The Whistler Village Beer Festival returns September 16 to 20, 2026, bringing craft beer, cider, cocktails, food and festival events to Whistler Village. At the heart of the five-day celebration is the Main Event at Whistler Olympic Plaza on Saturday, September 19, where beer lovers can sample 80+ beverages against a Coast Mountain backdrop.
The West Coast of BC is a veritable hotbed of brewing – just look at the communities included in the BC Ale Trail if you need more proof. If you like a fancy tap handle, the Whistler Village Beer Festival, presented by Gibbons Whistler, should be an experience making the top of your beer-focused to-do list.
What: Whistler Village Beer Festival 2026
When: September 16 to 20, 2026
Main Event: Saturday, September 19, noon to 5 PM
Where: Whistler Olympic Plaza, Whistler Village
What to expect: 80+ craft beers and beverages, live music, food and festival events
Who’s it for? Craft beer lovers and visitors looking for a fall festival in Whistler
1. Sample 80+ Beers at the Whistler Village Beer Festival
The 13th edition of the Whistler Beer Festival invites you to sample 80+ varieties of beverages at the Main Event on Saturday, September 19, at Whistler Olympic Plaza from noon to 5 PM. Along with craft beer, there’s also cider, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages for you to wow your taste buds with this fall.
2. An Outdoor Beer Festival in Whistler Village
It’s beer…with atmosphere!
Unlike other beer fests, this tasting event is held outdoors – no stuffy event hall or conference centre décor in sight. The grassy lawn of Whistler Olympic Plaza offers a delightful place to stroll and sip, and the mountains provide a magnificent backdrop.
Add in live music, yummy food trucks and lawn games, and you’ve got the recipe for a hopping beer fest.
Will rain wreck the party? Previous years’ experience has certainly proved not, thanks to the shelter under the plaza building and some smart clothing choices. Although smart clothing is a great idea, it’s good to note there are prizes for the best fancy dress, so dust off those lederhosen!
3. Beer Festival Events and Activities
The huge number of beers and other beverages on offer (see #1) means it’s likely you’ll come across a brew you haven’t tasted before. Adventure is the spirit of the Whistler Village Beer Festival, and the potential for pairing new beer with new activities is vast.
The festival has some well-thought-out pairings, including things like a Stretch & Sip or Paint & Sip session. Plenty is going on in the fall in Whistler, so you can mix and match to your heart’s delight, from hiking to biking, ziplining to ATVing.
4. Stay in Whistler Village and Leave the Car Behind
No Designated Drivers Needed
There’s no need to draw straws to see who will stay sober for the festival – driving is not required. The tasting events are in the heart of Whistler Village, meaning you can walk to the location from your accommodation plus find post-event eats within easy wandering distance afterward (reservations are always a good idea).
We recommend staying in town so you can get out and see a bit of Whistler the next day (a brisk walk around Lost Lake is the ultimate hangover cure). If you are staying further afield, there’s local transit to get you there and back, plus Whistler’s 24-hour taxi service kicks in if you decide to stay out and take in a little Whistler nightlife.
Take a read of our guide on how to get to Whistler, so you can pick the best option, save money on parking and feel good about one less vehicle on the road.
5. Celebrate Oktoberfest at the Longhorn Saloon
In line with the celebrations in Munich, Oktoberfest is happening at the famous Longhorn Saloon after the main event on Saturday, September 19, bringing a bit of Bavaria to the Pacific Northwest.
The bar will be transformed into a lively beer hall to bring this renowned German event to life in Whistler. Raise your stein high and toast to good times, great company, and Oktoberfest cheer. Prost!
Planning Your Whistler Village Beer Festival Trip
Do you need tickets?
Yes, the main event and some of the off-shoot events do require tickets. Take a look on the festival page to book.
Can you walk to the festival?
Yes. Olympic Plaza is in Whistler Village and is within walking distance of Village accommodation.
What should you wear?
It’s outdoors in September, so we’d suggest layers and weather-appropriate clothing.
Is there food at the festival?
Yes, there will be food trucks at the main event.
Where should you stay?
Staying in Whistler Village makes the event walkable, and if you stay for 3+ days, you get a $100 dining voucher with Whistler.com.
The Whistler Insider encourages guests to consume responsibly, so you can remember both the views and the brews. Cheers!
