FAQ

There will be FREE WATER all day at various stations around the event, plus on each Cider Makers stand – we appreciate you being responsible with your alcoholic consumption! Keep hydrated and enjoy your day.

Check out the range of non-alcoholic kombucha - served from the wine bar in the Energy Centre. Plus a number of the Cider Stands will stock 0% alcohol options - check their signage for options Most food carts will have non-alcoholic drink options, plus there will be a coffee cart onsite and the onsite cafe at Founders. Click here for more info.

Yes! Click here for the list of all our local food carts that will be there. We have listed those that cater to special dietary requirements, if you are unsure, please chat with the individual food cart.

Sorry no, please don’t bring any food or drink in with you. There are lots of yummy food and drink options available onsite. Security will be checking bags on entry. (the exception to this would be food required for small children, please chat with security/event staff on arrival if you are unsure)

Click here for a list of all the Cider Makers that will be at this years festival. All Food and Beverage vendors fares are listed, along with short and sweet tasting notes, style of Cider, and ABV’s.

Sorry no, we do not hold an off-licence, so anything purchased at the festival must be consumed at the festival. BUT! Check with the individual Cider Makers where you can buy their products in your home town

If Cider is not your jam, then we have a great range of alternatives. Click here for more info, or a quick overview below: WINE Visit the Richmond Plains Wine bar in the Energy Centre (check venue map for location) BEER See the crew at the Sprig + Fern stand Plus the onsite Founders Cafe serves a range of beers + wine. KOMBUCHA Kombucha Bros. (Non-Alcoholic + Alcoholic options) in the Energy Centre There will be FREE WATER all day at various stations around the event, plus on each Cider Makers stand – we appreciate you being responsible with your alcoholic consumption! Most food carts will have non-alcoholic drink options, plus there will be a coffee cart onsite.

On entry, all ticket holders over 18yrs will get an official 2024 NZ Cider Festival Souvenir glass, to use for all your drinks throughout the day. The pour line on the glasses are: 80ml for tasters, 150ml for a half pour and 330ml for a full pour. Take Note: not ALL Ciders are available at the full pour amount due to their ABV% - check the price lists at each stand

Please check at each Cider Stand for their pricing, or chat with our friendly Cider Makers if you are unsure.

Yes, if we have any left! They are $5 and can be purchased from the front entry. Don’t forget to let one of the Cider crew know if there is any broken glass that needs cleaning up.

Last call is 6.30pm, so make sure you have sampled everything that you want to prior to that time. (Event finishes at 7pm)

NZ Cider Festival is held at Founders Heritage Park, Atawhai Drive. It takes 15-20mins to walk to Founders from the centre of town/Nelson City (2.4km). It's a very easy, flat walk!

Gates open at 12pm and close at 7pm.

There is limited parking at Founders Park, along Atawhai Drive and neighbouring streets. Please be respectful to residents and don’t park over their driveways. We highly suggest parking in town or further away from the venue, and walking to Founders. Ride-sharing is a great option too! The Nelson e-bus ROUTE 3 has a bus stop directly outside Founders Park, note the last bus is at 7pm There will be plenty of taxis to take you home safely, the taxi stand is directly outside the windmill. Please ask our event crew if you need assistance with getting home safely.

Yes there are disability parks in the Founders Park carpark, in front of the windmill. Our car parking attendants are there to assist. You will find 3 accessible toilets in the main toilet block outside the Energy Centre. Check your festival map for toilet locations.

Yes! NZ Cider Festival is a family friendly event, under 18yr olds are free with a parent/guardian holding a valid entry ticket. All under 18yr old will be issued with a red wristband on arrival, this indicates they are underage. There is a Kids Zone area with lots for the kids to go, check the map for location details.

Yes! The free Kids Zone, there will be lots of games and entertainment for kids of all ages Please note; this is not a drop off zone, all children must be supervised, this is also a Cider Free Zone. Check the festival map for the Kids Zone location

You are welcome to breastfeed wherever you feel comfortable at the festival. There is baby change facilities in the disability toilets by the Granary. If you need further assistance, please chat with one of our event crew

Click here to see all the 2024 line up, it’s a good one!

All buildings and marquees within Founders Park are smoke free. Smoking and vaping is only permitted well away from the crowds or outside the park.

St Johns ambulance will be onsite all day, you will find them beside the windmill. In all instances, please ensure you ask for help from one of our event crew.

Lost property (and lost children) during the event can be tracked down in the windmill. If you find something that’s not yours, please take it there. After the event, if you are missing something, please contact Founders Park on 03 548 2649

Yes! You can still drink Cider and dance in the rain! If the weather is looking at bit dodgy, please keep checking in on our facebook page in the lead up to the day. All updates will be posted there. https://www.facebook.com/nzciderfestival

You are welcome to bring a chair or blanket, in fact we encourage you to! Just be mindful of the crowds and where you set up.

Sorry, no pets. Only registered service dogs.

Yes, we will have Steve Hussey Photography there on the day to capture all the awesome event shots. Entry to the event automatically grants permission for the event photographer to take event photos which may appear in future marketing of the event. Photographic rights are retained by the NZ Cider Festival promoters.

No.. Well you can if you want to! But just show the entry crew your ticket bar code on your phone and you are good to go! If you have a bunch of tickets, please make sure each person has their own ticket or your group organiser has all tickets ready to go

It happens, all tickets are issued from Ticket Fairy, so if you are scrolling your emails looking for the elusive ticket, try searching for that! Ticket Fairy support email is support@theticketfairy.com Or if all else fails please email the Cider Fest crew info@nzciderfestival.com and we will resend it to you.

Yes, on entry our event crew will ID check you if you look under 25. So please have your valid ID ready – drivers licence, 18+ card or current passport. You will then be given a wristband to wear for the duration of the event. Please don’t be offended if our Cider Makers also ID you at the bars, they are just doing their job!

Your ticket includes entry to the festival, a festival glass, a day full of fun, live music and entertainment. Cider & Food is an additional cost.

Under 18yr olds do not require their own ticket and are free with a parent/guardian holding a valid entry ticket. All under 18yr olds will be given a red wristband to wear, indicating they are underage.

Based on previous years, there will be approx. 1,500-2,000 Cider loving fans there on the day!

Why would you?! But yes, if you need to you sure can, just keep your wristband on.

Depends on what time you arrive, but yes there likely will be. You can help us to keep the lines moving quickly by having your ID and ticket ready, and also have your bags ready for checking. Our event crew will be working as hard as they can to get you in the gates, we appreciate your patience!

Eftpos (incl payWave) will be available at all Cider and Food Stands in the festival. Some stands may take cash, but this is not guaranteed. There are no cash out facilities onsite.

Alcohol – Obviously, no. There's plenty there. Food - No, unless required for any infant. Chairs/Picnic Blankets – Yes for sure! But please be considerate of others around you. Umbrellas – It won’t rain, its Nelson! But if it does, yes you are welcome to bring your brolly. We take no responsibility for lost umbrellas. Just don't be a dick and use your umbrella like a sword!

Yes - if not sold out prior. Should you just buy a ticket now and save the drama on the day? Also yes.