Wee Fest 2026
a festival of wee food and art experiences happening across Southland.
April 9–12 | Southland
Wee Fest is about connection. Between people and food. Between producers and customers. Between ideas and action. Come to one thing or pack out your weekend.
You might pickle something and take it home, walk with someone who knows what grows where, sit in on a five-minute talk that sparks something, taste something you’ve never tried before, meet the person behind a place you already love. Every event is designed to feel like you’ve been let in, not sold to.
Most sessions are very small (often 6–12 people)
Some are ticketed, some are free or drop-in
Some last 30 minutes, others a little longer
Check out the line up
A quick-fire night of five-minute talks from chefs, producers and creatives sharing ideas shaping Southland’s food scene. Between talks, wander the brewery, check out the art, and settle in with something to eat and drink.
Try a wee flight of three Southland gins at 360 Bar on the top floor of The Langlands: Bluff Distillery Gin, Auld Distillery’s Summit, and Third Island Gin. A small but spirited way to explore local botanicals and the distillers shaping the region’s growing gin scene. Available throughout the weekend.
Ice your own festival cookie at The Batch Cafe. Piping bag in hand, pastry chef on call, leave with something sweet and a new skill.
An evening of cooking, kōrero, and kai in Bluff. The kind of night you'll still be talking about next Wee Fest.
Join this hands-on pizza session with Brit from FlourBro. Kid friendly. Adult Friendly.
A gold coin gets you tasty toast to kickstart your weekend. This is a short, casual stop-in built around sourdough and warm conversation.
A three stop, gentle bike ride, and a good way to see a few favourite coffee spots together.
5 minutes, a hot plate, and the secret to the perfect smash: yours to eat while it's still sizzling.
Join Dan Tarrant for a hands-on fish filleting session, breaking down a whole trumpeter before turning it into fresh ceviche. Small groups, sharp knives, and something good to eat at the end.
A hands-on cookie art workshop at Wee Fest. Make nostalgic, sculptural “cookies” and take them home. Limited spots.
Grab your veg, grab a jar and leave with your own small-batch pickle made right at the Southern Farmers market.
A relaxed drop-in where Southern Farmers Market food vendors offer tasting samples. Limited serves. One small taste, one maker, one moment. When they're gone, they're gone.
A small potluck feast set around a long table in a hidden garden. Bring a wee dish to share, something homemade, seasonal, or tied to a story. Location and details provided upon ticket purchase.