Splore is no more.
The beloved Aotearoa festival’s long-time owner, John Minty, shared in a statement today that Splore 2026 will be the final edition, citing poor ticket sales.
“I have been involved with Splore at Tāpapakanga for 20 years and I feel now is a time to move on,” Minty said. “I am incredibly proud of all that the festival has achieved and the devoted crew and Splorers who have created such magic and community over that period.
“However, it’s becoming more difficult to sustain a festival of Splore’s quality and depth so rather than diluting it I’d rather it finish with a bang.”
Splore took a rest in 2025, with Minty “hoping things would pick up for the 2026 event but so far that hasn’t happened to the degree that we wanted.”
The festival hoped a lifeline from the government’s $70M Event Boost Fund would help, but this was not forthcoming in the end.
“So for all Splorers out there let’s make this 2026 event a beautiful, farewell celebration party on the beach,” Minty’s statement concluded.
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Splore will return to Tāpapakanga Regional Park on February 20th-22nd, featuring artists such as Röyksopp, Sister Nancy, Nightmares on Wax, and General Levy.
The three-day celebration of music, art, community, and wellbeing will feature new creative spaces and curated experiences, alongside six stages, promising an immersive experience for punters.
Check out the full 2026 lineup below.
Splore 2026
Tickets on sale now
February 20th-22nd
Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Auckland
INTERNATIONAL GUESTS
Röyksopp (dj set) (NO) || Sister Nancy (JM) + Legal Shot (FR) || Nightmares on Wax (UK) || General Levy (UK) + Joe Ariwa (UK) || Mind Enterprises (ITA) || Parson James (USA) || Miss Kaninna (AU) || C.Frim (AU) || Illustrious Blacks (USA) || Beatles Dub Club (UK) || Franca (DE)
LOCAL LIVE & DJS
Tami Neilson || Coco Solid || Jess B || Christoph El Truento (live) || Estère || Dick Move || Romi Wrights || Te KuraHuia || Benny Salvador || Chiccoreli + Tali || DylanBiscuit b2b ajhoneysuckle || BBYFACEKILLA b2b Snakelegs || GoldTooth || Half Queen || ilish || Kaiviti || Marjorie Sinclair || NymphLoads || ORIKoL || Vercetti || WAEWAEXPRESS || Arcadia || Love Language || Hudge || Bobby Brazuka || Dastardly Bounder || DJ Banty || Rose Alice
PERFORMANCE + CABARET
Chris Oh! || The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave || House of Coven || Oblivion Westwood || The Conservatory || Chemistry Roller Crew || Tyler Nacho || Blip The Siren || Cirque du Solittle || Flame Entertainment || Fraser Hooper || Free Hugs || Kayla Paige || Letitia Lickkit || The Dynamic Duo || The Paul Klaass Street Show || The Snacrobats
THE LUCKY STAR PRESENTS
AlleyKat || ASHEZ || Barn Dance with a Twist || Benthamism || Breath Wright || Ceci Leemeco || Conrad Coom ||
Culture Embassy || Darcy & Daisy Lammington || Dylan C || Harry Charles || JJ’s Reggae Bingo || Libby K || Lord Woo || Loop Electronica Sessions || Lucky Star All Stars Band || Mamadafunk || Matt Rapid & Elise Adlam || Mermaid Bait || Mix n Match || Mozzarella Cheese Making Rave || msjos || Narzys Birdie Bonanza || Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant ||
Patsy Skeet || Pretty Fly & A White Guy || Princess Room || Queen B & The Nobles || Ravensdaughter || Rock N Roll Alley || Sanoi || Sister Act || Stevie T || Take ‘Em To Church || The Fantastic Mr Penguin || The Huneybee Wild || The Mara || Tommy and The Woo || Tysonidero || Zuke
WENDY’S WELLNESS
FACILITATORS: Amanda Wright || Chardin || Christine Spicer || Claire Conza || Franki Cole || Joanna Walden || Julia Vajda de Albuquerque || Katie Greengrass || Kiri Walden || Lauren Filer || Loren Honey || Louise Mills || Maryam Al-Roubaiai || Maya Nova || Meg Bell || Raquel Minh || Sarah Spence || Summer Knight || Tor White ||
Taane Mete + Jock Barnes Graham || Tracey Bennett || Zoe Kee-Sue
PRACTITIONERS: Christopher Jones || Jackie Segers || James Hancox || Kimberly Mabbett || Lana Raill || Laura Jean || Phoebe Hart || Rā Balderas
AFTER DARK: Chloe Palmer || Deep Dive || Love Language || Misled Convoy || Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant || Three Days In February || Toroa || Xuno’s Conscious Audio Creations
WELLNESS POP-UP: Em Wafer || Kayla Gordine || Serena Stevenson
