Jim Beam Homegrown Festival to leave Wellington after 18 years

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, “We couldn’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.

Homegrown has taken place on Wellington’s waterfront since it started in 2008, having grown from a crowd of 10,000 to 23,000 over the years.

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.

Stan Walker, Che Fu and Lee Mvtthews will open the festival on Friday March 14, followed by orchestra-EDM phenomenon Synthony.

On Saturday, March 15, more than 50 iconic Kiwi acts will perform across Homegrown’s 5 stages, from Sir Dave Dobbyn to Kaylee Bell, The Black Seeds, Mitch James, The Beths, Aaradhna, Drax Project and none other than Shihad. It will be the rock band’s final gig after they announced their split last year.

Wellington NZ Events and Experiences general manager Heidi Morton paid tribute to the festival as a “summer staple” for Kiwi music fans.

“We are very proud to have supported the event as it has evolved over its almost two-decade journey in the capital.”

Limited tickets for Jim Beam Homegrown are available here.