Reggae legends UB40 will be returning to Rotorua.

Featuring original members Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey Virtue, the group will play at the Lakefront on January 9 as part of their nationwide Red Red Wine Vineyard Tour.

Promoter Jackie Sanders, of Jacman Entertainment, said they had to bring back reggae to Rotorua.

"The fans have made it clear they want a summer festival here and despite not being a vineyard, we feel it still fits with the tour in terms of the beautiful location and atmosphere," she said.

The Rotorua event will have additional special guests and selected wines from the vineyards on the tour.

The original line-up of UB40 enjoyed huge success from 1979 to 2008, with number one albums, multiple gold and platinum selling albums, Grammy nominations, four worldwide number one hits and more than 70 million in sales.

They have been crowd favourites at the Raggamuffin festival, playing in front of 30,000 at the Rotorua International Stadium in 2008 as part of their last tour together.

"I love Rotorua, I don't mind the smell, I quite like that - it goes with the mysticism of the place," Campbell told the Rotorua Daily Post that year.

"I think it is a beautiful and special place - and, of course, more beautiful and more special given that 25,000 people turn up."

Early bird tickets will be available to Jacman Entertainment subscribers from 9am tomorrow at a cost of $79 plus booking fee.

General public early bird tickets will go on sale from 12pm tomorrow on the eventfinda website until sold out, after which remaining tickets will be $99 plus booking fee.

VIP tickets will include a premium view of the stage, exclusive bar and toilet facilities and a couple of New Zealand wines.

Go to www.jacman.co.nz, www.eventfinda.co.nz or call 0800 BUY TIX (289 849).