After a year off to rest, reflect and regroup, Aotearoa’s longest-running boutique festival, Splore, is coming back stronger than ever. Set to light up Tāpapakanga Regional Park from 20–22 February 2026, this is a full on reset!
Splore 2026 brings with it a revitalised vision. Fresh programming, new creative spaces, enhanced camping options (including ready-made tent villages!) and flexible PayPlan ticketing through iTICKET – all designed to meet the moment and make the magic more accessible.
Make no mistake though, this isn’t a reinvention, it’s a renewal. While a lot has changed in the festival world, the spirit of Splore – vibrant, inclusive and deeply rooted in community – is still the same.
“Festivals everywhere are under pressure,” says Splore Festival Director John Minty. “But Splore’s story is one of adaptation. We took a breath so we could build a future. Strengthen the foundations, tend to our roots.”
And those roots run deep. Splore began back in 1998 as a grassroots gathering of music lovers. Since then, it’s grown into a full blown three-day experience that celebrates music, art, sustainability, wellbeing and culture. All set against the spectacular coastal backdrop of Tāpapakanga. Kiwi summer at its best!
With a fresh curation team, including the vibrant Shaquille Wasasala, aka Half Queen, Splore is dialing up the energy and surprise with new sounds and creative talent.
If camping logistics have held you back before, 2026 is your year. The new Ultimate Festival Kit means you can fly in, rock up and relax. No tent wrangling required. And if you’re on a budget, the flexible iTICKET PayPlan lets you pay over time, with weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. Makes saying yes to Splore a lot easier doesn’t it?!
“Our longstanding partnership with Splore isn’t just a collaboration; it’s a testament to both our organisations obsessing over what our customers truly need,” says Reece Preston, Managing Director of iTICKET. “We built this in-house with direct input from the Splore team, ensuring it genuinely serves our community.”
For all the newness, the classics remain. Free general camping (including family-friendly zones), world-class food and drinks, Wendy’s Wellness zone, inclusive vibes and Aotearoa’s biggest dress-up party. Each year’s theme inspiring creative upcycled looks and outrageous fits!
Then there are the weddings, in fact there’s never been a Splore without one! There’s also the beachfront dancing and the underlying kaupapa of kaitiakitanga. From eliminating single-use plastics to measuring and offsetting carbon emissions, Splore continues to set the sustainability standard for festivals in Aotearoa.
It’s a full-body, full-heart, full-community experience. And also a ritual for many. From music, yoga, late-night chats, yummy food stalls, and just lots of feels, Splore offers a moment to unplug from the noise and reconnect with the whenua, with each other and with yourself.
Dates: 20–22 February 2026
Where: Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Tāmaki Makaurau
Tickets: On sale now via iTICKET with flexible PayPlan options
Accommodation: Free camping, glamping, family zones and The Ultimate Festival Kit
Kids: Children under 12 attend free with parents
Accessibility: Dedicated accessible campsites available
First lineup drop: Coming soon
Images by Glenn McLelland and Nicole Brannen.