A sell-out hit: Hidden Lakes Festival takes over Hagley Park
Sunday, 29 December 2024
Colourful, chill and filled with happiness is one punter’s assessment of Christchurch’s sell-out festival Hidden Lakes Festival.
The fourth outdoor-party Hidden Lakes saw 6000 party-goers flock to Hagley Park on Saturday for a day of music, food and fun as the nation approaches the new year.
People of all ages danced in front of three stages as the electronic tunes of Australian artist and festival headliner Luude, drum and bass artist Lee Mvtthews, George FM DJ Brook Gibson and more lit up the park from noon to night.
It was the first time the festival has sold out, with the last of the tickets getting purchased about 5pm on the day, festival manager Dom Hawkey said.
Many summer festivals were held in destinations away from cities that involved camping and preparation, such as Rhythm & Alps, but the beauty of Hidden Lakes was it was in the heart of the Garden City, Hawkey said.
“We’re pretty happy about it.
“Christchurch is in quite a unique position where the venue we use for Hidden Lakes is smack bang in the centre of town. People can make the decision to just go to it.”
Hawkey said the crew put a lot of effort into ensuring there were a variety of food options, reasonably priced drinks and more share this year, which helped bring out the best of the one-day party.
Batwoman, aka Polly Wright, was among the punters roaming the stages.
Last year she attended the festival on a general admission ticket, but this year it was all about luxury.
The VIP ticket, which cost about $400, gave her access to private areas with unlimited food, drinks, and couches for her and her husband to relax on between sets.
She fuelled up on pork belly bites, deep fried cauliflower and chicken between visiting the Hidden, Lake and Park stages with thousands of others welcoming the in the festival season.
Wright, 58, said it was amazing to see the city’s festival life flourish over the past decade, with Hidden Lakes and Electric Avenue, which would be held in Hagley Park over two days in February.
“All it used to be was concerts in the Town Hall and inside venues, so it’s great to have all of these options.
“It’s just a nice big open space, feels like an early summer thing to do - when the weather plays nice.”
The wind came in strong towards the send of the festival, but Wright said it did not dampen the vibe of the party-goers who were colourful, chill and happy.
“I almost sold my mask for $100, but I thought, ‘No, I can’t take advantage of that young man’.”
The majority of festival goers were well behaved, a police spokesperson said.
“There were four arrests in total, two for trespass, one for detox, which was taken home, and one for possessing a knife and threats.”