Marchfest - NZ's Big Little Craft Beer Festival

 

Marchfest is a unique craft beer and music festival celebrating it’s 18th year. Held in Nelson, at the top of the South Island, and set in the beautiful, traffic-free environment of Founders Heritage Park, Marchfest will take place on Saturday, March 29th 2025 from 1-9pm (R18) and Sunday March 30th 2025 from 11am - 3pm (All ages)

The Nelson region is New Zealand’s sole hop growing area – and has more craft breweries per head of the population than anywhere else in the country. Unlike ordinary beer festivals, all the beers available at Marchfest have been specially commissioned for the event and have never previously been tasted by the public.

 

Every year around 15 craft breweries produce a new beer for the event. These beers all make their world debut at Marchfest. Most are Top of the South breweries with a few invited guest brewers to round out the taste and style of beers available.

 

Unlike other beer festivals, Marchfest is not just about beer. It’s also about local wines, ciders and juices and regional cuisine. As well as its ‘event genre mash-up’ insistence on being a craft beer festival, an iconic kiwi music gig, a hops showcase, an educational forum for home/wannabe brewers. It’s a winning formula!
 

Great live music is always a big feature of Marchfest and 2025 will be no exception.

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*NEW for 2025* we introduce Marchfest Sunday Sessions - come back on Sunday 30th for round two and bring the kids! An all-you-can-eat BBQ lunch along with chill music in the sun, or and of course beer! Which ones? who knows! 

 

Welcome to Marchfest, Nelson and New Zealand's little big craft beer festival - a celebration of music, food, fun and of course, proper beer.

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Please note: Saturday is R18 ONLY and Sunday is family-friendly.