Splore 2026 will return to Tāpapakanga Regional Park in Auckland this February with a bold new vision and a killer line-up.
The three-day celebration gets even more exciting with the second drop of its music programme, as well as the announcement of 2026’s much-anticipated festival theme.
Co-curated by Shaquille Wasasala, aka Half Queen, alongside long-time festival curator John Minty, this stellar international and local line-up brings the best of music and art from home and around the world, set across six stages in one of the most beautiful festival locations in the world.
Each year, Splore sets a theme that becomes the shared language and spark for their well-known legendary dress-ups. The reveal is always a little mysterious, always much-awaited.
This year, the name is simple: BEINGS. Beings represent everyone. Being here, being present, just… being. All our glorious, perfectly wobbly, imperfect Beings.
This announcement marks the much-anticipated return to the stage of the iconic Coco Solid [Kuini Control] with CoconutClouds, celebrating timeless queer storytelling and showcasing the new vanguard of Kiwi artistry.
Another local icon, JessB returns to Splore showcasing the re-release of her original breakout mixtape with bonus songs including ‘Okay Then’, ‘Boohoo’, and ‘Don’t Stop’ featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Roze Don, as well as a captivating Baltimore Club-style remix of ‘Bullseye’ produced by HalfQueen & Pasquinel.
Dubbed Italy’s Daft Punk, Mind Enterprises, who are leading the Italo Disco revival (yes, it’s a thing), also join the Splore line-up. Literally building a cult following overnight, Mind Enterprises’ mildly ironic party sound has led to over half a billion streams of their track “Never Going Home”.
Also announced is American singer Parson James, whose genre-blending sound and deeply emotional storytelling have positioned him as one of the most distinctive voices in modern pop and dance music.
His perspective as a queer, biracial artist raised in the conservative South has shaped a narrative that is as emotionally powerful as it is culturally important.
And adding to the party flavour, Splore welcomes back Glastonbury favourite, The Beatles Dub Club and Brooklyn’s most fabulous and dynamic house music duo, Monstah Black and Manchild Black, who are The Illustrious Blacks.
Local punk heroes, Dick Move, join the lineup along with DJs BBYFACEKILLA b2b Snakelegs, Arcadia, Love Language, Hudge, Bobby Brazuka, Dastardly Bounder, Rose Alice and DJ Banty.
With this complete lineup announcement, the Splore team have reflected on the challenging nature of putting a festival together in this day and age.
Gratitude sits at the centre. The team remains thankful for a loyal audience who return to Tāpapakanga.
So, the invitation stands. A full spectrum of beings, in every state of being. World-class, New Zealand at its finest, salt air on the breeze. Be curious, be kind, just be here.
