Revealed: The new location of Homegrown music festival

The Jim Beam Homegrown festival has found its new home. Photo / Alexander Hallag

Wellington’s favourite waterfront festival will be welcomed to Waikato in 2026, with Jim Beam Homegrown organisers announcing its new host city.

The next Homegrown festival is at the Claudelands Oval in Hamilton on March 14 next year.

Organisers announced in January the iconic Kiwi-only music event would leave Wellington after 18 years.

They cited “a myriad of personal and logistical reasons”, including being unable to grow the festival within the Wellington waterfront location.

Festival director Andrew Tuck and co-director Michael Lamusse said they were proud Waikato locals, and the event was “coming home” to the place “where it all began”.

The team ran the extreme sports event X*Air at Claudelands for three years before moving it to Wellington for four years.

X*Air gradually evolved into the Homegrown festival.

“Returning to the Waikato is not just about nostalgia; it’s about creating something that celebrates our roots and gives back to the region that inspired us,” Tuck said.

“We want the whole of Aotearoa to feel proud of this festival, and we are committed to making it unforgettable”.

The organisers said Hamilton’s status as New Zealand’s fastest-growing city offered potential to “expand and evolve while staying true to its roots”.

Its central location was another reason for choosing it.

Homegrown has been calling Wellington home for 18 years.

“Accessibility is key for Homegrown,” Tuck said.

“Being close to such a large population makes this dream even more achievable”.

According to the release, several cities presented hosting proposals, but Hamilton’s “unique charm and cultural significance” stood out.

Recent large-scale events in Hamilton include the Six60 concert in 2021 and the Summer Concert Tour 2024, both at Claudelands Oval, and the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023.

Hamilton has hosted multiple large scale events, including the Six60 concert at Claudelands Oval in 2021.

Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said with Hamilton-Australia flights starting in June, the event would be easily accessible for Kiwis and international tourists.

Waikato Chamber of Commerce chief executive Don Good said the move was a great opportunity “in so many ways”.

“With the festival’s reputation for selling out and drawing crowds of more than 20,000, local businesses can expect a surge in foot traffic and revenue.”

Homegrown has taken place on Wellington’s waterfront since it started in 2008, growing from a crowd of 10,000 to 23,000.

It showcases genres including rock, reggae, and hip-hop, and has hosted iconic acts including Sir Dave Dobbyn, Shihad, Six60, Shapeshifter and Opshop.

A Wellington City Council spokesperson said while the council was “disappointed” to see Homegrown leave Wellington, they understood the decision.

“We will continue to explore new opportunities to bring exciting experiences to our community. We wish the festival organisers all the best in their new location”.

Mitchell Hageman joined the Herald’s entertainment and lifestyle team in 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Hawke’s Bay Today.

Danielle Zollickhofer is a multimedia journalist and assistant news director at the Waikato Herald. She joined NZME in 2021 and is based in Hamilton.