UTR 2025 Roundup + New Year's Eve Gig Picks

And so we must bid 2025 adieu. Our UTR editorial team will be away from the office until 12th January [email advance promo info HERE] and the UTR ticketing crew are manning the help desk [HERE] during the break period.

We've had a blast bringing you the best Aotearoa music coverage we possibly could in 2025, we hugely appreciate everyone who supported your local independent music news and ticketing site over the past twelve months. Massive thanks to NZ On Air, NZ Music Commission, Student Radio Network, all the artists, venues, event organisers and promotors, labels, advertisers, writers, interviewers, photographers, everyone who used our ticketing service, our official UTR supporters [see HERE to get involved], all the readers, and of course every single gig-goer keeping Aotearoa's live music community vital and pumping. Peruse our specially selected New Year's Eve Gig Picks below and bring on 2026!

UTR's 2025 Favourite Music Moments

Listen To UTR's 2025 End Of Year Playlist

NEW YEAR'S EVE GIG PICKS

Auckland / Northland

Sat 27th Dec: CHURCH presents Friends First - Hosted By Jess B ft. Marjorie Sinclair, Callmeak, Ihra - Ghost Donkey
Wed 31st Dec: Rapture ft. Anirvan Deva, Di Sun Seraph, Gabriella Gonzalez, Shulgin - The Button Factory
Weds 31st Dec: Recliner Rockers - Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai
Fri 2nd Jan: DAILY J - The Stables Restaurant and Venue
Sun 4th Jan: Logg Cabin In Session - Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Leigh
Sun 4th Jan: Love Square - Dave & Daves, Rakino Island
Mon 5th Jan: Love Square - Palm Beach Hall, Waiheke Island

Waikato / Coromandel Peninsula

Mon 29th Dec: DAILY J - Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi
Weds 31st Dec: The Yard New Years Eve - The Yard Cafe & Venue, Raglan

Hawkes Bay / Bay Of Plenty

Sat 27th Dec: Smash Summer Sesh X ft. 15 Acts Over 2 Stages - Smash Palace, Gisborne
Sat 27th Dec: TEMPO 38, THE SPLINTERS, PUNCHING, SHOT - BONESHED, Havelock North
Weds 31st Dec: TEMPLE OF THE GRUNGE, DAVE AGAINST THE MACHINE, DOWN WITH THE SYSTEM
Fri 2nd Jan: Glasshead Presents King Hit & Twiay - Blackbird Records, Papamoa
Sat 3rd Jan: YESYESNO, 5 O'clock Shadows, Cam Burns - Hygge Cafe, Hastings

Wellington

Weds 31st Dec: New Year Jazz Jamboree ft. the Ambassadors of Swing - The Undercurrent

Nelson-Tasman / Marlborough / West Coast

Sat 27th Dec: KITA - Le Cafe, Picton
Sun 28th Dec: KITA - Deville, Nelson
Weds 31st Dec: DORADO EXPERIMENT, FAIRYDOGS, DELUSIONAL DISCO DRONGOS - Mussel Inn, Tākaka
Fri 2nd Jan: Newtown Rocksteady, Fraser Ross, The Felt Tips - The Boathouse, Nelson
Sat 3rd Jan: Clube Do Choro Chch w/ Special Guests - Fairfield House, Nelson
Sat 3rd Jan: Sam Fowles, Suena Oro - The Dog's Bone, Nelson

Canterbury

Fri 26th Dec: Keanu Raves (All Night Long) - Galaxy Bar, Christchurch
Weds 31st Dec: Party Rockin' New Year's Eve 2025 - Wunderbar, Christchurch
Sun 4th Jan: Old Man Luedecke - Wunderbar, Lyttelton

Otago / Queenstown-Lakes District / Southland

Fri 26th Dec: Letters To Lions - Yonder, Queenstown
Sat 27th Dec: Falling Doves - Yonder, Queenstown
Sat 27th Dec: Julian Temple Band - Swan Room, Invercargill
Mon 29th Dec to Weds 31st Dec: Rhythm and Alps - Cardrona Valley, Wānaka
Weds 31st Dec: Triumphs, Filth Wizard, Brackish - The Crown Hotel, Dunedin
Fri 2nd Jan: Jordan Luck Band - Luggate Hotel, Wānaka
Sat 3rd Jan: Jordan Luck Band - Luggate Hotel, Wānaka
Sat 3rd Jan: RD1, Chris Penman, Lara Rose, The Dunedin Ceilidh Orchestra - Hanover Hall, Dunedin

Head over to our Gig Guide for more listings!!