Festival at a glance
Key times at a glance, so you have everything you need for the festival with you on the day. Please note changes to this information may be made right up to the event.
2025 Masterclasses
Don’t miss out on these 50-minute masterclasses throughout the day. From famous Méthode Marlborough Magic to discovering low and no-alcohol wines there really is a Masterclass for everyone.
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Steeped in tradition, crafted in excellence. Méthode Marlborough is a collaboration of Marlborough wine producers dedicated to creating world-class Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines using the ‘traditional method’ for wines produced outside of the French Champagne region.
In this 50-minute masterclass, you will gain an exclusive insight led by Marlborough’s finest sparkling winemakers into the centuries-old process of creating these exceptional wines. You will be taken through a step-by-step process of how these wines naturally turn from still to sparking whilst sampling a variety of Marlborough’s best sparkling wines.
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Discover distinctive wines and unique flavours from the Awatere Valley and South Marlborough. Known for its cool, high-sunshine climate, low rainfall, and free-draining soil, the Awatere Valley is the most geographically unique sub-region of Marlborough and produces vividly aromatic wines gaining international acclaim.
In this 50-minute session, you will taste six curated wines and a bite-sized selection of sustainably sourced meats and seasonal produce, thoughtfully paired with wines from South Marlborough. You will also meet a local farming family and discover stories from the Middlehurst farm station nestled in the magnificent high country. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or food lover, you’ll gain valuable insights into the subregion’s offerings.
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Discover the art and innovation behind Marlborough’s low and no-alcohol wines in this immersive masterclass.
As there is an increasing awareness and focus on healthy lifestyles, the consumption, volume and frequency of alcohol are changing. This has created a statistically relevant category, the low and no alcohol wine movement. In this 50-minute session, you will taste six wines whilst gaining insight into the production methods and learn from expert winemakers in this hands-on tasting.
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A tasting not to be missed by curious white wine or cheese lovers! We’ll explore the distinct characteristics of each varietal while sampling six thoughtfully selected wines alongside a tasting plate of complementary cheeses. Join us for an informative look at Marlborough’s evolving white wine landscape paired with local cheese!
In this 50-minute masterclass, taste a selection of emerging white varietals from Marlborough, including the likes of Albariño, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and other grape varieties that have thrived in other regions around the world. Discover how these unique and lesser-known wines are successfully grown in Marlborough, and how to pair perfectly with artisanal cheeses from our region.
Music - Main Stage
We have a great line-up ready for your 2025 festival. Sit back by one of the music zones and enjoy a spectacular musical line-up to accompany a perfect summer’s day.
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Our fab local artist is Jaydin Shingleton (Ngāi Tahu), who you may have heard on The Voice Australia earlier this year. Hailing from Westport, Jaydin's passion for music was sparked by the deep influence of his mum and grandfather, and Jaydin strives to create country music for fans of all ages and backgrounds that reflects the love and authenticity that defines him.
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Founded in 1964, the New Zealand Army Band is the country’s only professional brass band, renowned for its versatility and innovation, and recognised internationally as one of the world’s top marching bands. Over the past five decades, the band has toured internationally, performing shows that blend music, choreography, and intricate drill manoeuvres.
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Returning to the festival for the first time since 2012, iconic rock'n'roll Kiwi band Hello Sailor will be playing a "full-sail" plugged-in show as part of their national 50th-anniversary tour. Expect a set packed with Hello Sailor, Pink Flamingos and Graham Brazier favourites, plus hit songs from vocalist Harry Lyon's back catalogue and his 2018 critically acclaimed hit solo album “To the Sea.”
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As part of the fifteenth-anniversary tour for her debut album, "Ladyhawke," we're thrilled this talented singer-songwriter will be one of the headliners for the 2025 Festival. It's impossible to put Ladyhawke in a box: brilliant, addictive and multigenre, she defined the mp3 generation and shaped the New Zealand music scene.
Ladyhawke reflects on the sonic magic of an album which still resonates so strongly with fans. “It's very percussive. That's something I'm really proud of, the way the sound of the drums and percussion has stood the test of time.”
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We're stoked to be welcoming Kiwi singer-songwriter Mitch James to the festival main stage!
Mitch is an everyday guy living an extraordinary life. Priding himself on his authenticity and determination, Mitch has shared the stage with Ed Sheeran, Calum Scott, and chalked up millions of global streams along the way. He thrives in the element of surprise, showing up in places least expected, and always with a dash of cheeky humour.
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From dawn, these southerners and their southerly musical winds bring life to the nightlife. Sweet Mix Kids have an electrifying array of Aotearoa’s sounds and styles to bring the party to planet you at the Festival this summer. Sonic sounds of old and new see these princes of the party perform under the southern stars this summer, stargazing into space.
Culinary Pavilion
Entry to our Culinary Pavilion is FREE with all tickets on festival day. We'll have some amazing local produce on show as well as incredible chefs showing you how to prepare it.
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Bradley and business partner Liz Buttimore created Arbour in 2015, naming it to reflect the tranquil secret garden surroundings. The region quickly became home with Bradley settling down in Picton with his partner Michelle, his stepson and of course the gorgeous Charlie-dog.
Arbour holds many accolades including Two Hats, Cuisine Good Food Awards and Cuisine Magazine’s Best Regional Restaurant 2022.
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Polly Markus is a New Zealand food influencer; she has written two best-selling cookbooks and is the face behind the Miss Polly’s Kitchen on Instagram that has more than 75,000 followers.
Polly's cooking career as a crew chef on superyacht in Spain in 2012. She returned to New Zealand in late 2015 and launched her Instagram account during Auckland’s first lockdown in 2020. Polly published her first cookbook in August 2022 and now works with international and local brands, such as Nespresso, Cloudy Bay, Kenwood, Sanford & Sons, and Farro.
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Al Brown is a leading New Zealand chef and restauranteur, famous for his restaurants Logan Brown, Depot, Federal Delicatessen and Best Ugly Bagels.
Al is an entrepreneur, a natural storyteller who thrives on the sentiment of ‘people and place’, and a person of genuine authenticity, creativity and generosity. Over the last 15 years, Al has entertained and educated the viewers of popular television shows Hunger for the Wild, Coasters, Get Fresh, Dishing Up Australia and Masterchef.
