Name: South Island Beer Festival #26
Start: 2026-02-14T02:00:00+13:00
End: 2026-02-14T08:00:00+13:00
Location: Ilam Homestead

Held at the historic Ilam Homestead, and with over 50 beers and ciders from craft breweries all over the South Island, the South Island Beer Festival is always a great day out. So much so, it was voted Best Canterbury Beer Event by the members of the Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) for many years on the trot!
Ticket price includes festival glass, wristband and program plus five beers.
$52.00 early bird tickets GA $57.00
Tickets on sale now! https://www.ticketfairy.com/event/sibf-26/
Further top up beverage tickets for five beers these cost $35 and are available on the day only.
FAQ's and Things to Note....
Everyone attending and within our licensed area must be a ticket holder.
You can purchase the following tickets online:
Early Bird/General Admission Ticket - you will receive a collectible festival glass, an identifying wristband, a card for your first 5 drinks (beer, wine or cider), voting form for best beer and a program.
Sober Tickets - you will receive an identifying wristband, you do not get a festival glass, but you are welcome to a free glass of kombucha. Please note that as a sober ticket holder you will not be able to purchase or use a drink card for alcoholic beverages.
You can use your main ticket card to purchase beer, wine and cider. If you are a sober-driver and/or not planning to drink alcohol please select that as your ticket option - you will be able to purchase non-alcoholic drinks without a drinks ticket. Non-alcoholic drinks can be purchased from the inside bar.
This is a Supervised event, no unaccompanied minors can attend. Children under 10 no tickets required. We ask you to use your discretion when planning to bring your children to this event as it does involve alcohol.
Entrance to the festival is strictly via the front doors of the building. Here your ticket will be checked, you will be given your festival glass and a wrist band according to your ticket type. Please note that only those with a purchased matching main ticket wristband (don't take them off you will be refused service) and festival glass will be able to purchase/use the drinks tickets.
Water is freely available on the veranda and at the end of the Tent Bar for drinking or washing out your glasses.
We ring the bell and call for last drinks at 5.15pm. All bars stop serving at 5.30pm on the dot so you will still have time to finish your last drinks before we close at 6pm.
Please leave your fur-babies at home - dogs even on leashes are not permitted on site (registered service dogs are welcome).
Our internal bathroom plumbing cannot cope with the large numbers attending. You will find portaloos just behind the food vendors. We will also have mobility access toilets available.
We cannot guarantee that door sales will be available on the day.
We go ahead rain or shine - just dress appropriately!
Doors open at 12noon.
You cannot bring previous event glasses to our events. Please leave them at home.
You cannot bring your own beverages to the event. Water is freely available and non-alcoholic drinks can be purchased from the inside bar or from the food vendors.
You are welcome to bring your own picnic food, blankets, chairs to sit on.