MarchFest is a unique craft beer and music festival celebrating it’s 13th 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 14th 2020.
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, regional cuisine - including a beer and food matching lunch, which sells out fast! 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 Marchfest is also a family-friendly day out. It’s a winning formula!
Great live music is always a big feature of Marchfest and 2020 will be no exception. The joint headline acts are Kiwi legends, The Chills and Pacifica Soul Queen Bella Kalolo, with her band Atmos. Strong support will be provided by Alae, the band that features Nelson’s Alex Farrell-Davey and Allister Meffan, Canada’s Everlovin’ Jug Band and another local act to be announced.
MarchFest is 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.
Welcome to MarchFest, Nelson and New Zealand's beer flavoured festival - a celebration of music, food, fun and of course, proper beer.
