Here’s a friendly PSA: the best summer events in Aotearoa will be sold out, and we don’t just mean the tickets. From beachside baches to inner city escapes, holiday homes around key dates get snapped up very quickly. With the 2025/26 summer season shaping up to be packed with everything from concerts and festivals to major sporting moments, it’s time to lock in the weekends, rally the crew, and book that dreamy bach before someone else does. Here’s a round-up of the big dates that you should have on your radar.
Christmas in the Park, 29 November Christchurch, 13 December Auckland
Aotearoa’s biggest free annual Christmas musical spectacle returns this year. Celebrating 31 years, it’s packed with world-class entertainment and a fireworks display that’s worthy of a spot on your Instagram grid. With both Christchurch and Auckland events falling on a Saturday, it’s the ultimate excuse to kick off the summer (and festive) season with a classic road trip — the perfect nod to a proper Kiwi celebration of Christmas.
Summer Concert Tour, 24 to 31 January, Taupō, Auckland, Wānaka
With a line-up including legends such as Iggy Pop, Joan Jett and the Blackheart, and Hoodoo Gurus x Zed, the Summer Concert 2026 is all set to roll through Aotearoa with all the high-energy vibes you need this season. Kicking off in Taupō on 24 January, the tour heads to Auckland on 29 January and then wraps up with a show in Wānaka on 31 January. So, choose your destination, find your bach, and make this a summer to remember.
Fisher, 31 January, Mount Maunganui
Your summer soundtrack is about to get a serious boost with the Big Fish coming to Mount’s Bay Oval for the very first time, marking the venue’s debut headline show. Think open-air stage, the glow of the sun setting, and baselines ready to drop.
One Republic, 4 February, Auckland
Grammy-nominated US band One Republic is making its way to New Zealand next year as part of The Sweet Escape Tour, with award-winning pop singer Zara Larsson as special guest. If their 2023 show is anything to go by, you don’t want to miss out on this one. With the Waitangi Day public holiday (6 February) falling in the same week, it’s the ideal chance to turn a midweek concert into a long weekend getaway.
Laneway, 5 February, Auckland
It’s not just any concert; Laneway is a full-blown summer festival escape. The annual tradition returns to Western Springs Stadium in Tāmaki Makaurau, with a line-up featuring Chappell Roan, Lucy Dacus, PinkPantheress, and more. Think big energy, unbeatable vibes, and a curated playlist that you’ll be streaming on Spotify all-year round.
Lorde, 11 February Auckland, 13 February Christchurch
This one is more than just a concert; it’s homecoming for alt-pop icon Lorde, who’s bringing her highly anticipated Ultrasound World Tour to New Zealand. And with two shows — one in Spark Arena, Auckland and the other in Wolfbrook Arena in Christchurch — lock in your bach and gear up for a night of pure Lorde magic.
Art Deco, 19 to 22 February, Napier
Step back in time and embrace the Gatsy-esque glamour vibe at the annual Art Deco festival in Napier. With glitzy soirees, speakeasy bars, classic films, vintage car displays, and more than 200 activities lined up, it’s one of New Zealand’s largest and most iconic events and worth crossing off your bucket list.
Ironman, 7 March, Lake Taupō
Sure, it’s not a concert, but Ironman New Zealand is still an iconic event and worthy of a spot on the list. And with the crowds, adrenaline, and summer sun, it brings its own kind of hype. The annual sporting extravaganza is back in the stunning Lake Taupō for the ultimate endurance test for athletes. Make your way through one of the world’s most scenic racecourses, but if you prefer cheering from the sidelines, get yourself a lakeside bach and toast the competitors with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc in hand.
Homegrown, 14 March, Hamilton
Leaving the iconic Wellington waterfront home for the first time ever, Homegrown is making its way to Claudelands Oval in Hamilton. Celebrating almost two decades of incredible Kiwi music, this year’s edition is set to be the biggest, with seven stages and a line-up featuring Six60, Blindspott, Kings, and more. Expect good vibes and experiences that will stay with you long after the music stops.
