Yip Fest 2026: Riverside Cider & Beer Festival at Yip Cider on Kingston Peninsula

Yip Fest 2026 arrives on the Kingston Peninsula on Saturday, July 18, offering a sunlit riverside afternoon of craft cider, local beer, food, and live music at Yip Cider. From 3:00pm–7:00pm the fourth annual festival turns the orchard’s waterfront into a tasting ground where small-batch producers from across Atlantic Canada pour samples and talk shop with attendees. A live set from DJ CADER:HRT keeps the energy loose while food trucks, maker stalls, and tasting taps create a compact, social scene. The festival is staged at a working cidery with grassy banks and open views over the river channel, so the landscape—the orchard rows, the waterfront, and the scent of pressed apples—becomes part of the experience. That sense of place sets Yip Fest apart from urban tastings and makes each pour feel rooted in local terroir. Tickets come in two tiers—Early Bird and General Admission—with each including a commemorative 4oz tasting glass, access to samples from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, and entry to the vendor area. An optional shuttle add-on ($35) provides round-trip transport with pickups at Marco Polo Cruise Terminal in Saint John, Staples in Kennebecasis Valley, and the Comex Bus Stop on River Valley Drive in Grand Bay–Westfield. Shuttles depart the cidery at 7:00pm and can drop passengers at Uptown Moonlight Bazaar for those extending the night. Practical planning matters: bring a light layer for waterfront breezes, wear shoes that handle grass and uneven ground, and designate a sober driver or use the shuttle if you plan to sample extensively. The event is 19+; please drink responsibly. Because the festival emphasizes regional producers and small-scale hospitality, it’s a strong option for travelers who want to connect with makers rather than navigate a large crowd or a stadium show. The fourth annual timing signals steady local support and a growing calendar presence, and organizers note that participating cideries, breweries, and vendors will be announced before the event. Local color includes riverside views across the channel, the ripple of tidal movement depending on the day, and the occasional sightline to nearby farm fields on the peninsula—features that reward photo-minded visitors. If you’re planning to make an evening of it, secure shuttle tickets with your order since add-ons must be purchased at checkout. Yip Fest is an accessible, place-driven celebration that marries craft beverages, small-scale music, and riverside scenery into a single summer afternoon worth traveling for. Expect friendly service from local staff, options for snacks and small plates, and a convivial crowd that values conversation over chaos—an ideal stop for regional travelers exploring New Brunswick’s food and drink scene. Bring a reusable water bottle, pace your tastings, and leave with new tasting-room recommendations and a souvenir glass from Yip Fest 2026. Cheers.