Jim Beam Homegrown festival is leaving Wellington, organisers announced today. Photo / supplied
Jim Beam Homegrown festival is leaving Wellington, organisers announced today. Photo / supplied
Wellington’s iconic Homegrown festival is set to say goodbye to the capital after 18 years.
It was announced today that Homegrown will move cities in 2026 in a “bittersweet change” for organisers, who cited “a myriad of personal and logistical reasons”.
Festival director Andrew Tuck said, “Wecouldn’t be more grateful for the unwavering support we’ve had from fans and the city.
“The support from WellingtonNZ and Wellington City Council has been massive over the years, so we’re keen to knock this last one out of the park as a heartfelt thank you to Wellington,” he said of this year’s festival, set to take place in March.
Tuck added, “One of our favourite things about the waterfront is seeing the general public and tourists from the cruise ships wandering wide-eyed through the festival crowd.
“It’s gold and adds a whole other dynamic to the festival.”
Synthony joins the Jim Beam Homegrown lineup this year. Photo / Supplied
He told NZME the decision to leave Wellington wasn’t personal, saying he loves the city, but is unable to grow the festival within its waterfront location.
“We’ve taken up all of the Wellington waterfront we can, over the last couple of years we’ve come up with ideas and ways we want to enhance the festival and we’re unable to do that in the space we have in Wellington,” Tuck said.
While a new location hasn’t yet been confirmed, Tuck said he and his team are investigating three or four different spaces and hope to have the location finalised by mid to late April.
“There is nowhere really close to Wellington that we can find at the moment. For us, it was nothing to do with what the city is going through - it’s about how we make sure we stay ahead.”
To mark the final time it’s held in Wellington, another night has been added to this year’s festival.
