Festival goes for fairytale

Up to 30 acts are lined up to take the stage at this year's Sanctuary Sounds music festival at Pukehou. Photo / File

Preparations for this year's outdoor music festival, Sanctuary Sounds, are well under way, with nearly 30 national and local acts lined up for the three-day event at Pukehou.

Sanctuary Sounds is a music-oriented, not-for-profit initiative that has been holding music festivals, workshops, and alternative events in Central Hawke's Bay for the last 8-10 years.

This year from December 5 to 7, the 2ha property at Pukehou will be transformed into an enchanted forest and fairytale wonderland.

The festival will host headline acts Dusty Rhodes & The Bluesmobile and the Rude Boyz on the Friday night and Swamp Thing and Wellington cosmic dance act Orchestra of Spheres on the Saturday night.

Sunday will offer more of a relaxed vibe and an opportunity for some laid-back jamming.

Alongside the music there will be artisan stalls, food, a bar and camping sites available.

Where: College Rd, Pukehou - follow the signs.

When: December 5-7.

Cost: A weekend pass is $95, which includes Friday and Saturday-night camping. A one-day Saturday ticket is $55, which includes entrance and daytime parking but does not include the headline bands at night. Camping on Saturday night is $15 extra. Children aged 15 and under are free.

Tickets: Available at Espresso Loco, Waipukurau, Music Machine, Napier, via PayPal and at cosmicticketing.co.nz

More info: Visit www.sanctuary-sounds.co.nz to buy tickets and see the full lineup.