Kirby Fest Celebrates 8 Years of Local Flavor in Wilkes-Barre

Annual festival at the F.M. Kirby Center features regional beer, wine, food, and entertainment.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:37pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring repeating images of a beer glass, coffee mug, and music note in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the diverse offerings and lively atmosphere of the Kirby Fest.The annual Kirby Fest in Wilkes-Barre celebrates the city's thriving local food, drink, and arts scene with a vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration.Wilkes-Barre Today

The 8th Annual F.M. Kirby Fest was held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The festival featured local beer, wine, cider, and spirits, as well as food from area restaurants and live entertainment.

Why it matters

The Kirby Fest is an important annual event that celebrates the vibrant local food, drink, and arts scene in Wilkes-Barre. As a long-running festival, it helps to foster community pride and support for small businesses and creatives in the region.

The details

The festival included booths showcasing products from Benny Brewing Co. and other local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Attendees could browse vendor booths featuring art, crafts, and other goods from Wilkes-Barre-area artists and makers. Live music was provided by the band DymondCutter throughout the event.

  • The 8th Annual F.M. Kirby Fest was held on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • The festival has been an annual event since 2018.

The players

F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

A performing arts venue located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania that has hosted the Kirby Fest since its inception.

Benny Brewing Co.

A local brewery that participated in the Kirby Fest by pouring samples of its beers for attendees.

DymondCutter

A band that provided live musical entertainment at the 2026 Kirby Fest.

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What they’re saying

“The Kirby Fest is always a highlight of the year for us. It's a chance to showcase our beers and connect with the local community.”

— Joe Aieolo, Co-owner, Benny Brewing Co.

“We love playing at the Kirby Fest - the energy of the crowd and the amazing local food and drinks make it such a fun event for us every April.”

— Sean 'Chewey' Medek, Lead singer, DymondCutter

What’s next

The 9th Annual F.M. Kirby Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2027 at the F.M. Kirby Center.

The takeaway

The Kirby Fest continues to be an important celebration of Wilkes-Barre's vibrant local food, drink, and arts scene, bringing the community together each spring to support small businesses and enjoy regional talent.