If you’re looking for an excuse to spend a Saturday afternoon outside with good drinks, live music, great food, and some of your favorite people, I’ve got one for you. Even better, you can call it supporting the community, because technically, you are.

Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Fest is back Saturday, October 3, at Central Park in Fernandina Beach, and this year marks the festival’s sixth year. If you’ve been before, you already know it’s a good time. If you haven’t, this might be the year to change that.

Island Hop is Fernandina Beach Main Street’s largest annual fundraiser, so while we are all there sipping, eating, listening to music, and having a good time, the event is also raising money that goes right back into our downtown. Those funds help support local businesses, preservation, beautification, events, and the projects that help keep downtown Fernandina the place we all love.

So really, attending is practically community service. I don’t make the rules.

Island Hop may have started with craft beer, but it has definitely grown from there. This year’s lineup includes beer, wine, and spirits, giving you plenty to choose from as you make your way around the festival. Whether you already have a favorite or you’re looking to try something completely new, there is a little something for everyone.

And that’s really part of the experience. Take your time making your way through the different vendors, ask questions, sample something new, and enjoy getting to know some of the breweries, wineries, and distilleries behind what’s in your glass.

There is plenty happening between tastings too. This year’s live music lineup includes The Honey Badgers and Tommy Peacock, with music playing throughout the afternoon. There will also be food trucks, local vendors, nonprofits, and family friendly activities throughout the park, giving you plenty to do between tastings and plenty of reasons to stick around and enjoy the afternoon.

Now, let’s talk VIP.

General Admission starts at 1:00 PM, but if you want the full Island Hop experience, VIP is where it’s at. VIP guests get in at noon, which gives you an entire extra hour to explore the tasting lineup before General Admission begins. You’ll also have access to the private VIP lounge, light bites, premium restrooms, prize drawings, and lots of great perks throughout the afternoon.

That extra hour alone gives you more time to take everything in without feeling rushed, but having a VIP space to sneak away to throughout the day definitely doesn’t hurt either. If you are already planning to make an afternoon of it, this is one of those times when upgrading the ticket actually makes sense.

And let’s be honest, you’re going to need some food along the way. Thankfully, Island Hop has that covered too, with food trucks serving up plenty of options throughout the afternoon.

There will also be a marketplace with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to check out while you make your way around the park. And yes, your four legged friends have been thought of too. Hot Paws is sponsoring the dog park area, giving pups a spot to cool down, take a break, and enjoy Island Hop right along with everyone else.

What I really love about Island Hop, though, is that underneath all the fun, it is still a community event. Local businesses participate, people from all over our area come out, and the money raised stays right here supporting Fernandina Beach Main Street and the work they do downtown.

We get to have a really fun Saturday afternoon, and our community benefits from it. That’s a pretty easy cause to get behind.

Island Hop Craft Beer & Spirits Fest is Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Central Park, located at 1200 Atlantic Avenue in Fernandina Beach. VIP entry begins at noon, General Admission begins at 1:00 PM, and the festival wraps up at 4:00 PM. The event is rain or shine, because this is Florida and if we waited for weather we could trust, we would never plan anything.

Bring a refillable water bottle, a blanket or chairs if you want to settle in for a while, and definitely make a plan for getting home if you’ll be participating in the tastings. Free parking is available within walking distance of the festival entrance.

Whether you come to find a new favorite brewery, discover something you’ve never tried, listen to live music, eat your way through the food trucks, or just hang out with friends for the afternoon, Island Hop is one of those events that feels like Fernandina.

Local people, local businesses, a beautiful park, good music, good drinks, and a reason to come together and support the community.

Come thirsty. Come hungry. Bring your people.

And maybe arrange that ride home before you start “sampling for research purposes.”

We’ll see you at Island Hop! ??