Rhythm & Alps is turning up the heat with a huge 2026 lineup, bringing together one of the most stacked collections of talent to hit the festival this summer. Drum & bass powerhouse Dimension leads the international charge, 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.
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.
That commitment to Aotearoa runs deeper than the lineup. Rhythm & Alps is 100% locally owned and operated – built here, by Kiwis, with money, opportunities and energy flowing back into the artists, crews, suppliers and communities that make New Zealand’s live music industry what it is.
It means every ticket supports more than three days of music in the Cardrona Valley. It supports an independent Kiwi festival backing Kiwi music on a world-class stage.
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. Tickets On Sale Now
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 onlyRhythm & Alps 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.
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