Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell set to headline 39th Marlborough Wine & Food Festival

Tickets for the next Marlborough Wine & Food Festival on Saturday 14 February 2026 are now available, as New Zealand’s original wine and food festival gears up for its 39th year.

Festival event manager Loren Coffey is delighted to announce Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell will be headlining the day’s live music offerings.

“Troy always brings his multi-genre talents and lyricism to the stage – he really does have a song for everyone – while Kaylee has that toe-tapping energy to match the festival’s vibe.”

“Many people return year after year with their friends and family to enjoy the best of Marlborough’s beautiful wine country. Our goal is always to complement that experience with a range of entertaining performances, so there's something everyone will love,” Loren says.

Alongside Troy and Kaylee, Sweet Mix Kids and Jaydin Shingleton are returning to the festival for a second year, with more local acts planned to join the lineup. The laid-back vinyl and acoustic areas will also be returning for 2026.

Loren says the day is curated with a range of options. “Everything you need for a great day comes with a General Admission ticket, or you can treat yourself with The Lounge or a VIP Retreat experience.”

Loren says the classic festival experience is to pair the region’s great wine with its great food, whether people are savouring their favourites or finding new favourites among a diverse range of varietals and wineries.

“With over 30 top wineries, 20-plus eateries, a local brewery option and a range of non-alcoholic beverages, the festival truly offers an opportunity to get a taste for everything the Marlborough region has to offer.

“Immersive education is another big focus of the event, giving festival-goers a window into the worlds of the passionate people who make our region shine and the chance to broaden their love and appreciation for Marlborough’s wine and food.”

A new feature for the 2026 festival is a wine education zone called ‘The Curious Cellar’.  Available to all ticket holders, the zone will host 30-minute talks from winemakers on a variety of fun topics – making wine appreciation even more accessible says Loren.

The Masterclasses will also be back again in 2026 for a deeper dive into wine appreciation, for an additional fee per class.

“One of the classes will focus on naturally fermented wine and food, and another will demystify the wine judging process through a fun and approachable blind tasting experience,” Loren says.

With Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell confirmed for the main stage, foodies are eagerly waiting to hear who will headline the ever-popular Culinary Pavilion, which will be available for an additional entry fee in 2026.

Loren says that chefs will be announced before the end of November, hinting that it will be as delicious as ever, this being a festival that has previously hosted top celebrity chefs such as Al Brown, Andy Hearnden and Polly Markus.