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New Zealand's 10-Day Country Music Festival
22 MAY - 31 MAY 2026 I GORE I NZ

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Tussock Country - New Zealand's Country Music Festival is an annual event held over ten days in late May in Gore, Eastern Southland.

 

It brings the surrounding rural community and the New Zealand country music community together for 80+ events celebrating music, food, rural life, entertainment and camaraderie.

 

The festival incorporates long running events including the MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards, Country Music Honours and Freeze Ya Bits Off Busking.

 

Tussock Country Music Festival supports dozens of community groups, hundreds of artists and entertains thousands of patrons every year. It’s welcoming, well organised and represents all that’s wonderful about heartland New Zealand.​

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FEATURED EVENTS

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TUSSOCK COUNTRY LATE NIGHT

23 MAY 2026

Get ready to get rowdy in Gore. Enjoy all the country bangers you love, live and up loud, in a relaxed, party setting. Sing, dance and be merry until the sun has long set. 

10 DAY MECCA FOR MUSOS

View all events, workshops, jams and opportunities for artists
10 DAY MECCA FOR MUSOS

View all events, workshops, jams and opportunities for artists

Trying to get in touch with Tussock Country? 

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©  Copyright 2025 New Zealand Country Music Festival Trust

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