By Noam Manuka LazarusMassey University journalism student
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Wellington festival Beers at teh Basin, scheduled for February 2026, has been cancelled.
Photo: 123rf
Wellington, New Zealand – Wellington’s Beers at the Basin festival has been cancelled, organisers announced Friday, citing low ticket sales attributed to the capital’s challenging economic conditions. The festival, originally slated for November 2024 before being postponed to February 2026, will not proceed.
In an email to ticketholders, organisers stated the event was “taking a break” while remaining “committed to exploring opportunities for the future.” The postponement, they explained, had been intended to generate “excitement and energy,” but ticket sales remained unsatisfactory.
“Wellington’s tough economic climate has contributed to lower than expected ticket sales, despite strong early interest,” the email read. “Recent indicators show that discretionary spending in the region, unfortunately, continues to remain low.”
Organisers said they could not “confidently proceed” with the event given the circumstances. “This arduous decision was made after reviewing a number of factors that impact our ability to deliver the event experience attendees, vendors, and partners expect from Beers at the Basin,” they stated.
Full refunds will be issued to all ticketholders. Damien Hochberg of Arada Promotions, the festival’s promoter, declined to provide further comment.
The first Beers at the Basin festival was held in 2017.
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