The Rhythm and Alps 2026 lineup has landed, and it’s a strong reminder of why this Cardrona Valley institution remains one of the most anticipated dates on the South Island’s summer calendar. Now heading into its 16th year, the festival will once again take over the Wānaka high country for New Year’s, running from 30 to 31 December 2026.
Topping the first announcement is UK drum and bass heavyweight Dimension, joined by homegrown pop favourite BENEE and roots reggae stalwarts Fat Freddy’s Drop. Rounding out the headline names are Shapeshifter, UK garage act MPH, and Irish dance duo Belters Only — a genre spread that gives a good sense of just how broad the Rhythm and Alps bill has become over the years.
Beyond the top-line names, organisers have loaded the undercard with a mix of rising local talent and international selectors, including Borderline, Charli Brix, Ely Oaks, Fat Papi, Flava D, Lee Mvtthews, NO CIGAR and Wax Mustang, alongside more than fifty further acts still to be revealed across drum and bass, house, indie and hip-hop stages.
What continues to set Rhythm and Alps apart from many of its rivals is its ownership structure. The festival is independently run by New Zealanders, and organisers have long pointed to its role in funnelling money back into the domestic music scene, something that matters when so much of the festival economy here leans on overseas promoters and touring machines.
In the festival’s own words, this year’s bill was “built to be explored, packed with proven favourites, rising talent and the kind of discoveries that become festival highlights.”
Full and single-day tickets are on sale now through the festival’s official site, with further lineup additions expected in the coming months. For anyone weighing up their New Year’s plans, the Rhythm and Alps 2026 lineup gives plenty of reason to lock in Cardrona Valley early, camping spots and accommodation around Wānaka have a habit of disappearing fast once a bill like this one drops.
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