2026 Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Festival

Fernandina Beach Main Street is excited to announce the return of the 2026 Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Festival, taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Central Park in the heart of historic downtown Fernandina Beach.

Now in its sixth year, Island Hop has become one of Northeast Florida’s premier craft beverage festivals and directly supports Fernandina Beach Main Street, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and strengthening the historic downtown district through preservation-based economic vitality.  Proceeds from the festival help fund Fernandina Beach Main Street initiatives that support local businesses, historic preservation, community beautification, special events, volunteer programs, and projects that enhance the downtown experience for residents and visitors alike.

Visitors traveling from out of town can take advantage of special lodging discounts offered by participating hotel partners.  A list of lodging partners and exclusive offers is available at www.islandhopcraftbeerfest.com, making it easy to plan a memorable weekend getaway.

Saturday’s festival will feature an outstanding selection of craft breweries, wineries, distilleries, ready-to-drink beverages, non-alcoholic tastings, delicious local food vendors, live music, and a vibrant marketplace featuring local businesses and nonprofit organizations showcasing the many ways they serve our community.

Island Hop is designed for everyone to enjoy.  The event is family-friendly and dog-friendly, so attendees are encouraged to bring the entire family, including their four-legged friends. Guests are also encouraged to bring a chair and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day using the complimentary water refill station provided by Keep Nassau Beautiful, helping reduce waste while keeping everyone refreshed.

New for 2026, the VIP Experience has been completely reimagined to provide guests with a premium festival experience from start to finish. VIP ticket holders will enjoy early admission beginning at 12:00 p.m., one hour before general admission, along with exclusive access to a private VIP lounge designed for comfort and relaxation.  Guests can escape the afternoon sun beneath a shaded lounge tent complete with tables and chairs, enjoy tastings and light bites, and take advantage of a private air-conditioned comfort station reserved exclusively for VIP guests. Whether relaxing between tastings, gathering with friends, or enjoying premium amenities, the VIP Experience offers the perfect way to elevate your Island Hop weekend.

“Island Hop is more than a craft beer and spirits festival,” said LuLu Huppmann, Executive Director of Fernandina Beach Main Street. “It’s a celebration of our historic downtown, our local businesses, and the community that makes Fernandina Beach so special. Every ticket purchased helps us continue our mission of preserving and enhancing our downtown through programs and initiatives that benefit residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the year. We invite everyone to make it a weekend, experience all that Amelia Island has to offer, and support a great cause while having an incredible time.”

Event Details

Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Festival

Saturday, October 3, 2026

VIP Admission: 12:00 p.m.

General Admission: 1:00 p.m.

Festival Hours: 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Central Park

1200 Atlantic Avenue

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Ticket and general information can be found at www.islandhopcraftbeerfest.com.