By Kate Bartlett
The Holiday Valley Beer & Wine Festival is an annual celebration of craft beverages held at Holiday Valley Resort. The 2026 edition is scheduled for Saturday, November 7 from 3-7pm at the Main Lodge. Over 50 beverage vendors will offer craft beers, fine wines, spirits, ciders, and specialty seltzers with live entertainment with multiple bands in the scenic mountain setting of Ellicottville.
This year marks the 22nd year of the Holiday Valley Beer & Wine Festival. “We’re excited to continue building on what has made this event such a favorite over the years,” says Dash Hegeman, Marketing Director for Holiday Valley. “We’ll have more than 50 vendors represented, giving guests a chance to sample a really diverse selection of craft beer, wine, spirits and other beverages.”
VIP ticket options return this year, with early entry beginning at 2pm, an exclusive area on the top floor of the Main Chalet, and special beer releases throughout the afternoon.
Live music is always a big part of the festival, and this year will offer music all three levels of the Main Lodge, with Nerds Gone Wild, Darkwater Duo and Second Hand News. “The music really sets this event apart and makes it truly memorable,” explains Dash. “The bands on each floor of the Main Lodge all give it their best, interact with the crowd, and make sure that people are in a very festive mood.”
The weekend kicks off on Friday, November 6 with Crawl Outta Fall in Ellicottville. Guests can pick up a passport at Edna’s at the Tamarack Club, visit participating establishments throughout the village for different drink specials, and take advantage of shuttle service running throughout the evening. “It’s a really fun way to kick off the weekend,” says Dash. “It’s also one of those events that really brings together Holiday Valley and Ellicottville. Between Crawl Outta Fall on Friday and the festival on Saturday, guests can make an entire weekend out of it and enjoy the resort and the village.”
The Beer and Wine Event offers a great opportunity to interact with beer and wine makers in the region. Guests can sample a wide variety of beer and wine all in one location. “It’s a unique chance to talk to the people behind the products,” says Dash. “People can discover something new while listening to live music and moving throughout the different levels of the Main Lodge. It feels much more like a celebration than simply a tasting event.”
What makes this festival different is the setting and the experience that goes along with it. “You’re not walking into a typical convention hall for a tasting,” explains Dash. “You’re at Holiday Valley, surrounded by the hills in Ellicottville, at that point in November when everyone is starting to think about winter.”
Dash enjoys visiting with the guests and helping them have a positive experience, whether it’s they’re a returning guest or it’s their first time. “One of my favorite parts is seeing how many people make this an annual tradition,” explains Dash. “After 22 years, you have groups of friends who come back year after year, and you also have people experiencing it for the first time. Both are special in their own way. There’s always a little extra excitement because this is one of our last major events before ski season. By early November, winter is right around the corner.”
Dash describes the event as lively and social, yet relaxed. “You have live music playing on three different floors, people discovering new beverages, reconnecting with friends and talking with the vendors. There’s a lot happening, but people can really experience the event at their own pace. There’s also something about having it at Holiday Valley in November that adds to the atmosphere. Fall is winding down; winter is approaching and there’s that sense of anticipation for the season ahead. It makes for a really fun transition into winter.”
Dash encourages locals and visitors alike to make a weekend of it. Crawl Outta Fall gets everything started Friday evening, the Beer & Wine Festival takes place Saturday from 3-7pm, with lodging packages available for guests who want to stay at Holiday Valley. “It’s a great chance to enjoy Ellicottville, discover some new favorite beverages, hear some great live music and spend time with friends. With ski season getting closer every day, it’s a fun way for us to bring everyone together before we turn our attention to winter.”
For more information, full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit holidayvalley.com/events and follow Holiday Valley on social media for updates. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 7 from 3-7pm at the Main Lodge.