The beloved festival is taking a gap year. Here are your other options.

Splore is one of Aotearoa’s iconic summer festivals. Starting two decades ago, it has grown into one of our largest events, showcasing art, performance and the good-vibe experience. In recent years it’s been an annual fixture, but Splore announced after this year’s event that they would be taking a gap year for 2025.

So what are your options if you still need your festival fix this summer? Which festivals have Splore-like qualities: welcoming cultures, amazing music, lots of art, but also not so big that they lose the community atmosphere?

I’ve DJed at and gone to festivals for decades, and have promoted New Zealand festivals as an untapped tourism opportunity. (I’m also, full disclosure, on the marketing team at AUM festival.) Here are my festival picks for summer 2024/25 that meet the ‘Splore-like” criteria and are all locally-owned and run by passionate creatives.

AUM New Year’s Festival (three nights, 30 Dec-2 Jan) – South Head, Auckland

AUM is held over three nights/four days at a breathtaking forest location at South Head near Parakai, where wild deer can be seen roaming.

Four stages, each showcasing different music styles, showcase unbeatable decor, visuals, lighting and sound to create some of the most magical outdoor dancing environments seen in Aotearoa. Over 100 local and international music artists perform each year.

AUM has lots of live art, performers, and shows with aerial artists, jugglers, comedy and more. Workshops are also on offer, with a full schedule of yoga, meditation, and family-friendly art plus activities like a live Suzy Cato production.

AUM is famous for its friendly, inclusive atmosphere which makes it popular with international visitors. The festival site is huge so camping is quite relaxed, and the sand-based coastal land is almost flood-proof if it rains. The general amenities are top notch, too.

Twisted Frequency Festival (four nights, 30 Dec-3 Jan) – Tākaka, Tasman District

Twisted Frequency is held on the edge of a gorgeous river in Kahurangi National Park in Tasman District.

It has four music stages which run non-stop for four days, showcasing a diverse range of music styles. This passion for music has made Twisted Frequency the South Island’s longest running underground music festival over New Year’s, with this year being their 10th event.

Twisted Frequency has grown a diverse community and their year-round support for music through other events is added to over New Year’s with live art installations, performances and visual wizardry. They promote festivals as transformative experiences and have long been leaders in festival sustainability.

Dimension (three nights, 31 Jan-3 Feb) – Nukutawhiti, Northland

Dimension is a summer festival version of a mid-1990s rave. It’s held in a very remote northland location an hour inland from Whangārei. It has multiple stages with a strong psychedelic trance focus, but some also feature drum & bass, techno and progressive house.

The festival site is found in a valley with a river running alongside, which turns into a popular hangout spot each day with people swimming and sunning. The camping areas are tree-lined and well organised, and only a short walk from all stages.

Dimension has amazing sound systems and visuals and the music runs non-stop for three days and nights, so there’s always a party whenever you want.

Rhythm and Alps (two nights, 30-31 Dec) – Cardrona Valley, Otago

Rhythm and Alps is one of Aotearoa’s biggest New Year’s festivals, set under the watchful eye of Mount Cardrona. Walking the line neatly between commercial and underground sounds, R&A have a wide range of music from DJs and bands alike. They have a mix of international and local artists performing across four stages, so there is something for everyone.

One strong element of R&A is the respectful crowd and vibe. While generally a young crowd, it lacks the boozy, pushy nature of other commercial events. They have fairground rides, are fully licensed, and have plenty of the expected food and other vendors.

Shipwrecked (two nights, 7-9 Feb) – Te Āria, Auckland

Shipwrecked is a nautical-themed festival held over a weekend near Te Āria, north of Auckland (near Warkworth). It has a strong house and techno slant to its main music offering, but with other stages for tropical/disco and bass/drum & bass.

Some of New Zealand’s best house and techno artists are regulars at Shipwrecked, and its pirate-chic aesthetic is endearing, with the whole team getting in on the vibe. The Humming Hut stage which hangs out over the swimming lake is a special sunset treat.

A bit of walking is involved getting to/from the camping area, but the conversations along the way are always worth it.

Earth Beat Festival (four nights, 19-23 March) – Ātiu Creek Regional Park, Auckland

Earth Beat is the most daytime activity focused of these festival options. Music features on a number of stages but the main events across the five days are the wholesome workshops, classes and panel discussions which range from spiritual knowledge through to craftwork.

Earth Beat is the most wellness-slanted of these festivals, with co-creation and transformation being strong themes. They pitch themselves as a place to exchange knowledge, skills and meaning, and each year there’s a welcoming community built around Earth Beat, which runs events year-round.

There is also a busy marketplace with vendors offering everything from artisan crafts to herbal remedies to healing services like massage and shamanic healing.

Golden Valley (two nights, 21-23 Feb) – Waihi

Golden Valley is a new festival which promises a niche experience in a stunning setting near Waihi. It caters firmly to house and melodic techno lovers, featuring some of New Zealand’s niche electronic acts and DJs (yet to be announced). It is being put on by longtime promoters LO-FI Productions, so expect a unique combination of quirky visuals, art and an intimate gathering.

“Imagine your quintessential Kiwi camping trip with your friends, combined with the best festival experience on offer,” LO-FI says. If you’re drawn to an eclectic brand of non-commercial house and techno, Golden Valley should be a fun experience.