Day-tripping festival in New Zealand

Music fans distraught at the end of the British festival season could find some winter joy by flying to New Zealand for the annual Big Day Out festival in Auckland.

This wildly popular event will see some of the biggest names in pop, rock and dance take to the stage at the Auckland Mount Smart Stadium to entertain thousands of revellers on January 19th.

An offshoot of the original Australian touring festival, the forthcoming show will see the likes of Tool, Muse, the Killers and the Sleepy Jackson rub shoulders with up-and-coming artists such as The Veils and Shapeshifter from 11:00 local time onwards.

Visitors to New Zealand will also be able to enjoy food, drink and souvenirs from a number of stalls between and during sets and witness a number of side events alongside the main performances.

With a total of 223,000 people turning up all of the Big Day Out festivals in Australia and New Zealand, travellers should get their tickets early to ensure they do not miss out on the biggest music event to hit sunny Auckland.

For more information, see the Big Day Out website.

• Dubai voted world's best travel destination
• Barbados prepares to host jazz festival
• Flights resume in Bangkok
• Flybe confirms new flights for summer 2009
• New tour route opened in Australia
• Dominican Republic named top Caribbean golf spot
• Melbourne Airport sees record month
• New Zealand wins another travel award
• Currency expected to influence holiday decisions
• Govt criticised for APD increase