Craft beers and sunshine – Marchfest returns to Nelson

Marchfest pours bigger than ever, with a bold new format bringing together 20+ breweries, 100+ beers, and more opportunities to meet the makers behind your favourite drop.

Craft beer, live music, and golden summer vibes return to Nelson when Marchfest takes over Founders Heritage Park on Saturday, 28 March 2026. Now in its 19th year, the much-loved festival is unveiling a fresh new format designed to give festivalgoers more choice, more flavour, and a deeper connection to New Zealand’s thriving craft beer scene.

This year, Marchfest is welcoming more than 20 independent breweries, each with their own stand and lineup of beers to explore. Instead of a limited number of festival-only brews, attendees can discover a huge variety of styles, from crowd favourites to brand-new releases, all in one place. With over 100 beers on offer, it’s the most expansive tasting experience in the festival’s history.

Breweries already confirmed include local favourites The Mussel Inn, Sprig + Fern, Aliment, Golden Bear, and Acoustic Brewing, alongside standout breweries such as Behemoth (Auckland), Emerson’s (Dunedin), Boneface (Upper Hutt), Parrotdog (Wellington) and many more from across the country. They’ll be joined by a selection of cider, wine, brandy and cocktail makers, ensuring there’s something for every taste.

On the music front, Marchfest 2026 is serving up a healthy dose of nostalgia. Headlining the lineup is Danger 80s – Rock the 80s, New Zealand’s hottest tribute show, bringing powerhouse vocals, big-hair energy, and anthems from Queen, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, and more. They’ll be joined by a stellar mix of local and national acts including Steph Casey, Slippery People, Rich & The Poor Boys, Spinzoa, and Brad Staley Trio, delivering all-day live music to keep the good vibes flowing.

Tickets can be purchased online at marchfest.com.