2026 Craft Beer and Cider Festival
Ticketing for the 2026 Craft Beer and Cider Festival has opened, with the event taking place on Saturday, 21 March, between 11am and 6pm.
Entering its 19th year, the festival is a local favourite showcasing an impressive array of craft brews, ciders and spirits in a festive outdoor atmosphere at the Mercure Canberra in Braddon.
The exciting street-style event will showcase more than 40 local and interstate drinks exhibitors with up to 250 craft beers, ciders and spirits available for tasting, along with a wide range of local food providores and live entertainment from local bands and DJs.
The lineup will feature The Coastal Brewing Company, Cypher Brewing Co, Balter, Philter, BentSpoke Brewing, Wooden Axe Brewing, 4 Pines & Brookvale, Sydney Brewery, MXTology and Wheel Line Cider. The full range of breweries and distillers will be announced in February.
Food vendors will include the mobile pizza kitchen on wheels, Wild & Sour, with their signature slow-fermented dough topped with fresh, seasonal ingredients and flamed to perfection.
The festival is a family-friendly event with free entry for children 17 & under (when accompanied by a paying adult) and face painting and other activities suitable for children available throughout the day.
The Canberra Beer & Cider Festival is presented by Schwartz Events, which fully owns GABS (Greatest Australian Beer Spectapular), Australia’s leading beer festival organisers.
Ticket pricing
Tickets pre-booked online are available from $22 for students and $30 general admission ($40 online on the day) + booking/transaction fee.
Tickets include entry to the festival, one complimentary drink to the value of $8, access to 40+ of the best local & interstate craft breweries, distilleries, gourmet food vendors, live music, and other festival activities.
Bookings via canberrabeerfest.com.au
Special accommodation and festival packages – Mercure Canberra
‘Beer Fest 2026’ package is available from $197 for 2 and includes overnight accommodation at the 4-star Mercure Canberra, a 4-pack of award-winning Sydney Brewery beers, entry to the festival, and breakfast.
Conditions apply.
Bookings: 02 6243 000; email: stay@mercurecanberra.com.au or via mercurecanberra.com.au.
