Rhythm and Vines says goodbye to Gisborne this summer. The 2026 festival, billed as Chapter 24: The Final Dance in Gisborne, runs from 28 to 31 December at Waiohika Estate, and it is the last time the festival will be held there after 24 years. John Summit, KI/KI, Netsky, Vince Staples, BENEE and Sir Dave Dobbyn lead the lineup. Four days of camping, vineyard dancefloors and a New Year's Eve countdown need a different wardrobe from a one-day city festival, so we've planned the whole trip, from the drive in to the drive home, using pieces in stock now.

In short:

• Rhythm and Vines 2026 runs 28 to 31 December at Waiohika Estate, Gisborne, and is the festival's final edition there before it moves to a new home in 2027.
• John Summit, KI/KI, Netsky, Vince Staples, BENEE and Sir Dave Dobbyn top the first lineup announcement.
• Pack for four moments: arrival and camp, hot afternoons in the vines, New Year's Eve, and the drive home on New Year's Day.

Why R&V packing is different

Most festival outfit guides are written for a single day. R&V is a camping festival, which means you're living in your fits for the best part of four days: setting up a tent, walking between campgrounds and stages, standing in the sun in the afternoon and staying out well past midnight. The rules are simple. Pick shoes you can wear all day on grass and dirt, keep tops light and breathable, bring shorts with room to move, and pack one proper layer for the late nights. Muted colours and washed fabrics hide dust far better than crisp white, so save the bright pieces for when the sun goes down.

Day one: arrival and camp set-up

The first day is all logistics: unloading the car, pitching the tent and finding your crew. You want an outfit that looks good without trying and doesn't mind getting dirty. Start with the Supreme Washed Short-Sleeve Top in Olive Brown, a soft, pre-washed tee that already has the lived-in look a campsite gives everything else. Add the Denim Tears Mesh Shorts in Brown to keep the earthy tones going and the air moving. Then the important part: the Kith x Salomon XT-4 OG in Maroon Banner. It's built on Salomon's trail platform, so it grips on dry grass and dusty tracks and copes with walking between campgrounds. Check our Salomon size guide before you order.

Afternoons in the vines

The middle days are long and usually hot, so this is the outfit to keep cool and covered. The FOG Essentials SS26 Classic Tee in Homestead Heather is light and boxy, with enough room for air to move through, and its soft heathered grey hides dust better than white. Pair it with the Eric Emanuel x Matty Boy EE Basic Short in Red, the mesh basketball short that has become a festival favourite, and shade your face with the Supreme World Famous Box Logo New Era in White. On your feet, the ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 in White Cream brings proper running-shoe cushioning to a day of standing and dancing, and its silver and cream tones sit neatly with the grey tee. Our ASICS size guide covers how the Kayano fits.

New Year's Eve: the main event

The 31st is the night to dress up. When the stage lights come on, sequins do the work for you: the Supreme Milan Sequin Short-Sleeve Top in Black catches every light while staying easy to wear with shorts. Keep it dark with the Supreme x Meissen Jacquard Short in Black, whose woven pattern gives the outfit texture without fighting the top. The Maison Margiela x Salomon XT-MM6 in Vanilla Ice is the statement shoe: it keeps the trail grip of a Salomon but looks like it belongs on a runway. Tie the Sp5der Spiderbite Track Jacket in Onyx round your waist for after the countdown, when the air in the vineyard cools down.

New Year's Day: the drive home

After four days on site, comfort wins. A matching set is the easiest way to look put-together with zero effort: the FOG Essentials Classic Track Jacket in Night Sea with the FOG Essentials Signature Classic Short in Night Sea. The jacket zips up for an early start and comes off when the car warms up. Finish with the ASICS Gel-NYC 2.0 in Clay Grey Cement Grey, a soft, cushioned runner in a tone that forgives a few days of festival dust.

Packing tips for a camping festival

Bring one pair of shoes you know are comfortable and one spare, because a single pair rarely survives four days of dust, spilled drinks and the odd wet night. Break new sneakers in for a week before you go. Pack a cap or hat for every afternoon, a light layer for every night, and more tees than you think you need. Keep a zip-lock bag for anything you don't want covered in dust. For more, browse our tees, shorts, headwear, Salomon and ASICS collections, or read our Laneway outfit guide for one-day festival fits.

Where to buy your R&V outfit in NZ

Every piece in this guide is available now at I'm Your Wardrobe. Everything is authentic and inspected, sent with tracked delivery anywhere in NZ, and every order ships free within New Zealand. You can also split your order with Afterpay. If you're not sure where to start, our NZ buying guides cover sizing and brands.

Rhythm and Vines 2026: the details

• Dates: 28 to 31 December 2026 (main programme 29 to 31 December)
• Venue: Waiohika Estate, Gisborne (final edition at this venue)
• Headliners: John Summit, KI/KI, Netsky, Vince Staples, BENEE, Sir Dave Dobbyn
• Where to get the fits in NZ: every outfit above is in stock now at I'm Your Wardrobe

Sources: Rhythm and Vines, 1News and RouteNote announcements, July 2026.

FAQ

When is Rhythm and Vines 2026?

Rhythm and Vines 2026 runs from 28 to 31 December 2026 at Waiohika Estate in Gisborne, with the main programme from 29 to 31 December.

Is Rhythm and Vines 2026 the last one in Gisborne?

Yes. The 2026 festival, called Chapter 24: The Final Dance in Gisborne, is the last at Waiohika Estate after 24 years. The festival moves to a new location in 2027, which has not been announced yet.

What shoes should I wear to Rhythm and Vines?

Wear broken-in sneakers with grip and cushioning, because you'll be walking and standing on grass and dirt for several days. Trail-based shoes like the Salomon XT-4 or XT-MM6, or cushioned runners like the ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1, are the most practical choices. Pack a spare pair too.