Aotearoa's longest-running festival, Splore, shares first of its 2026 lineup

First started on New Year's Eve 1998, Aotearoa/New Zealand's Splore Festival is the country's longest-running music festival. Initially beginning as an annual boutique music and arts festival, the event has seen a lot of changes in its almost thirty-year lifetime, including locations, formats and of course, music leanings.

In 2026, Splore returns to Tāpapakanga Regional Park, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, boasting a new vision filled with new spaces, experiences, and a clear focus on sustainability in both environmental and cultural respects.

Splore's next addition is co-curated by none other than Shaquille Wasasala, aka Half Queen, alongside the festival's longtime curator John Minty.

HalfQueen's understanding of a wide range of musical cultures, not only at home but abroad, sees the lineup featuring an incredibly eclectic mix of artists. Across six stages, Splore will platform some of the world's most iconic musical voices, along with some of its most exciting and emerging from both Aotearoa and Australia.

Internationally, that sees the headline slots by the likes of Norwegian electronic duo Röyksopp bringing their expertise in an exclusive set, the iconic Sister Nancy working with longtime collaborator Legal Shot, English producer and DJ Nightmares on Wax, as well as legendary General Levy performing with DJ Awira.

HalfQueen herself, Goldtooth, rapper Miss Kaninna, C.Frim, DylanBiscuit b2b ajhoneysuckl, Estère, and many others will provide a contemporary and localised touch to a festival matched by a cohort of folk, pop and reggae artists too.

Next year, Splore Festival takes place from February 20th to 22nd, with tickets now available via its website.

See Splore's full lineup below:

-

Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor, find him on Instagram.