There are plenty of beer festivals popping up around the country this summer. Here is a run-down on the main festivals coming up in the first part of 2026.

Saturday, 31 January 2026 — Great Kiwi Beer Festival at Hagley Park, Christchurch

  • https://greatkiwibeerfestival.co.nz/
  • Festival vibe: Featuring over 35 craft breweries and 300 unique beers and ciders, and Th’ Dudes performing live, along with other great Kiwi music acts, plus interactive tasting workshops, seminars, and street food stalls
  • GA ticket cost: $67.19. Over 10,000 people are expected to be there.

Saturday, 14 February 2026 —South Island Beer Festival at Ilam Homestead, Christchurch

  • https://www.sibf.nz/
  • Festival vibe: small festival but perfectly formed. Voted Best Canterbury Beer Event by the members of the Society of Beer Advocates for many years on the trot.
  • GA ticket cost: $67.19, includes a real glass and five 250ml beers.  Limited to 1,000 tickets.
beer festivals

Saturday, 21 February 2026 — Ales and Eats Festival, Levin

  • https://www.alesandeatsnz.com/
  • Festival vibe: the coolest little food, beer and cocktail festival in the Horowhenua and Manawatu.
  • GA ticket cost: $49 + Booking Fee

Saturday, 28 February 2026 — Beers at the Basin, Wellington

beer festivals

Saturday, 28 February 2026 — Beast of a Feast, Mount Maunganui

  • https://beastofafeast.flicket.co.nz
  • Festival vibe – includes great music from LADI 6, P Money, Avalanche City, and
    Foo Fighters Cover Band
  • GA ticket cost: $81.36 for second release tickets
beer festivals

Saturday, 7 March 2026 — Kegkoura, Kaikoura

Saturday, 28 March 2026 — Marchfest, Founders Park Nelson

  • https://www.marchfest.com/
  • Festival vibe: 2026 is the 19th year celebration of ‘NZ’s Big Little Craft Beer Festival’
  • GA ticket cost – $50 + booking fee 

Saturday, 18 April 2026 — NZ Brewers Festival, Brewtown Upper Hutt

  • https://www.brewtown.co.nz/event/monstermash/ 
  • Festival vibe: 20 of Aotearoa’s best breweries will descend on Brewtown to pour every style you could possibly desire, from crisp lagers, cold IPAs and hoppy pale ales, to funky sours, smoky porters, rich pastry stouts – and everything in between.
  • GA ticket cost – $44.96
beer festivals

Finally, there does not appear to be any beer festivals in Auckland in Q1 2026 but keep an eye on https://www.beersinthepark.co.nz. The website says: “Coming to a new Auckland location in 2026.”

Also, the Rare Beer Challenge is being held at 16 Tun. Check the Rare Disorders Facebook page for details. Further afield the Brew of Islands should be on again in Kerikeri in June https://www.brewofislands.co.nz/