Rhythm and Vines 2026 runs from 28 to 31 December at Waiohika Estate near Gisborne, and it is the last one there. John Summit, KI/KI and Netsky headline “The Final Dance in Gisborne” before the festival moves to a new North Island home in 2027. Three-day festival passes started at $359 plus booking fee.
This is Chapter 24 of a festival that began on a family vineyard in 2003 with about 1,800 people. Below is everything confirmed so far: the dates, the full line-up, ticket and camping prices, the bus, why R&V is leaving and what is known about 2027. We will add set times as soon as the festival releases them.
When is Rhythm and Vines 2026?
Rhythm and Vines 2026 starts on Monday 28 December with the Waiohika Warmup, a night only for onsite campers. The festival proper runs over three days, Tuesday 29 to Thursday 31 December 2026, finishing with New Year’s Eve. The festival bus runs until 6am on 1 January, after the traditional first sunrise of the year.
| Date | What happens | Who can get in |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 28 December 2026 | Waiohika Warmup, headlined by Hamdi | Onsite campers only |
| Tue 29 December 2026 | Festival day one | 3-day, camping or single-day pass holders |
| Wed 30 December 2026 | Festival day two | 3-day, camping or single-day pass holders |
| Thu 31 December 2026 | New Year’s Eve, into 1 January 2027 | 3-day, camping or single-day pass holders |
Who is playing at Rhythm and Vines 2026?
American DJ John Summit, Dutch DJ KI/KI and Belgian drum and bass producer Netsky are the three headliners. Below them on the bill are 1991, BENEE, Friction presents Synergy, Hamdi, Luude, Mall Grab, Sir Dave Dobbyn and Vince Staples. As of 29 October 2026 the official artists page lists 58 names.
John Summit and KI/KI are both making their R&V debuts. Netsky is back for his eighth appearance, and Vince Staples returns for the first time since 2018, this time with a full live band. Gisborne’s own Messie is on the bill, and the programme includes a Jamil Forever Tribute by Brazilbeat & Parallel Layers, honouring DJ Jamil Sabda, plus “The Final Sunset”, a joint performance by Te Wehi and Hori Shaw.
| Tier | Artists |
|---|---|
| Headliners | John Summit, KI/KI, Netsky |
| Main support | 1991, BENEE, Friction presents Synergy, Hamdi (Waiohika Warmup), Luude, Mall Grab, Sir Dave Dobbyn, Vince Staples |
| Special sets | Te Wehi & Hori Shaw “The Final Sunset”, Jamil Forever Tribute by Brazilbeat & Parallel Layers |
| Also on the bill | A Little Sound, Andromedik, Arcando, Basslayerz, Corrella, Day We Ran, Frost Children, Layton Giordani, Łaszewo, Lens, Messie, Oskar Med K, Osmosis Jones, Rova, Sachi, Sin & Brook, Songer, Twofaced, Beccie B, Chris Keene, FMS, Frankie Venter, Harry Hayes, Jackie Hollander, Kara, Son & Water, Sless, Witters & MC Crafty, Bari, Chole, Damage Control, Lamchopz, Pixie Lane, Zozo |
| Waiohika Warmup crew (28 December) | Hamdi, Sless, G-Banga, Heno, Kenzo, Protocol, Tayza, Tandem, Club Sachi, Chris Keene, Choonage, Cash, Lyall, Milliondollarbibi, Grumpy Girl, Lesnack |
Tandem and Lesnack won the George FM Wildcard finals and each get a 45-minute opening slot at the Warmup, according to the rova event guide.
Rhythm and Vines set times and what time it starts
Set times and the day-by-day split for Rhythm and Vines 2026 have not been published as of 29 October 2026; the official artists page lists the 58 acts in a single list with no days or stages. R&V usually releases the timetable closer to the festival, and this page will be updated when it does.
The bus timetable gives a good idea of the hours. The festival bus runs from 1.30pm to 2am on 29 and 30 December, and from 1.30pm to 6am on New Year’s Eve. At the 2023 festival, day-pass gates opened at 2pm and the first two nights finished at 12.30am, Newstalk ZB reported at the time.
How much are Rhythm and Vines tickets?
Rhythm and Vines 2026 tickets start at $179 plus booking fee for a single day and $359 for a three-day festival pass, which rises to $399 and then $449 in later releases. Four-day camping and festival passes start at $479 in Meadow Camp. All prices are before booking fees and are as of 29 October 2026.
| Ticket | Price tiers (plus booking fee) | Status, 29 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Single Day Festival Pass (29, 30 or 31 Dec) | From $179 | On sale |
| 3 Day Festival Pass (29 to 31 Dec) | $359 early bird, $399 first release, $449 final release | On sale |
| Meadow Camp, 4 days | $479, $519, $569 | On sale |
| Rhythm Camp, 4 days | From $539 | On sale |
| Lil Treble Camp, 4 days | $489, $529, $579 | Off sale |
| Bass Camp, 4 days | $509, $549, $599 | Sold out |
| Treble Camp, 4 days | $509, $549, $599 | Sold out |
| Premium Camp, 4 days | $589, $629, $679 | Off sale |
| Bus Pass | From $40.25 | On sale |
| Priority Parking | From $60 per vehicle | Sold out |
Festival-only passes do not include a campsite or the Waiohika Warmup. Buy through the official R&V tickets page, which sells through Moshtix; organisers say Afterpay is available on eligible purchases. Vintage Club VIP is an add-on and needs a matching festival pass.
Rhythm and Vines camping options
Every R&V camping ticket covers four days and includes the campers-only Waiohika Warmup on 28 December. As of 29 October 2026, Treble Camp and Bass Camp are sold out and Premium and Lil Treble Camp are off sale, so Meadow Camp and Rhythm Camp are the two campgrounds still on sale.
- Meadow Camp sits behind the Rhythm Stage and the bar; a Gold Camp upgrade is available.
- Rhythm Camp is a smaller boutique camp between the Cellar Stage, Vines Village and the Rhythm Stage.
- Treble Camp is the biggest and most popular, near the entrance and the Grand Central food court.
- Bass Camp is in the middle of the festival, next to the Vines Village food court.
- Premium Camp adds priority check-in, flush toilets, showers, a chill-out space and a pamper area.
- Bookatent two-person nylon tents start at $80, but only in Lil Treble, Bass, Treble and Premium Camp, which are all off sale or sold out as of 29 October 2026.
Where is Rhythm and Vines and how do you get there?
Rhythm and Vines is held at Waiohika Estate, a vineyard about 11 kilometres northwest of Gisborne in Tairāwhiti. The first festival in 2003 was held on the vineyard of co-founder Andrew Witters’ father. Most people without a campsite use the ticketed festival bus, which starts at $40.25.
Priority parking for 2026 has sold out. At past festivals campervans could park at the estate but not sleep there, so campervan travellers should book a Gisborne holiday park.
Why is Rhythm and Vines moving from Gisborne?
Organisers say the move is about the festival’s long-term future. Chief executive Kieran Spillane said R&V needs to grow and move somewhere easier to reach from the main population centres, and head of marketing Kyle Bell pointed to rising costs, including freight and bringing all the staging and infrastructure into Gisborne.
“Gisborne has been the heart and home of Rhythm and Vines for nearly a quarter of a century,” Spillane said when the decision was announced on 21 July 2026. A day later he told 1News nothing could have been done to keep the festival there: “We’ve just made the decision to move on.” Bell also cited the cost of attracting the line-up the festival wants, and called R&V “a national treasure”.
Where is Rhythm and Vines moving to in 2027?
The 2027 venue has not been announced. Spillane has said only that it will stay in the North Island, that camping will continue and that organisers have “a location of interest”. He would not say whether the new site is a vineyard. Organisers have said more details will follow in the coming months.
Who has played Rhythm and Vines before?
Rhythm and Vines started in 2003 as a one-stage New Year’s Eve party with The Black Seeds, organised by University of Otago friends Tom Gibson, Hamish Pinkham and Andrew Witters. It grew to three days in 2008 and drew a sold-out record crowd of 25,000 in 2010.
| Year | Notable acts |
|---|---|
| 2026 | John Summit, KI/KI, Netsky |
| 2025 | Kid Cudi, Turnstile |
| 2024 | Ice Spice, Pendulum (DJ set), RL Grime |
| 2023 | Central Cee, Dom Dolla |
| 2022 | Chase & Status, Camelphat, Andy C |
| 2019 | Disclosure, Alison Wonderland, Playboi Carti |
| 2018 | Vince Staples, Kyle, Juice WRLD |
| 2016 | Chance the Rapper |
| 2009 | Moby |
| 2003 | The Black Seeds |
The 2021 festival was postponed to Easter 2022 because of Covid-19. For other summer shows and tours, see our guide to New Zealand concerts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhythm and Vines sold out?
Not completely. As of 29 October 2026, single-day passes, three-day passes and the Meadow Camp and Rhythm Camp packages are still on sale, while Treble Camp, Bass Camp and priority parking are sold out.
Is Rhythm and Vines 18 plus?
Valid photo ID is needed at the gate. At the 2023 festival the accepted forms were a New Zealand driver licence, a HANZ 18+ card or a passport. Check the festival FAQ for the 2026 age rule before you buy.
Is Rhythm and Vines cancelled in 2027?
No. It is leaving Waiohika Estate, not ending. Organisers say it will run at a new North Island site with camping in 2027, though the venue and dates have not been announced.
How many people go to Rhythm and Vines?
About 26,000 people went in 2025, rova reported. The first festival in 2003 drew about 1,800.
Who owns Rhythm and Vines?
Live Nation has held a controlling interest since 2018, 1News reported.
