While overall alcohol sales across the United States continue to soften, hard cider is bucking the trend, and the industry will gather in Providence next month to celebrate.
CiderCon 2026, presented by the American Cider Association, will take place Feb. 2–5 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The conference is expected to draw nearly 900 professionals from around the world, including orchardists, cidermakers, taproom managers, distributors, retailers and suppliers.
The hard cider category is reporting year-to-date increases in both dollar sales (+1.9%) and volume (+1.7%) after two consecutive years of steady growth. The upward trend is driven by the continued strength of regional craft producers along with renewed growth among national brands.
“Cider is not just holding its own in a challenging beverage landscape. It is growing because innovation, craftsmanship and passion are alive and thriving in this industry,” said Monica Cohen, CEO of the American Cider Association. “CiderCon is where that energy comes together. It is where knowledge is shared, relationships are built and the future of cider is shaped.”
Official programming runs Wednesday, Feb. 4 through Thursday, Feb. 5, featuring multiple educational tracks, expert-led sessions, tastings and discussions covering production, terroir, marketing, business strategy and category development.
Pre-conference events
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to take advantage of tours, workshops and networking opportunities throughout the week.
Tours begin Monday, followed by workshops and certification exams Tuesday. The Cider Share welcome reception takes place Tuesday, Feb. 3 from 5 to 7:30 p.m., bringing together cidermakers from around the world to pour their favorite selections.
Pre-conference tours consistently sell out. The 2026 lineup includes:
- Connecticut cidery tour
- Rhode Island cidery tour
- Prohibition in Providence: A drinking history tour
- Johnson & Wales University Culinary Arts Museum tour and demonstration
Complete details and registration information are available at ciderassociation.org/cidercon2026/.