NZ summer gig guide: Bruno Mars, Guns N' Roses and more to see

From rock and pop icons like Bruno Mars and Guns N’ Roses, to electronic heavyweights like Calvin Harris, it’s shaping up to be one of New Zealand’s biggest summers of music.

New Zealand immigration services must have been working overtime in recent months given the number of international artists scheduled to play here this summer.

Some big-names are here for the first time; others are regular visitors. The Government’s $70m Major Events and Tourism package - and the $40m one-off events fund - has helped bring international artists to perform here.

There’s also plenty of great homegrown talent to check out. Here’s what we have to look forward to this summer.

November

Iron Maiden

When: November 7 and 8, Spark Arena, Auckland

Audiences will be ‘running for their lives’ to see the British metal legends this summer. Touting a setlist covering the biggest hits from their 50-year discography, Bruce Dickinson and his band are set to bring fire and fury to the Spark Arena stage.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Flight of the Conchords will bring tour their musical comedy across the country.

Flight of the Conchords

When: November 10, 14, 15, 16, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

November 12, Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

November 18 and 19, The Civic, Auckland

November 21, Spark Arena, Auckland

New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo are back for their first local headlining tour since 2012. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement got rave reviews for their Meow Nui warm-up shows.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Courtney Barnett

When: November 18, BNZ Theatre, Hamilton

November 20, Auckland Town Hall

November 21, Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch

November 22 Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

The Aussie singer-songwriter is bringing her deadpan singing style and storytelling prowess to NZ audiences in support of her new album, Creature of Habit.

Tickets: Live Nation

Jack Johnson

When: November 20, Spark Arena, Auckland

November 22, Waipara Winehouse, Canterbury

Hawaii’s son of surf rock hits our shores, promising a nostalgic night of hits and stories for his Surfilmusic tour.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Rise Against

When: November 24, Spark Arena, Auckland

The Chicago-born punk rock outfit is set to provide a taste of the 2000s at Spark Arena.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Robbie Williams returns to New Zealand for two massive gigs. Photo / Paul Taylor

Robbie Williams

When: November 24, Eden Park, Auckland

November 28, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch (Sold Out)

Ex-Take That heart-throb and notorious British bad boy Robbie Williams might be in your wheelhouse if 2000s Britpop is more your style. The singer touches down for two massive arena shows, promising hits like Angels and Rock DJ.

Tickets: AXS

Cat Power

When: November 26, Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of her beloved album The Greatest, Cat Power will play one night only on Auckland’s North Shore.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Boyz II Men will perform four New Zealand tour dates in December. Photo / Supplied

December

Boyz II Men

When: December 1, Spark Arena, Auckland

With their voices still silky smooth, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman remain one of the defining boy bands of the 90s and the most notable R&B acts of all time. There’s no End of the Road in sight as they take New Zealand by storm. Supported by other 90s legends Salt N Pepa and Bell Biv Devoe.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

J. Cole

When: December 5 and 6, Spark Arena, Auckland

Nearly 10 years since he last came to New Zealand, the North Carolina rap superstar returns to promote his latest album The Fall-Off. Last time, he produced a full-scale prison yard on the Spark Arena stage, so expect big things this time.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

A$AP Rocky will perform at Auckland's Spark Arena on December 12. Photo / Live Nation

A$AP Rocky

When: December 12, Spark Arena, Auckland

A hip-hop heavy December continues in Auckland, with Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky returning to our shores after previously headlining Listen In festival in 2018. This time, he’s set to bring a high-energy set, lots of flames and songs off his 2026 album Don’t Be Dumb.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

The Clubhouse

When: December 12, Hobson Wharf, Auckland

In this day and age, you don’t often get the chance to experience the first of something. But this open-air music event will take over Hobson Wharf for the first time in December. From 4pm, a line-up of international and local talent, including DJ sets from the likes of The Jungle Giants and Flamingo Pier will soundtrack what’s being called the city’s send off before the summer holidays.

Tickets: Plan After

A Perfect Circle

When: December 13, Spark Arena, Auckland

Get ready to rock with this 2000s band. It’s been more than 20 years since they performed a headline show in Auckland, and now they’re back with fresh material and a heap of hits.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park

When: November 28, Hagley Park, Christchurch

December 12, Auckland Domain, Auckland

Aotearoa’s favourite free family-friendly Christmas concert returns with a stellar line-up, including local talents Lavina Williams, Ella Monnery and Dillon Rhodes.

Tickets: Free

Guns N' Roses last performed at Eden Park in 2022. Photo / Guns N' Roses

Guns N’ Roses

When: December 17, Eden Park, Auckland

One of the world’s most recognisable rock bands returns to New Zealand and our biggest stadium (they last performed at Eden Park in 2022). Catch Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan belt out all the hits from their lengthy career.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Queens of the Stone Age

When: December 20, Spark Arena, Auckland

No One Knows what Josh Homme and his band of merry men will bring to Spark Arena this time. Last time, the rock frontman parted the crowd like the Red Sea and the band provided a setlist of new material and their greatest hits.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Hidden Valley

When: December 27, Matakana Country Park, Matakana

Electronic heavyweights Dimension and Armand Van Helden headline this yearly dance music festival. Expect drum and bass bangers and house hits. (R18)

Tickets: hiddenvalleyfestival.com

Fat Freddy's Drop. Photo / File

Le Currents

When: December 27 and 28, Riverside Park, Taupō

Funky fashion and chill tunes combine for this long-running summer staple. Ocean Alley, Fat Freddy’s Drop and UK electronic legend Carl Cox will bring the beats and vibes to this summer hotspot. (R18)

Tickets: lecurrents.com

Rock The Bowl

When: December 29, Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth

The same three artists above will take their party to Taranaki to headline this epic pre-New Year’s festival in an iconic Kiwi location.

Tickets: Ticketek

Rhythm and Vines 2026 will be last to be held in Gisborne. Photo / Rhythm and Vines

New Year’s Festivals (R18)

Rhythm and Vines

When: December 28-31, Waiohika Estate, Gisborne

The final dance at its long-time Gisborne location, this New Year’s rite of passage is leaving its spiritual home with a bang. DJ’s John Summit and Netsky are expected to put on epic electronic showcases, while Kiwi acts Sir Dave Dobbyn, Te Wehi and Hori Shaw will bring the feel-good vibes while the East Coast sun sets.

Tickets: rhythmandvines.co.nz

Northern Bass

When: December 30-31, Kaiwaka, Auckland

After 15 years, this iconic electronic festival is still going strong, bringing acts like Andy C and Tonn Piper, JME, and Culture Shock to dance-mad audiences.

Tickets: northernbass.co.nz

Pop singer Benee will headline Rhythm and Alps. Photo / Dave Simpson

Rhythm and Alps

When: December 30-31, Cardrona Valley, Central Otago

Nestled in the picturesque Cardrona hills, South Island festival R&A touts an epic line-up including rapper Swae Lee, Kiwi singer Benee and Drum and Bass icons Shy FX.

Tickets: rhythmandalps.co.nz

Famous Last Words

When: December 31, Mercury Baypark, Mount Maunganui

Delta Heavy, Peking Duk and Bensley headline this one-day Tauranga festival, which is now in its fifth year.

Tickets: trademarklive.co.nz

The Foo Fighters look to tear down Kiwi stadiums again. Photo / Cameron Pitney

January

Foo Fighters

When: January 19, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

January 22, Western Springs Bowl, Auckland

Their live show once registered on New Zealand’s Richter scale because of how loud it was. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Foo Fighters are a force to be reckoned with and return to NZ for two outdoor shows.

Tickets: frontiertouring.com

Soundsplash

When: January 22-24, Wainui Reserve, Raglan

While the line-up for this popular summer festival is yet to be announced, it promises family-friendly camping options and plenty of fun down by the beach.

Tickets: soundsplash.co.nz

Greenstone Summer Concert Tour

When: January 30, Three Parks Outdoor Arena, Wānaka

January 31, Taupo Amphitheatre, Taupo

Kiss from a Rose hitmaker Seal will make his first New Zealand appearance when he headlines this star-studded summer tour alongside UK pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor and electronic band Bastille.

Tickets: greenstoneentertainment.co.nz

LAB and Stan Walker

When: January 31, Trusts Arena, Auckland

This massive outdoor gig brings together some of the best sounds of a Kiwi summer. Nesian Mystik will also perform their first Auckland gig in 15 years.

Tickets: loop.co.nz

Empire of The Sun will bring their unmatched vibe to Spark Arena.

February

Empire of the Sun

When: February 19, Spark Arena, Auckland

After wowing crowds at Electric Avenue in Christchurch a few years ago, the Australian duo return with their trippy production and timeless songs like Walking on a Dream and Alive.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Laneway

When: February 21, Western Springs, Auckland

Fashion and fun combine for this iconic Auckland Festival, which will this year feature Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams and rock band Fontaines DC as the headline acts. (R18)

Tickets: lanewayfestival.co.nz

Kings of Leon

When: February 24, Auckland Domain, Auckland

Missed out on Electric Avenue tickets? Before they hit the Christchurch festival, Kings of Leon are headlining Auckland’s Live at the Domain concert alongside Aussie surf rockers Ocean Alley. Expect a chilled-out concert filled with bangers long into the setting sun. (R18)

Tickets: endeavour.live

Electric Avenue

When: February 26-27, Hagley Park, Christchurch

New Zealand’s biggest music festival is set to deliver its most bombastic line-up yet, featuring DJ legend Calvin Harris and rock band Kings of Leon alongside international and homegrown talent. Tickets are already sold out, and the event is expected to pump millions into the local economy. (R18)

Tickets: Sold Out. Resale will be available closer to the time at electricavenue.co.nz

Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr performs at the Taupō Summer Concert on January 27, 2024. Photo / Dan Hutchinson

Simple Minds

When: February 25, Spark Arena, Auckland

February 27, TSB Arena, Wellington

March 1, Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

New Zealand said Don’t You Forget About Me, and Simple Minds didn’t. The popular 80s new wave band will tour the country this summer with their extensive catalogue of hits.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Weezer will play in New Zealand in 2027. Photo / Supplied

March

Weezer

When: March 7, Spark Arena, Auckland

Say it is so! The iconic noughties geek-rockers will put on one show only in Auckland, bound to be a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Third Eye Blind and Fountains of Wayne are also on the bill.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Bryan Adams

When: March 10, Spark Arena, Auckland (Roll With The Punches show)

March 12, Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch (Roll With The Punches show)

March 13, Dunedin Town Hall, Dunedin (Bare Bones acoustic show)

March 15, Wellington Town Hall, Wellington (Bare Bones acoustic show)

It’s the best of both worlds for fans of Canadian singer Bryan Adams, who will perform two different styles of shows when he returns to New Zealand. Roll With The Punches promises a full-throttle rock gig with new material and old, supported by Torn singer Natalie Imbruglia, while Bare Bones will see the singer soften up with special acoustic songs.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Bruno Mars and fellow Silk Sonic member Anderson .Paak (right) will perform together on Mars' The Romantic Tour in Auckland next year. Photo / Daniel Ramos

Bruno Mars

When: March 13, 14, and 16, Eden Park, Auckland

The pop juggernaut is on track to sell out all three shows of his Eden Park residency, equalling the record set by Coldplay in 2024. Bringing his Romantic Tour to our shores with friend and bandmate Anderson. Paak, Mars will have the crowd swooning with ballads like When I Was Your Man and Risk It All.

Tickets: Limited remain via Ticketmaster

WOMAD

When: March 12-14, Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth

After it was cancelled last year, one of our most beloved music and arts festivals is back. Aotearoa Music Award winner Geneva AM and national treasure Troy Kingi are among the names in this year’s impressive line-up.

Tickets: womad.co.nz

Ronan Keating

When: March 16, Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

March 18, Spark Arena, Auckland

The Irish swooner recently told the Herald he loves our wine and golf, so it’s no secret he’s stoked to be returning to New Zealand for two massive shows. The singer teased he would perform all the hits like Life Is A Rollercoaster and When You Say Nothing At All, as well as some of his earlier material with Boyzone.

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Synthony

When: March 20, Auckland Domain, Auckland

The full force of a symphony orchestra, DJs and vocalists combine to create one of New Zealand’s most popular and unique summer festivals. Paul Oakenfold (UK) and Poolside (US) will also do their own sets for this summer scorcher.

Tickets: synthony.com