Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival

Each May, the Bay of Islands fills with the sounds of country music as New Zealand’s longest-running country music festival takes over Paihia and Russell. For three days, the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival brings together more than 40 acts from New Zealand, Australia, and occasionally the United States, performing across multiple venues in one of the country’s most beautiful coastal settings. With nearly four decades of history, the festival has become an institution for country music fans, drawing regular attendees who book their accommodation year after year to secure their spot at this iconic Northland event.

The Festival at a Glance

The Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival runs over three days in May, transforming Paihia and Russell into a country music hub. More than 40 bands and solo artists perform across multiple venues, including hotels, clubs, and outdoor spaces throughout both towns. The festival format allows attendees to move between venues throughout the day and evening, catching different acts and experiencing various atmospheres as they go.

Weekend passes give access to all venues and performances across the three days, offering exceptional value for the amount of live music on offer. The festival includes a printed programme so attendees can plan their weekend around their favourite acts, though many regulars enjoy the spontaneity of wandering between venues and discovering new artists along the way. Day passes are also available for those who can’t commit to the full weekend.

Street performances and line dancing sessions add to the festival atmosphere, with impromptu music appearing throughout Paihia and Russell as the weekend progresses. The compact nature of both towns means everything is within walking distance, though a free shuttle service runs between venues to make getting around even easier. A weekend ferry pass is available for those moving between Paihia and Russell, which hosts several festival venues.

Three Days of Country Music

The festival kicks off on Friday with performances starting in the early evening and running late into the night. Multiple venues operate simultaneously, giving attendees the choice of intimate club settings or larger hotel function rooms depending on their preference. Some venues lean toward traditional country, while others feature more contemporary country rock sounds, ensuring there’s something for every taste within the genre.

Saturday is the festival’s biggest day, with music running from late morning through to the early hours of Sunday. The variety of acts means attendees can catch established New Zealand country artists, rising stars making their festival debut, and occasionally international performers who’ve built followings in this part of the world. The atmosphere builds throughout the day as the venues fill and the music flows, with crowds moving between locations to follow favourite bands or simply see what’s happening next.

Sunday maintains the momentum with another full day of performances, though the schedule typically winds down earlier in the evening as both performers and attendees acknowledge the weekend is drawing to a close. The final performances often take on a celebratory tone, with musicians who’ve played throughout the weekend sometimes joining each other on stage for impromptu collaborations.

More Than Just Concerts

What sets this festival apart from a typical concert series is the sense of community it creates. Many attendees return year after year, with some having attended for over two decades. Friendships form between fans who only see each other at this annual gathering, and there’s a genuine camaraderie between performers and audiences that reflects country music’s inclusive spirit.

Line dancing features prominently throughout the weekend, with dedicated sessions at various venues where both experienced dancers and complete beginners join in. These sessions become social events in themselves, with the dance floor providing another way for festival-goers to connect. Even those who claim they can’t dance often find themselves swept up in the welcoming atmosphere.

The street performances that appear throughout Paihia and Russell add an unexpected dimension to the festival. Musicians set up in public spaces between their scheduled venue performances, drawing crowds of both festival pass-holders and curious tourists who’ve stumbled upon the music. These informal sessions capture the laid-back Far North atmosphere and often become some of the weekend’s most memorable moments.

The Spectator and Visitor Experience

While the festival is aimed at country music enthusiasts, visitors to the Bay of Islands during the festival weekend can still enjoy the atmosphere without committing to a full festival pass. The street performances are free to enjoy, and the buzz around Paihia and Russell is noticeably different during festival weekends, with a friendly, festive energy pervading both towns.

For those who do purchase passes, the multi-venue format means the experience can be tailored to individual preferences. Some attendees plan their weekend meticulously, mapping out which artists they want to see and when, while others prefer a more relaxed approach, following the music and seeing where the night takes them. Both approaches work well given the festival’s structure.

Accommodation books out well in advance for festival weekends, with many regular attendees reserving their preferred motels or holiday parks immediately after one festival ends to secure their spot for the following year. The festival organizers maintain relationships with local accommodation providers, making it easier for newcomers to find suitable places to stay, though booking early remains essential.

A Long-Standing Tradition

Running for nearly 40 years, the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival is New Zealand’s longest-running country music festival. It has weathered changes in musical tastes, economic ups and downs, and the challenges that face any long-term event, surviving through the dedication of its organizers and the loyalty of its attendees. That longevity speaks to the quality of the festival and the genuine love of country music that underpins it.

The festival has become a significant event for New Zealand’s country music community, offering artists a prestigious platform and giving fans a concentrated dose of the genre in a stunning location. For many performers, appearing at the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival represents a career milestone, while for audiences, it’s an opportunity to see multiple acts they’d otherwise need to travel around the country to catch.

Local venues and businesses benefit from the influx of visitors, with restaurants, cafes, and bars experiencing one of their busiest weekends of the year. The festival has become an important part of the Bay of Islands’ event calendar, bringing people to the region during May when tourism typically quiets after the summer peak.

Plan Your Visit

If you’re a country music fan, the Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival deserves a spot on your calendar. The combination of quality music, multiple venues, and the Bay of Islands setting creates an experience that’s hard to replicate elsewhere in New Zealand. The festival’s multi-day format means you get genuinely immersed in the music and atmosphere rather than just attending a single concert.

Booking accommodation early is crucial—many of the best options fill up months in advance. The festival organizers maintain a list of supporting accommodation providers on their website, and staying at one of these venues often means you’re close to other festival attendees, adding to the communal atmosphere.

Weekend passes offer the best value and fullest experience, though day passes allow those with limited time to still participate. The festival programme is usually released closer to the event date, giving attendees time to familiarize themselves with the lineup and plan which acts they don’t want to miss.

For full event details, lineup information, ticket sales, and accommodation options, visit the Bay of Islands Music Festivals website.