AUM Festival Sets New Zealand's Highest 2026 Price at $450
While independent events disappear, major northern festivals announce 2026 dates with ticket costs ranging from $149 to $450.
By Malik Salazar ·
New Zealand's summer music festival season opens in late December 2026, with organizers across the North Island confirming dates and pricing for the holiday period.
The highest ticket price among major events is $450, set by the Authentic Unified Movement, or AUM, in Parakai. This cost covers a three-day camping pass for December 30 through January 2. AUM bills itself as an environmentally conscious event and operates a bring-your-own-beverage policy. The lineup for the 2026 edition features Ocean Alley and Mallrat, continuing a tradition that began in 2014.
In the Matakana area north of Auckland, Hidden Valley will hold its 11th edition on December 27. The one-day event costs $210 and lists Dimension and Armand Van Helden as headliners. The 2025 edition faced criticism from attendees for disorganization and transport issues, despite a strong lineup. Organizers have not issued a specific response to those complaints in the 2026 announcement.
Northern Bass will mark its 15th anniversary in Kaiwaka and Mangawhai from December 30 to 31. General admission presale tickets are priced at $209.90, rising to $309.90 in the third release. A separate two-day camping pass costs $79.90. The festival focuses on drum and bass and electronic music, with headliners including Andy C, Tonn Piper, and Culture Shock.
Matakanarama, a grassroots event in Leigh, will run from December 29 to 31. The three-day pass costs $309, with camping available for $79. The festival grew from a flat party in 2024 to an event expecting 1,500 attendees in 2026. Park Rd and Cruze Control headline the 2026 lineup.
Rhythm and Vines will hold its final edition in Gisborne from December 28 to 31. The main festival pass costs $359, while single-day tickets are $179. Camping options range from $480 to $539. The event is moving to an undisclosed location for 2027. The lineup includes John Summit, Netsky, and Friction.
Famous Last Words in Mount Maunganui will celebrate its fifth anniversary on December 31. General admission tickets are $149. The festival will use four stages for the first time, including a new outdoor stage for sunset viewing. Peking Duck is a confirmed headliner for the Bay of Plenty event.
The 2026 season follows a year in which several independent festivals ceased operations. Splore, One Love, The Others Way, and Bay Dreams have been cancelled or shut down. Organizers of remaining independent events, such as Twisted Frequency, report financial stress in keeping their operations running.
