Rhythm and Alps 2026 is on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 December in the Cardrona Valley near Wānaka. Dimension, MPH and Fat Papi lead the 30 December bill, while BENEE and Fat Freddy’s Drop headline New Year’s Eve. Swae Lee and Shy FX have also been added. The festival is strictly R18, and tickets are on sale now.
The festival marks its 16th year in 2026, in a shorter two-day format after three days in 2025. Below is the line-up by day and stage, how the tickets and camping zones work, how to get there from Queenstown and Wānaka, and what is still to be announced.
When is Rhythm and Alps 2026?
Rhythm and Alps 2026 runs over two days, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 December, ending on New Year’s Eve. Organisers confirmed in June that it would return in a “refreshed two-day format”, Rolling Stone Australia reported. The 2025 festival ran over three days, 29 to 31 December.
| Rhythm and Alps 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 December 2026 |
| Venue | Robrosa Station, 1653 Cardrona Valley Road, Wānaka |
| Anniversary | 16th year |
| Expected crowd | More than 10,000 |
| Age | Strictly R18 |
| Tickets | On sale through the festival’s Flicket page |
| Set times | Not released as of 6 November 2026 |
Who is playing at Rhythm and Alps 2026?
The headliners are drum and bass act Dimension, UK garage and bass producer MPH, and Kiwi acts BENEE, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Shapeshifter, with Swae Lee and Shy FX added later. The first line-up was announced on 19 August 2026, and the official site now lists more than 60 acts.
The organisers’ August announcement also named Irish dance duo Belters Only, Lee Mvtthews, NO CIGAR and Wax Mustang. The official line-up page splits the acts by day and stage. This is what it showed on 6 November 2026, and the split may still be incomplete.
Rhythm and Alps line-up for Wednesday 30 December
| Stage | Acts |
|---|---|
| Alpine Arena | Dimension, MPH, Fat Papi, Borderline, NO CIGAR, Fredsta, Maxx Gunn |
| Red Bull Eclipse | Charlie C, Connor Tomoana, Helix, Jasper Cali, Knox |
| Jeff | Belters Only, Chris Keene, Ely Oaks, Hyan, [Ivy], Mikeyy |
Rhythm and Alps line-up for New Year’s Eve
| Stage | Acts |
|---|---|
| Alpine Arena | BENEE, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Lee Mvtthews |
| Red Bull Eclipse | Charli Brix, Deep Notion, Harperr, Indecisive, Inertia, inmotion, LJ Groove, Mantis, McNilla, Miss Jane |
| Jeff | Bari, Flava D, Flowidus |
| Cabin | Benthamism, Communicate, Libby K, Nick Munday |
Swae Lee, Shy FX, Shapeshifter and several newer additions, including Artom, Bad Birds, Benergizer, Boaz, DJ Dre, Fovos, HYW b2b Parf and Kippo, are listed on the official site, but we could not confirm their day as of 6 November 2026. We will add them to the tables once the festival confirms where they sit.
Rhythm and Alps set times and what time it starts
Set times and gate times for 2026 had not been published as of 6 November 2026. In 2025, gates opened at 10am on 30 and 31 December, and music on the 30th started at 4pm. The 2026 timetable is expected closer to the festival.
How much are Rhythm and Alps tickets?
Everyone needs a general admission ticket, either a Full Festival pass for both days or a Single Day ticket for 30 or 31 December. Camping, VIP and pre-pitched tents are add-ons on top. The official ticket guide does not list prices, which appear only on the festival’s Flicket booking page.
- Full Festival GA covers both days, 30 and 31 December.
- Single Day GA covers 30 December or 31 December.
- VIP upgrades come as 2-Day or Single Day passes, with main-stage views, a private cocktail bar, couches, coat check and premium seating. You still need a GA ticket.
- Love Wānaka donation is an optional add-on that funds local environmental work.
Buy through the official site’s ticket link rather than resale listings. Organisers have not announced any sold-out ticket type for 2026 as of 6 November.
Camping and glamping at Rhythm and Alps
There are four camping zones, and each one needs a GA ticket plus a camping pass. A 2-Day camping pass covers the nights of 30 and 31 December. Only Valley Camp also sells a one-night pass for 31 December. Campers get access to the camp bar, toilets, showers, food vendors and the camp store.
| Zone | What it is | Passes |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Camp | Bring your own tent, shared toilets and open-air showers | 2-Day or 31 December only |
| Peak Camp | Private toilets, showers and a chill zone. Bring your own tent or book a pre-pitched one | 2-Day only |
| Roadie Camp | Self-contained campervans and rooftop tents only, creekside | 2-Day, plus one vehicle pass |
| Glamptopia | Bell tents and teepees for up to four, private bathrooms, lounge, power outlets | 2-Day, plus a glamping package per tent |
Pre-pitched tents in Peak Camp sleep one, two or four people and come with airbeds, sleeping bags, pillows and chairs. Tent sites are capped at 10 square metres and handed out first in, first served. Campervan sites are unpowered and gas cooking is not allowed.
Where is Rhythm and Alps and how do you get there?
Rhythm and Alps is held at Robrosa Station, 1653 Cardrona Valley Road, in the Cardrona Valley between Wānaka and Queenstown. Organisers have put it about 15 minutes from Wānaka and 40 minutes from Queenstown. Experience Queenstown puts the trip over the Crown Range at about an hour.
- Bus: Yello! runs festival buses from Queenstown, Wānaka, Hāwea, Albert Town and Cardrona for day visitors and campers. Seats are limited, so book ahead.
- Parking: free car parking is available within walking distance of the campground.
- Not allowed: BYO alcohol, glass, fireworks and sparklers, nitrous oxide, drones, BBQs or cookers, and sound systems bigger than a 30cm Bluetooth speaker.
Is Rhythm and Alps 18 plus?
Yes. The festival’s FAQ says Rhythm and Alps is strictly R18 and anyone under 18 will be refused entry. Bring a current NZ photo driver’s licence, Kiwi Access 18+ card or passport. Expired ID, student ID and credit cards are not accepted.
Rhythm and Alps line-ups from past years
Rhythm and Alps celebrated its 15th year in 2025 with a three-day festival featuring Rudim3ntal, Santigold and Dizzee Rascal, with Synthony’s orchestra and DJ show as a headliner. The organisers describe the festival as “100% locally owned and operated”.
| Year | Days | Notable acts |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 to 31 December | Dimension, Swae Lee, BENEE, Fat Freddy’s Drop, MPH, Shapeshifter, Shy FX |
| 2025 | 29 to 31 December | Rudim3ntal, Santigold, Dizzee Rascal, Synthony, Kurupt FM, The Black Seeds |
It is one of several New Year festivals. In the North Island, Rhythm and Vines plays its last year at Waiohika Estate in Gisborne and Northern Bass runs in Kaiwaka, and our NZ concerts guide lists the rest of summer’s big gigs.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is Rhythm and Alps?
Two days in 2026, 30 and 31 December. The 2025 edition ran for three days.
How many people go to Rhythm and Alps?
Organisers expect more than 10,000 people in 2026, which they describe as one of the festival’s largest crowds.
Can you bring alcohol to Rhythm and Alps?
No. BYO alcohol is not allowed and will be confiscated. Campers can bring snacks that need no cooking and sealed non-alcoholic drinks.
When does the Rhythm and Alps line-up come out?
The festival says the first line-up usually lands in late July or early August, with more acts a couple of months later. For 2026, the first announcement came on 19 August.
Is there a bus to Rhythm and Alps?
Yes. Yello! runs festival buses from Queenstown, Wānaka, Hāwea, Albert Town and Cardrona, and passes are booked separately from festival tickets.
