Hobbiton hosts Beer Festival on 13 and 14 November

Hobbiton in Matamata, New Zealand, is hosting the Hobbiton Beer Festival on 13 and 14 November 2026. The attraction is set on the Alexanders' farm and is known for its film locations from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Hobbiton Beer Festival runs across 13 and 14 November

The operator's programme began on Friday 13 November and continues on Saturday 14 November 2026. The event is an evening experience for visitors aged 18 and over, with departures from The Shire's Rest on Buckland Road or the Matamata Information Centre in the town centre.

The programme starts with a guided walk through the Shire. It includes views of Bag End, the interiors of a Hobbit Hole on Bagshot Row and the Stone Trolls before reaching the Green Dragon Inn. Visitors then move to the Party Marquee for a buffet meal and themed live entertainment. The operator's festival dates and programme place these elements within the same event.

Film-set landmarks shape the festival route

The Beer Festival uses the attraction's established visitor route rather than a separate venue. The walk links several recognisable parts of the Shire, while the Green Dragon Inn and Party Marquee provide the evening's later settings.

Hobbiton occupies part of a 1,250-acre sheep and beef farm outside Matamata in New Zealand's North Island. The visitor area covers 12 acres and contains the recreated village, including hobbit holes, the Party Tree and the Green Dragon Inn. The attraction's permanent buildings and farm setting connect the festival directly with the landscape used for the films.

The event therefore gives the 13 and 14 November programme a clear relationship with the place itself. It is not simply a festival using a nearby town as its address: the guided walk passes through the film set before the evening entertainment begins. A national tourism festival listing also identifies the Green Dragon Inn as part of the event experience.

Visiting Hobbiton: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Hobbiton Beer Festival takes place on 13 and 14 November 2026 at the set near Matamata, with departures from The Shire's Rest or the Matamata Information Centre.
• The festival follows a guided walking route through the Shire and includes Bag End, Bagshot Row, the Green Dragon Inn and the Party Marquee.
• The site is at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, near Matamata in New Zealand's Waikato region. The operator also lists the Matamata Information Centre at 45 Broadway as a departure point, and its directions page sets out routes from nearby cities.
• Access to the film set is by guided tour because the attraction is on private farmland. The walking route includes outdoor paths and uneven rural ground, so enclosed footwear is recommended by the operator.
• New Zealand's official languages are English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language, and its currency is the New Zealand dollar.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Hobbiton

When does the Hobbiton Beer Festival take place at Hobbiton?

The festival is scheduled for 13 and 14 November 2026, with the programme taking place at the attraction near Matamata.

What is included in the Hobbiton Beer Festival?

The event includes a guided walk through the Shire, landmarks such as Bag End and the Green Dragon Inn, and themed entertainment in the Party Marquee.

Where is Hobbiton and how do you get there?

The attraction is at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, near Matamata. Visitors can also depart from the Matamata Information Centre at 45 Broadway.