Rhythm and Alps 2026

What it is

Rhythm and Alps (R&A) bills itself as New Year’s at its peak: two days of music in the Cardrona Valley, a high valley between Wānaka and Queenstown, set between Cardrona Ski Resort and the rolling Pisa Plateau. It is one of New Zealand’s longest-running multi-day music festivals, and most people camp on site.

The 2026 lineup includes Dimension, BENEE, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Shapeshifter. The first lineup is usually announced around late July or early August, with more acts added a couple of months later.

What to expect

Two days and nights of music, mountains all around and a New Year’s Eve countdown in the valley. The campground sits right on the doorstep of the stages, so you can duck back to your tent for a rest and be back for the next set in minutes. There is a camp bar, food vendors, shaded chill-out areas and a camp store.

Days can be hot, but the valley often gets down to single digits overnight, even in summer. The organisers say warm clothes for after sunset are “SO important”.

Who it suits

Festival-goers aged 18 and over who are happy to camp, or day visitors staying in Wānaka or Queenstown. Everyone needs photo ID.

Tickets and booking

Tickets are on sale through Flicket and run on a tiered system: each tier has a set allocation, and once it sells out the price moves up. You can buy up to ten tickets per account.

• General admission is the base ticket everyone needs: a 2-day pass (30 and 31 December) or a single day.
• Camping is an add-on: 2-day camping (nights of 30 and 31 December) or single-day camping (31 December only).
  • Valley Camp: the biggest general area, with shared toilets and open-air showers. Bring your own gear.
  • Peak Camp: a closer premium zone with private toilets, showers and a chill zone, plus pre-pitched options.
  • Roadie Camp: creekside camping for self-contained vehicles and rooftop tents only.
  • Glamptopia: bell tents and teepees with private bathrooms, a lounge and power outlets.
• VIP: main-stage views, a private cocktail bar, couches, coat check and premium seating.

Ticket names must match the holder’s ID. Resale is only safe through Flicket; tickets bought on sites like Tixel are not honoured at the gate.

Getting there

The festival is at Robrosa Station on Cardrona Valley Road. The organisers’ approximate driving times:

• Wānaka: 20 km, about 15 minutes
• Queenstown: 45 km, about 40 to 50 minutes
• Cromwell: 70 km, about 50 minutes
• Dunedin: 275 km, about 3.5 to 4 hours
• Christchurch: 430 km, about 5.5 to 6 hours

Fly into Queenstown Airport, about 45 minutes’ drive away. Yello! buses run from Queenstown, Wānaka, Hāwea, Albert Town and Cardrona for day visitors and campers; spaces are limited, so pre-book. Local taxis and private transport also run, and parking on site is free, about a 5 to 10 minute walk from the campground. The Cardrona Valley road is an alpine road, so take it carefully.

Where to stay

Camp on site, or base yourself in Wānaka (closest) or Queenstown and take the bus. Both towns are extremely busy over New Year, so book early. Our where to stay in Queenstown guide compares the main areas.

Food and drink

Food vendors and bars are on site, and the festival is cashless: bring a debit or credit card or use Apple Pay or Google Pay. There are free water refill stations, so bring an empty plastic bottle. It is strictly no BYO alcohol.

What to bring

• Valid photo ID and your ticket (printed or on your phone)
• Warm layers for the evenings, plus sunscreen and a hat for the day
• For campers: a sturdy tent, sleeping bag and the usual gear, and a rubber mallet for tent pegs, because hammers are banned

Not allowed: alcohol, illegal drugs, fireworks, flares and sparklers, weapons of any kind, studded belts or wristbands, and anything for making fires.

Make a trip of it

Stay on after New Year: see our things to do in Wānaka and things to do in Queenstown guides, or plan a longer loop with our 14-day South Island road trip.