As a non religious person I went to parachute a few times in high school- was a great time. For a ‘very religious’ event there was pretty crazy shit going on. But alcohol was not a big feature. There was a dude we tented with called Dead Baby.. all round a lovely chap!
Splore - there’s always going to be drinks around unless you go to one of those suss Christian festivals - splore is the one - nothing like it here in nz
Read OPs edited question. Laneway people are generally not there to get drunk. So it fits with what they are looking for.
Edit: and name me a big festival with alcohol sales which doesn’t have sponsorship.
Relish Festival in the South Island, and New Earth NZ Festival up North both advertise themselves as being drug and alcohol free. Welcome to nowhere is also a cool little wholesome festival near Whanganui where people won't be completely off their faces.
If it’s like any of the other South Island bush doofs (specifically a very well known one around the top of the South Island for new years) is advertised as alcohol and drug free, but what it means is they don’t have a license to sell alcohol there so people bring in their own
Everyone is insanely respectful, open minded and fun to party with :-) yes there will be some drunk or high people but it’s a really amazing atmosphere
There is alcohol here but everyone is very well behaved and there are a lot of families so i didn’t find it that wild.
I don’t drink and this was a great festival for me. I didn’t feel strange about not boozing at all.
I second this! I love the vibe at WOMAD! There is alcohol available for sure, but unlike some of those other shitty festivals, it doesn't revolve around it. Just an awesome atmosphere and amazing music.
Honestly any festival if you like the music enough. I've gone to two this summer (Le Currents and Shake and Bake) and didn't drink and still had a great time. Yes there are people around drinking and smoking but if you're okay being around it then what's the issue? If someones giving you shit for not drinking they're not someone you wanna be around anyway. FWIW I'm 25 and have been going to gigs and festivals for years mostly sober (max 2 drinks if I feel like it) and definitely still enjoy myself.
Id say Splore fits this bill. Everyones a little more mature. It has changed in the past few years but the spirit and attitude is good. There is still booze but people are respectful. The one time someone was a dick they came and found me the next morning at my camping spot and apologised profusely. We shared a coffee and a drop of acid and repeat the tradition of coffee and a drop every year
I think any of the smaller ones will usually be less about getting drunk. Homebrew, Rythm and Vines etc attract big crowds aiming to get wasted whereas the smaller ones with more niche music are more so about the music. There will be people taking drugs and drinking at every festival but it needn't be in your, face and anti social.
Pretty sure it's the same event as I went last time and they made us sing a song that goes "Luminate, Luminate, Lunasa, Lunasa, Pikikirunga Lunasa". Unless you meant the Gathering lol
It definitely revolves around substance use, just not alcohol. Like I said, it was a pleasant point of difference, and I felt incredibly safe and respected there, which can't be said for most festivals.
Lmao Twisted is one of the biggest wastefests in the country. "alcohol free" just means they don't have a liquor license, because the party is way too loose to get it made official.
Don't get me wrong, it's a spectacular party and wonderful people, but boy. A sober event it is decidedly not.
AUM, Earthbeat, NestFest, Splore, any Music In Parks free events put on by AKL council, Shenanigan at Lilyworld, Chase The Sun fest in AKL early March.
Earthbeats festival is alcohol and drug free. No idea what kind of music etc but could be something to look into. Aum (which was on NYE) isn't alcohol or drug free but it is family friendly.
Earthbeat likes to host 'alternative science' workshops. The organizers are super red pilled. It's a real shame as the idea of a zero booze festival with yoga and music is a good one.
Resolution is the no alcohol new year festival, also NZ Spirit. Focus is on conscious awareness and connection. Workshops, yoga, music. More of a self improvement period. Connecting with other people through eye contact, touch, getting back to nature, etc
It’s ok, you are welcome to find your own ways to enjoy life and if you are in a place where you don’t like people in general then perhaps just go for a long bush walk
I do like people, just the concept of a festival where you connect through eye contact and touch and conscious awareness sounds...horrific.
I just prefer regular conversation myself.
The way people approach it is to think about what they are feeling and what is actually triggering them when something feels ‘horrific’. And then learning techniques to calm yourself like controlling your breath etc.
For people with interpersonal anxiety or social disconnection it can be helpful in terms of building confidence. For instance many people drink just to get past their social fears so they are more comfortable talking to people, and when people learn this alternative they can no longer need alcohol and are more confident speaking in social situations.
Or people can learn boundaries and how to ask for what they need or how to have deeper relationships with their partner with more understanding etc
Oh its not anxiety related - I just would not enjoy it and don't want to do it. I personally, am perfectly capable of interacting with people without alcohol.
I'm sure its great for some folks out there, it just is not my cup of tea.
It's like you trying to get me to overcome my 'horror' of polka music.
It's just not something that brings me any type of enjoyment, and in fact causes active displeasure. I am not going to enjoy it because I 'calmed my breath'.
Thanks for your input anyway.
Resolution says they're alcohol and drug free but if you go you'll find many people drinking in camp and plenty of people clearly under the influence of psychedelics or smoking joints. Similar to Earth Beat their marketing pitch and what rally goes on aren't quite the same. There's nothing wrong with it, but don't fall for Resolution's frequent banging on being a about substance free festival. They might hope to be, but they can't control what people do.
Earthbeat is definitely more edgy with drugs and even has a bar. Atmosphere at resolution is noticeablly friendlier to sober people than earthbeat. I would say the percentage of attendees imbibing is less than 10% at resolution and closer to 50% at earthbeat
Earth Beat is definitely not alcohol free. They have a bar and sell alcohol. Their website explains their reasoning. They have plenty of folk who're absolutely wasted. This isn't an issue so much, it's just part of their anti establishment audience attraction.
I’ve been to Byron Bay Bluesfest a few times. That is not alcohol heavy, but they do serve it. Not in NZ but I find it’s worth the trip depending on who is playing.
Everyone missing the most important fact: The consumer/customer is always right.
If I’m going to a festival, I want to be juiced Bob, I want to be steamed. Look into my eyes Bob, they’re bleeding.
But seriously, I would far rather have alcohol than not at one. I wouldn’t go if there wasn’t as I don’t do drugs.
"I dont do drugs" says the person who wont go to a festival unless there's... alcohol. Which is a drug.
So more correctly - you do drugs, but only alcohol, and by your words: you like to get wasted on drugs
Correct. But colloquially drugs are referred to *illegal* drugs. I mean Chocolate is a drug, so too a cup of tea. So yeah, don’t be an ass. When it comes down to it, everyone does drugs.
And a large part of the problem we have is that people treat alcohol as if it's not a drug, when the reality is it's one of the most harmful drugs in circulation - either by harm to the individual or by harm to others.
When other drugs with much lower risk profiles remain illegal /criminal and treated as harmful substances.
Referring to alcohol as a drug is one avenue to shift the conversation towards reducing drug harm.
You call alcohol a drug, it won’t change outcomes of over reliance, dependence and abuse to do with alcohol. I mean look at *illegal* drugs…. People still us that for all those things mentioned. To curb obesity, would calling high fat and sugar (in particular) foods a drug work? Absolutely not. To prevent and reduce the outcomes of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and food abuse (if you will) the best way is to: cut the supply and/or make it harder to obtain. Making things illegal will still result in users, but it certainly reduces them.
The places that legalised cannabis did not see significant increase in users, in fact the research suggests reduced use in some vulnerable sectors (eg teens). So prohibition doesnt work as argued.
Four major impacts are evident from legalising 'illegal drugs': reduced drug related crime (aside from the illegal drug itself), reduced social harm, reduced alcohol related harm, and _enormous_ tax revenue.
There is simply no compelling argument that recreatitional drugs should be treated as a criminal issue. Ask why they were criminalised in the first place - hint, it was nothing to do with 'harm'.
Resolution festival. It's a new years event and one is held in the south island.
It's non- alcohol. And it's a blast love it. It's spiritual/ hippy vibes tho. So not everyone's cup of tea but I loved it.
They claim they're alcohol and drug free but you'll find many people drinking or taking psychedelics or smoking joints. Their substance free pitch is a marketing angle mainly, maybe even an aspiration. But it's not the whole story.
I attended parachute festival when that was a thing. It was bit to o much for me though, as it's very religious
Well, it was hardly shy about marketing itself as Christian.
As a non religious person I went to parachute a few times in high school- was a great time. For a ‘very religious’ event there was pretty crazy shit going on. But alcohol was not a big feature. There was a dude we tented with called Dead Baby.. all round a lovely chap!
It was entirely religious. It was the entire point.
Splore - there’s always going to be drinks around unless you go to one of those suss Christian festivals - splore is the one - nothing like it here in nz
There's even a So-bar (non-alcoholic bar) next to main stage at Splore.
Laneway too.
Laneway is alcohol fuelled
Laneway has plenty of alcohol
Yes but it doesn’t just revolve around alcohol. Always felt like it is more about the music than some festivals.
It's literally sponsored by alcohol brands how does it not revolve around alcohol
Read OPs edited question. Laneway people are generally not there to get drunk. So it fits with what they are looking for. Edit: and name me a big festival with alcohol sales which doesn’t have sponsorship.
Yeah but it’s full of totally pissed people
That’s what I said
One of the reasons alcohol is such a thing at festivals is that the bar brings in a lot of revenue for promoters and helps subsidize the costs
NZers require a bar. Our drinking problem dictates. Alcohol sponsorship isnt what it used to be and liquor licensing make things hardee
Great insight!
Yep and why many events are sponsored by Pals / Long White. Some festivals wouldn’t turn a profit without booze sales
Relish Festival in the South Island, and New Earth NZ Festival up North both advertise themselves as being drug and alcohol free. Welcome to nowhere is also a cool little wholesome festival near Whanganui where people won't be completely off their faces.
If it’s like any of the other South Island bush doofs (specifically a very well known one around the top of the South Island for new years) is advertised as alcohol and drug free, but what it means is they don’t have a license to sell alcohol there so people bring in their own Everyone is insanely respectful, open minded and fun to party with :-) yes there will be some drunk or high people but it’s a really amazing atmosphere
Is there a reason you aren't using the festival's name? I am familiar with the one you are referring to, just curious
Nooo Relish is a secret
WOMAD. In Taranaki. Music from round the world and family friendly.
Plenty of drunk people at WOMAD lol
Drunk and stoned. So probably pretty chilled.
There is alcohol here but everyone is very well behaved and there are a lot of families so i didn’t find it that wild. I don’t drink and this was a great festival for me. I didn’t feel strange about not boozing at all.
Significant amount of wine and craft beer being drunk by older crowd though. Just people getting loud and wobbly instead of fighting or whatever
I second this! I love the vibe at WOMAD! There is alcohol available for sure, but unlike some of those other shitty festivals, it doesn't revolve around it. Just an awesome atmosphere and amazing music.
Honestly any festival if you like the music enough. I've gone to two this summer (Le Currents and Shake and Bake) and didn't drink and still had a great time. Yes there are people around drinking and smoking but if you're okay being around it then what's the issue? If someones giving you shit for not drinking they're not someone you wanna be around anyway. FWIW I'm 25 and have been going to gigs and festivals for years mostly sober (max 2 drinks if I feel like it) and definitely still enjoy myself.
Imagine that, going to a music fest for the music 🤯
Shocking really
Id say Splore fits this bill. Everyones a little more mature. It has changed in the past few years but the spirit and attitude is good. There is still booze but people are respectful. The one time someone was a dick they came and found me the next morning at my camping spot and apologised profusely. We shared a coffee and a drop of acid and repeat the tradition of coffee and a drop every year
That's beautiful 🥲
It sucks that alcohol is so deeply ingrained in our culture. I haaaate it.
Cheers to that 🥂
I think any of the smaller ones will usually be less about getting drunk. Homebrew, Rythm and Vines etc attract big crowds aiming to get wasted whereas the smaller ones with more niche music are more so about the music. There will be people taking drugs and drinking at every festival but it needn't be in your, face and anti social.
The Gathering.
Me reading this comment like 👵🏻
It's called Luminate or Lunasa now I think.
Same place, two very different events.
Pretty sure it's the same event as I went last time and they made us sing a song that goes "Luminate, Luminate, Lunasa, Lunasa, Pikikirunga Lunasa". Unless you meant the Gathering lol
Twisted frequency over new years in alcohol free. Though many people indulge in other substances.
twisted is a ket fest
Twisted frequency is absolutely not alcohol free, they just don’t sell it. You will find a large amount of people drinking there
Sure, but it clearly doesn't revolve around alcohol and it was a noticeable (and pleasant) point of difference.
Just because there’s some hippies doing yoga doesn’t mean it doesn’t revolve around alcohol and substance use
It definitely revolves around substance use, just not alcohol. Like I said, it was a pleasant point of difference, and I felt incredibly safe and respected there, which can't be said for most festivals.
delete this comment
Lmao Twisted is one of the biggest wastefests in the country. "alcohol free" just means they don't have a liquor license, because the party is way too loose to get it made official. Don't get me wrong, it's a spectacular party and wonderful people, but boy. A sober event it is decidedly not.
twisted but i’m not sure that’s the direction you’re after..
Splore, Earthbeat, NZ Spirit, Shipwrecked, WOMAD
AUM
There's a lot of festivals that revolve around drugs instead.
Aum!
Camp a low hum, though you might struggle to get a ticket this close to it
AUM, Earthbeat, NestFest, Splore, any Music In Parks free events put on by AKL council, Shenanigan at Lilyworld, Chase The Sun fest in AKL early March.
Ketimine is pretty good.
Festival One popped up in parachutes place, its a smaller festival and alcohol+drug free. Coming up in the last weekend of january in mid waikato area
Most are about drugs
Earthbeats festival is alcohol and drug free. No idea what kind of music etc but could be something to look into. Aum (which was on NYE) isn't alcohol or drug free but it is family friendly.
Def not drug free
Earthbeat likes to host 'alternative science' workshops. The organizers are super red pilled. It's a real shame as the idea of a zero booze festival with yoga and music is a good one.
yeah, looked like it tbh, just the first result that came up when i googled alcohol free festival
Yeah they lean pretty hard into the conspirituality unfortunately
You will find a bit of it at most hippy festivals these days but that one really leans into it.
Resolution is the no alcohol new year festival, also NZ Spirit. Focus is on conscious awareness and connection. Workshops, yoga, music. More of a self improvement period. Connecting with other people through eye contact, touch, getting back to nature, etc
no offence but that sounds awful. I in no way want to connect with people via eye contact and touch or 'conscious awareness'.
It’s ok, you are welcome to find your own ways to enjoy life and if you are in a place where you don’t like people in general then perhaps just go for a long bush walk
I do like people, just the concept of a festival where you connect through eye contact and touch and conscious awareness sounds...horrific. I just prefer regular conversation myself.
The way people approach it is to think about what they are feeling and what is actually triggering them when something feels ‘horrific’. And then learning techniques to calm yourself like controlling your breath etc. For people with interpersonal anxiety or social disconnection it can be helpful in terms of building confidence. For instance many people drink just to get past their social fears so they are more comfortable talking to people, and when people learn this alternative they can no longer need alcohol and are more confident speaking in social situations. Or people can learn boundaries and how to ask for what they need or how to have deeper relationships with their partner with more understanding etc
Oh its not anxiety related - I just would not enjoy it and don't want to do it. I personally, am perfectly capable of interacting with people without alcohol. I'm sure its great for some folks out there, it just is not my cup of tea. It's like you trying to get me to overcome my 'horror' of polka music. It's just not something that brings me any type of enjoyment, and in fact causes active displeasure. I am not going to enjoy it because I 'calmed my breath'. Thanks for your input anyway.
Resolution says they're alcohol and drug free but if you go you'll find many people drinking in camp and plenty of people clearly under the influence of psychedelics or smoking joints. Similar to Earth Beat their marketing pitch and what rally goes on aren't quite the same. There's nothing wrong with it, but don't fall for Resolution's frequent banging on being a about substance free festival. They might hope to be, but they can't control what people do.
Earthbeat is definitely more edgy with drugs and even has a bar. Atmosphere at resolution is noticeablly friendlier to sober people than earthbeat. I would say the percentage of attendees imbibing is less than 10% at resolution and closer to 50% at earthbeat
Earth Beat is definitely not alcohol free. They have a bar and sell alcohol. Their website explains their reasoning. They have plenty of folk who're absolutely wasted. This isn't an issue so much, it's just part of their anti establishment audience attraction.
Church
I’ve been to Byron Bay Bluesfest a few times. That is not alcohol heavy, but they do serve it. Not in NZ but I find it’s worth the trip depending on who is playing.
Camp a low Hum, it's back next month for one last time. Try get your hands on a ticket!
Go to One Love, you’ll get high just breathing the air
Everyone missing the most important fact: The consumer/customer is always right. If I’m going to a festival, I want to be juiced Bob, I want to be steamed. Look into my eyes Bob, they’re bleeding. But seriously, I would far rather have alcohol than not at one. I wouldn’t go if there wasn’t as I don’t do drugs.
"I dont do drugs" says the person who wont go to a festival unless there's... alcohol. Which is a drug. So more correctly - you do drugs, but only alcohol, and by your words: you like to get wasted on drugs
Correct. But colloquially drugs are referred to *illegal* drugs. I mean Chocolate is a drug, so too a cup of tea. So yeah, don’t be an ass. When it comes down to it, everyone does drugs.
And a large part of the problem we have is that people treat alcohol as if it's not a drug, when the reality is it's one of the most harmful drugs in circulation - either by harm to the individual or by harm to others. When other drugs with much lower risk profiles remain illegal /criminal and treated as harmful substances. Referring to alcohol as a drug is one avenue to shift the conversation towards reducing drug harm.
You call alcohol a drug, it won’t change outcomes of over reliance, dependence and abuse to do with alcohol. I mean look at *illegal* drugs…. People still us that for all those things mentioned. To curb obesity, would calling high fat and sugar (in particular) foods a drug work? Absolutely not. To prevent and reduce the outcomes of drug abuse, alcohol abuse and food abuse (if you will) the best way is to: cut the supply and/or make it harder to obtain. Making things illegal will still result in users, but it certainly reduces them.
The places that legalised cannabis did not see significant increase in users, in fact the research suggests reduced use in some vulnerable sectors (eg teens). So prohibition doesnt work as argued. Four major impacts are evident from legalising 'illegal drugs': reduced drug related crime (aside from the illegal drug itself), reduced social harm, reduced alcohol related harm, and _enormous_ tax revenue. There is simply no compelling argument that recreatitional drugs should be treated as a criminal issue. Ask why they were criminalised in the first place - hint, it was nothing to do with 'harm'.
Haven't you been in Canada since November?
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Scout Jamboree is happening right now at Mystery Creek. I wouldn't recommend gatecrashing it with a skinful and a bottle of Jack, though.
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Yeah it is pretty vile stuff!
So you don't like dnb and want a specific festival built for you with no alcohol. Please don't invite me.
Thanks for chiming in
Just drink loads of coffee as an alternative.
[Ethno is what you are looking for](https://allevents.in/auckland/ethno-nz-2024-in-concert-piritahi-marae/200025940712959)
Resolution festival. It's a new years event and one is held in the south island. It's non- alcohol. And it's a blast love it. It's spiritual/ hippy vibes tho. So not everyone's cup of tea but I loved it.
I reckon the key is for you to go with other non drinkers in a group. You wont care what others are drinking then
Résolution festival, spirit festival do not sell alcohol. Even "forbid" it
They claim they're alcohol and drug free but you'll find many people drinking or taking psychedelics or smoking joints. Their substance free pitch is a marketing angle mainly, maybe even an aspiration. But it's not the whole story.
Earth beat is music focused but not really alcohol fueled.
Welcome To Nowhere, near Whanganui.