The speakers will be off and the lights will be out at many music festivals across the country this New Year's Eve.
COVID restrictions mean many of the largest events like Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines have been postponed.
But Christchurch is cementing itself as the new home of the headline act.
It's not often the Garden City is associated with young, fizzed-up, festival-goers ready to bring in the New Year.
But with Rhythm and Vines postponed in Gisborne and Northen Bass being put off until Auckland Anniversary Weekend, Canterbury is cashing in on COVID cancellations.
"People from the North Island are looking to come party with their southern brothers and sisters, so yeah it's looking good," says Hidden Lakes organiser Mitchell Ryder.
Hidden Lakes is a brand-new festival taking place at Hagley Park on Tuesday, bringing some of the world's best electronic artists including Wilkinson and Hybrid Minds to Christchurch.
Around 2000 people attended a similar event last year but this time ticket sales have tripled.
"It's just a really fun time of the year, it's a great way to launch the New Year, Christchurch has had a lack of large-scale events so it just kind of made sense really," Ryder says.
An hour up the road in Waipara, 4000 people are expected to welcome in 2022 at Rolling Meadows, with Rhythm and Alps proving a hit further south too.
"It's so cool that people are returning to Christchurch, finally something to look forward to," one person says.
With more than 500 Air New Zealand flights set to touch down here in Christchurch this week, local businesses are bracing for a boom.
"It's amazing to be able to work with local suppliers who have been really struggling for work for a long time," Ryder says.
It's not just fans but artists getting excited too. There are eight international DJs on Tuesday's lineup, with some having gone through New Zealand MIQ for a third time.
"It's a really special place. They love the atmosphere from the crowd, there is a huge bass music following in New Zealand, it just makes sense," Ryder says.
With all attention turning to the mainland, it appears there are no hard feelings from the competition.
"I mean the industry as a whole is a really tight-knit little family, we all have our little squabbles like all families do, but there is a really strong family vibe, everything has just been lovely," Ryder says.
The excitement is being felt in all corners of the Garden City ahead of a busy few days ahead.
