New Zealand’s greatest dress-up party Splore Festival is gearing up for one last festival in February 2026.
It’s a final chance to get a ticket, join the party and experience the magic that is Splore!
As a diehard Splore Festival attendee who has already purchased a ticket to Splore Festival 2026 – February 20 to 22 – I’m saddened by today’s announcement by Splore Festival owner John Minty that 2026 is to be the last. It’s a sign of the times we are currently living in sadly and while Splore took a break last year hoping to bounce back, the economy is yet to do so.
Splore is an annual fixture in my calendar for so many reasons and to be honest I’m not your typical festival goer. I like certain creature comforts and ever since I got lost at a concert as a teen, been shy of big crowds.
So why do I love Splore? The people, the aroha, the music, the dress ups! The location! It’s set in the beautiful Tāpapakanga Regional Park with the main stage on the beach. You can swim and float while enjoying sounds.
You can’t beat Splore’s beach front location. Photography and main image Glenn McLelland
There’s a wellness area with workshops and yoga. Yummy food trucks that cater to vegans and meat lovers. I have my standing faves I return to each year including the world’s best cheese toasties.
The Festival is also zero waste which is important to me. The vibes are chill. There are lots of beautiful natural places to rest and relax away from the crowds. Opportunities to dance like nobody is watching.
It’s family friendly. People are always ready to help others. There’s so much aroha.
There are beachside bars as well as bars with views. DJs, bands and solo artists. Cabaret and circus performers. The list of great Splore attributes is endless.
For accommodation there are set up tent options for out of towners or those who don’t own a tent and everyone’s ticket includes free camping. For the past few years we’ve booked a camper spot and used our Elvis caravan as our lounge beside our tent and created our own glamping spot.
Everything at Splore is so easy and well thought out. The mahi, music curation and relationship building with local iwi Ngati Pāoa and Ngati Whanāuga, along with genuine respect for the whenua all while attracting incredible local and international artists and acts over the past 20 plus years has been truly remarkable.
It’s an opportunity to get creative and let your inner style shine. Photography Glenn McLelland
Many artists say it is the best multi-day festival they have ever played it. It has spirit, heart and colour. And did I mention the dress up aspect of it?
One of my favourite things about Splore is the costumes, the colour and sparkle, the creativity and ingenuity. It’s a carnival atmosphere.
Each year Splore has a theme that Splorers use for inspiration for their outfits. This year’s theme is ‘Being’. We have got our thinking caps on about what that means to us and how to translate that into costumes for 2026. Being cloud be an element – earth, wind, water or fire. It could be ‘being now’, ‘being future’ or the past. Being you! There are so many interpretations.
There are three days and multiple opportunities for outfit changes.
Splore Festival is one big dress-up party. Photography Glenn McLelland
Being a zero waste festival Splore has guidelines around costumes. Bio glitter only people, avoid sequins and costumes that shed polyester fibres. Avoid the temptation to shop for costumes at places like Look Sharp or Spotlight.
Over the years we’ve reused and reimagined our Splore outfits. There have also been costume swaps held at Splore.
It’s fun to coordinate costumes if you are in a group and it makes it easier to spot your buddies in a crowd. It is also equally fun to take an individual approach to your outfit because honestly anything goes. Even if you don’t dress up you will have a good time and nobody will judge you.
Dressing up is just part of the fun at Splore Festival. Photography Glenn McLelland
Tickets are on sale for the final Splore Festival here.
