The lead act for the 2026 Ōpōtiki Lantern Festival has been announced with Australian/New Zealand band Coterie headlining alongside special performances from Ladz of the Mist, Ellaphon, DJ Luca and Raena Smith.

This year’s festival is on Saturday, March 21 at Princess Street Reserve.

Ōpōtiki District Council experience and engagement co-ordinator Iranui Huriwai said having such a well-known artist headline was a real boost for the festival.

“The Lantern Festival is really popular every year and we always have amazing acts headlining and supporting to get the crowd engaged and dancing.

“This year is absolutely no exception, and we are excited to have Coterie here in town and we know they’re going to love our local flavour.”

Coterie, a band of four brothers who were born in New Zealand but grew up in Perth, first broke the New Zealand market in 2022 with their Platinum hit Cool It Down.

Immersed in a world of surf and art, the band have developed a unique blend of soulful rock music with perfect four-part harmonies

Since then, Coterie have toured with Six60 on their 2022/2023 New Zealand stadium tour and enjoyed sold out headline shows across Aotearoa and Australia.

Last year, Coterie won Songwriters of the Year at the Waiata Māori Music Awards and were nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards and Best New Zealand Act at the MTV EMAs

“This year, with the festival a little later in the year than previously, we’re hoping to hold on to a little bit of that famous Eastern Bay of Plenty sunshine for the afternoon,” Ms Huriwai said. “So, bring shade for the afternoon and warm rugs and blankets for a picnic as it may get cooler later in the evening for those not dancing.”

There will be eftpos available, but no cash at the gate.

“Please bring a card if you haven’t got tickets in advance,” she said.

“There will also be plenty of food trucks and market stalls inside, so bring a little more for a snack or meal.”

This is a whānau friendly event – no alcohol, drugs, smoking, pets/animals or gang patches on site.

Ōpōtiki Lantern Festival
■ Where: Princess Street Reserve
■ When: 2pm, Saturday, March 21
■ Tickets: Eventfinda and Ōpōtiki isite