Pair’d festival: Popular Margaret River culinary event announced again for 2026
Margaret River is making an assertive play for the global culinary spotlight, with Pair’d Margaret River Region organizers announcing a 2026 festival program that they say can only take place in Western Australia.
Pair’d, which gained international recognition at the prestigious Eventex Awards, the only Australian festival to receive this honour, has announced a four-day program for its 2026 program, bringing together Michelin-starred chefs, world-renowned musicians, rare museum wines and immersive dining experiences.
Set among the beaches, forests, vineyards and caves of the southwestern tourist trap, the event goes beyond a traditional food and wine festival, festival director Hannah Pike said.
“The 2026 program is about the art of mixology,” Ms. Pike said.
“From museum parties and fire feasts to musicians in caves and sunset sessions by the ocean, we’ve curated experiences that can’t happen anywhere else in the world.”
The festival will bring international culinary talent to WA from November 19-22, including Singapore’s renowned fire cooking expert Dave Pynt, Michelin-starred London chef Matt Abé, Canadian chef Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson and legendary American barbecue master Rodney Scott.
Austrian electronic pioneers Kruder & Dorfmeister will take to the stage with their only sunset performance in Australia for more than a decade, fronting Meelup Beach, which will again be the site of Pair’d Beach Club, with a casual beach bar, three-course meal service, live music and dancing on the sand.
The 40 wine-themed events will also include a celebration of local ingredients with patrons gathering under the mint trees of the Tanah Marah Forest, and a concert at the cave where Ngilgi Cave has been transformed into a performance venue for Noongar artist Bumpy and forest food-inspired wine tastings.
Limited to 24 people, a very small number of serious wine collectors will have access to Leeuwin Estate museum wines that have never been released to the public.
Last year, some of the most popular events at Pair’d sold out within minutes. This year tickets go on sale on July 1.
Western Australian Tourism Minister Reece Whitby believes Pair’d has become one of the state’s flagship events.
“Pair’d showcases the best of Western Australia’s world-class wine, food and music, drawing visitors to the South West to experience our iconic sights and venues,” he said.
“This event plays an important role in increasing visitation to the Margaret River region.”
