Che Fu and The Kratez are headlining Hawke’s Bay’s Outfield Music, Food and Arts Festival.
Che Fu and The Kratez are headlining Hawke’s Bay’s Outfield Music, Food and Arts Festival.
The 2026 Hawke’s Bay Outfield Music, Food, and Arts Festival line-up has been announced, with Che Fu and The Kratez named as one of the headline acts.
The festival returns on Saturday, January 31, 2026, bringing its unique mix of live music, visual art, and culinary delights to thescenic surrounds of Te Awanga Downs in the Hastings District.
Festival goers can expect an eclectic mix of more than 35 performers across three vibrant stages: the Outfield Arena, Art Valley, and the Dance Yard.
Joining the line-up are Reb Fountain, Summer Thieves, Isaac Chambers and Dub Princess, and emerging talents The Splinters, a Hawke’s Bay punk band whose unapologetic energy and raw sound took them to second place at the 2024 Smokefree Rockquest national final.
Heaps Moore, the Hawke’s Bay Rockquest regional solo/duo winners from Havelock North High School, Liberty, and Willsy will also take to the stage.
Dick Johnson, Sin and Aunty El will perform along with Flowidus and Elipsa, Cashek and Fera Flow.
Off-stage, festival goers will discover art installations, roaming performers, interactive experiences and enchanting surprises through the magical forest led by artistic director Sophie Watkins alongside established local artists such as Bernie Winkels, Fish Radich, Joe Rowntree and Sam Savage.
Early bird tickets went on sale in August, with punters having to take a chance on the line-up as it had not yet been announced, but festival co-director Reuben Vergis said that was part of the charm.
He said the early bird allocations “pretty much sold out in a couple of days”.
“We had the best response for Outfield this year compared to any of the previous years and we can’t put it down to one particular motive.”
In August, Vergis said they were making an effort to keep the festival affordable, and they were standing by their community-first ethos.
He said they were thrilled to be able to announce the line-up, which he felt offered a wide mix of genres and styles with something everyone can enjoy.
“It’s always a massive undertaking putting a line-up together, and we are thrilled we feel like it really captures what Outfield is about.”
Outfield Music, Food and Arts Festival will return for the sixth year on January 31, 2026.
Vergis said not only are they excited to present Chef Fu to the crowd, but also to offer emerging talent a chance to take to the stage.
“Che Fu is without a doubt one of the most iconic voices within New Zealand music.
“He’s been the soundtrack to a lot of our road trips, and barbecues and catch-ups, so it’s going to be unreal to have someone like him headline Outfield.”
Vergis said the line-up was balanced, eclectic, and offered a chance to experience new music.
“There are some names that people may not recognise yet, but they will slot into people’s playlists once they come and enjoy them on the day.”
“There is something in it for everyone through the course of the day, and we are mindful of that and balancing the talent that we programme and the energy on the day, it’s got to appeal to everyone.”
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at outfieldfestival.co.nz.
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.
