Kapiti Food FairEarly Bird Tickets Now on Sale for Kāpiti Food Fair 2026
Kāpiti Coast, Wellington, New Zealand | 18 September 2026
The countdown is officially on! Early bird tickets for the much-loved Kāpiti Food Fair 2026, one of Aotearoa New Zealand's largest annual food festivals, are now on sale.
Mark your calendars for Saturday 5 December 2026 and join us at Mazengarb Reserve, Paraparaumu, for a spectacular celebration of food, flavour, entertainment and community. Rain or shine, the show goes on.
Gather your friends and whānau, organise that summer getaway, book your accommodation and secure your VIP parking early. Then get ready to savour the flavours, sounds and spirit of summer at the Kāpiti Food Fair.
Kāpiti Food Fair is where great food, great people and unforgettable summer memories come together. “We believe, we are one of Wellington region's most anticipated food events,” says Jeanine van Kradenburg, Co-owner of the Kāpiti Food Fair. She goes on to say, “the festival showcases the very best of New Zealand's vibrant food culture, bringing together outstanding producers, talented artisans, passionate chefs, entertainers and food lovers for a truly memorable destination experience.”
Visitors can taste and shop their way through a world of flavours, discovering artisan products, boutique beverages, handcrafted treats, international street food, fresh produce, specialty ingredients and unique home and kitchenware. It is the perfect place to try, buy, eat, drink, relax and discover something new.
What's on the menu for 2026?
Expect:
- More than 10,000 visitors
- Crowd friendly dogs on lead
- A smoke & vape FREE site
- Up to 250 vendor sites
- A new Kāpiti Artisan Producer Zone
- An Off Licence Liquor Zone
- A licensed bar and Leith Consulting Main Stage
- The Seriously Pickled Kāpiti Kitchen Stage
- The Kāpiti Ice Cream Dining Room
- A FREE kids zone
- ZEAL Zone buskers and entertainers
- Roving street performers
- AND plenty more surprises to be announced
“The excitement is building as the final touches are put on the entertainment programme, and we look forward to revealing the full line up very soon,” says Helene Judge, Co-owner of the Kāpiti Food Fair.
TICKET PRICES
Early Bird (until 8 November)
$18 Adult | $13 Gold Card or Student ID
Plus booking fees
Standard (from 9 November)
$23 Adult | $18 Gold Card or Student ID
Plus booking fees
At the Gate
$30 Adult | $25 Gold Card or Student ID
Eftpos only
Children
FREE aged 12 years and under
Parking
VIP $13 or Gold Coin option
Merchandise
$3 Reusable shopping bags
Available at the gate, Eftpos only
Whether you're attending with friends, whānau, colleagues or your favourite foodie crew, there is truly something for everyone. Families can enjoy the welcoming festival atmosphere, food enthusiasts can explore emerging culinary trends, and Christmas shoppers can get a head start on festive gifting while stocking the pantry for summer entertaining.
Helene and Jeanine are confident that every corner of the event is designed to create joy, spark curiosity and bring people together through shared experiences.
Thank you to our sponsors
The Kāpiti Food Fair would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. Delivering a major food festival takes a dedicated community, significant investment, and a shared vision. We are immensely grateful to our sponsors whose generosity helps bring the event to life and means visitors can enjoy an exciting and memorable experience year after year.
Thank you for believing in the Kāpiti Food Fair and supporting our journey.
MAJOR EVENTS FUND: Kāpiti Coast District Council and Visit Kāpiti
PLATINUM: Kāpiti Ice Cream
GOLD: Big Mac Slabs Furniture, NZME and SignCraft Kāpiti
SILVER: Electra, Harcourts Kāpiti and Mike Pero Mortgages Zebunisso Alimova
BRONZE: ANZ Kāpiti, ANZIL and Flightdec
NAMING RIGHTS: Seriously Pickled Kāpiti Kitchen Stage and Leith Consulting Main Stage
Tickets and event information available now at:
https://kapitifoodfair.co.nz/tickets#tickets
About Kāpiti Food Fair
Established in 2008, the Kāpiti Food Fair has grown from a humble community event into a standout celebration of Aotearoa’s food culture. Now privately owned and operated by directors Helene Judge and Jeanine van Kradenburg, who helped conceptualise the initial event, the Fair attracts visitors from across the Wellington region and beyond.
More than just a food event, it’s a vibrant summer festival featuring a professional main stage, licensed bar, kitchen stage, and an atmosphere that brings people together through great food, music, and connection.
At its heart, the vision is simple: to create joy, inspire indulgence, and leave every visitor with a lasting impression, and a reason to return year after year.
Contact:
Helene Judge, 027 244 9585 or Jeanine van Kradenburg, 021 605 488 or contact
