Published on
December 16, 2025
The Splore Festival, one of New Zealand’s most beloved music and art festivals, will be holding its final edition in 2026 after nearly two decades of celebrating creativity, music, and culture. The festival, renowned for its eclectic lineup and immersive experience, has been a staple on the country’s cultural calendar since its inception. However, its future has been cut short, largely due to economic challenges, lower-than-expected ticket sales, and the long-lasting impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Festival with Deep Cultural Roots
Founded in the early 2000s, Splore Festival quickly grew into a major cultural event in New Zealand. The festival was renowned not just for its live music but for its dedication to art, performance, and the celebration of local and international talent. As a multi-day event held in the scenic surroundings of Tapapakanga Regional Park, it offered a combination of musical performances, art installations, interactive experiences, and a sense of community that attracted a loyal following.
However, despite its storied success and immense popularity over the years, the festival’s owner and curator has announced that the 2026 edition will be its last. The decision was driven by various economic factors, including the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the ripple effects of the Covid-related disruptions that have had a lasting impact on event planning across the globe.
The Economic Struggles Facing Festivals Worldwide
Splore Festival‘s closure is not an isolated event. The global festival landscape has been in turmoil since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, with event cancellations and postponements disrupting the live entertainment industry. Festivals, in particular, have faced significant challenges in recovering from the pandemic’s effects, as travel restrictions, health protocols, and financial uncertainty dampened attendance.
For New Zealand, the impact of the pandemic and subsequent economic conditions was especially stark. The festival industry, which relies heavily on both local attendees and international tourists, suffered a significant setback. Splore Festival was no exception, with several years of uncertainty clouding its future.
Despite the return of many festivals, the pandemic had long-term consequences on consumer behavior, travel patterns, and ticket sales. For many music and art festivals like Splore, the post-pandemic world has seen more cautious spending habits, especially in regions facing higher living costs. In this environment, it becomes increasingly difficult for festivals that are not financially independent or supported by external funding to stay afloat.
The Strain of the Cost-of-Living Crisis
The cost-of-living crisis, a direct result of inflation and economic instability, further compounded Splore Festival‘s challenges. With rising expenses for accommodation, travel, and entertainment, many potential festival-goers are scaling back their travel plans and opting for more affordable alternatives. This trend has had a significant impact on ticket sales for many events, including Splore, which struggled to meet its expected attendance numbers in the lead-up to its final edition.
For the tourism industry in New Zealand, this represents a broader shift in consumer behavior. The rise in prices for essential goods and services has led to a reduction in discretionary spending. For festivals, this translates into fewer ticket sales and lower revenues, even for long-established events with a dedicated following.
The New Zealand festival tourism sector has seen a noticeable decline in both local and international attendance, with many events unable to reach the audience levels required for profitability. In this context, Splore Festival‘s inability to recover its financial footing is a reflection of the broader economic pressures faced by the country’s cultural tourism industry.
A Last-Ditch Effort to Secure Funding
In an effort to salvage the festival’s future, Splore Festival applied for funding through the New Zealand government’s $70 million event boost fund. This initiative was designed to provide financial relief to festivals and events struggling to recover from the pandemic. Splore’s application was described as “comprehensive” and “persuasive”, outlining the festival’s significance to the cultural fabric of New Zealand and its potential to revitalize the local tourism economy.
However, despite the festival’s strong application, it was ultimately unsuccessful in securing the much-needed support. This decision was a blow to the festival’s prospects and signified the ongoing challenges faced by arts and culture events trying to navigate the complex economic environment. Without the funding, the festival’s future was uncertain, and after careful consideration, the decision was made to wind down the event.
The Impact of Splore’s Closure on New Zealand Tourism
The closure of Splore Festival in 2026 will have significant implications for the local tourism sector. The festival has been a major draw for domestic and international visitors, attracting thousands of attendees each year. For many tourists, attending Splore was a chance to experience the best of New Zealand’s music scene while immersing themselves in the country’s stunning landscapes and vibrant arts culture.
As the festival’s final edition approaches, there will likely be a tourism ripple effect in the region, with businesses relying on the festival’s influx of visitors seeing a reduction in their customer base. Hotels, transport services, local restaurants, and retail stores in the Auckland region traditionally benefitted from the hundreds of visitors the festival brought each year. As these tourism dollars dry up, it will be a tough loss for these small businesses that depend on the seasonal traffic.
Additionally, the festival’s artistic contributions to the region, such as public art installations and community outreach, have been central to New Zealand’s cultural tourism. The festival’s closure could lead to a gap in this type of experiential event, potentially reducing the country’s appeal to visitors seeking a holistic arts experience.
While it is clear that Splore Festival will leave a void in the cultural landscape of New Zealand, it is also a stark reminder of the fragility of the event-based tourism industry. Festivals are vulnerable to a variety of economic forces, and Splore‘s closure highlights the difficulties many festivals face in a post-pandemic world.
The Broader Impact on the Global Festival Industry
Splore Festival’s closure is not just significant for New Zealand—it’s a microcosm of the larger global challenges faced by the festival and live events industries. Festivals worldwide are battling similar economic constraints, struggling to recover from the financial losses incurred during the pandemic. Many smaller festivals, especially those reliant on ticket sales and governmental funding, are seeing their viability threatened by economic uncertainty and rising operating costs.
In the context of global tourism, Splore’s demise could signal a shift in how tourists view music and art festivals. Festivals as travel destinations may see reduced demand as cost-conscious travelers prioritize more affordable experiences. With many cultural and music events facing financial difficulties, the tourism industry may need to rethink how it supports these festivals to ensure their survival.
The closure of significant festivals like Splore may lead to a shift in consumer interests, with travelers looking for different kinds of cultural experiences or smaller, more intimate events. Festivals may also need to adapt their offerings, focusing on sustainability and more local, community-driven experiences to align with current economic realities.
The Future of Festival Tourism in New Zealand
Despite Splore Festival‘s closure, New Zealand’s festival tourism scene is unlikely to be derailed entirely. The country still boasts a rich selection of cultural and musical festivals that continue to draw travelers from around the globe. From the Auckland Arts Festival to the Wellington Jazz Festival, New Zealand remains a key destination for those seeking unique cultural experiences.
The loss of Splore will be felt deeply within the New Zealand tourism industry, but it also highlights the need for adaptation and innovation in the face of changing economic conditions. Future festivals may need to shift their focus toward local audiences and seek new revenue models, such as hybrid events that blend in-person and digital experiences, to stay viable in an increasingly unpredictable market.
Conclusion: A Farewell to Splore and What’s Next for New Zealand’s Festival Scene
The 2026 edition of the Splore Festival will mark the end of an era for New Zealand’s music and arts scene. As the festival draws its final curtain, it highlights the impact of economic forces on the cultural tourism industry. The loss of such an iconic event will undoubtedly leave a gap in the country’s festival offerings, but it also serves as a reminder of the broader challenges faced by the live events industry worldwide. As New Zealand looks to the future, it will need to innovate and adapt in order to sustain and grow its festival tourism sector.
While Splore may be ending, the spirit of creativity, music, and community that it fostered will continue to resonate within the cultural fabric of New Zealand, inspiring future generations of artists, performers, and festival-goers.
