Among the first campers to arrive at the Rhythm & Alps festival in the Cardrona Valley are (from left) Sophie Gilchrist, Tomasina Martin and Brooke McMahon, of Blenheim. PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIRThe first group of campers have set up their tents at the Rhythm & Alps festival in the Cardrona Valley as Otago’s biggest New Year festival gets set to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Yesterday afternoon the first of thousands of festival-goers — 500 campers from across the country — arrived to secure the perfect camping spot and enjoy "campers’ night" at Rhythm & Alps. A drone image of the Rhythm & Alps setup on "campers’ night" before 10,000 attendees arrive for the event today and tomorrow. Rhythm & Alps was founded in 2011 by Alex Turnbull and the website describes the festival as the South Island’s sister to Gisborne’s Rhythm & Vines.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 29, 2025 15:35 UTC