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

Bayleys 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 60+ 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.

Bayleys 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

MLT NZ GOLD GUITAR AWARDS

29 MAY - 31 MAY 2026

This prestigious event is the longest running and largest country music club competition in New Zealand. Country musicians of all ages compete for the coveted Gold Guitar Award.