FAQs

  • Toast Martinborough is being held on Saturday 14th November 2026, from 12pm-6pm, reverting to the same late spring weekend that has been the defining weekend of the festival for over three decades. The festival will now take place on Saturday rather than Sunday, allowing attendees to make the most of the celebration, giving more flexibility to travel home comfortably and enjoy a relaxed end to the weekend.

  • Toast Martinborough ticket pre-sale starts at 10am on Wednesday 24 June 2026 via iTICKET. Pre-sale is exclusive to Toast Martinborough mailing list subscribers who will be emailed a link to purchase tickets on Wednesday morning. A limited number of General Admission and VIP Experience tickets will be available in the pre-sale. Public release tickets go on sale 10am Friday 26 June 2026 via iTICKET.

  • Toast Martinborough General Admission tickets are priced at $123 + iTICKET booking fees, and include festival access and a Spiegelau stemmed wine glass to keep. VIP Experience tickets are priced at $549 + iTICKET booking fees, and include festival access, all-inclusive food and beverage, exclusive access to the dedicated VIP space with priority stage sightlines and premium hosting amenities for comfort and convenience. Return bus transport tickets are available to add on from Wellington for $60 + iTICKET fees or from Wairarapa towns for $30 + iTICKET fees. See ticket details here.

  • Toast Martinborough will now be a centrally curated festival showcasing wine and food from the region and beyond, hosted exclusively at The Runholder. The Runholder site offers a spacious layout with everything conveniently within walking distance, including a main stage, bar and food tents, open grass areas, seating and shaded spaces, ample facilities and a dedicated VIP area. After the incredible response to last November’s event, The Runholder Presents: A Boutique Festival of Wine, Gin, Food & Music, this format of the event you loved now becomes the new era of Toast Martinborough.

  • We are committed to maintaining the iconic 30-year history and spirit of the festival while ensuring it remains relevant for the future. Local wineries, exceptional food and outstanding live music will continue to define the Toast Martinborough experience, while the setting evolves from a multi-venue festival to a single-site festival held exclusively at The Runholder.

  • The move to a single-site festival is designed to creative a more immersive and cohesive festival atmosphere, enhance accessibility and comfort for attendees, strengthen collaboration between participating wineries and food partners, and to support the long-term sustainability of the event. 

  • Yes, Toast Martinborough remains a celebration of wine and food from around the region and beyond. Invited wineries and food partners will have a presence at The Runholder venue so you can experience multiple wineries together in one curated gathering. This year’s confirmed wineries include Martinborough Vineyard, Te Kairanga, Vavasour, Mt Difficulty, Craggy Range, Escarpment, Palliser Estate, Halite Wines, Big Sky, Schubert Wines, Champagne Taittinger, Ata Rangi, Lighthouse Gin and Martinborough Brewery.

  • Yes Lighthouse Gin will be offering Gin & Tonics and Martinborough Brewery will be offering local craft beer. There will also be non-alcoholic options at each bar.

  • Free shuttle buses will run throughout the day between The Runholder and Martinborough Square, making it easy to get to and from the venue. If you’re driving, parking will be available nearby. There will also be the option to buy return bus tickets from Wellington or towns in Wairarapa to the event. See transport options here.

  • Accommodation in Martinborough over Toast Martinborough weekend can book up quickly! We’ve put together some accommodation options here, or reach out to Martinborough iSite for help.

    With convenient return bus services to Toast Martinborough from Wellington, Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, and Featherston, you'll have access to a wide range of accommodation options across the region, giving you the flexibility to stay where it suits you best.

  • Yes, there will be a ticket option for a curated VIP experience, hosted in The Runholder Cottage. See more details about the VIP experience here.

  • Sir Dave Dobbyn is our headline act, performing his legendary singalongs and timeless Kiwi anthems. The BeatGirls kick off the day with their retro glam and feel-good dancefloor hits, while Sweet Mix Kids bring the festival to a high-energy close with their electric and euphoric set. Throughout the day, DJ Takas keeps the party flowing between performances.

  • This is an R18 event and we cannot have children on site.

  • Sorry, no pets are allowed on-site during the festival.

  • Toast goes ahead rain or shine, bring a poncho!

  • Toast Martinborough was purchased by one of its founding shareholders, Foley Wines Limited in 2024. Foley Wines is deeply ingrained in the Martinborough community through Te Kairanga and Martinborough Vineyard wineries, the Lighthouse Gin distillery, and The Runholder Restaurant & Cellar Door. Toast Martinborough aligns with the Foley business’ broader interests in the region, including Wharekauhau Country Estate and Wellington’s Pravda, Shed 5 and The Crab Shack.

  • After careful reflection post the Toast Martinborough event in January 2025 event, it was decided not to hold another festival in November 2025 to allow time to thoughtfully evolve the Toast Martinborough experience.