The following events are New Zealand's best recognized gigs in honour of New Year's Eve, whether for their music acts, their location or their crowd dynamic.
Phat Club
Every year Phat Club stages world class outdoor music festivals across two main stages set up in the rainforest valley in Inangahua along the West Coast of the South Island. Music leans towards drum and base, techno, house, hip hop, reggae and roots. Opening its gates a day before the main event, Phat Club welcomes tens of thousands of backpackers, tourists and locals uniting for the multi-date event. A typical run of the festival covers four days of both local and international acts playing on the two main arenas. Tickets average NZ$ 235 plus a booking fee.
BW Camping Festival
Established in 2004 in Gisborne along the East Coast of the North Island, BW Camping Festival is a week-long event in preparation and celebration of New Year's eve. Every year thousands of campers head to the sunny beaches of Gisborne to revel in the surf, play touch or volleyball on the beach, chill on the site with other campers and come night time attend first class music entertainment courtesy of Jim Beam Sound Shell. Tickets average NZ$125 to NZ$140.
Rhythm n Vines
What began in 2003 as a gig to celebrate New Year's eve has now reached world class proportions in terms of music acts, crowd size and entertainment value. The three day festival is held every year in Gisborne, East Coast, hosting multiple acts across numerous stages. The Waihoka Estate is transformed into a dynamic sound stage for local and international talents playing to crowds as strong as 25,000. For the year 2009, world acclaimed stars such as Moby and Empire of the sun are joining the line up. Tickets start at NZ$95 for 1 day pass.
Highlife NYE Experience
Hosted at Matukana Country Park, Highlife takes place on the last day of the year and boasts firework displays and warplane aerial acrobatics on top of first class entertainment. Music ranges from Funk, House, Soul and Electro to R'n'B, Reggae,Breaks and Dub. Helicopter transport from Auckland is available courtesy of Flight Lounge. Acts to play on New Year's Eve 2009 include The Freemasons, Mischa Daniels, Stonebridge, Sneaky Sound System and many more. Tickets cost NZ$125.
Prana New Year Blue Moon Festival
The five day event takes place on an eco-estate with coastal positioning and rainforest setting in Coromandel. With 17 years of experience and tradition, the festival welcomes the new year with a spiritual retreat on 100 acres of native nature sans noise, pollution and external communication. It is described as a back-to-nature retreat for families and groups. Tickets start at NZ$195.
The winning combination of idyllic locations, first class music acts and laidback atmosphere at these festivals make for the perfect New Year's Eve gig for anyone.
Further information can be found on New Zealand's top portal for gigs and events here.
Francesca Regazzoni - Francesca Regazzoni is a freelance writer based in New Zealand. Her editorial interests are travel and international affairs, having spent ...
