About

Port Noise showcases a diverse and carefully-curated selection of musicians and artists at the forefront of arts communities in Aotearoa and abroad.

By actively involving and collaborating with our community, we transform the shared car park and courtyard connecting three neighbouring iconic venues in Ōhinehou. We fill this space with our own stages, merchandise, and pop-ups, along with local hospitality, lighting installations, and artist-led micro experiences. The result is an immersive and interconnected sensory wonderland, easily accessible to all. This vibrant transformation is made possible through the enthusiastic participation of local businesses, artists, and arts-practitioners, who infuse the entire experience with their creativity and passion.

Our next festival takes place on February 21st, 2026.

Contact us here.

F.A.Q

How do I get home from Lyttelton?
Good news. There’s a late-night bus.
The #8 NIGHT BUS will run an after-hours service from 11pm–2am, departing from Canterbury Street every 30 minutes.
It follows the regular Route 8, taking you safely through the tunnel to the city and onward stops.

Tickets are $15 and available now through Humanitix or at the bus zone if not sold out.

What is a “Secret Show”?
When you arrive at the Main Event, you’ll receive a small slip of paper with a time and nearby location.
That slip is your personal invitation to a secret show, a non-listed, non-advertised performance happening only once.
Turn up at the right time and place, present your slip, and enjoy something extra special.

Can kids come?
Yes, children are permitted if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
However, please note that Port Noise is not designed for children, and the environment, sound levels, and late hours may not be suitable. Tickets are the same price regardless of age.

How accessible is Port Noise – The Main Event?
We aim to make Port Noise as accessible as possible.
Some areas of the festival involve tight spaces, stairs, uneven ground, and fixed cabling.
There are three accessible entry points:
Canterbury Street (Main Stages)
Loons
London Street (Coffee Co Stage)
Loons, the Main Stage, and Lyttelton Coffee Company are accessible venues.
Wunderbar is stair-access only.
We use minimal strobing and clearly note any strobe use in the timetable.
If you have access questions or specific needs, please contact us at
admin@portnoise.co.nz. We’re happy to help where we can.

What is “The Week Of Port Noise”?
A week of carefully curated events in the lead-up to Lyttelton’s biggest party - The Main Event.
Each event is ticketed separately.
Please double-check what you’re buying, Week Of Port Noise events do not include entry to the Main Event, and vice versa.

Food & drink at the Main Event
We’ll have market stalls featuring Lyttelton’s finest food vendors, plus bars serving:
3 Boys beer
Boneline wine
Bee (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options)
Most vendors accept EFTPOS, but having some cash on hand is a good idea.

Can I leave and come back?
Yes. Your wristband allows unlimited re-entry throughout the event.
This lets you move between venues, attend secret shows, grab food elsewhere, or take a breather.
Please note: alcohol cannot be taken outside the licensed festival grounds.