Rhythm and Vines (and Rhythm and Alps)
When: December 29-31, and December 30-31
Where: Waiohika Estate, Gisborne and Cardrona Valley, Wanaka
What: The biggest New Year's festival in New Zealand, Rhythm and Vines celebrated 20 years last year. It's a three-day multi-genre festival, with an emphasis on dance music, in a vineyard setting. Rhythm and Alps is its sister festival in the South Island.
Website: rhythmandvines.co.nz
Prana
When: December 30-January 3
Where: Opoutere, Coromandel
What: Celebrating 21 years this year, the quintessential hippie festival is set on pristine coastal land, and has everything from workshops and meditation to conscious cinema, rousing musical performances, fancy dress, and circus treats.
Very family oriented.
Website: prana.co.nz
La De Da
When: December 30-31
Where: Daisybank Farm, Martinborough
What: It's the rising New Year's experience for hip young things - crowd pleasing and chart-topping hip-hop and dance music of all genres is the go. New Year's will be celebrated with A$AP Rocky, Flume, DJ Yoda, What So Not, Sons of Zion and plenty more.
Website: ladeda.co.nz
Northern Bass
When: December 30-31
Where: Worsford Farm, Mangawhai/Kaiwaka
What: A new Northland festival with an emphasis on beats - drum 'n' bass, soul, funk, hip-hop, and its many permutations. The inaugural line-up includes Talib Kweli, Ladi6, DubFX, DeadPrez, and the Upbeats.
Website: northernbass.co.nz
Big Day Out
When: Friday January 17
Where: Western Springs, Auckland
What: It's still the biggest, and still seems like the daddy of all other New Zealand music festivals. And now it's being held at the convenient spot of Western Springs. Grass! Trees! And a really massive stage!
Website: bigdayout.com
Parachute
When: January 24-26
Where: Mystery Creek, Hamilton
What: With a crowd of around 25,000, Parachute is one of the largest Christian music festivals outside the US. More than 80 artists play (Kiwi acts like Stan Walker, Ruby Frost, and Dave Dobbyn mix with acts from Australia and the US), plus there are jam sessions, a skatepark, and a lot of guest speakers.
Website: parachutefestival.com
Laneway
When: Monday January 27
Where: Silo Park, Auckland
What: It's all about blending the urban cool of a site near the sea with an industrial landscape and the hippest bands. 2014 will mark the festival's fifth year in Auckland, and will showcase the best rising musical stars alongside old-school treasures.
Website: auckland.lanewayfestival.com
Raggamuffin
When: January 31-February 1
Where: Rotorua International Stadium
What: Red, yellow, and green are the crowning colours for this festival which celebrates everything reggae and roots with international stars like Damian Marley and Shaggy mixing with local luminaries like Aotearoa Reggae Allstars.
Website: raggamuffin.co.nz
Camp A Low Hum
When: February 7-9
Where: Camp Wainui at Wainuiomata
What: Our most renegade, good time, indie festival. There's lots of freedom, it's BYO, there are pass-outs, there's no hierarchy or VIP, the camping is chilled out, and 70 official bands play, plus another 70 will likely perform, though no line-up is announced.
Website: alowhum.com
Music at Matua
When: Saturday February 8
Where: Matua Wines, Waimauku, Auckland
What: A very picturesque, very civilised, boutique summer romp in a lovely West Auckland estate, with TrinityRoots headlining, along with a full band performance from Taite Music Prize winner SJD, and a solo performance from Laughton Kora.
Website: loop.co.nz/events
Splore
When: February 14-16
Where: Tapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland
What: Three-day festival on the coast which embraces eco-consciousness and community spirit, as well as having lots of amazing music, theatrical performances, art, and colour. Every genre is explored, and you can even watch the main stage while floating in the ocean.
Website: splore.net
Rapture
When: Saturday February 15
Where: Western Springs Stadium, Auckland
What: Hip-hop invades Auckland for one night when Eminem comes to town for the first time, and is joined by Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Action Bronson, and David Dallas, for the biggest hip-hop festival ever held in New Zealand. Here's hoping it becomes an annual event.
Website: eminemrapture.com
Homegrown
When: Saturday February 15
Where: Wellington Waterfront
What: The biggest line-up of local acts in one mammoth festival which has 60 bands playing across eight stages in one day. Whether you're into rock, roots, dub, indie, dance, or crazy mash-ups of all of the above, you will be catered for. Cross your fingers for sunshine and minimal wind.
Website: homegrown.net.nz
West Fest
When: February 19-20
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
What: This new metal festival is taking the initiative of bringing over a selection of international artists who are playing at Australia's Soundwave Festival, and showcasing them over two very loud nights at Vector Arena. Headliners include Korn, Megadeath, and Eagles of Death Metal.
Website: therock.net.nz/liverock
Womad
When: March 14-16
Where: Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth
What: A festival of discovery for your senses, Womad brings the most diverse range of international musicians to New Zealand, and sets them among the beautiful site of the Bowl of Brooklands. Workshops, dancing, and world of food to sample, Womad is a well-rounded experience.
Website: womad.co.nz
And the rest ...
BW Camping Festival in Gisborne from December 27-28
Mount Vibes in Mt Maunganui on December 31
Matakanaval at Matakana Country Park on January 2
Kaikoura Summersounds in Kaikoura on January 11-12
Festival of Tennis afterparty on January 11
Rippon Festival at Lake Wanaka on February 1
East Coast Vibes in Gisborne on February 8
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- TimeOut