One of the best places to make summer memories has got to be at festivals.
Aotearoa just had its Rhythm and Vines Festival, where many left stuck in traffic, with mud-soaked shoes but joy-filled moments. The organisers controversially charged five dollars for a breath test in a bid to curb drunk-driving. Things like that might be a nuisance as they are lived, but shrink as time goes on. It’s often the aftermath of a concert where we realise that this was a unique event we just witnessed, its pleasure magnified by the sharing of a collective experience.
Below are all the upcoming music festivals you can be a part of this month, in order.
The Coro Classic
Newly relocated to the picturesque beach town of Matarangi last year, 4,500 people attended the previous rendition. Auckland-raised brothers Chaos in the CBD and Austrian electronic duo Camo & Krooked will be headlining tomorrow, along with local acts such as Daily J, Cassie Henderson, Pasifika DJ BBYFACEKILLA and more.
Happening at Coromandel Luxury Escapes, Matarangi on Satuday, January 4th, 2025.
Tickets are available here.
The Coro Classic / Facebook
JUICY FEST
16 acts are coming to four cities for the largest hip-hop and RnB festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Although it was conceived in 2023, it managed to snap up chart-toppers like T-Pain and The Game. From next weekend, even bigger heavyweights like Ludacris, Akon and Jay Sean are taking the stage at four core veins of New Zealand.
Happening at QEII Park, Christchurch; Hutt Park, Lower Hutt, Wellington; Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland; and Wharepai Domain, Tauranga from Wednesday, January 8th to Sunday, January 12th.
Tickets are available here.
Image: Juicy Fest Credit: Juicy Fest
Golden Lights
Out in West Auckland atop gorgeous glens, Golden Lights is making a reappearance at Trust Arena in Henderson. Aussie pop artist Becky Hill is making a return, with local DJ duo Sachi, EDM producer Luude, “club-door girl” JYOTY are freshly joining. Make sure to catch the all-female group Girls Don’t Sync too.
Happening at Fields of Trusts Arena, Auckland on Friday, January 10th, 2025.
Tickets are available here.
Image: Golden Lights Credit: Golden Lights
Soundsplash
A veteran festival for all ages, Soundsplash is a boutique music festival with a view of the rolling hills around Ngarunui Beach. The Raglan highlight is an all ages event across three days that has run for over two decades. Its unique offerings include three stages, a diverse kai village, transport services and several campgrounds. Soon, Savage, Mitch James, Katchafire, Cosmo Pyke, Sippy and more will be performing at this idyllic locale.
Happening at Wainui Reserve, Raglan, Waikato from Friday, January 17th to Sunday, January 19th, 2025.
Tickets are available here.
Image: Soundsplash Credit: Soundsplash
Summer Concert Tour 15th Anniversary
Over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, the beloved pub rock band Cold Chisel will front this fest. Their lead singer Jimmy Barnes famously overcame open heart surgery to tour forevermore. This will mark Cold Chisel’s 50th year together and Summer Concert Tour’s 15th anniversary. “The Big Five-0 is a landmark moment. There have been plenty of times where I never thought I’d live to see this day so I’m going to make the most of it. I can’t wait to celebrate with my mates and with all the fans who have been such a big part of our story. We’re gonna smash it!” Barnes says. The group will treat audiences to a minimum of 15 fan-favourites in the set.
It will be 45 years since the Aussie rockers Icehouse played here, including 15 years since this particular tour. The two groups, along with Kiwi icon Bic Runga and American rockers Everclear, will headline at three locations. The tour begins at Gibbston Valley Winery then heads North for two shows at the Taupō Amphitheatre and Whitianga Waterways.
Happening at Gibbston Valley Winery, Queenstown; Taupō Amphitheatre, Taupō; and Whitianga Waterways, Whitianga from Saturday, January 18th to Sunday, January 26th, 2025.
Image: Summer Concert Credit: Greenstone Entertainment
Auckland Folk Festival
Another festival hitting 50 years, the Auckland Folk Festival will return to Kumeū Showgrounds over four days, with Austral, HINA, Tall Folk, Adam McGrath, Krissy Jackson and many more partaking in this iconic all-ages gathering.
Happening at Kumeū Showgrounds, Auckland on Friday, January 24th to Monday, January 27th, 2025.
Tickets are available here.
Image: Auckland Folk Festival Credit: Dan Brunskill
One Love
Reggae fans are sure to flock to this showcase. One Love celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, spotlighting 50 local and international artists. In 2024, a second stage was added to welcome emerging Kiwi artists at this two-day event in Tauranga. 2025 will see Hawaiian country-reggae arist Maoli, Rebel Souljahz, New Zealander’s summer soundtrack Katchafire, J Boog and 1814.
Happening at Tauranga Domain, Tauranga from Saturday, January 25th to Sunday, January 26th, 2025.
Tickets are available here.
Image: One Love Credit: One Love
Dimension Festival
Electronic and psychedelic music lovers gets four days at a Northland valley where “cutting-edge sound, visionary art, and vibrant culture collide”. Festivalgoers can explore a basket of cultural offerings Abstrakt Sonance, Grouch, Optimus Gryme, Paige Julia, Mallki, Harry Charles are among the lineup that will pump music round the clock.
Happening at Waimatenui East Road, Nukutawhiti, Northland from Friday, January 31st to Monday, February 3rd, 2025.
Tickets are available here.
Image: Dimension Festival Credit: NOREYES
