and high prices. Rhythm and Vines drew complaints about muddy camping conditions last year, though many praised the music selection. Organizers for AUM stated that music is sacred and that their dance floors serve as a church for the community.
The first ticket releases for several festivals are currently live. Hidden Valley tickets are $210, while Northern Bass presales are $209.90. Matakanarama passes are $309, and AUM includes camping for $450. Rhythm and Vines festival passes are $359, and Famous Last Words general admission is $149. All events are scheduled to take place between December 27 and January 1.
Source: Critic Te Ārohi
