A towering wooden trojan horse, the centrepiece of the Riversdale's Burning Horse Festival, is finally destined to meet its fiery end next weekend (16-18 Feb).

The three-day music and arts festival, conceived by Riversdale farmer Zebulon Horrell and a bunch of his mates, first ran on his Northern Southland sheep farm in 2018.

However a Southland-wide fire ban last year (2023), prohibited the festival's large wooden horse sculpture from being torched as planned.

But recent summer rains, and a return to an open fire season, have put the burning firmly back on track for this years festival.

Horrell said it was probably the largest horse in New Zealand, and not burning it last year had actually turned into a godsend.

"..it's a massive relief not having to construct it again this year. We've been able to channel that energy into refining our systems and crafting three new spectacular stages."

Horrell said this year's edition promised to be its grandest yet with final release tickets still available.

"We're truly excited about this one."

"We've curated a lineup of extraordinary musicians and workshop facilitators, both local and further abroad."

"With fingers crossed for gentle breezes on Saturday, we're eagerly anticipating the cathartic and ecstatic experience of the burning of the horse," Horrell said.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Burning Horse Festival.