Our favorite new years festivals in New Zealand for 2022 / 2023
The summer holiday season in New Zealand isn’t the same without attending a New Year’s Eve celebration. There are plenty of places to enjoy a summer New Years festivals in NZ!
New Years festivals are some of the best places to bring in the New Year. It’s not too late to choose a destination to slam the door in the face of 2022 and welcome 2023 with your fellow kiwis.
New Years Festivals in NZ for 2022
Here are some top New Years festivals in NZ that are a definite go for 2022. Choosing one of these options for the New Years countdown in NZ is sure to rank high in happy summer memories to come. We’ve talked to travel bloggers and other people who shared their plans and recommendations around where to celebrate NYE in New Zealand.
Rhythm and Vines
Michael Bell from Manukora recommends Rhythm and Vines
If you’re in New Zealand for New Year’s Eve, check out Rhythm and Vines. This jam packed festival is located in Gisborne, on the international date line, so you’ll actually be the first to ring in the new year.
This festival always has huge acts playing from December 29th – 31st. You’ll get to party against the beautiful backdrop of Waiohika Estate Vineyard while listening to 70 local and international artists across five different stages.
Located halfway between Queenstown and Wanaka, this festival also has an amazing line-up of musicians to celebrate the new year. Both festivals allow you to stay right on site for maximum fun.
Rhythm & Alps (Wanaka New Years Festival)
If you happen to be staying in the Cardrona Valley, checkout the sister festival to Rhythm and Vines called Rhythm and Alps. The Rhythm and Alps festival is one of the country’s largest music festivals with over 40 musical acts,
All people planning to attend need some form of NZ ID or an overseas passport (we brought US passports with no problems). This festival sells out every year so plan to buy tickets ahead of time online, although they can be bought at the venue if not sold out.
The south island is known for its beautiful landscapes and the Cardrona Valley is no exception! This festival is the best of both worlds: all of the music and food you expect from the north island with all of the scenery from the south island.
Pro tip: bring a jacket! Summers in NZ are not like summers in the US-it gets chilly at night.
This year’s epic music lineup includes amazing musicians, along with plenty of food and drinks. Rhythm & Alps is in the Cardrona Valley between Queenstown and Wanaka.
Find the perfect accommodation landing spot in Wanaka, or stay in Queenstown.
Wellington NYE Celebration at Whairepo Lagoon
Brianna Leonhard from Third Row Adventures says:
My husband and I travelled to NZ for our honeymoon and were able to be there over the holidays to experience the summer season on both islands! The Wellington NYE Celebration at Whairepo Lagoon This is more of a laidback celebration where visitors can see a few different bands perform, experience a free fireworks show, and participate in the New Year’s countdown.
Bonus: it’s free! Wellington is a coastal town and this celebration happens on the water, which is even cooler. This is a great option for families and is very family friendly, but it also continues after midnight at the local downtown night clubs/bars in downtown Wellington for those without kids.
Other Wellington NYE Celebrations:
- New Years Eve Tapas & Jazz: El Barrio Latino Bar & Restaurant is selling tickets for their music, tapas, dessert, and drinks NYE event.
- Velocity NYE: Enjoy DJs, dancing, and extravagant light shows at Valhalla.
- New Years Eve Masquerade Afrobeats Party: The hottest Afrobeats will be bringing in the New Year at The Establishment
- NYE Latin Fiesta 2022: Dance the year away on the hottest dance floor and best Latin music in the city at The Grand.
There are plenty of places to stay the night in the Wellington-Wairarapa area after seeing in the New Year.
3. AUM New Years Eve Festival
While there are loads of places to spend your New Year’s Eve in Auckland, one of the best is the AUM family-focused camping, music, and art festival.
This fun hippy-like summer festival has over 100 musical artists on five stages. Activities and workshops include everything from stilt walking and juggling to art, yoga, and meditation.
AUM festival-goers usually camp or glamp. However, there are plenty of places in Aukland to stay in a real bed during or after the festival.
Auckland Folk Festival – Family-Friendly NYE Festival
Elaine Warren from The Family Cruise Companion recommends the Auckland Folk Festival for celebrating a family- friendly New Years
This year my family and I will join our friends in New Zealand to attend the Auckland Folk Festival for a couple of full days of fun. We chose this festival because it is friendly to people of all ages, protected by loud music or any adventure we fear our kids may get lost in.
The event takes place over the three-day Auckland Anniversary weekend in late January, starting with a Friday night session and finishing with evening and morning sessions. The music stages are mostly large marquees with excellent sound quality and a complete program which appeals to everyone at any time.
The main stage hosts performances by the major performers on Saturday and Sunday evenings. My family is eager to see the famous fireworks show at the Sky Towers and the vibrant, harmonious atmosphere that I’m sure will be delightful.
Wanaka Beer Festival
Jessica Martin at Rockholder recommends the Wanaka Beer Festival:
The Wanaka Beer Festival is a perfect option. With over 30 different breweries represented, there’s plenty of opportunity to try something new. And of course, no festival would be complete without food trucks and live music.
For something a little more off the beaten track, check out the Lake Wanaka Treehouse Village. Set up in the stunning Wanaka forest, this is a truly magical place to spend New Year’s Eve.
With a range of accommodation options, from cosy treehouses to glamping pods, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whatever your plans, make sure you ring in the new year in style at one of these amazing New Zealand festivals.
Northern Bass
Jess Richmond from NZ Adventure Guide recommends Northern Bass
Being a kiwi in my mid twenties I am always looking for the best festivals and places to visit over summer with my friends. My top pick for a new years festival is Northern Bass.
Northern Bass is one of the best festivals in New Zealand to check out over new years this summer. This drum and bass themed festival takes place in Mangawhai making it the perfect location for a great mix of partying the night away and relaxing at the beach during the day.
There are multiple stages all around the festival grounds with different artists performing a wide range of music with something to suit everyone. The large range of facilities on site also provide all the necessities from food and drinks, to clothes and souvenirs.
This awesome 3 day festival has 2 or three day passes available to purchase with the option of finding your own place to stay or pitching a tent onsite for an additional price.
The Northern Bass festivities are in the summer hotspot of Mangawhai. This three-day festival on Worsfold farm brings together musicians and DJs, includes plenty of food and drinks, and culminates in a NYE fireworks display.
Those who plan to stay onsite need a camping pass. However, bussing in from other offsite accommodations in Mangawhai is also an option.
6. Highlife NYE Experience
Samantha Green from My Blonde Bucket List recommends Highlife
For a more laid-back boutique festival vibe, Highlife is certainly worth considering for this year’s New Year’s Eve plans. The one-night festival in Matakana is perfect for those who don’t want to travel too far from Auckland. There is no camping option so you’ll want to find accommodation nearby or simply buy one of the bus passes to take you back to Auckland, easy peasy. Being R22 Highlife is a slightly older crowd than the likes of RnV and Northern Bass.
Taranaki Music Festival
Kyle Kroeger from ViaTravelers suggests Taranaki Music Festival
I’ll be going to the Taranaki Music Festival, which is finally back this year after all the drama of the previous two years. It’s not New Year’s Eve, but it will take place on December 10 and will include indie, reggae, hip hop, drum and bass, house, and local up and coming Taranaki artists such as Bush Buds, Jeremiah The Nine, Skye B2B Killa, and Trip Change. Should be a trip and I really want to support a lot of local promoters over the holidays, they’ve lost a lot of money with cancellations and it’s finally time to get out there and party.
7. Latin Power NYE Latin Festival
The Latin Power NYE Latin Festival features Latin-inspired dancing and music, including reggaeton, funk salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata, and others. And, of course, the bar will serve popular Latin drinks. The Wynyard Pavilion venue in Auckland will have three different stages with plenty of space to dance away all the worries of 2021.
When it’s time to crash when the party ends at 4 am, there are plenty of places to stay in Aukland.
Other New Years Eve Festivals in New Zealand
ActonNZ
The country’s largest music festival, actonNZ, takes place at Ponsonby Racecourse from 3rd to 5th January. With headline acts like The Vamps and Little Mix, this is an unforgettable experience you won’t want to miss.
Auckishow
Auckland’s Auckishow celebrates its 10th anniversary with an epic lineup of live music, fireworks and family-friendly activities from 26th December to 1st January at Auckland Domain.
Winter Wonderland
Wellington hosts its winter wonderland experience – Winter Wonderland – from 27th December to 1st January at Parliament Hill Park.
BrewYears eve
BrewYears eve in Upper Hutt – A nice and cosy place with a lot of nice beers to go around, it has some really good vibes
Bringing in the New Year in New Zealand
New Year’s Eve in New Zealand has always been filled with fun festivals. Even though some are cancelled in 2021, there are plenty of New Years festivals in NZ no mater where you are planning on staying.