Rhythm and Vines 2026: Gisborne's Last Edition for Groups

Short answer: Rhythm and Vines, the New Year music festival at Waiohika Estate near Gisborne, holds its last edition there on 28–31 December 2026 before moving to a new North Island site in 2027. Explera DMC New Zealand plans any group in Gisborne and Tairāwhiti over those dates around the festival's demand for beds, flights and roads.

The organisers announced the move in July 2026. The new site for 2027 has not been named.

What are the 2026 festival dates?

28 December 2026: a warm-up night that the organisers say is only for people camping on site.
29–31 December 2026: the main festival days at Waiohika Estate, running into New Year's Eve.
2027: the festival moves to a new location in the North Island. The organisers have not yet named the site.

What does it mean for a group in Gisborne?

Expect busy dates. A multi-day festival in a small city adds demand for accommodation, flights into Gisborne Airport (GIS) and the roads around it. Book rooms early, or base the group outside the festival dates.
Check what else is on. The festival falls inside New Zealand's summer holiday peak, when domestic travel is already at its busiest.
Brief clients on the roads. Gisborne is about three hours by road from Napier. Allow extra time on the days before and after the festival.
Look at 2027 separately. For year-end 2027, check the festival's new location once it is announced, because the demand it brings will move with it.

How Explera DMC New Zealand can help

We plan Gisborne and Tairāwhiti as part of an East Coast route between Napier and Rotorua. See our Gisborne destination page, our events calendar, our month-by-month selling guide and our group booking lead times.

FAQ

When is the last Rhythm and Vines at Waiohika Estate? From 28 to 31 December 2026, with 28 December a warm-up night for people camping on site.

Where will the festival be held in 2027? At a new location in the North Island. The organisers have not yet named it.

Is Gisborne busier than usual over New Year 2026? Plan for it. A multi-day festival adds demand for rooms, flights and roads in a small city during the summer holiday peak, so book early.

Can a group still visit Gisborne at that time? Yes, with early bookings and extra travel time. Some groups may prefer to visit Tairāwhiti before or after the festival dates.