Summer, glorious summer. The smell of sunscreen, sunglasses perched permanently on your nose, and a phone wallet jam-packed with festival tickets. Is there anything better?
Actually, there is—dotting between said festivals responsibly. And no, we don’t mean simply staying hydrated. We’re talking about having your ducks in a row and finances in tow so you can stack your social calendar to the max.
So, in partnership with our mates at ASB—the legends helping you level up your money game this summer—we've rounded up all the festivals across Aotearoa you need to make tracks to this sunny season. And with ASB's money tips and tools like Goal Planner, they'll help you save up for those festivals topping your list, and track your progress as you go.
Or, you can convert those extra cents and dollars to help fund your next festival escape via their Save The Change tool—every time you spend, it automatically rounds up your purchases and puts the difference into your savings for a fun-filled (or rainy) day.
Once you’ve got the money stuff sorted so you can go out without a budget blowout, it's time to hit the festival circuit—read on for our summer festival guide.
George FM Summer Tour
When the motu’s much-loved dance radio station hosts a party, you go to it and you boogie. Hard. Throw in the fact that the George FM Summer Tour has a stack of stops around the country, you’ve really got no other choice. Aucklanders and jet-setters are spoiled with a three-story yacht party on the Waitematā Harbour to kick things off on Saturday 14 December.
Then, it’s up, down and all around, from Whitianga to Whangamatā, Queenstown to Nelson, and plenty of spots in between. 35+ DJs and acts plus 13 summer hotspots equals endless good times. Plus, ASB is taking six of the gigs to the next level by bringing a surprise guest into the mix—with extra perks for ASB customers. Hit up George FM's socials for more info.
The Details:
When: 14 December 2024 - 2 February 2025
Where: Multiple locations around New Zealand
Cost: Tickets from $25 (our wallet-friendly pick)
Purchase tickets here.
Hidden Valley
A festival in a wine region? Say no more, it’s the way to a New Zealander’s heart. It all goes down on Friday 27 December, when Hidden Valley takes over Matakana Country Park from 3pm. Frankly, a groove here is the perfect way to wake you up from your trifle-and-turkey-induced food coma from two days beforehand.
Favourites from near and far will take to the decks—including Half Queen, Bbyfcekilla, BOU and B Live 247. Speaking of far, it’s worth noting that this festival also has a very handy bus shuttle from all of the region’s hotspots. Leigh, Omaha, Auckland CBD, you name it.
Pro saving tip: booking a return shuttle from home means less money spent on taxis or Ubers—how good.
The Details
When: 27 December
Where: Matakana Country Park, Matakana
Cost: Tickets from $159.90
Purchase tickets here.
Hidden Lakes
If you fancy an end-of-year festival without forgoing your NYE dinner plans or cutting your annual family beach trip short, nab yourself a Hidden Lakes ticket. On Saturday 28 December, handpicked DJs and dance musicians by Cream and George FM will take to Christchurch’s Hagley Park, spilling silky tunes at this iconic spot.
Not sure how to spend your Christmas cash? Treat yourself to Hidden Lakes’ Lounge access upgrade. There'll be nibbles and drinks, speedy festival entry, charging stations and seating, and best of all, luxury bathrooms.
Pro saving tip: bring an empty water bottle so you can refill for free—bottled water adds up.
The Details:
When: 28 December
Where: Hagley Park, Christchurch
Cost: Tickets from $143
Purchase tickets here.
Rhythm And Vines
RNV needs absolutely no introduction in Aotearoa, so let us jump right in and say that we’re amped to see the likes of Peking Duk, Pendulum, Ice Spice and good ol’ Sir Dave Dobbyn take to the stack. Not to mention watch the crowd royally lose it when Slice of Heaven comes on.
Beyond the music and sun-soaked campsite bants, this stunning spot has waterslides and helicopter rides to pepper your days with. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and stay lathered in SPF. You know the drill, kids.
Pro saving tip: If you don't want to break the bank with a 3-day pass, you can also just go for the day and pocket those extra coins for something else on your summer radar—or chuck it in your savings.
The Details:
When: 29 - 31 December
Where: Gisborne
Cost: Single day tickets from $160, 3-day tickets from $390
Purchase tickets here.
Highlife NYE
New year, new venue. Highlife’s iconic New Years’ Eve party has set its sights on Wild Estate Vineyard on Waiheke Island for 2024—and the very early hours of 2025. A picturesque spot at the best of times, this spot in Waiheke's Onetangi valley is rather lush: vineyards, modern buildings, guaranteed shade if you need it, and a sweeping view of the harbour.
Pro saving tip: Don’t worry too much about blowing your budget on island dwellings for the night, return ferry and bus options are there for you. Instead, invest your energy into your NYE fit—it’s dress to impress, after all.
The Details:
When: 31 December
Where: Onetangi, Waiheke, Auckland
Cost: Tickets from $185
Purchase tickets here.
One Love
Tauranga, the turn of the new year, and slow, sun-soaked tunes—could there be a better Kiwi summer holy trinity? At One Love, Aotearoa’s dedicated Reggae festival, you’ll find just this all and more come 25 January.
Top of the lineup is Hawaiian reggae cowboy Maoli, who’s set to play all the classics on day one, alongside local legends, Katchafire. With 40+ more acts hitting two stages across two days in the Tauranga Domain, it’s going to be a packed 48 hours of discovery.
The Details:
When: 25 - 26 January
Where: Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
Cost: Tickets from $179
Purchase tickets here.
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival
If you’re yet to experience ‘Glue’ by Bicep beyond the walls of a nightclub or simply in the presence of daylight, Laneway 2025 is your chance. The Northern Irish duo will be performing CHROMA as part of this iconic one-day Waitangi Day party in Auckland.
Speaking of gorgeous music things starting with the letter C, no other than Charli XCX will be headlining. You know what that means, it’s time to start sifting through your wardrobes and Vinnie’s racks now for that perfect shade of green.
Pro saving tip: Get your ASB Goal Planner underway now, so by the time Feb rolls around you'll be right on track to spend without dipping into your emergency fund.
The Details:
When: 6 February
Where: Western Springs, Auckland
Cost: Tickets from $212
Purchase tickets here.
Womad Aotearoa
Thought a summertime weekend in Taranaki was all mountain climbing and gallery hopping selfies? Nope, not from the 14 to 16 March. An equally creative and nourishing experience awaits: Womad Aotearoa, one of the country’s greatest and most longstanding festivals.
The lineup of acts is stellar. There’s everyone from locals The Beths and Chaii, through to acts from Brazil, Serbia and Niger. It’s not just your ears that get the treat, the Te Paepae space by Event Partner Tui Ora is where mind, body, and spirits enjoy soothing, movement that’s grounded in indigenous wellness wisdom.
The Details:
When: 14 - 16 March
Where: Taranaki
Cost: 3-day tickets from $395 (plus camping)
Purchase tickets here.
Earth Beat Festival
With a name like Earth Beat, you know it’s going to be an impossibly restorative and grounding weekend. Fill your car boot with your tent, festival ‘fits, trash boxes and bags (it’s a zero-waste event,) portable hammocks and even the little ones—it's a family-friendly festival after all. And lucky for you, Aucklanders, it’s also just an hour-max roadie north of the big smoke.
It’s fully immersive—and no, we’re not talking about the stacked list of musicians that’ll give you full-body chills. Workshops and classes are aplenty: from cacao and yin circles, healing with haka workshops, omniversal breathwork, earth pigment workshops, hangi sessions, afro connection dance, gardening by the moon and amphibian healing. Lucky for you, you’ve got a good five days to do it all.
Pro saving tip: save your dollars by organising to carpool with your crew, less petrol is better for your wallet and the planet.
The Details:
When: 19 - 23 March
Where: Kaipara, Auckland
Cost: 5-day tickets from $335
Purchase tickets here.
For more tips, tools and offers to help level up your money game with ASB this summer and beyond, head here.
ASB Bank Limited's terms apply for use of the tools mentioned.
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Image credit: Urban List