Rhythm and Alps Returns for its 16th Anniversary

For 16 years, Rhythm and 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.

And as we slow down for winter in Aotearoa, plans for the annual roadie back to the Cardrona Valley are already starting to take shape. This summer, Rhythm and Alps returns for its 16th anniversary with a refreshed two-day format, taking over December 30 and 31 for its biggest New Year’s celebration yet.

Tickets are on sale from 10am, Thursday 4 June via Rhythm and Alps. Earlybird tickets are limited, so rally your besties and get in quick to lock in your spot at New Zealand’s iconic New Year’s festival.

Festival-goers can choose between Full Festival Tickets for access to both days, or Single Day Tickets for either 30 or 31 December. Beyond general admission, attendees can tailor their experience with a range of camping and accommodation options, from the classic bring-your-own setup in Valley Camp, to premium camping in Peak Camp with private facilities and pre-pitched tent packages, boutique glamping experiences in Glamtopia, and campervan-friendly Roadie Camp.

VIP upgrades are also available, offering 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 and 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. Artist announcements are still to come, but trust Rhythm and Alps when they say: “It’s shaping up to be BIG. We’re so back.”

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 and Alps 2026/27 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 and Alps returns 30–31 December 2026. More artists, experiences and festival details will be revealed in the coming months.