Soundsplash 2027

What it is

Soundsplash bills itself as one of New Zealand’s longest-running all-ages festivals. It is a boutique camping festival at Wainui Reserve, on the hill above Raglan’s surf beaches, mixing international and local acts with underground artists. The 2027 festival runs from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 January.

What to expect

Music runs over two days and two nights on four stages: Summerhaze, Outsides, Kulture and Freedom. Most people camp on site, where there is a camp store, showers and a kai village of food stalls. Sunday is pack-down day with no performances, and the gates close to everyone at 3 pm.

Who it suits

Teenagers on their first festival (with a guardian), groups of friends who want a relaxed camping weekend, and anyone who prefers a smaller crowd to a mega-festival.

Tickets and age rules

Festival, camping, parking, bus and pre-pitched tent tickets are all sold separately through the official ticketing site, with a 4% booking fee and a maximum of 16 tickets per order. There are youth (16 to 17) and adult 18+ tickets, both needing photo ID. Children aged 15 and under must be with an Adult Guardian 25+ ticket holder, with a maximum of four children per adult. Choose the right age group: organisers cannot swap tickets bought in the wrong category.

When you buy, you also book an arrival time in a one-hour slot. Entry is staggered and you can only check in once your slot opens, so plan your travel first.

Getting there

Raglan is about 45 minutes’ drive from Hamilton and about 2 to 2.5 hours from Auckland. Do not follow GPS to the site: follow the temporary festival signs, because the route depends on your ticket. Expect delays of an hour or more at the gates.

On-site parking is limited to campers who also bought a parking pass. Everyone else parks at the Raglan Airfield off-site park and catches the shuttle bus, booked in time slots. All drop-offs and pick-ups must happen at the airfield, to keep the road clear for emergency services.

Two return buses skip the car altogether. The Road to Raglan bus leaves Trusts Arena in Henderson, Auckland, on Friday morning and gets priority entry from 9 am. The Splash Bus leaves Caro Street in Hamilton at 10 am on Friday and returns from the site at 11 am on Sunday.

Where to stay

Most festival-goers camp on site. If you would rather sleep in a bed before or after, Raglan town and Hamilton both have options, but book early for this weekend.

What to bring

Bring a tent (or book pre-pitched), sunscreen, a hat, warm layers for the nights and a rain jacket. Plan your safe trip home before you leave.

Make a trip of it

Raglan is a short drive from Hamilton and a good stop on our 10-day North Island road trip. The Waitomo glowworm caves are also within easy reach.