Marchfest

Marchfest Official Marchfest Page. Marchfest is a unique craft beer and music festival, held in New Zealand’s sunniest city, Nelson, at the top of the South Island.

Welcome to Marchfest, NZ’s big little craft beer festival | 29-30th March 2025 | Nelson - Tickets on sale NOW
Saturday Main event - ages 18+
Sunday Session - all-ages Set in the beautiful, traffic-free environment of Founders Heritage Park, the 15th Marchfest takes place on Saturday, 4th March 2023. And unlike other beer festivals, Marchfest is not just about beer, there will be a tasting bar, bre

wing demonstrations, a food and beer matching lunch, children’s entertainment, delicious foods, local ciders and wines and much more. As well as its ‘event genre mash-up’ insistence on being a craft beer festival, an indie/world music gig, a hops showcase, an educational forum for home/wannabe brewers and a family-friendly day out. It’s hard to believe such a combination can work, but the thousands of people who attend each year are testimony that it does! As well as great music and great beers, there will be a tasting bar, brewing demonstrations, a food and beer matching lunch, children’s entertainment, delicious foods, local ciders and wines and much more.

How good is this?! The Rock Roadies are bringing QB’s cheesy snacks to Marchfest! 🧀🎉 Catch them on March 29th, scan the ...
25/03/2025

How good is this?! The Rock Roadies are bringing QB’s cheesy snacks to Marchfest! 🧀🎉 Catch them on March 29th, scan the QR code, and you could WIN a whole bunch of cheesy goodness! 🤩

Catch The Rock Roadies at Marchfest 2025 on March 29th at Founders Park, Nelson—scan the QR code to win QB’s Crunchy Cheese snacks and enjoy top South Island craft breweries with live music from ZED!

🎟️ Last chance for $40 tickets! 🎟️Marchfest is just around the corner, and this is your final reminder—tickets are only ...
24/03/2025

🎟️ Last chance for $40 tickets! 🎟️

Marchfest is just around the corner, and this is your final reminder—tickets are only $40 until midnight on Friday! After that, they jump to $50 online and at the gate.

Got a big crew? If you round up 11 mates, you’ll score a ticket for free! Now that’s a deal worth toasting to. 🍻 Lock in the best price now and save those extra dollars for a fresh, exclusive festival brew.

Tag your friends, grab your tickets at www.marchfest.com, and we’ll see you at Founders this weekend! 🎶🍺

23/03/2025

🚨 Marchfest is THIS weekend—are you ready? 🚨

Marchfest is happening this weekend at Founders Park—get ready for epic brews, killer live music, and a whole lot of fun! 🍻�

Haven’t got your tickets yet? Don’t wait—grab yours now at www.marchfest.com!

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🍺 14 exclusive beers from 14 breweries

Ground Up Brewing – Bold Brews Incoming!🍺🍺Straight outta Wānaka, Ground Up Brewing doesn’t do ordinary. These guys are a...
23/03/2025

Ground Up Brewing – Bold Brews Incoming!🍺🍺

Straight outta Wānaka, Ground Up Brewing doesn’t do ordinary. These guys are all about pushing limits—whether it’s scaling mountains or crafting next-level beer.

We can’t wait to see what they’ve brewed up for Marchfest, but one thing’s for sure: they don’t follow the beaten path, and they sure don’t do ordinary. Expect a brew with serious character and plenty of adventure.

Who’s thirsty for some? 🙋🏻‍♀️ See you at Marchfest! 🍻

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟 Tickets at www.marchfest.com

🍻 Sprig + Fern Brewing Co. – What’s Brewing, Legends?🍻Nelson’s very own craft beer royalty is back at Marchfest, and you...
21/03/2025

🍻 Sprig + Fern Brewing Co. – What’s Brewing, Legends?🍻

Nelson’s very own craft beer royalty is back at Marchfest, and you know they’re bringing something good. With Master Brewer Tracy Banner at the helm, Sprig + Fern has a knack for creating beers that people can’t stop talking about.😎

This year, they’re brewing up something exclusive just for Marchfest. Smooth? Hoppy? A total flavour bomb? We have no idea—but knowing Sprig + Fern, it’s gonna be an absolute ripper.🙌

See you at Marchfest—cold ones incoming!🍺

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟 Tickets at www.marchfest.com

🎶 Big thanks to The Breeze Nelson 97.6FM,  FM Nelson 92.8 and The Rock 94.4 for cranking up the buzz for Marchfest! 🎤🙌Th...
20/03/2025

🎶 Big thanks to The Breeze Nelson 97.6FM, FM Nelson 92.8 and The Rock 94.4 for cranking up the buzz for Marchfest! 🎤🙌

These legends have been backing our events for years, and we love the energy they bring! From on-air shoutouts to fun promos, they always know how to spread the word in style.

Cheers for the awesome support—we can’t wait for more good times ahead! 🎧🎉

The Breeze Nelson 97.6FM, More FM Nelson is a part of MediaWorks, home to some of New Zealand's most loved radio brands from Mai FM, The Edge, George FM, More FM, The Breeze, The Rock, The Sound, Magic, Humm, Channel X and streaming app, rova.

Want to score a free afternoon at Marchfest?We need a few more crew for Saturday 29th, 12-4.30pm to complete our roster ...
20/03/2025

Want to score a free afternoon at Marchfest?

We need a few more crew for Saturday 29th, 12-4.30pm to complete our roster - here's what you get for volunteering 4.5hrs of your time:
🍻 Complimentary Entry to Marchfest after your volunteer shift (29th only)
🍻Souvenir Marchfest Crew T-Shirt and Marchfest glass
🍻 Marchfest voucher for 1 standard drink (Beer/Wine/Cider/Non-Alc)
🍻 Spend the day being part of the best little craft beer festival in NZ!
Click here to apply https://forms.gle/aJtZmD6d6ddsDSuQ7

🎸 Jackie Bristow – Bringing the Soul to Marchfest!🎤From the South Island of New Zealand to the musical melting pot of Na...
20/03/2025

🎸 Jackie Bristow – Bringing the Soul to Marchfest!🎤

From the South Island of New Zealand to the musical melting pot of Nashville, Jackie Bristow’s journey has been nothing short of epic. Now splitting her time between Wānaka and the USA, she’s bringing her soulful sound to Marchfest, and we couldn’t be more pumped!

Catch Jackie live at the Saturday main event from 4-4:50 PM and the Sunday session from 2-3 PM. Whether you're there for the brews or the tunes (or both!), you’re in for a treat!

Get ready for some Americana magic and a whole lot of groove—Jackie Bristow is about to take Marchfest to the next level! See you there! 🍻

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟️ Tickets at www.marchfest.com

18/03/2025

🎉 We Have a Winner! (Or should we say… default champion? 😂)

We asked for the most creative, hilarious, or heartwarming reason why your mate deserves a spot at Marchfest… and, well, with two absolute legends battling it out in the comments, we had no choice but to crown a winner!

🥁 Drumroll, please…🥁 Jay O Evans! 🎊

With a nomination that covered everything from battling through a wine degree meant for someone else to achieving the prestigious title of “Kept Male & Child Tamer,” Jay’s mate Ari Migele Fratucelli Achterberg made a compelling (and deeply entertaining) case.

So, Jay—grab your best drinking hat and get ready, because you and Ari are heading to Marchfest 2025 for FREE! 🍻🎶

Next time, folks… let’s step it up, yeah? These two are having way too easy a time winning.😆

Cheers and see you at Founders!

The Mussel Inn – A Golden Bay Icon Bringing Something Special to Marchfest!🤩Deep in the heart of Golden Bay, Mussel Inn ...
18/03/2025

The Mussel Inn – A Golden Bay Icon Bringing Something Special to Marchfest!🤩

Deep in the heart of Golden Bay, Mussel Inn isn’t just a brewery—it’s a way of life. Rustic, quirky, and full of character, this legendary spot has been serving up good times since ‘92. From their hand-built brewery to their laid-back, no-fuss atmosphere, everything about Mussel Inn is uniquely Kiwi.

And for Marchfest? They’re bringing something special—something exclusive for Marchfest. What is it? Well, you’ll have to be there to find out! One thing’s for sure—when Mussel Inn rolls into town, you’re in for a treat. 🍻

See you at Marchfest!

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟 Tickets at www.marchfest.com

✨🍻 Step into the Brew Zone at Marchfest!🍻✨Ever wondered how to brew your own epic craft beer?🍺 The Brew Zone is where th...
18/03/2025

✨🍻 Step into the Brew Zone at Marchfest!🍻✨

Ever wondered how to brew your own epic craft beer?🍺 The Brew Zone is where the magic happens! ✨ Watch passionate home brewers in action as they fire up their own brew systems, chat with them about hops, malts, and the art of fermentation, and get the inside scoop on how to turn your kitchen into a mini brewery.

Need gear? Nelson’s own League of Brewers will be on-site with all the equipment and know-how to get you brewing like a pro. Whether you're a seasoned home brewer or just beer-curious, this is the place to be.

🍺 Open from the start of Marchfest until 5pm.

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟 Tickets at www.marchfest.com

A massive shoutout to our incredible Brew Zone sponsors! 🍺✨Our home brewers at Marchfest 2025 will have top-quality ingr...
17/03/2025

A massive shoutout to our incredible Brew Zone sponsors! 🍺✨

Our home brewers at Marchfest 2025 will have top-quality ingredients to craft their brews, thanks to:

🍺 Lallemand Brewing – providing world-class yeast to fuel fermentation�
🌱 Clayton Hops NZ – supplying premium hops for bold, fresh flavours�
🌾 Gladfield Malt – delivering top-notch malt for the perfect brew base

With over 100 years of fermentation expertise, Lallemand Brewing is passionate about supporting brewers of all levels. Paired with Clayton Hops’ fresh NZ-grown hops and Gladfield’s expertly crafted malt, our Brew Zone is set for something special!

Cheers to our sponsors for making this home-brewing experience possible! 👏

Beer glasses aren’t just for beer… 🍷😉Beer might be the star, but it’s not the only player at Marchfest! This year,Unkel ...
17/03/2025

Beer glasses aren’t just for beer… 🍷😉

Beer might be the star, but it’s not the only player at Marchfest! This year,Unkel Wines is bringing the goods for all the wine lovers, too! But here’s the twist—no wine glasses this year! Every drop of their delicious Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and special White Blend will be poured straight into your Marchfest beer glass.

Because great wine doesn’t need fancy glassware—it just needs good company and a great festival vibe! 🙌

Unkel’s approach? Let the wine do its thing, keep it natural, and make every sip one to enjoy with mates. $10 a glass. One beer glass. All the options.

Cheers to that! 🍻🍷

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟 Tickets at www.marchfest.com

🎉 Sunday Session at Marchfest – The perfect way to wrap up the weekend!After a full-on Saturday of craft beer, killer ba...
16/03/2025

🎉 Sunday Session at Marchfest – The perfect way to wrap up the weekend!

After a full-on Saturday of craft beer, killer bands, and amazing vibes, stick around for the Sunday Session! We’re keeping the good times rolling with a laid-back afternoon of live music, all-you-can-eat BBQ by Chur Bol BBQ, and of course, some crafty brews. 🍖🍻

It’s a family-friendly event, so bring the kids along too! Just a heads-up, kids need a ticket too, but don’t worry – you can easily add one to your adult ticket.🎟

Marchfest may be winding down, but the fun doesn’t stop on Sunday! So grab a friend or bring the family and soak up the festival atmosphere one last time!

See you there! ✌️

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟️ Tickets at www.marchfest.com

🍻 Keep the Festival Vibes Alive with the Marchfest Box 2025! 🍻We’re stoked to be teaming up with Craft Box Direct to bri...
15/03/2025

🍻 Keep the Festival Vibes Alive with the Marchfest Box 2025! 🍻

We’re stoked to be teaming up with Craft Box Direct to bring you a super exclusive Marchfest 2025 Festival Box! This limited-edition 8-pack features unique brews from the festival, including:

🍺 DNA Brewery | Chaotic Pale Ale�
🍺 Hop Federation | Generations XPA�
🍺 Ghost Brewing | Root Beer

These beers were brewed specifically for Marchfest, and you won’t find them anywhere else! 😎 Once they’re gone, they’re gone, so don’t wait around!

This is your chance to experience the one-off, small-batch festival beers from home! Pre-order now and get your hands on these exclusive brews shipped straight to your door in early April 2025. 🍻📦

Don’t wait! This offer is strictly pre-order, and stocks are limited.

🔥 Pre-order at www.craftboxdirect.com/beer/marchfest-beer-festival-limited-box

Craft Box Direct believes that New Zealand has some of the best beer in the world. Their goal is to promote the local beer culture by curating the finest craft beers from independent breweries and delivering them straight to your door. Every month, their BJCP-certified beer judges select the best of the best to create mixed boxes and gift packs, always including a variety of styles and breweries from across Aotearoa.

🍷🍏 Marchfest is all about celebrating good times – and that means drinks for everyone and every tastebud!!🍹🍷 Wine lovers...
15/03/2025

🍷🍏 Marchfest is all about celebrating good times – and that means drinks for everyone and every tastebud!!🍹

🍷 Wine lovers, Wines is pouring Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a special White Blend – served straight into your Marchfest beer glass. No fuss, just pure wine goodness!

🍏Peckham's Cider's award-winning ciders are ready to tickle your taste buds! Made from 20+ apples grown right here in Upper Moutere, these ciders are rich, fruity, and full of flavour.

🍹 Craving something different? Alchemist Mixology is stirring up brew-inspired cocktails that’ll have you coming back for more!

And don’t worry, FREE water💧is available throughout the park, Pete’s Natural Juice will be available at the wine bar, and our food vendors will have a selection of non-alcoholic drinks too.

So, raise your glass (whatever’s in it) and enjoy the day – Cheers!🥳

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟️ Tickets at www.marchfest.com

🤩Nelson’s Brewing Legends Eddyline Brewery New Zealand Bring Something Bright to Marchfest!🤩Marchfest isn’t just about g...
14/03/2025

🤩Nelson’s Brewing Legends Eddyline Brewery New Zealand Bring Something Bright to Marchfest!🤩

Marchfest isn’t just about great beer—it’s about unique beer, and this Nelson staple is delivering exactly that. Owners Mic and Molley Heynekamp are bringing a Bright Session IPA to the festival, a crystal-clear brew bursting with juicy, tropical flavours. 🍍It got all the hop-forward goodness of a New England IPA, but without the hazy sweetness—just fresh, flavourful, quaffable goodness at a sessionable ABV.

Are you new to their brewery? You’re in for a treat - they’ve got a beer for every mood—crisp to sweet, light to dark, bitter to juicy, or just cold and crisp!

Oh, and the most unexpected food pairing they’ve heard of? Chicken feet with a West Coast IPA—because why not? 🍺🐔👀

Catch them at Marchfest on March 29-30 and get a taste of their latest creation!

📆Marchfest Saturday 29th March, 1-9 PM (R18)
📆Sunday Session 30th March 11 AM - 3 PM (All-ages)
📍Founders Heritage Park, Nelson
🎟 Tickets at www.marchfest.com

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MarchFest is a unique craft beer and music festival, held in New Zealand’s sunniest city, Nelson, at the top of the South Island. Set in the beautiful, traffic-free environment of Founders Heritage Park, the 13th MarchFest will take place on Saturday 14th of March 2020. 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.

And unlike other beer festivals, MarchFest is not just about beer. It’s also about local wines, ciders and juices, regional cuisine (including a beer and food matching lunch) as well as its ‘event genre mash-up’ insistence on being a craft beer festival, an indie/world music gig, a hops showcase, an educational forum for home/wannabe brewers and a family-friendly day out. It’s hard to believe such a combination can work, but the thousands of people who attend each year are testimony that it does! MarchFest is also about creating an event where responsible drinking and good parenting go hand-in-hand. There will be heaps of cool stuff for kids to do.