Tour News - Auckland Folk Festival returns in January 2025 with a massive three day global musical celebration for all
Kumeu Showgrounds, Auckland
TESS AND JESS WUNDERBAR - IMAGE: SUPPLIED
Shake off your dancing shoes! The Auckland Folk Festival is set to make a foot-stomping return, for three unbelievable days, over Auckland Anniversary weekend, January 2025!
The Festival has been delighting young and old for over 50 years, proud to be one of the longest-running in New Zealand, and the largest folk festival in the country. Bringing together exceptionally talented artists from New Zealand and around the world, expertly blending nationally and internationally renowned acts, with up-and-coming locals, and as always, pushing the boundaries of ‘folk’! Expect the unexpected, featuring music, dance, craft workshops, food trucks and concerts, held across multiple stages, at Kumeu Showgrounds. The three day music festival, running across Auckland Anniversary Weekend (January 24-27, 2025) will be hard to beat, brimming with magical moments and musical memories, and proudly back to full strength, following the wobbly years of Covid-19 and the January 2023 floods.
Emily Roughton, the Festival’s Programme & Artist Coordinator said they were excited to welcome thousands of members of the folk & music loving community back to the festival. “We’re back! We can’t wait to bring a jam-packed lineup to the festival which celebrates and brings together the folk community, and equally pushes the boundaries of folk. We’re delighted to be showcasing some amazingly talented locals, along with some really quality international acts. We have a huge kids programme planned this year, we are excited to bring together the young and young at heart, for a fun, action-packed weekend!”
The music lineup for the 2025 festival is nothing short of exceptional, from Australia’s simultaneously graceful and darkly bewitching, multi-award winning, folk pop ‘sister’ duo, Charm of Finches (AUS) to Hina. The creative mantle of Tāmaki Makaurau songwriter Amy Boroevich (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa), Hina, has garnered critical acclaim and charmed audiences around Aotearoa. 2024’s Best Folk Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards, Adam McGrath, also steps up to the mic, famed around the Motu for his much loved folk singing and yarn spinning! Also gracing our stages in 2025 are New Zealand's latest ‘darling’ duo Pony Baby (Arahi & Jazmine Mary), winning hearts & souls with their sweet harmonies, lyrics and melodies.
And thats just the beginning, the diverse lineup also ranges from toe-tapping instrumental bands Austral (AUS), Rain of Animals (SCO/AUS), Fortino Trio (AUS) and BB & Alex (USA/NZ) to Americana darlings Tess Liautaud & Jessie Shanks (US/NZ) and Tall Folk (US/NZ), to the multitalented, queen of collaborations Krissy Jackson, and latest kiwi Indie sensations, Marmalade + much more.
From manouche to indie, blues to bluegrass, this Festival has it all.
With more acts to be announced, including a massive childrens programme, The Auckland Folk Festival 2025 is set to round out the summer festival season with a bang!
Large marquees provide plenty of shade, there are plenty of campsites available and with a dedicated kids’ stage and programme, there’s family-friendly entertainment for all ages! The Festival offers camping and non-powered sites. The Festival caters to young and old, fostering intergenerational connection and encouraging its wider creative community. Expect pottery workshops, space for arts and crafts, a speaking series, food trucks with beautiful vegetarian options, something for everyone!. Come along to enjoy the happy, creative vibes, have some yummy food, try a dance workshop or give the pottery a go. Find a spot under a shady tree and listen to beautiful music.
“We want you and your family to have fun and leave feeling as though you’ve met a new, extended folk family!
Auckland Folk Festival 2025 Lineup:
Adam McGrath
Austral (AUS)
The Barleyshakes (AUS)
Basant Madhur Ensemble
BB & Alex (USA/NZ)
Charm of Finches (AUS)
Fortino Trio (AUS)
Hannah Morrell (AUS)
Hina
Krissy Jackson
Lizzie Flynn & the Runaway Trains (AUS)
Marmalade
Medena Ensemble
OrigiNZ
Pony Baby
Rain of Animals (SCO/AUS)
Rasoul Abbasi Ensemble
Sounds of the Cedar Forest
Tall Folk (USA/NZ).
Tess Liautaud & Jessie Shanks (US/NZ)
Tom Rodwell
Tickets on sale mid September. Early bird tickets close December 31st.
Be sure you don’t miss out on info & updates - visit www.aucklandfolkfestival.co.nz to sign up for news.
Auckland Anniversary weekend
Friday 24 January to Monday 27 January 2025
Kumeu Showgrounds, Auckland
Tickets and Information: http://www.aucklandfolkfestival.co.nz/
The Auckland Folk Festival is an annual folk music and dance festival that brings to Auckland a diverse selection of the best in contemporary and traditional folk music for the enjoyment of music lovers of all ages. It is New Zealand’s biggest folk festival with 3000 campers and day visitors expected over the weekend.
A wide range of food and drinks will be on site along with music and folk market stalls. In keeping with the family atmosphere, alcohol is not sold on site.
Frontier Touring is excited to announce the return of US country star, Jackson Dean as he brings his On The Back Of My Dreams World Tour to Australia and New Zealand this October.
Following his highly anticipated return to Europe and the massive success of his 2024 North American tour, multi platinum, 8-time GRAMMY award-winning, global entertainment icon USHER announced the Australian leg of his highly praised USHER: Past Present Future 2025 Global Tour.
In response to growing demand, Australian online comedy star, Andrew Hamilton will tour New Zealand for the very first time this June with his award-nominated, critically acclaimed debut show ‘Jokes About the Time I Went to Prison’.
Australian singer/songwriter grentperez is bringing The Backflips In A Restaurant Tour to theatres across Australia and New Zealand this October and November!
Comedy streaming service Dropout today announced their 2026 multi-city Australian and New Zealand tour of Dropout Improv, a live improv show that will feature electric performances of short-form improv games, comedy and a whole lot of shenanigans.
Due to phenomenal demand, breakout vocalist and songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith has added a second show in Perth on her upcoming THE ART OF BEING A MESS headline tour.
Today, 20-year-old breakout vocal powerhouse Jessie Murph reveals the dates for her upcoming WORLDWIDE HYSTERIA tour in support of her new album out later this year.
Gerringong-based indie-rock upstarts The Terrys have just announced their biggest national tour yet in support of their self-titled album – out Friday, July 11.
This June, Black Grace returns with the third edition of Company B – a powerful new production entitled Rage Rage.
Live Nation is proud to present one of Aotearoa’s most treasured musical voices, Sir Dave Dobbyn, live in concert at Auckland Town Hall for the very first time on Wednesday June 4 as part of the Auckland Winter Series.
You knew the news was coming, but now it’s time to get your marker pens out for the calendar … The Others Way is back, baby!
In 2026, prepare to Go to Hell with Australia's first ever dedicated metal cruise Hellbound.
Breakout vocalist and songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith will set out on The Art of Being a Mess headline tour this September.
Imperial Triumphant announce exclusive headline show on Friday 13 June, Mothership, Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.
This September history will be made with the return of Swedish metallers Sabaton to Australian shores, joined in Australia by special guests and fellow compatriots Amaranthe.
The legendary Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band, Cowboy Junkies, will return to New Zealand later this year for a four-date tour, celebrating their 40th anniversary.
From the teams behind SYNTHONY and COME TOGETHER – Brace yourself for the ultimate collision of metal and classical.
ZZ Top has advised today that drummer Frank Beard, as recommended by medical personnel, will not be present for the Australia and New Zealand leg of The Elevation Tour with George Thorogood & The Destroyers, commencing this Saturday with Red Hot Summer Bendigo.
Auckland indie-rock legends Voom — after years of slow-burning genius, cult-adored releases, and sporadic-yet-memorable live performances — are finally back with their new album and NZ Tour!
American punk rock band Dead Kennedys return to Australia and New Zealand this September for their first tour in seven years, bringing their politically charged anthems and raw energy back to the stage.
Make no mistake: Billy Strings is Big. Selling out multiple arenas across the USA, the virtuoso Strings hits Australia and New Zealand for the very first time this July.
The incomparable Grammy Award winner, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and global pop culture icon Chaka Khan returns to New Zealand and Australia this month and today announces several special guest DJs joining the tour.
Celebrated homegrown artist TEEKS is the third act to be announced as part of the Auckland Winter Series line up. TEEKS will perform a very special show with a string sextet and piano for one night only at the Auckland Town Hall on Thursday June 5.
Fly My Pretties are excited to announce the return to Auckland and Christchurch for a series of special shows celebrating the release of their seventh album, ELEMENTAL.
Rising Aotearoa star Casual Healing has today announced a tour across New Zealand, heading to Auckland and Wellington this May.
New Zealand’s most legendary rock event just got even bigger. On September 26, 2025, Blindspott will headline The Rock 2000 at Spark Arena in a one-of-a-kind performance.
Rhythm and Vines is bringing a taste of their popular GARDEN STAGE to The Tuning Fork, Auckland on Friday, April 11 2025. The stellar lineup includes some of Aotearoa’s top tier up-and-coming musicians, all of which have graced the infamous Rhythm and Vines Stage in 2024.
Due to popular demand a new show at SkyCity Theatre Auckland has today been announced for Ben Elton, the undisputed godfather of modern stand-up’s brand-new live show – Authentic Stupidity.
Dope Lemon returns in 2025 with fifth studio album Golden Wolf, and a massive Australia and New Zealand tour.
Renowned stand-up comedian, podcaster, actor, and psychedelic philosopher Duncan Trussell has just announced his highly anticipated return to Australia and New Zealand this August!
