Images: Nola
You know that feeling when someone posts about a festival or cool event, and you’re just sitting there thinking, how did I not know this existed? Where do people even hear about these things? And by the time you find out, it’s either been and gone or already sold out.
Well, here’s your heads up – this is one of those festivals you’ve likely never come across, but it consistently ends up being a standout event… and tickets tend to sell out before most people even hear it exists.
The Festival of Darkness is returning for 2026, and no, it’s not as morbid as it sounds. Led by East End favourites Nola Adelaide and The Stag Public House, this festival is a celebration of all things dark brews. With more than 20 of Australia’s favourite independent breweries joining the party, the taps at both The Stag and Nola are going to the the dark side. Featuring a finely curated line-up of beers, attendees can enjoy unlimited tastings of everything, from smooth stouts to barrel-aged brews, alongside a crowd of fellow beer buffs.
Across Saturday, June 27, the crew will host two sessions – one from 2pm to 5pm, and the second from 6pm to 9pm. For three hours, attendees will be able to roam freely across the two venues and taste the very best that the dark depths have to offer.
For $64.84, your ticket includes a custom Festival of Darkness tasting glass, unlimited tastings from participating breweries, access to festival food from both venues, plus flash tattoos available throughout the day from Frida Ink Tattoos.
Here’s the list of breweries joining the party:
- Bowden Brewing
- Bridge Road
- Suburban
- Woolshed Brewing
- Shapeshifter
- Rehn Bier
- Mismatch
- Prancing Pony
- Crafty Robot
- Swell
- Six Twelve
- Ill Intentions
- Beer No Evil
- No Eye Deer
- Watsacowie
- Tiny Fish
- Sazerac Boilermaker Bar
Keep an eye on their socials as more updates are released.
Festival of Darkness 2026
Where: Nola Adelaide and the Stag Public House
When: Saturday, June 27, 2 pm – 9 pm
For more information, click here.
