Rhythm & Alps is turning up the heat with a huge 2026 lineup, bringing together an incredible mix of talent for two days in Cardrona Valley this summer.
Joining the bill is USA rapper Swae Lee, fresh off his solo album Same Difference and his appearance at Coachella, bringing his catalogue of chart-topping anthems to Rhythm and Alps for New Year’s. He’s joined by Shy FX, a true pioneer of jungle and drum & bass whose legendary track ‘Original Nuttah’ helped define the sound of a generation, and FOVOS, the Aotearoa-born electronic duo making serious waves on the international hard techno circuit and more. Plus, after a long wait, the festival’s most unique micro-venue The Boombox makes its highly anticipated return, bringing another dose of dancefloor energy to the festival.
These acts join drum & bass powerhouse Dimension, alongside MPH, the rising producer and DJ at the forefront of the new wave of UK garage and bass music, and Irish dance duo Belters Only.
This year’s bill also puts New Zealand music firmly centre stage, bringing together established Aotearoa heavyweights and some of the country’s most exciting emerging names. Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shapeshifter, BENEE, Lee Mvtthews, NO CIGAR, Wax Mustang and more lead a huge homegrown contingent spanning drum & bass, electronic, indie, hip-hop and beyond.
RHYTHM AND ALPS 2026 LINE UP:
DIMENSION, SWAE LEE
BENEE, FAT FREDDY’S DROP, MPH, SHAPESHIFTER, SHY FX
BELTERS ONLY, BORDERLINE, CHARLI BRIX, ELY OAKS, FAT PAPI, FLAVA D, FLOWIDUS, [IVY], LEE MVTTHEWS, NO CIGAR, WAX MUSTANG
BARI, CHRIS KEENE, DEEP NOTION, FREDSTA, FOVOS, HYAN, INMOTION, MIKEYY, PIXIE LANE, SOUL WUN, SUUNE, TOUGH BREAK, WHERE’S JAI
ARTOM, BAD BIRDS, BENERGIZER*, BENTHAMISM, BOAZ*, CHARLIE C, COMMUNICATE, CONNOR TOMOANA, DJ DRE, HARPERR, HELIX, HYW B2B PARF, INDECISIVE, INERTIA, JASPER CALI, KIPPO*, KNOX, LIBBY K, LJ GROOVE, MANTIS, MAXX GUNN, MCNILLA, MISS JANE, NICK MUNDAY, OPTICS, PARRY, PONZ, POPPER*, POWDER CHUTES, RUPERT POWELL, SAMSON*, SPACELLA, STEADY, TORBZ*, TVRKZ, WHEELS, YUTHE*
\* denotes Log Cabin takeover
New Zealand’s iconic New Year’s festival returns to Cardrona Valley on December 30–31, 2026, bringing a huge lineup to the South Island for two days of music and celebration.
From the first act of the day to the final set of the night, there’s always something worth being in front of the stage for. It’s a lineup built to be explored – packed with proven favourites, rising talent and the kind of discoveries that become festival highlights.
Big sounds. Big summer. And a massive lineup at the helm for one heck of a New Year in the Southern Alps.
For 16 years, Rhythm & Alps has been more than just the biggest and best New Year’s Eve festival in the South Island. It’s a summer getaway, a meeting point, a space where friendships are formed, stories are made, and friend groups reunite year after year beneath the Southern Alps. From dancing all night, to late-night missions back to camp and going to bed at sunrise, it’s the place where the best memories of summer happen.
Tickets are on sale now, with festival-goers able to lock in a Full Festival Ticket for both days or choose a Single Day Ticket for either December 30 or 31.
For those making a proper summer roadie of it, there’s a range of ways to stay on site. Valley Camp delivers the classic bring-your-own camping experience, while Peak Camp steps things up with private facilities and pre-pitched tent packages. Glamtopia offers a boutique glamping experience, and Roadie Camp gives campervans a home for the festival.
VIP upgrades are also available, with premium stage views, a private cocktail bar, exclusive seating areas and other elevated festival perks.
With flexible ticketing and accommodation options designed to suit everyone from first-timers to seasoned festival veterans, Rhythm & Alps 2026 is set to deliver an unforgettable New Year’s celebration.
Expect brand-new layouts, fresh formats, surprise moments, and the kind of real-life experiences that have made R&A a rite of passage for thousands across Aotearoa.
Once again, thousands will make the pilgrimage south to the breathtaking Cardrona Valley for two massive days soundtracked by some of the hottest names in music, immersive production, and the unmistakable energy that only R&A can deliver. With more than 10,000 attendees expected, Rhythm & Alps 2026 is set to welcome one of its largest crowds to date.
Whether you’ve been making the annual roadie for years or you’re finally locking in your first trip, this is your sign. Pack the car, round up the crew, and prepare to close out 2026 properly. Rhythm & Alps returns 30–31 December 2026.
More artists, experiences and festival details will be revealed in the coming months.
Rhythm and Alps 2025 Aftermovie (The 15th Anniversary)
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